Types of natural beauty products include natural skin-care products, natural makeup, and natural hair-care products. Different manufacturers may apply the word natural to products that contain organic ingredients, that include various herbs and botanicals, or that contain no or few synthetic compounds. It should be noted that, in some jurisdictions, including the United States, there is no single legal definition of the term and that any manufacturer of cosmetics or personal care products can call its offerings natural without having to justify the description.
Some companies that specialize in natural beauty products establish and disclose significant standards for their offerings. For example, a company may be committed to using only ingredients that occur in nature with minimal or no use of synthetic preservatives. In other cases, a company may use synthetic ingredients but may insist that all of the botanicals used in its products be sourced from farms that are certified organic. In addition to these criteria, the company may also insist that its packaging be made from recycled materials, that its products and ingredients not be tested on animals, and that all ingredients are grown at farms that meet fair trade standards. Other companies adhere to less stringent standards.
Many skin-care companies offer natural beauty products as part of their range. These products may include cleansers, toners, and treatment products that rely heavily on herbal ingredients or aromatherapy oils. In addition to facial skin care, these companies may also produce body-care products that can be used for cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing the skin in the shower or bath. Popular personal-care items that are often sold as natural beauty products include bath scrubs made from coarse-ground sugar or salt. In some cases, products made with mostly synthetic ingredients may be sold as natural because they contain a minimal amount of an herbal or botanical extract.
Natural makeup is also popular, particularly so-called mineral makeup, which is made from crushed minerals in a variety of shades and colors. The wide acceptance of these natural beauty products is due to a number of factors, including the perception that the makeup is better for the environment and skin as well as its ease of use. Mineral foundation makeup, for example, can often double as a facial sunscreen, and many women and men who use it find that it does not aggravate sensitive or acne-prone skin. Users note similar benefits from mineral eyeshadows, which may not be as likely as some products to irritate the eyes.