Who Really Makes Certified Organic Skincare in the U.S.?
The beauty industry loves to use words like “natural” and “organic” — but did you know that very few skincare brands in the U.S. actually meet the strict requirements to be USDA Certified Organic?
Honey Girl Organics ur commitment goes beyond marketing. We proudly carry the USDA Organic seal on nearly our entire line — something very rare in the industry. This means that at least 95% of every product’s ingredients are certified organic and carefully tracked by a USDA-accredited certifier.
The Difference Between “Organic” and USDA Certified Organic
-
USDA Certified Organic products must display the USDA seal and list the accredited certifier on the label.
-
“Made with organic ingredients” means at least 70% of the formula is organic — but it is not the same as being USDA Certified.
-
Many brands use phrases like “clean,” “biobased,” or “naturally derived,” which sound good but don’t guarantee independent verification.
How Do Other Brands Compare?
We researched some of the most popular U.S. “organic” skincare brands to see who is truly certified. Here’s what we found:
| Brand | Certification | % of Product Line USDA Certified | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honey Girl Organics | USDA Organic (Where Food Comes From Organic) | ~95% | Nearly entire line is USDA Organic; exceptions include Protect Stick (zinc oxide) and some “Made with Organic Ingredients” items. |
| Made Simple Skin Care | USDA Organic | 100% | One of the only U.S. skincare companies with a fully certified line. |
| Badger | USDA Organic | ~30% | 24 of ~82 products are USDA Organic (mostly balms and oils, not sunscreens). |
| Erbaviva | USDA Organic | ~45% | About 20 of 46 products carry the USDA Organic seal; others use organic ingredients but aren’t certified. |
| Vermont Soap | USDA Organic (VOF/NOFA-VT) | ~10% | Only a few deodorants are USDA Organic; soaps and castile soaps lack verifiable seals. |
| Sky Organics | USDA Organic + NSF/ANSI 305 | ~60% | Many USDA Organic products; others certified under NSF/ANSI 305 (“contains organic ingredients”). |
| Dr. Bronner’s | USDA Organic (select categories) | ~30% | Lip balms, lotions, and some personal care products are USDA Organic; soaps are not. |
| Henné Organics | USDA Organic (partial line) | ~30% | Lip balms, lip mask, serum, and exfoliators are certified; lipsticks and some other products are not. |
| noyah | USDA Organic (select balms only) | ~20% | Only non-tinted lip balms are USDA Organic; other products are “biobased” but not USDA certified. |
Highlights from the Comparison Table
-
Honey Girl Organics: ~95% of our line is USDA Certified Organic — almost everything we make.
-
Made Simple Skin Care: One of the only other brands with a fully certified line.
-
Erbaviva: About 45% certified, mostly in body care.
-
Badger: ~30% certified, mainly balms and oils (not sunscreens).
-
Vermont Soap: ~10% certified, only a few deodorants.
-
Sky Organics: ~60% certified; the rest fall under NSF/ANSI 305.
-
Henné Organics & noyah: Limited to lip balms and select products.
-
Dr. Bronner’s: Lip balms and some body products are certified, but soaps are not.
Why This Matters
Your skin is your body’s largest organ — and what you put on it does get absorbed. Choosing USDA Certified Organic skincare means:
-
No synthetic chemicals or pesticides.
-
Ingredients traced from farm to jar.
-
Real accountability - not just marketing buzzwords.
You deserve skincare that’s as pure, safe, and effective as it is nourishing. And we’re proud to stand among the very few companies in the U.S. that deliver true certified organic skincare.
While many brands call themselves “organic” only a select few truly meet the rigorous USDA standards.
Honey Girl Organics is one of them - and your skin will thank you for knowing the difference.