Knowledgable consumers seek skin balms made with safe ingredients and free from harmful side effects. While difficult to fully understand the true impact of every component, it can be easier for consumers to know if a product is truly safe with the proper documentation from reputable suppliers. Filling this gap is where a certification of analysis document comes into play. This blog post will discuss the value of transparently sharing certification of analysis documents for all ingredients included in skin balms.
What is a Certification of Analysis?
A Certification of Analysis (COA) is a document that provides information about the quality and purity of a product. This document is often used in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries to ensure that products meet certain specifications and regulatory requirements. A COA typically includes information
such as the product name, lot number, date of manufacture, and test results for purity, potency, and other quality attributes.
Value of COA for Skin Balms
COAs are becoming increasingly crucial for skincare products, especially with the proliferation of those marketed as natural or organic or making other claims with dubious merits. There is no substitute for rigorous vendor selection and complete documentation of every element included in a product. COAs assure consumers their product has been tested and meets specific quality standards.
In the case of skin balms, COAs can provide valuable information about the purity and potency of the ingredients used. For example, a COA for an essential oil used in a skin balm can give information about the origin of the oil, as well as the extraction method and the percentage of active compounds present. This information can help consumers make more informed decisions about the products they use regularly.
Sharing COA with Customers
Sharing COAs with customers is becoming more common in the skincare industry. Many companies now include elements of COAs on their product labels or make them available on their websites. This positive trend helps to build trust between companies and consumers. In addition, by sharing COAs, companies are demonstrating their commitment to transparency and quality.
Furthermore, sharing COAs with customers can also help to educate them about the ingredients used in skincare products. This knowledge can be essential for consumers with sensitive skin or allergies. By providing detailed information about the ingredients, companies can help consumers make more informed decisions about which products are right for them.
What we do at Slippery Elephant
Propelled by our drive for transparency, Slippery Elephant insisted on COA documents from all suppliers and even changed suppliers when they could not comply. As a fully online business, we track every item and buyer and identify the internal lot number associated with it. This internal lot number cross-references the supplier of each constituent element and their individual COA documents.
