Following the increasing popularity of cosmetics and in order to make them available to the widest audience, suppliers have been using more and more cheap synthetic ingredients.

In addition, manufacturing processes that are cheaper and cheaper have been used. However, an increasing number of questions are being posed concerning the impacts of today's mass-produced cosmetics on human health and the environment.

Cosmetics can contain aggressive products with carcenagenic properties such as parabens. Certain synthetic products can penetrate into the body and accumulate. Phtalates contained in certain cosmetics are environmental pollutants and are also bad for human health (phtalates DEHP). Besides, numerous synthetic products used in cosmetics have yet to be tested and therefore there is no proof of their non-toxicity. The following ingredients are suspected of being dangerous, but have yet to be formally tested: aluminium salts (used in deodorants), phenoxyethanol, colorants, BHA/BHT, chemical UV filters and silicones.

Organic cosmetics are those made from ingredients and in a manufacturing process that respect standards that are non-toxic for people and bio-degradable in the environment. They are made principally from natural sources. The use of synthetic ingredients is minimal. Certain products are forbidden in organic cosmetics, such as synthetic colorants, GMOs and petro-chemical sourced oils. A minimum percentage of organic ingredients are also necessary in order for a cosmetic to have an "organic" label. There are several standards authorities with slightly different requirements, yet they are all a sign of health and quality: Cosmébio, Ecocert, Nature & Progrès, BDIH.