The growing interest in a healthy and sustainable lifestyle has revolutionized the world of cosmetics, especially hair care. Organic hair products are becoming increasingly popular, but what makes them stand out?
What are organic products? Organic products are formulated with ingredients from organic farming, without the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, or artificial fertilizers. These products adhere to strict production standards and are often certified by accredited organizations.
Advantages of organic hair products:
- Scalp and Hair Health: Natural and organic ingredients are gentle on the skin, reducing the risk of irritations, allergies, or side effects.
- Sustainability: Organic farming protects the environment by limiting the use of chemicals that could pollute water and soil.
- Efficacy: Many natural ingredients, such as argan oil, aloe vera, or apple cider vinegar, are known to moisturize, strengthen, and bring shine to the hair.
- Natural Fragrances: The scents of organic products come from natural essential oils, providing a pleasant and authentic aromatic experience.
In conclusion, choosing organic hair products not only supports your health and beauty but is also an ethical and environmentally-friendly decision.
Bio Hair Care Certifications: What They Actually Guarantee
The two dominant standards for bio hair cosmetics are Cosmos Organic (Ecocert, Cosmebio) and Natrue. Cosmos Organic requires that at least 95% of plant-derived ingredients are from certified organic farming, and that at least 20% of the total formulation (excluding water) is of organic origin. Natrue imposes similar criteria with an explicit ban on silicones, synthetic PEGs and artificial colorants. These certifications guarantee the sourcing of plant ingredients — they do not guarantee the clinical efficacy of the product, which depends on the concentration and form of the actives, not their origin.
Chemical Comparison: Bio vs Conventional Formulations
The primary formulation difference between a certified bio shampoo and a conventional one lies not in the origin of surfactants but in their selection. Conventional formulations routinely use SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate), an anionic surfactant with high detergent efficacy but significant irritation potential (CMC ~1 mM). Certified bio formulations replace it with glucoside surfactants (decyl glucoside, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, CMC ~1–2 mM), which are less irritating but also less effective on heavy styling residues. This substitution explains the cleansing sensation difference between the two categories — not a deficiency of the bio product, but a difference in surfactant mechanism.
Professional Bio-Compatible Product on cliCHair
The Curly Up Shampoo 300 by Edelstein, available on cliCHair.ch, integrates certified plant-derived surfactants (cocamidopropyl betaine, decyl glucoside), organic aloe vera and standardized botanical extracts. Formulated without sulfates, parabens or heavy silicones, it meets the criteria of bio-compatible formulations while maintaining cleaning efficacy suited to curly and treated hair. A professional product that reconciles chemical rigor with responsible sourcing.