Cosmetics glossary

Advising consumers

The language of labels

Basics:Cosmetics glossary

Green Dot

Logo indicating that the manufacturer of the product on which it is affixed contributes financially to the collection, sorting and recycling of its packaging.

IFRA

Founded in Geneva in 1973, IFRA is the International Fragrance Association, the official international body representing the fragrance industry. Its main goal is to ensure the safety of fragrance raw materials for health and the environment through a dedicated scientific program.

CMR

An acronym for substances that are Carcinogenic, Mutagenic (inducing permanent changes in the number and/or structure of the body’s genetic material) or toxic to Reproduction (e.g. by causing malformations of the sexual organs or impairing sperm quality).

Cosmetic Product

What is a cosmetic product? We all have the feeling that we know this… but we can also make mistakes sometimes! And the question is not insignificant, since the status of a product determines the regulations, and the obligations, that apply to it. In Europe, a cosmetic product is governed by Regulation 1223/2009, and it is in this text that its definition must be sought.

EthicAdvisor

This logo, awarded by the private company EthicAdvisor, aims to distinguish ethical products in three dimensions: the health, the social and the planet.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Undesirable effect

Several types of undesirable effects may result from the use of a cosmetic product. They include irritation, intolerance or allergy reactions, which m...

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Logo of the responsible forest management brand. It identifies products (paper and packaging board) made from wood that comes from a forest that has b...

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Logo indicating that the manufacturer reduces the environmental impact associated with printing activities for its product.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Logo indicating that the packaging of the product meets the guaranties of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Soil Association

Label designating an ecological cosmetic, attributed by the venerable Soil Association, an English institution founded in 1946 by a group of farmers, ...

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

French National Agency for the safety of medicines and health products

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

French Health Products Safety Agency.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

0% Tree (or Tree-free)

A logo stating that the paper used for the "Instructions" or the cardboard box is manufactured without any need to cut a tree.

Friday, February 3, 2012

European system for the rapid exchange of information on dangerous products.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Cosmetics Europe

Cosmetics Europe (formerly known as COLIPA) is the European personal care professional association.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

COLIPA is the European Federation of Cosmetics Industries. In 2012, it took the new name of Cosmetics Europe.

Monday, December 26, 2011

A conservative guess is that 90% of cosmetic products come as emulsions: creams, gels, toothpastes, scrubs, masks, foundations … all are emulsions. An...