Why Natural Products Are Better for You and the World

1. What's really in conventional cosmetics?

The average adult applies between 9 and 15 cosmetic products to their skin daily — toner, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, cream, makeup. Most of these products contain dozens of ingredients, many of which are synthetic in origin or derived from petrochemicals.

This is not inherently dangerous — but the question of which substances accumulate permanently in our bodies, which ones weaken our skin barrier in the long term, and what ecological consequences their production has, is legitimate and important.

The industry relies on cheap, stable, and easy-to-manufacture ingredients. This is economically understandable — but often not an optimal choice for your skin and the environment. Natural cosmetics take a different approach: they use what nature has developed over millennia.

2. The 6 most critical ingredients — and why they are problematic

Not all synthetic ingredients are equally problematic. But these six repeatedly appear in research — and for each of them, there is a natural, effective alternative.

3. What natural cosmetics really mean

The term "natural cosmetics" is not legally protected in Germany — any manufacturer can use it as long as they are not actively deceiving. This leads to products with few plant-based ingredients being marketed as "natural."

True natural cosmetics vs. greenwashing

True natural cosmetics are characterized by the following features:

• Plant-based raw materials from controlled cultivation or wild collection
• No synthetic preservatives, perfumes, and colorants
• Gentle processing that preserves active ingredients (cold pressing, gentle extraction)
• Transparent INCI lists with recognizable botanical names
• No animal testing

Natural cosmetics according to recognized standards like COSMOS or NATRUE contain at least 95% natural or nature-identical ingredients — and this proportion is certified and regularly checked.

4. EU Regulation: What is allowed, what is forbidden?

The European Union has established one of the world's strictest legal frameworks for cosmetics with Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products. This regulation applies directly in all EU member states — no national law needs to implement it first.

Overview of Certification Seals

Certifications voluntarily go beyond minimum legal requirements and offer consumers more reliable guidance:

• COSMOS Standard (COSMOS Organic / COSMOS Natural): International standard jointly supported by BDIH, Cosmebio, Ecocert, ICEA, and Soil Association. Specifies the proportion of ingredients that must be of natural origin and how they may be processed.
• NATRUE: European non-profit label with three levels (Natural Cosmetics, Natural Cosmetics with Organic Portion, Organic Natural Cosmetics). Prohibits all synthetic fragrances, colorants, and raw materials from petrochemical sources.
• BDIH: Oldest German natural cosmetics seal, since 1996. Focus on plant-based ingredients, prohibition of synthetic oils and fats, colorants, and radionuclide treatment.

5. Learning to read INCI: Green and red flags

INCI stands for International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients — the international nomenclature for cosmetic ingredients. All cosmetic products sold in the EU must list their ingredients in this order (descending concentration).

With a little practice, you can assess within 30 seconds whether a product lives up to its promises — or whether it's greenwashing.

6. Morocco as the origin: Why traditional recipes work

Morocco is one of the few countries in the world where millennia-old cosmetic traditions have not only survived but are actively practiced. The Hammam culture, Berber women as guardians of healing recipes, and the unique ecosystem of the southwest have produced raw materials and methods that are now valued worldwide in modern natural cosmetics.

Argan oil — liquid gold from the UNESCO Biosphere

The argan tree (Argania spinosa) grows exclusively in southwestern Morocco, in a region protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1998. The "Arganeraie" Biosphere Reserve covers over 2.5 million hectares and is home to approximately three million people.

The traditional extraction of argan oil is in the hands of Berber women's cooperatives: they harvest the fruits by hand, dry them, remove the husks, and cold-press the kernels — without heat, without solvents. This process preserves all valuable ingredients: Vitamin E (tocopherol), rare sterols, omega-6 fatty acids, and polyphenols.

Beldi soap — centuries-old cleansing with olive oil

Black Moroccan soap (Savon Beldi) is one of the oldest cosmetic formulations in the Mediterranean region. Its base: olive oil and eucalyptus — both known since antiquity for their cleansing and antimicrobial properties.

Unlike modern shower gels, Beldi soap contains no sulfates, no synthetic foaming agents, and no preservatives. It cleanses with saponified olive oil, nourishes the skin with natural fatty acids, and prepares it for the next step of the hammam ritual: exfoliation.

Kessa — mechanical exfoliation instead of microplastic

The Kessa glove is the traditional exfoliating tool of the Moroccan hammam. It is made from a specially woven viscose fabric, whose texture gently removes dead skin cells when glided over damp skin — without chemical additives, without microplastic particles.

Application is incredibly simple: soak skin for 10–15 minutes with Beldi soap, then glide the Kessa glove over the skin in long strokes. The result is immediately visible — and almost always surprising the first time.

7. EVARGANA Products: What's in them — and what's not

At EVARGANA, every product originated from a simple question: Would we use this ourselves on our skin daily? The answer has shaped our product line.

No paraffin. No silicones. No synthetic perfumes. No parabens. Instead: direct collaboration with Moroccan women's cooperatives, cold-pressed raw materials, and traditional recipes that have worked for generations.

Kessa Glove

Traditionally woven exfoliating glove for the authentic hammam experience at home. Microplastic-free.

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Beldi Soap

Black olive oil soap with eucalyptus according to a centuries-old Moroccan recipe. SLS-free.

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View all EVARGANA products →

8. Your transition to natural cosmetics: Step by step

The switch to natural cosmetics doesn't have to happen overnight — and shouldn't. A gradual transition gives your skin time to adapt and you time to truly get to know the products.

• Practice label reading
  Take an existing product from your bathroom and look for the red flags from section 5. This will sharpen your awareness and show you where you truly stand — without having to change anything immediately.
• Transition gradually — not all at once
  First, replace a product that is least important to you. Learn how your skin reacts. Natural cosmetics often work differently than synthetic products — sometimes slower, but more sustainably.
• Start with cleansing
  The cleansing product is the first thing that goes on your skin — and what rinses off the most. This is where the change is most easily noticeable. Swap shower gel or cleansing foam for Beldi soap.
• Then replace your moisturizer
  Replace your day or night cream with a high-quality plant-based oil — e.g., pure argan oil. A few drops are enough. Your skin doesn't need a film, but genuine nourishment.
• Change your exfoliant
  Replace exfoliating products with polyethylene (microplastics) with the Kessa glove. Mechanical exfoliation with moistened skin is not only more environmentally friendly — it works better.
• Don't forget sun protection
  Mineral sunscreen (with Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide) is gentler on the skin and ecologically less concerning than chemical UV filters. This step may require more research — take your time.
• Patience: 4 weeks for skin adjustment
  Your skin renews itself approximately every 28 days. If you notice temporary irregularities after the change, this is often a natural adjustment phase — not a sign that the product isn't suitable. Stick with it for 4 weeks before making a judgment.

Frequently asked questions