Consciously Formulated

At Origins, our definition of “clean” is guided by our commitment to the well-being of your skin and our planet. This means we extensively research and evaluate our ingredients for purity, efficacy and safety. And we continue to take steps to improve how we take care of the earth—from using manufacturing processes that help reduce our impact on the environment to planting trees worldwide.

An ingredient is naturally-derived when more than 50% of its molecular weight comes from a plant, non-petroleum mineral, water, or another natural source. We use naturally-derived plant- and earth-based ingredients in our formulas and use advanced science to help optimize each ingredient's potential and benefits to the skin.

Non-toxic, synthetic alternatives are ingredients that are human-made and not naturally-occurring. We believe that in combination with naturally-derived ingredients, the right synthetic ingredients can actually improve the overall quality and performance of a formula.

Yes, all Origins products are safe to use as intended.

Full ingredient lists are available on our product packaging according to INCI (International Nomenclature for Cosmetics Ingredients) conventions, and on website product pages in select countries.

Ingredients are evaluated against a rigorous criteria before they may be considered for use in an Origins formula. Using our deep knowledge in plant science and skin biology, and the latest advancements and testing, an international team of plant biologists and chemists works to identify the key beneficial compounds in each of the ingredients we select. Ingredients are extensively evaluated for purity, efficacy and safety.

Select products contain ingredients that are USDA certified organic. Organic ingredients are marked with an asterisk in each relevant ingredient listing.

All Origins products are vegetarian, which means that they’re made without animal derived ingredients except cruelty-free honey and/or beeswax.

Most Origins products are formulated without gluten, a protein found primarily in wheat and other grains; to see which of our products are gluten-free, check individual product pages on our website. Note that none of our products are certified as gluten-free because we do not manufacture at certified gluten-free facilities.

Origins uses preservatives in a safe and responsible manner. We use a variety of approved preservatives, recognized as safe as they are used and designed to protect our products against the growth of bacteria and microorganisms that can cause irritation or infection. We only use preservatives at the levels needed to effectively preserve our products; we do not over-preserve.

We use a variety of approved preservatives that have a long history of safe use in cosmetics, including, for example, phenoxyethanol. As stated above, we use preservatives when and at the levels needed to effectively preserve our products for their intended use; we do not overpreserve. Like all of our ingredients, the preservatives we use are extensively evaluated for safety

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative with a long history of safe and effective use in cosmetics. We formulate with the lowest effective level of phenoxyethanol that allows us to maintain the integrity of the product, which is always below 1% in our formulas. Furthermore, phenoxyethanol is effective at a low level and is appropriate for mild formulations.

Origins products are not GMO-free.

We use artificial/synthetic colors in select products; as with all of our ingredients, they have been thoroughly evaluated for safety.

Our Ginger Body line contains synthetic fragrances, while the rest of our products are scented with 100% natural essential oils. All of our fragrances, whether synthetic or natural, are evaluated thoroughly for safety.

At Origins, we believe essential oils possess incredible sensorial benefits—helping to create an uplifting, energizing and/or relaxing moment. And we use only high-quality, plant-derived essential oils at levels that are safe for skin. ​Our expert toxicologists use their understanding of skin biology, the composition of the essential oil and the product as a whole and its intended use to establish a safe “use level” for the formulation. Only then do we include the essential oil in our formulas, which are then evaluated to be sure they meet our high standards of safety and comfort. Additionally, Origins identifies each of the essential oils on the ingredient label so that you can make informed choices in cases where you may have unique health concerns.

We don’t formulate with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES); we choose to use gentler surfactants in our rinse-off products to create a lather to help remove dirt and impurities from the skin.

None of our products contain phthalates.

None of our products contain parabens.

We use dimethicone, a silicone-derivative, for its moisture protective benefits and to enhance skin’s texture.

Yes, we use palm oil in our products. 100% of the palm-based ingredients (palm oil and its derivatives) that we source for our products are Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) certified through a combination of RSPO certified physical supply chains and RSPO Book & Claim palm oil credits. Formulas manufactured by Third-Party Manufacturers are currently excluded.

Yes, some of our products contain alcohol. Select formulas feature an astringent alcohol that targets the needs of oily skin, while other formulas feature fatty alcohols that are used to enhance the texture of a product or help moisturize skin. To see which Origins products contain alcohol, you can check individual product pages on our website.

When we first begin to consider using an ingredient, we evaluate it to be sure that it meets our safety standards and the requirements of governmental, regulatory, and scientific bodies around the world. We then study all aspects of the ingredient. If needed, experiments are conducted in state-of-the-art in vitro tests and/or computer-based models to further inform our understanding of the ingredient’s safety profile. This ingredient information guides us as we formulate our products. We then evaluate the formula itself to assure the safety of the full formula, while comparing it to similar formulas within our extensive database of clinical and safety data. Additional clinical and in vitro testing may also be conducted among volunteer panels to further confirm safety. Once the cosmetic formula meets our safety and quality standards, it is placed on the market for our consumers to enjoy. We continuously monitor feedback from our consumers, allowing us to understand the impact of our products as they are being used.

We don’t test our products on animals and we don’t ask others to test for us. That said, we acknowledge that Origins products are sold in countries where animal testing on cosmetics or cosmetic ingredients is required by law. We believe it’s our responsibility to contribute to the sustainable solution to end animal testing for cosmetics, and we are proud to work with organizations advocating for practical solutions and acceptance of alternatives to cosmetic animal testing.

All Origins products have been extensively reviewed for safety. However, individual medical conditions present unique circumstances that may warrant product review with a physician. Pregnancy and breastfeeding create many physiological changes, so we recommend that you consult with your doctor prior to using cosmetic or skincare products if you have any questions or concerns.

We strive to keep packaging to a minimum, in order to avoid unnecessary waste and reduce our impact on the planet. All our cartons are made with paperboard from responsibly managed forests. 55% of our packaging by weight is recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled or recoverable. And by 2023, our goal is to ensure that at least 80% of our packaging by weight is recyclable, refillable, reusable, recycled or recoverable. Additionally, we use recycled and recyclable cardboard shippers to transport our products.

Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that's used to help prevent microorganisms from growing in cosmetic formulas. At Origins, we use an amount of Phenoxyethanol that is recognized as safe—less than 1%—as needed to maintain product integrity as you use it; we do not over-preserve. We also continuously work to identify additional preservatives that are safe and effective for you and the planet. It's part of our ongoing commitment to your well-being.

BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)—which is not to be confused with BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid)—is a synthetic ingredient that’s a proven anti-oxidant. As such, it helps protect ingredients or the product from oxidation that may be caused by reactions with oxygen in the air and helps contribute to the overall stability of the product.  We use BHT at levels that are recognized as safe.

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a synthetic stabilizing ingredient that helps to chelate or bind free metal ions that, left unbound, may disrupt the integrity of an ingredient or product over time. EDTA is safe for skin and based on the latest scientific evidence, EDTA is not considered harmful to the environment by regulatory bodies.

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate & Sodium Laureth Sulfate are very popular cleansing agents responsible for the foaming character in products. They belong to the class of ingredients known as surfactants but not all surfactants are sulfates. We use sulfates (SLS and SLES) to make facial cleansers, shampoos, and body washes.

While there is no strong scientific evidence that these sulfate-based surfactants are harmful or more irritating to the skin than non-sulfate-based surfactants they are in the spotlight because of the perception that these sulfates can be harsh on skin or hair.

PEGs are a broad class of synthetic ingredients with many different uses. PEGs can be used in cosmetics as humectants (attract moisture to skin), emulsifiers, thickeners, solvents, or softeners. While there are no current regulatory limits on PEGs, they are in the spotlight due to the potential presence of 1,4 dioxane which can be created during the manufacturing of the raw material.1,4 dioxane is restricted above certain levels.

Kathon CG™ is a very effective synthetic preservative. It can be used to preserve a cosmetic formula or a raw material. Because it has the potential to cause allergic reactions, in some countries its use is limited but is considered acceptable and safe at low concentrations in rinse-off product such as cleansers.

At ELC we are no longer adding Kathon CG™ as a preservative to new formulas nor using raw materials containing this preservative into our new formulas. However some of our existing products may still contain raw materials preserved with Kathon CG™ so it may still be present at low levels in a few of our rinse off products and is identified as Methyl-Chloro-Isothiazolinone and Methyl-Isothiazolinone on ingredient label.