Contrary to popular belief, not all certified organic and natural makeup is created using the same ingredients or with the same quality. When looking for a brand that won’t be as harsh with inorganic chemicals and ingredients such as talc, everyone needs to know the signs of what makes a truly certified organic makeup that sources only the best for their customers. In particular, certified organic beauty products that are truly organic are going to be certified with an official label on their packaging and product website.

Certified organic beauty means the creators have to use organic ingredients in their beauty products as well as being carefully regulated by certain organizations that find them organic and safe for use. Here are some things to look out for when shopping for organic beauty products:

Anywhere on the packaging or the makeup itself it says that it’s paraben, PCB, or phthalate free. These are harsh chemicals used to create both the makeup and packaging. For example, if the beauty company is using PCBs in their plastic, that chemical can leech into the makeup and go into the skin.

Most makeup and beauty product are regulated through the USDA, but there are some natural ingredients that aren’t regulated by the USDA that everyone should be aware of. Things such as plant-derived ingredients and essential oils are not listed under the USDA but are much healthier for you and your skin than chemicals. Certified organic makeup and beauty products are going to have a certified USDA label or similar organic certification label, too.

There are other associations throughout the world that are promoting organic beauty products and all of them are going to have a label placed on certified products in order to show which products are truly organic.

But why is there so much buzz about certified beauty and makeup? The ingredients used to create these beauty products are naturally made and that means they will be gentler on the skin without losing their “pop” of color. Most makeup these days uses chemicals in order to keep things fresher and brighter, but these chemicals build up in the skin over time and can cause rashes, allergic reactions, and health problems. Also, some women live a vegan or gluten-free lifestyle, and don’t want to compromise on their makeup, so they too have options when it comes to eyeshadow, lipstick, and foundation.

The current market for certified organic makeup is booming and there are many options when it comes to living a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. However, everyone should also know what to look for when shopping for truly certified organic beauty products, so they don’t have to worry about any traces of chemicals in the makeup they put on their skin.