Cosmetic advertising or… words that are worthless (part II)

So that they don't mess you up. Skip the hype and go straight to what really matters, moving beyond false headlines that are used to sell you cosmetics. So that they do not deceive you and you choose with your head and heart ❤ (part II)

We open chapter for lovers of green 🍃, greenwahsing or the fashion of the moment.

From least to most demands (in cosmetics) it would be: vegan, natural and ecological.

Vegan

You think: it's all vegetables and grains from the garden.

But what it really means is: there are no things of animal origin 🐑.

• Oils, plastics, paraffins, silicones, sulfates, parabens... and everything that is designed in a laboratory is not of animal origin as such... so it is MAZO vegan.

• Furthermore... with few exceptions and no matter how much we regret it... many vegan alternatives do not provide the same effectiveness and biocompatibility as their counterparts (that is, when you put it on your skin, your body responds wattafak ?).

Natural

You think: little vegetables and grains that do not harm Mother Earth.

But what it really means is: they come from a plant, animal (here the naturaland vegans come into conflict) or mineral… extracted by physical methods. In other words, what is excluded is 'chemistry'.

• pfff it's a move... because there are natural ingredients that cause a brutal environmental impact (for example, essential oils need a lot of cultivated land for the little amount you get from them... and they screw up the soil that is could dedicate to other crops). So the impact on water needs… carbon footprint… many times it is not ‘compensated’ for putting the ‘natural’ seal on it.

• Your skin suffers if something comes from a 'natural' or 'synthetic' origin. What matters is what is called (again) biocompatibility. There are people who are allergic to nuts, which are natural nuts. Or pollen, which is also natural pollen. On the skin, for example, essential oils for certain people are often synonymous with allergies. And once again, they are natural mallets. Gypsy rosemary can be more toxic than aspirin... and that depends on each person and their skin. Just because it's 'natural' won't be safer.

• Finally, there is NO type of scientific evidence to support that the natural ingredients available there are better for health or the environment than synthetic or laboratory-produced ones. Yes, I'm sure there are mad scientists inventing all kinds of poisons around the world... but there are also plenty of serious people with careers doing delicious and healthy things between pipettes.

Ecological

You think: how cool that in addition to taking care of myself, they have ingredients from Mother Earth and are super respectful of the environment.

But what it really means is: well it's fucked because... although the concept is more or less that... and it's cool..., but there is no regulation or unique rules to know if something is really ecological or not.

• A series of private companies (COSMOS) invented the most popular “seal” today (and quite expensive), which takes into account things such as the origin and handling of ingredients, the composition of the product, environmental management, labeling , the communication, …

• But wow, there are millions of companies out there that, for a modest price and with lax conditions, put a seal on your products so that consumers can be 'peace of mind'.

Impossible mixes contest...

Can a cosmetic be vegan, but NOT cruelty free? Yes, for example a nail polish made only with mineral pigments that is 'tested' on bunnies in China ( It's not a joke, it's more typical than you think)…

Can a cosmetic be natural and 'effective' tested in a laboratory?

Yes, for example an essential oil that has been made only by crushing and pressing a flower... and then you simply take it to a laboratory so that they can scientifically examine it.

If it is organic, is it vegan? If it's vegan, is it organic?

• No and no.

• There are ecologically permitted ingredients such as honey and milk that are not vegan.

• There are vegan ingredients such as e.g. most essential oils that are not very ecological depending on where they come from and how they are produced.

We hope we have confused you a little, hahaha

No, now it's serious; This is just about not getting carried away by easy headlines, that you have more knowledge than your 'herb' friend and you can get on her nerves when she gets all "sustainable" for dinner or drinks around.

The important thing in the end is that you enjoy it, safely, in your skin and that you double click as soon as someone shouts that it is now a green mallet.

Siwon

We do cool right