Jessie Milligan
McClatchy Newspapers
(MCT)

Physicians Formula is taking a big step toward “greener” cosmetics with its new line, Organic
wear, the first certified organic makeup from a mass market retailer.

Pressed and loose powder, bronzer, blush and concealer constitute the line that Physicians Formula says is “100-percent natural,” a phrase that is unregulated in the United States.

The products make heavy use of soy, olive oil, aloe and other readily identifiable ingredients.

Even mysterious-sounding ingredients – the ferric ferrocyanide in the pressed powder, for instance – are rated low risk by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research organization.

You can check the safety of cosmetics at www.cosmeticdatabase.com.

The Organic wear line uses largely recyclable packaging. Even its pressed-powder compact
is made mostly of cardboard. It is an almost vegan cosmetic line, with only the goat hair in the
brushes derived from animal sources.

The line is certified by France’s EcoCert.

Organic certification of personal care products is expected to be on the increase in the United States. The USDA recently began certifying organic personal care products.

Origins, owned by Estee Lauder, and Nature’s Gate are two lines with lotions or skin care
products that are certified organic by the USDA.