More and more people are becoming environmentally aware and wish to shift their buying choices to be more natural and eco-friendly. This is not just for some doing-good feeling (though it does have this effect) but because they believe that these products will be kinder to their skin, cause fewer allergies and skin conditions and not load their bodies with chemicals that have unknown long-term effects.
Some companies are increasingly guilty of what is being called “greenwash” where they use words to indicate green and “natural” credentials and so associate their products with a positive and popular trend.
The following language may not be what you think:
•    Contains organic ingredients (and what else?)
•    Contains natural ingredients
•    Made with non-toxic ingredients (but may well be synthetic)
•    Earth-friendly (What does this mean?)
•    Environmentally safer (Than what?)
•    Vegan (?)
•    Cruelty-free (Chemicals can be cruelty free)
Check the ingredient list –if the product contains any of the following it can’t be termed as “Natural”
•    Petrochemicals – any kinds of alcohol, isopropyl, methyl  ethyl or butyl or the terms isopropanol etc.
•    Sodium Lauryl Sulphate –used in shampoos etc
•    Propylene glycol and ethylene glycol – used in all kinds of products
•    Formaldehyde and paraben preservatives
•    Synthetic dyes – usually with an E number, or there are other colour additives
•    Artificial fragrances – most perfumes and colognes are not made from natural ingredients
Such substances may be well tested and safe, and have a particular usefulness in some products. However, the point is that products that contain them cannot be truthfully labelled as “natural” as such products must be from a grown not synthetic source.