In terms of cosmetics, innovations are numerous and brands are increasingly rushing into natural trends. It is possible to buy nail polish stamped organic, vegan or natural, for example. But what do these denominations mean? TipsForWomens takes stock.
Does vegan nail polish speak to you? The term is usually associated with food and yet, it is possible to find vegan nail polishes on the market, which are, as their name suggests, devoid of any animal substance in their composition, but also in their packaging. , especially the bristles of the brush.
What does cruelty-free mean?
When it comes to cosmetics, regulations protect animals. The mention “cruelty-free” which literally means “free of cruelty” towards animals, concerns all beauty products. Indeed, “Since 2004, the European Union has prohibited the use of animal testing for cosmetic products” can we read on the website of the federation of beauty companies, FEBEA.
Can this mention be a claim?
No, the allegationNot tested on animals“I don’t know”Cruelty free“, cannot be affixed to the products. The Febea website explains “Since the ban on animal testing applies equally to all cosmetic products on the European Union market and one cannot rely on compliance with the law, claims on the absence of animal testing are not allowed”.
The varnishes are therefore not tested on animals and this applies to the cosmetics sector as a whole. A vegan varnish will therefore necessarily be cruelty free, but will also not contain certain chemical elements such as toluene, phthalate, dibutyl, formaldehyde, acetone or heavy metals, to favor compositions based on wood pulp, cotton, corn, potato, wheat… Which can limit the choices, but the ranges of products are expanding more and more.
So what does the term “natural” nail polish mean?
Vegan nail polishes are therefore natural, but this is not the case for all. In 2016, the UFC Que-Choisir took an interest in the question and noted that “apart from organic certification, mentions referring to naturalness are pure marketing”.
According to the Union, faced with the multitude of chemical elements in these products, “some manufacturers have invested in the “natural” niche, a term which has the advantage of not meaning much and of not being controlled by anyone”.
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