An organic ingredient is one that is derived from organic agriculture and which, under European legislation that took effect in 1991, must comply with certain basic rules, including:

• Respecting the ecosystem by using cultivation and breeding methods that strive to maintain natural balances.
• Using no chemical fertilizers and pesticides or synthetic herbicides.
• Using no genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
• Mandatory inspection by organic certification bodies – this applies to both the producers and processors of organic products.
• Traceability back to the source area of the plant, whatever the country of production. In parallel, on an international scale, the NOP (National Organic Program) regulations were introduced in the United States in 2002, while the JAS (Japan Agricultural Standard) was introduced in Japan in 2000.

What exactly is an organic cosmetic product?

An organic cosmetic product must comply with more stringent standards than the conventional regulations on cosmetic products. These standards guarantee respect for the environment throughout the production chain, respect for the consumer, and a positive emphasis on natural substances of superior ecological quality. Our organic cosmetic products comply with the specifications of Ecocert, which has produced a list of authorized ingredients and insists on:

• a minimum of 95% natural ingredients or ingredients of natural origin,
• a minimum of 95% of the total plant ingredients certified organic,
• a minimum of 10% of the total ingredients certified organic.

Synthetic fragrances or colorants, silicones and mineral oils are not permitted. Only certain essential synthetic ingredients are authorized when no natural alternative is available.

Why doesn't L'OCCITANE make all of its cosmetic products organic?

Our approach to organic cosmetics is a realistic one. We would like to develop this offering in collaboration with Ecocert, while also taking into account existing constraints: the availability of resources from organic agriculture, the ability to maintain a product's cosmetic and sensory qualities, and obtaining the most effective formula. Suffice it to say, our entire product range will always live up to the highest standards in terms of quality and naturalness.

What is your approach to parabens?

Preservatives are molecules that prevent microbiological contamination of cosmetic formulas. All formulas need preservatives so that they can be used in normal conditions (kept in the bathroom, everyday contact with the user's hands, etc).
We always proceed with caution and use preservatives in doses lower than those authorized by legislation in all countries. At present, parabens are under scrutiny since a controversial British study revealed a potential link between parabens and cancer. However, these preservatives have been approved for use by regulators, are considered safe, and are permitted by the various cosmetic regulatory authorities worldwide. They are also used in medicines and food products. They are active in very low doses (0.3 to 0.5% maximum at L'OCCITANE, compared with a European maximum of 0.8%). Having said this, as a company that always errs on the side of caution; we replace parabens whenever possible with other preservatives whose toxicological risks have been fully investigated.

Are L'OCCITANE products safe for the skin?

Yes. The rules that govern our products on a European and international level are very strict and continually updated to reflect the latest scientific developments. Moreover, for every new product launched, we provide a very complete safety file. We systematically conduct tests to ensure that our products are gentle on the skin: skin irritation tests for our skincare or hygiene products; eye irritation tests for products aimed at the eye area; use tests lasting several weeks under the supervision of dermatologists and/or ophthalmologists for face care products. All inspections are carried out by independent laboratories approved by the Ministry of Health.

Are your products effective on the skin?

Yes. Before active ingredients are used in a product, we test their effectiveness, and the results of our research are patented. Once a formula has been developed, we evaluate its effectiveness through in vitro tests or tests on volunteers, as well as through use tests for face care formulas.

Do your products have a use-by date?

To ensure that our consumers use our products in the very best conditions, we give a use-by date on sensitive products: products for babies or organic products. We also include the PAO (Period After Opening) symbol on our product boxes and containers. This indicates the recommended number of months within which the product should be used after opening.