Future proof your beauty business

The organic and natural cosmetics market is growing but there are plenty of pressures and challenges for manufacturers, brands and retailers to face: how to make beautiful, natural products that work, how to stand out from the crowd, how to earn the trust and loyalty of consumers.

These are among the issues that will be explored in a special discussion at Biofach this week.

Chaired by COSMOS president and Soil Association Policy Advisor, Francis Blake, the speaker includes BDIH’s Harald Dittmar, Anke Boy of Speick, Natura Siberica’s Alexander Stukalin and Natural Products News editor Jim Manson.

The panel will share their insights on questions of formulation, marketing, certification, integrity and image, and be on hand to take questions from the audience.

Since the organic beauty market does not have a legal framework to reserve the use of the term ‘organic’ there are increasing number of products on the market claiming ‘natural’ production or ‘organic’ ingredients that do not meet any organic standards for beauty products. Even something with as little as 1% organic can claim that it is ‘organic’, ‘natural’ or ‘inspired by nature’ – making the realm of organic beauty an organic minefield for consumers.

Francis Blake said: “We are working to ensure the COSMOS standard becomes the de-facto international organic and natural cosmetics standard. Only an international standard can address the needs of an international industry and international market. A unified certification and standard becomes the go-to state for the organic and natural cosmetics market and believe this is the best way to build consumer trust and a more sustainable and buoyant market.”

Jim Manson commented: “We have a generation of consumers coming through who want to make good choices – for themselves and for the planet – when buying beauty and personal care products. But they want reassurance that the products they buy really do deliver on key values such as purity, sustainability and ethics – as well as being effective. So, industry needs to provide clear signposting to direct them towards authentic natural and organic brands. If we can combine rigorous standards, visible and well-recognized logos, and strong buy-in from all stakeholders we can create lifelong consumers of ethical and healthy beauty products.”

Future Proof Your Beauty Business takes place on Thursday 12 February at 2-3.30pm in Room Kiew, Biofach, Nuremberg. For details click here.