Clémence Organics’ guide to certified organic skincare

This article was contributed by Clemence Organics.

In Australia, any brand can put the word “organic” on a skincare label. Here’s how to tell which products have earned it.

When we say our skincare is certified organic, we mean an independent expert has checked our ingredients, our recipes and even the factory where our products are made, and confirmed it all. We’d love every “organic” label to mean that. Right now in Australia, it doesn’t, and once you know why, you’ll be able to spot the difference on any shelf .

Is the word “organic” regulated in Australia?

Here’s the surprising part: for products sold within Australia, there’s no law that says what “organic” has to mean on a label. Brands that export overseas must meet a strict national standard, but for products sold here at home, any company can print the word on their packaging without being checked. Farmers and certifiers have been asking the government to fix this for years, and a proposed law to create a legal definition has been examined by a Senate committee.

You do have some protection. The consumer watchdog, the ACCC, can take action against brands that mislead shoppers. Still, the easiest way to know if an organic claim is real is to look for certification, because that means someone independent has already done the checking for you.

What does certified organic actually mean?

Clémence Organics is certified by Australian Certified Organic (ACO) under COSMOS, an international standard for organic beauty products recognised in more than 70 countries. To earn and keep that certification, a few things have to be true.

The organic content is real and measured. At least 95% of the plant-based ingredients in our formulas, things like oils, butters and botanical extracts, must come from certified organic farms. The product as a whole must also meet a minimum organic percentage, and here’s a detail most people never hear: water can never be counted as organic, because water isn’t farmed. Plenty of skincare is mostly water, so brands that meet the threshold are working much harder than the number suggests.

The nasties are ruled out. Ingredients made from petrochemicals are strictly limited, and things like parabens, synthetic fragrances and GMOs are prohibited outright.

The whole operation gets audited. Certification looks past the ingredients list to how and where products are actually made, including manufacturing and packaging, with inspections to match.

The label has to prove it. Certified products must show the certifier’s logo and state the percentage of organic ingredients right on the pack.

If a product says “organic” but you can’t find a certifier’s logo or a percentage anywhere, nobody independent has verified that claim.

How do I check if a skincare product is really organic?

Three quick things to look for next time you’re shopping:

1. A logo from a recognised certifier, like ACO here in Australia.
2. A stated organic percentage, which certified brands are required to print.
3. If you want to be completely sure, certifiers publish public lists of the brands they’ve certified, so you can look any brand up at the source.

That same habit works for every claim on a label. Our cruelty free status is certified, our 1% for the Planet membership can be checked in their public directory, and our Sustainability Tracker membership means our sustainability actions are documented right here on this platform.

We like it that way. Every claim we make comes with a way for you to check it yourself.

Why we chose to certify

Clémence Organics was founded by naturopath Bridget Carmady in the Blue Mountains of NSW, and every product is naturopathically formulated and made in Australia. Certification takes real commitment: it costs money, it limits which ingredients we can use, and it means opening our doors to auditors year after year. We think that’s exactly what the word “organic” should require. Organic farming avoids synthetic pesticides and cares for the soil, and certification is our proof that those values run all the way through our products, from the farms our ingredients come from to the jar in your hands.

So the next time you pick up a product that claims to be organic, turn it over and look for the logo and the percentage. When you find them, you’ll know exactly what went into earning them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does certified organic mean in skincare?
It means an independent certifier has checked the product’s ingredients, recipe and manufacturing against a published standard. Under the COSMOS standard, at least 95% of a product’s plant-based ingredients must come from certified organic farms, and the product must meet a minimum overall organic percentage, with water excluded from the count because water isn’t farmed.

Is the word “organic” regulated in Australia?
Products sold within Australia can currently carry the word “organic” without meeting any legally binding standard, although the ACCC can act against misleading claims. A proposed national organic standard has been examined by a Senate committee. Certification remains the most reliable way to verify an organic claim.

What is COSMOS certification?
COSMOS is an international standard for organic and natural beauty products, recognised in more than 70 countries. It sets rules for organic content, banned ingredients, manufacturing and labelling, and is audited by approved certifiers such as Australian Certified Organic.

How can I tell if a skincare product is genuinely organic?
Check the label for a recognised certifier’s logo and a stated organic percentage. Certified brands are required to display both. Certifiers also publish public directories where you can confirm any brand’s certification.

Is Clémence Organics certified organic?
Yes. Clémence Organics is certified organic by Australian Certified Organic under the COSMOS standard, and is also certified cruelty free, a member of 1% for the Planet and Sustainability Tracker and Australian Made.