Naturally Derived vs. Faux-Natural

Naturally Derived: 

Some personal care companies define naturally derived ingredients as those where more than 50% of the molecule comes from a plant, non-petroleum mineral, water, or some other natural source. This means that over 50% of an ingredient can be made up of synthetic components.

We cannot entirely agree with this interpretation of "Naturally Derived."

As our founder, Peter Francis, once said:
"Firstly, water cannot be included in any definition of naturally derived, any more than we can consider sunlight as naturally derived. Water and sunlight are natural foundation blocks that all plants use to derive the other components of life. So, in the interest of honesty, let's leave water out of the equation."

Peter also acknowledged the need for modern chemical processing to refine, extract, or enhance natural ingredients for use in cosmetic formulations. However, he emphasized that it is the chemical processes used that must align with the principles of Green Chemistry.

Under the COSMOS Certified Organic Standard a formulation can contain no more that 2% synthetic moieties in the entire finished formulation.

Those allowable synthetic moieties can come from only a very select group of Green Chemistry using processing and manufacturing that are clean and respectful of human health and the environment, sustainable, and the end product must be readily biodegradable. 

Our commitment to deliver high performance, botanically-based products that are kinder to the planet – which is good for all of us -- goes much deeper than our use of naturally derived ingredients.

Every ingredient must be processed strictly in a COSMOS audited facility -

  • the feedstock (starting plant material) must be from organic agriculture, 
  • every process must respect the environment (Green Chemistry),
  • the people undertaking the work must be fairly paid,
  • child-labour must not use in any growing, harvesting, or processing,
  • the finished naturally derived raw material must be "Readily Biodegradable"
  • and the owner of the agricultural land that the plant feedstock was grown on must be able to demonstrate that the land was obtained legally at a fair price from a willing seller;

Only if the criteria described above can be clearly demonstrated in a yearly COSMOS Audit can we consider the naturally derived ingredient for inclusion in any one of our formulations... these are the COSMOS Rules under the Organic Cosmetic Standard and this strict adhesion to transparency and integrity is why we are proud to wear the COSMOS Logo.

Total Transparency & Honesty

1 - Product Positioning Statement

This area is dedicated to a brief explanation of the key attributes and benefits of the formulation.

2 - Product Certification Seal

This seals (logo) is required on the front of the package indicating that the product has been independently audited by the ACO Certification Ltd to the organic standard mentioned.

3 - Ingredient Panel

Ingredients are listed from highest (most active) to lowest, down to a level of 1%, as per the global INCI (International Cosmetics Ingredient Standard). Ingredients below 1% can be listed in any order. 
Special denotations (*,**) are mandatory under the organic standards to
identify the ingredients from certified organic origin or made using organic ingredients.

4 - QR Code

A scannable link from your phone directly to our website for more information.

 5 - Period After Opening (PAO)

General life of product after opening if in normal controlled temperature conditions.
Self-life may be reduced if left in extreme temperatures i.e. hot sun etc. The product is tested to a minimum of three years stability before opening and therefore does not carry Use By Date.

6 - Australian Made Symbol

Officially Registered Australian Made, manufactured in South Australia. The formulations are audited and approved by Australian Made based on their
true country of manufacture. You can never trust a brand’s integrity if they don’t have an official Australian Made logo. Many unscrupulous brands have a faux Australian Made symbol, or stylized kangaroo and Australian logo. These brands are most likely using formulations made in Asia, or elsewhere, and bottled in Australia, and therefore, are not eligible to carry the official
Australian Made logo.  

7 – Sustainably Sourced & Synthetic Moieties Declaration

Full transparency regarding the sustainable origin of our raw ingredients, and the percentage of synthetic molecules in the formulation. We do not add synthetic moieties, however, small trace elements of synthetic moieties may be part of an ingredient that we purchase, and therefore are unavoidably added to the formulations as we incorporate the ingredient.

8- Organic Standard Declaration

A mandatory declaration under the organic standards to identify the exact percentage of ingredients from a natural and certified organic origin. The ingredients, formulation, labels and manufacturing are all audited by the ACO Certification Ltd on a yearly basis.

9 – Natural Percentage Moieties Declaration

Full transparency regarding the natural origin of our raw ingredients is declared. Many companies say that they use naturally derived ingredients, however, these may contain more than 90% synthetic moieties. Our formulations and labels are independently audited by the ACO Certification Ltd, so you can be assured that you are honestly informed regarding the natural components of our formulations.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING ANIMAL TESTING: Abaché Organics labels are compliant to the EU Labelling Standards for cosmetics. The mentioning of “no animal testing” is considered misleading marketing claims on packaging under EU legislation. None of our products are ever tested on animals.

 

 

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