Understanding the icons in Familiprix’s Beauté éthique section
In a world where cosmetic products can be found everywhere, distinguishing products that are truly respectful of your health, the environment and animals is becoming a real headache. Although many programs present the different aspects and criteria used to categorize products, it can be difficult to identify what is relevant to consider when making ethical choices. So let's explore the many criteria in our Beauté éthique section to help you make choices that will make you look your very best—all while protecting the planet.
Paraben-free
It's becoming increasingly common to find the words "paraben-free" on cosmetics labels, but do you know what parabens actually are and why they're used in products? Parabens, which are a type of preservative, prolong the life of products by preventing the proliferation of bacteria and fungi within them. Although these chemical substances enable products to last longer, parabens' harmful effects must be considered. That's why many paraben-free and more skin-friendly options are available on the market and easily spotted in our Beauté éthique section.
Genetically unmodified (non-GMO)
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms with genes have been artificially modified to change their characteristics in some way. GMOs are mainly introduced into cosmetic products to increase the desired concentration of an ingredient already present in the original formula. To determine if a product is worthy of GMO-free cosmetics certification, requirements include assessing and categorizing potential hazards associated with using specific ingredients, their traceability processes, and the tests to which they have been subjected.
Gluten-free
With the growing demand for gluten-free products in pharmacies, product ranges are becoming increasingly diverse. Gluten is a plant protein found in the grains of certain cereals, such as wheat, rye, oats and barley. Naturally, "gluten-free" certification guarantees that the product in question contains no possible trace of gluten. Identifying this certification allows sensitive people to prevent the risk of undesirable side-effects of gluten. You can find many gluten-free products in our Beauté éthique section.
Cruelty-free
When looking for animal-friendly body care or cosmetic products, one of the essential criteria to consider is that they are free from animal cruelty. A product that meets this criterion must never have been tested on animals; in other words, it must never have been ingested or inhaled by an animal or applied to its skin. Several alternative methods are available to determine whether a product is cruelty-free and safe, such as testing on dissected human tissue or, better still, using ingredients known to be safe for people.
Vegan
Along the same lines as cruelty-free certification, a vegan product contains no ingredient of animal origin. In other words, it includes no ingredients derived from animals or animal by-products, such as eggs, milk, beeswax or honey. Vegan cosmetics are also free from animal exploitation. But beware, a product can be cruelty-free without being vegan, so it's important to make this distinction when spotting the icons.
Certified organic
Products bearing the COSMOS organic certification icon and the Ecocert logo have undergone meticulous verification, from composition and processing to packaging. When certified organic and natural, cosmetics guarantee a range of attributes, such as responsible use of natural resources, production and transformation processes that respect the environment and human health, the absence of petrochemical ingredients (e.g. parabens) and GMOs, and recyclable packaging. In sum, this certification is one of the most comprehensive on the market; it encompasses some of the features that distinguish products in our Beauté éthique section.
Now, all you have to do is find these icons in the Beauté éthique section! You’ll be well on your way to better respecting your health, the environment and animals!