ORGANIC BEAUTY
QUESTIONS ABOUT
Thalgo, the first marine brand to offer an Organically certified skincare range, works for sustainable development on a daily basis.
The launch of TERRE & MER by THALGO represents the complete realisation of this principle.
Using this range is synonymous with respecting both your skin and its environment with products that comply with the COSMEBIO Charter and contribute to the development of Organic Farming.
In addition, TERRE & MER by THALGO is a guarantee of high quality products based on our Research & Development department's know-how and expertise over more than 40 years.
Created in 2002, resulting from the collaboration between some ten cosmetics laboratories engaged in formulating specifications for ethical cosmetics, COSMEBIO is an association that today brings together more than 200 members with over 4,000 certified products. The COSMEBIO Charter has given rise to extremely demanding specifications filed by Ecocert with the Ministry of Industry, which appeared in the Official Journal on 09 April 2003.
These standards strictly, transparently and unambiguously define "Environmentally Friendly and Organic cosmetics" and make it possible to guide the consumer towards genuine natural and Organic products. The Charter, specially drawn up for the cosmetics sector, goes far beyond the presence of organically farmed products in the formula.An inspection and certification body, ECOCERT was founded in 1991 on strong ethical values, inherited from the agrobiological community movement of the 1970s. In winning the support of actors and consumers, ECOCERT has become a benchmark in Organic certification across the world and certifies more than 70% of the producers in France. With respect for mankind and its environment as its credo, ECOCERT adopts a global vision in this certification process, checking different points such as:
- Control of the active ingredients selected => to give preference to natural ingredients and Organically farmed ingredients that conserve the environment
- Control of the items of packaging chosen => to promote the use of highly recyclable materials and avoid finishings that compromise the use-by date of the contents
- Control of the printed texts (product names, insert, packs, POS) => to attest to the quality and the veracity of the information passed on to the consumer
- Certification of the manufacturing and production site => inspects the protective measures taken to conserve the surrounding environment An Organic ingredient is the product of Organic Farming, in other words it is grown and harvested according to very strict rules. Within the context of organic cultivation, the soil must be prepared for 3 years and the production methods are regulated in order to protect the environment. Accordingly, Organic Farming prohibits the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides. No, algae fall within the category of natural ingredients but not that of Organic ingredients.
In fact, it is not possible to control the environment of algae because the sea is not protected from pollutants (oil dumping from boats, waste released into the water, a catastrophe such as the Erika shipwreck), which can be carried by currents.
However, a working group is currently considering algae cultivation rules that would make it possible to environmentally certify them. These rules would be focused on sustainable development. Most Organically certified cosmetic products contain preservatives (artificial ingredients, the category into which preservatives fall, can represent up to 5% of an Organically certified formula).
ECOCERT provides its members with a limited positive list of preservatives that may be used to prevent the microbial contamination of products. These include Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, etc., for which scientists have enough perspective to be able to guarantee their efficacy. The use-by date for Organically certified cosmetic products is generally 6 months. For TERRE & MER by THALGO, our Research and Development teams have succeeded in developing formulas with use-by date of 10 months thanks to over 40 years' know-how and expertise in natural marine cosmetology. Bearing in mind that the use-by date is 12 months in traditional cosmetics, it is absolutely justified to highlight the efficacy of the preservation system of the TERRE & MER by THALGO Organically certified cosmetic products. No, the standards are not in favour of them and encourage the use of natural pigments to colour formulas and eco-certifiable compositions to add scent if necessary. As a general rule, it can happen that Organically certified cosmetic products are more expensive than conventional cosmetics.
This is explained by the higher cost of Organic ingredients due to the growing method for Organic plants, which have lower yields because of the absence of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. However, THALGO wanted to offer the TERRE & MER by THALGO skincare range at the same prices points as its other products. Partly, because they help to develop Organic Farming, encourage converting processes and environmentally friendly management of production sites. In addition, certification according to ECOCERT standards is your guarantee that only recyclable packaging that takes up as little volume as possible is used. The TERRE & MER by THALGO active ingredients have also been chosen taking carbon footprints into account: it is a matter of prioritising French raw ingredients, thus avoiding long-distance transport so as to better control the impact on the environment. These products offer a respite for all skin types and are suitable for men and women alike, irrespective of their age. No, just as is the case for traditional cosmetics (a commitment that THALGO makes it a point of honour to respect). Moreover, ECOCERT standards forbid experiments on animals both for the raw ingredients and the finished products.
They are obtained by steam distillation:
Step 1: the water heated will create steam
Step 2: the current of steam passes through the plant that is placed in the distillation chamber and draws out its essences
Step 3: the steam enriched with Essential Oils passes through an attemperator where it condenses
Step 4: the ''Water and Essential Oil'' mixture decants and separates: the Essential Oil floats on top of the floral water. It is thus collected as it overflows.
