The cosmetology called “Bio” is inspired from the phototherapy and based on natural substances such as vegetable oils, essential oils, floral waters, waxes, butter… it respects very strict quality requirements concerning the components and a different production technique from traditional cosmetics. The difference is, in fact, in the quality, the quantity of product components as well as in the fabrication processes. However, a natural cosmetic product is not necessarily Bio. That is why the product should be certified as “Bio” by respecting some precise and very stringent specifications monitored by independent institutions like Ecocert¹ in France with the COSMEBIO² charter (feature Eco or Bio). “Nature et Progrès et Qualité France”, is the name of the certification body that should essentially appear on all products stemming from the Biologic Agriculture.

Hence, the bio product is a raw or converted product that results from an agricultural production means without any chemical products (fertilizers, pesticides), or genetically modified organism (O.M.G). It should be free from any perfume, coloring and artificial conservatives; it should not contain any synthetic products or petroleum-extracted products; without glycerin, or paraffin, or Vaseline, or alcohol. The used products should be biologic, brut and not chemically treated. Finally, essential oils should be 100% pure and natural.

Berthe Daccache, marketing manager of Audi Green Life Company confirmed: “The bio cosmetology conserves all the advantage of natural ingredients and provides our skin with all their nourishing substances. On the other hand, the use of chemical components may ruin the efficiency and all nutritive values of natural elements”. She added: “bio products proved their great efficiency without causing any allergic reactions on the skin like any other conventional beauty product”.

1- Ecocert is a monitoring and certificating company authorized by the authorities since 1991 that issues the label “Cosmèbio”. It is stemmed of the Association of Consultants in Biological Agriculture, 1978 (A.C.A.B). Ecocert defined an Ecocert charter about ecological and biological cosmetics that oblige a strictness level superior to the conventional regulations on cosmetics products and that guarantee a real respect of the environment.

2- Cosmèbio charter has a particular terms of reference presented by Ecocert to the Ministry of Industry in France. Most of the chemical conservatives are strictly forbidden according to the Cosmèbio charter; like the soluble emulsifier with glycol bases (PEG), Silicones, paraffin (stemmed from the petrochemical industry), perfumes and synthetic colorants. The certification may also be applied on the fabrication methods, the means of vats cleaning, on procedures and even on the factories environment. No animals testing, no environmental incidence concerning the packing, the resulting product. Rraw materials are also involved in the regulations of the charter. Cosmèbio Charter is identified with a green logo BIO that certifies that minimum 95% of the components are natural or originally natural and minimum 95% of the vegetable ingredients are bio; the water is not considered in these calculations.