In the current context, where environmental and ethical awareness increasingly guides our consumption choices, product labels are of paramount importance. Indeed, they allow you to inform yourself about the origin of ingredients, their nature, as well as the environmental impact of the items you purchase.
However, not all labels are equal, and it is crucial to know how to interpret them in order to extract all relevant information. Here are five elements to carefully check on a product label.
PETA Certification (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
The PETA certification is a key indication that the product is certified cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing was conducted during its development. This certification ensures that the product and its ingredients have not been tested on animals. Looking for the PETA logo on a product label is a simple way to support ethical and animal-friendly practices.
"Recycle Me!" mention
The "Recycle Me!" mention on a product label indicates that the packaging is recyclable or made from recycled materials. By opting for products with recyclable packaging, you contribute to reducing your ecological footprint and preserving the planet's natural resources!
"Biodegradable" indication
Biodegradable products naturally decompose in the environment without leaving toxic residues. For example, all Bleu Lavande products that are used with water and therefore end up in the soil afterward are certified biodegradable within 28 days by the OECD. This mention assures you that the products you use leave as little trace as possible on the environment and contribute to preserving the health of the planet's ecosystems.
"Sulfate-Free" mention
Sulfates are aggressive and irritating foaming agents found mainly in cleaning products, such as shower gels and shampoos. Sodium laureth sulfates are particularly controversial for their potential harmful effects on health. Whenever possible, it is preferable to choose products that do not contain sulfates. Moreover, this "Sulfate-Free" mention can appear as a logo or simply be written on the front of the bottle. At Bleu Lavande, we have opted for the logo you can see above. You can also check the list of ingredients to ensure that it does not contain sulfates.
Check the ingredient list
Although all the pictograms presented above are practical and allow you to better understand the composition of your products, the best way to know what is in them is to consult the list of ingredients. Moreover, you can use a mobile application such as Yuka to help decipher and better understand the sometimes dizzying ingredient lists found on products.
