A guide for certifications in the beauty industry
Today’s beauty consumers are more conscious than ever about what they put on their body, how products are made, and the ethics behind the brands they support. Third-party certifications play a crucial role in ensuring transparency, safety, and ethical responsibility in the beauty industry. These certifications not only validate claims like “organic” or “cruelty-free,” but they also help brands stand out in an increasingly competitive market.
For beauty companies, obtaining third-party certifications builds trust with consumers, opens doors to new retail partnerships, and provides credibility that can’t be achieved through marketing alone. But with so many certifications available, it’s important to understand what each one means and why it matters. Below, we break down some of the most important certifications in the beauty industry and how they differ from one another.
Key Third-Party Certifications in Beauty
Cruelty-Free
A cruelty-free certification ensures that no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development, from ingredients to final formulations. There are a couple of types of cruelty free certifications; Leaping Bunny is one of the most rigorous cruelty-free certifications, requiring brands to prove that their entire supply chain (including ingredient suppliers) is free from animal testing. They also require independent audits, making them stricter than other programs, whereas PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program is more accessible.
Learn more: Leaping Bunny | PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies
USDA Organic
USDA Organic certification ensures that a product meets strict organic agricultural standards, meaning ingredients are grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs. It is one of the most stringent organic certifications in the U.S., requiring at least 95% organic content to carry the USDA Organic seal. This certification is ideal for brands that prioritize purity and sustainability in ingredient sourcing.
Learn more: USDA Organic
ECOCERT
ECOCERT is an internationally recognized certification that ensures products are made with natural and organic ingredients while meeting strict sustainability and ethical standards. Brands that seek a well-rounded certification for natural and organic beauty products often choose ECOCERT because it not only verifies ingredient purity but also assesses the environmental impact of packaging and production methods.
Unlike USDA Organic, which focuses only on agriculture, ECOCERT evaluates the entire product formulation and manufacturing process. It also allows a certain percentage of synthetic ingredients, as long as they meet strict safety guidelines.
Learn more: ECOCERT
Fair Trade
Fair Trade certification ensures that ingredients such as shea butter, cocoa, and coconut oil are sourced ethically, supporting fair wages, safe working conditions, and sustainable farming practices. Companies that prioritize social impact and ethical sourcing often choose Fair Trade to demonstrate their commitment to empowering small-scale farmers and communities.
Unlike other sustainability certifications, Fair Trade focuses primarily on the human and economic aspects of ingredient sourcing rather than the organic or natural content of the product.
Learn more: Fair Trade Certified
NATRUE
NATRUE is a European certification that sets high standards for natural and organic cosmetics, ensuring transparency and banning synthetic ingredients such as parabens, silicones, and artificial fragrances. It is one of the most trusted natural beauty certifications in Europe and requires a high percentage of natural or derived-natural ingredients.
Unlike ECOCERT, which allows some synthetic ingredients, NATRUE has a strict ingredient blacklist and higher thresholds for what qualifies as a natural product.
Learn more: NATRUE
Cosmethically Active
Cosmethically Active certification ensures that cosmetic ingredients provide scientifically proven benefits to the skin. This certification is ideal for brands that want to emphasize the efficacy of their formulations rather than just their ethical or environmental aspects.
Unlike certifications that focus on sourcing and sustainability, Cosmethically Active evaluates whether ingredients actually deliver the skincare benefits they claim.
Learn more: Cosmethically Active
Vegan
A vegan certification guarantees that a product contains no animal-derived ingredients or byproducts. This certification appeals to consumers who avoid all animal products, making it especially relevant for ethical and plant-based brands.
While cruelty-free certifications focus on animal testing, vegan certifications go a step further by ensuring no animal-derived ingredients are used in the formulation.
Learn more: The Vegan Society | V-Label
Good Face Project
The Good Face certification assesses beauty products for ingredient safety and transparency, ensuring they meet high health and environmental standards. It is ideal for brands that want to focus on clean beauty and non-toxic formulations while maintaining full ingredient transparency.
Unlike traditional organic or natural certifications, Good Face is centered around the scientific evaluation of ingredient safety rather than sourcing.
Learn more: Good Face Project
Minority, Female, or Veteran-Owned Certification
This certification recognizes businesses that are at least 51% owned and operated by individuals from the designated groups such as minorities, women or veterans. It helps businesses access funding, corporate contracts, and networking opportunities specifically designed to support diversity in entrepreneurship.
Learn more: NMSDC | WBENC | VA Vets First Verification Program
COSMOS
An international certification for organic and natural cosmetics that ensures sustainable sourcing, environmentally friendly production, and strict ingredient standards. It provides a globally recognized standard for organic and natural cosmetics, making it a strong choice for brands that want international credibility.
COSMOS is broader in scope than USDA Organic, covering both agricultural and non-agricultural ingredients, as well as packaging and sustainability practices.
Learn more: COSMOS Standard
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
ISO certifications ensure that a company adheres to internationally recognized standards for quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. It is ideal for brands that want to demonstrate high manufacturing and safety standards.
Unlike organic or ethical certifications, ISO focuses on operational and quality control processes rather than ingredient sourcing.
Learn more: ISO
Which certifications matter most to you when shopping for beauty products? Let us know in the comments! 🚀✨
