Looking beautiful is a goal of many, but looking good while helping out the earth is another matter entirely. Choosing makeup that is good for the environment is a plus when it comes to going green.

Natural and organic beauty products include those that are made with natural ingredients and do not include any chemicals or dyes. However, the terms “organic” and “natural” are not interchangeable. “Organic” refers to product ingredients that are grown without pesticides, chemicals and artificial fertilizers. “Natural” products are made with ingredients from botanical sources that may or may not use chemicals.

Choosing eco-friendly cosmetics is a good idea for those seeking to do the earth a favor and reduce the number of makeup ingredients that are created by artificial means. Furthermore, the fewer chemicals in your makeup, the fewer chemicals you are absorbing into your skin.

From face creams to body lotions, consumers who choose natural and organic makeup are part of a growing trend of buyers who avoid products using such chemical combinations as aluminum derivatives, parabens (antibacterial agents) and various pesticides. The idea is that synthetic ingredients are potentially harmful, and natural and organic ingredients will benefit the body and the earth.

Don’t automatically assume that natural or organic products are automatically safer, however. There are still risks for microbial contamination, among other issues, and currently the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate cosmetics, so there are no standards by which to measure such products. This lack of regulation means that manufacturers can put a variety of labels on their products that may or may not be considered pure and safe.

However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) evaluates makeup for organic products. A “certified organic” label means that 95% of the ingredients are organic, while the words “made with organic ingredients” mean that at least 70% of the ingredients are organic. The USDA does not regulate any product claiming to be “natural.”

Ultimately, it’s up to the consumer to read labels on makeup labeled “organic” and “natural” to see exactly what is inside a certain product. While using words such as “botanical,” “herbal,” “pure,” “natural” and “organic” may very well mean that the makeup delivers beneficial and wholesome results, there is a chance that things are not always as they are labeled.