What Does COSMOS Natural Certification Actually Mean?

The Short Answer

COSMOS is the standard that defines genuine natural and organic cosmetics. It's owned by COSMOS-standard AISBL, a non-profit based in Brussels [1]. It was set up in 2010 by five organisations working together, including the UK's Soil Association [2]. COSMOS Natural certification requires a product to be made with a minimum of 95% natural-origin ingredients [5]. Salt of the Earth holds our COSMOS Natural certification, checked and awarded by the Soil Association [10]. That means an independent group, not us, has looked closely at what's inside our products.

Who Audits COSMOS Natural Certification?

In the UK, it's the Soil Association Certification that does this work. It's the certification arm of the Soil Association charity, and it's one of the bodies officially authorised to check products against the COSMOS Natural standard [3]. Soil Association Certification helped found COSMOS in the first place, and it offers both COSMOS Natural and COSMOS Organic certification to UK beauty brands [4]. When a product carries the COSMOS Natural mark, it means the ingredients, the way the product is made, and even the packaging have all been looked at [3].

COSMOS Natural vs COSMOS Organic: What's the Difference?

COSMOS Natural and COSMOS Organic are two levels of the same standard [7]. COSMOS Natural checks that ingredients come from nature and are processed safely [7]. COSMOS Organic goes further. A minimum share of the formula must come from certified organic farming — usually at least 20% of the product, or 10% for rinse-off products like shower gel [6]. Salt of the Earth holds COSMOS Natural certification, not COSMOS Organic [10].

Why COSMOS Natural Certification Matters When Choosing a Deodorant

Lots of deodorants say "natural" on the front of the bottle. Not all of them can back that up with independent proof. Knowing what COSMOS Natural actually checks helps you see the difference between a checked claim and a marketing word.

Independent Checks vs Self-Declared "Natural" Labels

There's no legal definition of "natural" or "organic" for cosmetics in the UK, according to research from 2017 [8]. That's exactly why independent, voluntary standards like COSMOS exist. Because the terms aren't regulated, third-party certification is what brings real transparency to the market [9]. A brand can call itself natural. Only a certification body can check if that's actually true.

What This Means for Ingredients Like Potassium Alum

Our deodorants are made with potassium alum, a naturally occurring mineral salt [11]. Its molecules are too large to get through the surface of your skin. Instead, it works on top of your skin to stop odour-causing bacteria [12]. Read more about how potassium alum works. It's also worth knowing that our products are deodorants, not antiperspirants. They help stop body odour without blocking your pores or stopping you from sweating [13].

How to Check a Deodorant's COSMOS Natural Status

Look for the COSMOS Natural logo on the packaging. You can also check which certification body stands behind it, such as Soil Association Certification in the UK [3]. If a brand says "natural" but can't point to an independent certifier, that's worth asking about. Salt of the Earth's COSMOS Natural certification covers products like our Unscented Spray Refill [10]. You can browse our full natural deodorant range to see everything that carries the certification.

FAQs

Q: What does COSMOS Natural certification mean? A: COSMOS Natural certification means an independent body has checked that a product meets strict natural and environmental standards, including a minimum of 95% natural-origin ingredients [3][5].

Q: Who audits COSMOS Natural certification? A: In the UK, COSMOS Natural certification is audited by the Soil Association, one of the UK's leading organic certification bodies [3]. They independently check the ingredients, the manufacturing process, and the packaging [3].

Q: Is COSMOS Natural the same as COSMOS Organic? A: No. COSMOS Natural and COSMOS Organic are different certifications under the same COSMOS standard [7]. COSMOS Organic requires a minimum amount of certified organic ingredients, while COSMOS Natural does not [6]. Salt of the Earth holds COSMOS Natural certification, not COSMOS Organic [10].

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Sources

[1] cosmos-standard.org [2] cosmos-standard.org [3] cosmos-standard.org/en/certification/certification-bodies; soilassociation.org [4] soilassociation.org [5] COSMOS Standard v3.1 (brand-approved claim, certification floor only) [6] ecocert.com [7] ecocert.com [8] theguardian.com/environment/2017/apr/24 (2017 research, presented as historical) [9] soilassociation.org [10] COSMOS Natural certification – Soil Association (approved brand claim) [11] Product INCI declarations; approved brand claim [12] Dermatological studies on molecular size and skin penetration; approved brand claim [13] Product classification; approved brand claim

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