Why is PureBee not certified?

This topic is not only a central question for us at PureBee, but actually for all manufacturers and importers of natural cosmetics. We are regularly asked why our products are not "certified natural cosmetics". This is not surprising, because if you take a closer look at the market, there is a wealth of seals and logos that "certify" natural cosmetics for customers. Of course, "certified natural cosmetics" creates trust and the customer feels more secure in his purchase decision. The next time you stroll through the cosmetics department of your supermarket or drugstore, pay attention to how many seals you see and how it makes you feel. But can you really rely on all seals?

Since we deliberately decided against certification, it is clear that we also have some points of criticism and there are reasons why we are not certified.

However, this is not intended to be a post about the pros and cons of existing natural cosmetics seals, and we do not want to evaluate them either. Rather, we would like to explain our philosophy to you and why these seals do not suit us. "PURE. PURE NATURE. NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL." That is our motto and we live it holistically. For us, sustainability and naturalness does not stop with the ingredients of the products, but extends through the supply chain to product development and delivery to your door. However, most seals are only about ingredients.

The topic of natural cosmetics certification is far more extensive than one might initially think. A certification does not necessarily say whether a product is "good" or "bad" and since transparency in all areas is important to us, we would like to disclose our reasons why we decided against it.

In order to be able to speak more precisely about the certifications, we first have to be clear about what "natural cosmetics" actually is. We also refer to our cosmetics as "natural cosmetics". For us, this means products that contain only natural ingredients and are not harmful to our health. We think that's what most people understand by "natural cosmetics". However, the term natural cosmetics is not legally protected, so anyone can write it on their packaging, regardless of the ingredients it contains. So there are no legal regulations and products with harmful chemicals or synthetic substances can theoretically be called natural cosmetics.

However, all products manufactured in Europe are not tested on animals. Since March 11, 2013, animal testing on cosmetics and their raw materials has been completely banned in the European Union due to the provisions of the Cosmetics Ordinance. These are legally binding bans, which means that all cosmetics manufacturers in the EU must comply with these regulations. However, very large companies, especially those with sales in China, may conduct animal testing in China. However, this does not usually apply to smaller manufacturers. Since we produce our products 100% in southern Germany, our products are of course also animal-free.

But if PureBee only offers natural, pure, environmentally friendly and animal-free products, why don't we have the whole thing certified with a seal?

Unfortunately, there are a plethora of certifications and seals in Germany that are supposed to create trust in the customer. Often the holistic sustainable philosophy is not in the foreground of these seals, but profit-oriented companies. Products with seals simply sell better than those without. For customers, however, these standards are often difficult to understand and non-transparent.

Also, some certifiers have standards that are significantly lower than the ones we set ourselves. In many certifications, for example, preservatives are permitted, which we categorically exclude from the outset. In addition, our suppliers must also have their raw materials certified so that we can then use them. Larger raw material traders already have the most common certificates, but we can also use raw materials from very small manufacturers who deliver very good quality and produce very high-quality raw materials, but often cannot afford certification. Because no matter which standard a certification follows, they all have one thing in common: they are incredibly expensive.

These are the main reasons why we have so far decided against certification, even though our cosmetics are pure, natural and sustainable.

For us, the production of cosmetics is not just about the raw materials used, but we pursue a more holistic concept. Both the environmental compatibility of the raw material and the skin compatibility play a very important role, not only in the end product, but in the entire product development up to the packaging and shipping. Before a product comes onto the market, we give a lot of thought to all aspects. Of course, the ingredients play a very important role, but also: What is the best way to source the raw materials? How can production be optimized? What are the production conditions like? How can we pack the products in the most environmentally friendly way? What is the best way to ship the products? These are just a few of the questions that, for us, are part of a comprehensive concept and are often not shown to such an extent in the certifications.

This is an important and valid question! Unfortunately, it is extremely difficult for consumers to keep track of which seal corresponds to their own standards. In the end, it is up to everyone to check the ingredients of the products and form their own opinion. At PureBee we always try to make this as easy as possible for our customers. In addition to the legally required INCI, we always print the German names directly on the packaging and on the product pages you will find an additional explanation of why this ingredient is included and what it is supposed to do on the skin or in the product. Then everyone can make their own judgment as to whether the product is "good" or "bad" for them and you don't have to rely on seals, you can make your own decision.