Parabens, phthalates, chemical UV filters… these are just some of the endocrine disruptors still found in many cosmetic products, and they are causing increasing concern.
For those concerned about their health, a question arises: what reliable guidelines can help avoid these risky ingredients?
While there is no label exclusively dedicated to endocrine disruptors, some organic or natural labels impose very strict specifications which ensure the absence of the majority, or even all, of known or suspected endocrine disruptors.
4 reliable labels for endocrine disruptors at a glance
Before going into detail, here are the four most reliable labels today for avoiding endocrine disruptors in cosmetics :
- Cosmébio / COSMOS : Recognized standard, independent controls, exclusion of the main endocrine disruptors (parabens, phthalates, chemical UV filters…).
- Nature & Progrès label : Very strict charter, without any synthetic ingredients, artisanal and ethical approach.
- NATRUE : Rigorous international label, broad exclusion of PE and controversial ingredients, independent audits.
- EU Ecolabel : Official label of the European Union, strict exclusion of identified PEs, independent certification, high requirements in terms of ecotoxicity and safety.
How does cosmetic labeling work?
Behind the scenes of a cosmetics brand
To fully understand what a label guarantees, it is essential to distinguish three complementary roles:
1. The label holder
It is the organization (often an association or private entity) that defines the charter or specifications . It sets the criteria to be respected (composition, origin of ingredients, manufacturing process, exclusions, etc.).
Examples: Cosmébio, NATRUE…
2. The technical reference framework
In some cases (particularly at the European level), several label holders unite around a common standard , such as the COSMOS standard . This is a set of harmonized technical rules, recognized internationally.
3. The certifying body
It is an independent body, accredited to conduct compliance audits . It regularly checks the formulas, ingredients, traceability, etc., and issues the official certification. Without it, the label cannot be affixed.
Examples: Ecocert, Cosmécert, Bureau Veritas, ICEA…
Labeling: a voluntary, paid, and often cumulative choice
Obtaining a label for a cosmetic product is neither mandatory nor free. Brands must join the label (often through an annual fee) and finance the audits carried out by an independent certification body .
When a brand wishes to display multiple labels (for example, COSMOS and NATRUE), it must pay fees for each one , with separate procedures and controls. Brands choose to label their products, or even their brand itself, to:
- To offer concrete and objective guarantees to consumers;
- To stand out in a market saturated with unverified claims;
- Promote a strong ethical, environmental or health commitment.
An uncertified product may still meet the technical criteria of a label, or even exceed them. For editorial, budgetary, or logistical reasons, some brands prefer to formulate "clean" products without formal certification; this is why it remains important to learn how to decipher the INCI list on labels.
Marketing claims: clearly distinguishing between true and false
Be wary though: while the absence of a label does not necessarily mean a dubious formulation, it is important not to be fooled by claims on packaging such as "paraben-free", "clean beauty", "natural", "hypoallergenic"... These reassuring little words are generally not regulated, and can lead to confusion.
A statement like "free from endocrine disruptors" has no legal value in itself. It may only refer to a single ingredient, or a single type of endocrine disruptor (for example, estrogenic disruptors, but not androgenic or thyroid disruptors), and leave room for other equally controversial disruptors.
Similarly, the term "clean beauty", which is very fashionable, is not regulated by any independent body: each brand defines for itself what it means by "clean".
The most demanding cosmetic labels regarding endocrine disruptors
Although endocrine disruptors are receiving increasing attention from health authorities, regulations remain incomplete. Some substances are banned, others are under evaluation, but many still fall outside the legal framework.
This is particularly true of certain substances used in conventional perfumes, such as phthalates, which are still permitted despite worrying health concerns. To understand how these components affect our hormonal balance and how to avoid them, see our comprehensive report on endocrine disruptors in perfumes .
This is where labels become truly meaningful. In the absence of a label specifically dedicated to endocrine disruptors, you can rely on the strictest organic or natural certifications: they go beyond regulations by excluding many concerning ingredients suspected of affecting the hormonal system.
The strength of these labels lies in:
- demanding specifications,
- regular independent audits,
- great transparency.
Here is an overview of the most reliable ways to limit — or even eliminate — exposure to endocrine disruptors.
Comparative table of the most demanding labels for PE
| Label / Mention | Kind | Scope | Prohibited PE ingredients | Control & certification | Geographic scope | Key points to remember |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSMOS / Cosmébio | Reference framework + Association label | Product | Excludes all known and suspected endocrine disruptors (parabens, phthalates, chemical UV filters, etc.) | Regular audits by accredited bodies (Ecocert, Cosmécert…) | International | A solid and internationally recognized standard; Cosmébio adds an ethical commitment as an association. |
| Nature & Progress | Association membership (Participatory Guarantee System) | Entire brand (products + overall approach) | Excludes all known and suspected PE, ultra-cautious approach | Participatory control (PGS) by peers and local consumers (without external audit) | France | Strictly adhered to a very strict and activist association standard, artisanal, ethical and local approach |
| NATRUE | International certification label | Product and brand (minimum 75% of the range) | Excludes all known or suspected endocrine disruptors (REACH and SIN lists) | External audits by independent accredited bodies | International (mainly Europe) | Demanding international label, comprehensive "clean" vision, excellent credibility |
| EU Ecolabel | Official European public label | Product | Excludes all recognized PEs (according to REACH, BPR, PPPR) and many suspected ones (parabens, phthalates, chemical UV filters…) | Certification by independent accredited bodies, audits and INCI control | European Union | A regulated label, with stringent requirements regarding PE and ecotoxicity, overseen by the European Commission |
Cosmébio & COSMOS standard
Founded in 2002, Cosmébio is a pioneering French association. Originally equipped with its own standard, it adopted the European COSMOS standard in 2017, co-founded by several European labels including Cosmébio (with Ecocert, BDIH, ICEA and the Soil Association).
COSMOS has two levels of certification:
- COSMOS Natural : natural formulation, without organic certification requirement.
- COSMOS Organic : 20% minimum organic in the finished product (10% for rinse-off products).
Both prohibit parabens, phthalates, silicones, PEGs, chemical UV filters, nanoparticles, etc.
To display the Cosmébio logo, a brand must:
- To be COSMOS certified (for one of its two levels of certification, Natural or Organic) by an independent certification body (Ecocert, Cosmécert...);
- Join the Cosmébio association.
This dual commitment strengthens the credibility of the products, on the technical (COSMOS) and ethical (Cosmébio) aspects.
Nature & Progress
Created in 1964, Nature & Progrès is not a label but an association designation , based on a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). This assessment is carried out directly by member producers and consumers, without a third-party certification body.
It mandates the exclusive use of ingredients from organic farming or controlled wild harvesting, and totally excludes GMOs, petrochemical derivatives and all known or suspected endocrine disruptors (parabens, phthalates, silicones, chemical UV filters, etc.).
It is one of the strictest designations in the cosmetics sector, particularly appreciated by artisanal brands committed to an ethical and local approach.
NATRUE
NATRUE, a European label founded in 2007, prohibits any petrochemical substance or substance suspected of having endocrine effects.
Like COSMOS, this label has two levels of certification:
- Natural cosmetics (natural formulas, with very low tolerance for nature-identical ingredients).
- Organic cosmetics (95% organic on the natural part).
It requires that at least 75% of a brand's products be certified. Audits are carried out by accredited bodies.
EU Ecolabel
The EU Ecolabel , the official European Union label, has been applied to cosmetics since 2021. It prohibits all identified endocrine disruptors , according to REACH and other European regulations, as well as many suspected substances (parabens, phthalates, chemical UV filters, etc.). Certification is carried out by independent bodies through regular audits.
The label also imposes strict criteria for biodegradability , aquatic toxicity , and proven efficacy . Public, transparent, and recognized throughout the EU, it offers a reliable guarantee of safety and eco-responsibility for cosmetic products.
There is no label specifically designed to guarantee the complete absence of endocrine disruptors in cosmetics; however, certain indicators allow consumers to make informed choices. As we have just seen, some labels, as well as certain particularly stringent statements, certify a higher level of protection than required by current regulations. They exclude not only recognized substances, but also those that are of concern or controversial.
Vigilance is especially important for vulnerable populations. For example, limiting exposure to endocrine disruptors during pregnancy is crucial to protect fetal development.
Beyond the composition aspect, the labels cover various aspects of cosmetic production: local sourcing, working conditions, special efforts for the environment… and also save you a lot of time in easily identifying products that meet your values.
To learn more, check out the list of dangerous cosmetic products to help you adopt a healthy beauty routine.