What certifications does Oway have, and why do they matter?

At Oway, certifications aren’t just badges. They’re proof of our long-standing commitment to quality, sustainability, circularity and transparency. Each certification reflects a specific aspect of how we operate, from how we grow our ingredients to how we manufacture, test, and distribute our products. Here's what they mean:

✽ ISO 9001 – Quality Management System
This is one of the most respected global standards for business excellence. It ensures that every step of our production—from sourcing to packaging—is guided by strict quality control processes. This certification means you can trust that our products are consistently made to high standards and that we’re always working to improve them.

✽ ISO 22716 – Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
Think of this as a seal of hygiene and safety for cosmetic production. It guarantees that our manufacturing facilities follow proper procedures to prevent contamination and maintain product integrity. For you, it means peace of mind knowing that your beauty products are made in clean, controlled, and safe environments.

✽ ISO 14064 – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Verification
We are proud to be a carbon-neutral company that produces using 100% green energy. This certification requires us to measure and report our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions annually across the entire supply chain. With this data, we not only monitor our environmental impact, but also take meaningful actions: improving energy efficiency, offsetting emissions, and investing in sustainable and circular projects in vulnerable areas of the planet.

✽ Biodynamic Certification
This goes beyond organic farming. Biodynamic agriculture treats the farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem, emphasizing biodiversity, soil regeneration, and lunar planting cycles. It’s a holistic approach that nurtures not only the earth but the vitality of the plants we use in our formulas. When you choose biodynamic, you're getting ingredients of the highest purity and potency.

✽ COSMOS Natural Certification by ECOCERT
This is one of the most recognized international standards for natural cosmetics. It confirms that our products are made with ingredients of natural origin and produced using environmentally responsible methods. From formulation to packaging, every step is audited to meet strict ecological and sustainability criteria, ensuring transparency, traceability, and a commitment to minimizing environmental impact. Products marked with the ECOCERT badge on their individual pages meet these rigorous standards.

✽ Is Oway cruelty-free?
At Oway, respect for all living beings is a non-negotiable value. In accordance with Article 18 of the European Cosmetic Regulation 1223/2009, the testing of cosmetic products or ingredients on animals is strictly prohibited within the European Union. This ban applies both to finished products and to raw materials or ingredient combinations, ensuring that no part of the cosmetic development process involves animal testing when alternative methods are available and validated. At Oway, we fully comply with this regulation, reaffirming our commitment to ethical and humane practices. Our dedication to cruelty-free beauty is also recognized by PETA.

✽ Is Oway vegan?
All our formulations are vegan, containing no animal-derived ingredients.

How do these certifications influence our day-to-day practices?

These certifications aren’t just labels. They shape everything we do, every day. They hold us accountable and ensure that our decisions are aligned with our core values of quality, environmental responsibility, and transparency.

For example:

• ISO 14064 pushes us to track and reduce our emissions across the entire supply chain.

• Biodynamic and natural certifications require us to maintain clean ingredient sourcing, eco-friendly processes, and fully recyclable packaging.

• Our carbon-neutral status, combined with our use of 100% renewable energy, reflects our broader mission to eliminate our environmental impact and give back to the planet.

They also guarantee the circularity and zero-impact nature of our supply chain, a system that doesn’t just reduce harm, but actively regenerates ecosystems and supports ethical agriculture.

What is our approach to ingredient selection?

We prioritize ingredients of natural origin, with most formulations exceeding 90-95% natural derivation. Some products reach 100% natural content with locally sourced or ethically obtained ingredients. Our research and development process evaluates each ingredient based on three key criteria: naturalness, environmental impact, and efficacy.

Do our products contain alcohol?

When present, our denatured alcohol is derived from sugar beet molasses and/or cereals. It improves drying time and creates a lighter, less sticky application experience. In fragrances, it facilitates immediate evaporation upon contact with skin or fabrics. Alcohol also functions as an effective natural solvent for fixative polymers, active ingredients, and essential oils. For hand sanitizers, we use the 60-85% concentration recommended by international health authorities.

What preservatives do we use? Do our products contain parabens?

We use certified preservatives such as sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, glyceryl laurate, and benzyl alcohol. We have eliminated parabens, MIT, and other controversial cosmetic preservatives, replacing them with gentler alternatives.

Do we use silicones?

For specific styling and pre-styling products, we selectively use non-occlusive silicones derived from silica, a naturally occurring mineral. These ingredients improve the appearance of damaged hair, restore shine and elasticity, and provide protection from environmental elements. They are only applied to hair lengths and ends, not the scalp, and are formulated to work synergistically with vegetable oils and other functional ingredients.

Do we use polymers in styling products?

In certain styling and pre-styling products, we incorporate some non-natural-derived ingredients for technical performance. These ingredients enhance hold, improve the appearance of damaged hair, restore shine, and provide protection from humidity and environmental factors. They are used only on hair lengths, not the scalp.

How do we scent our products?

Our products are free from synthetic fragrances. Instead, we use essential oils from medicinal plants, which provide both pleasant scents and functional benefits for skin and hair. These oils offer toning, calming, rebalancing, and refreshing effects. (Exceptions include fragrance-free products and our Hcolor line, which contains hypoallergenic fragrance.)

How do we protect products from UV damage without chemical filters?

Rather than using chemical UV filters, we incorporate natural ingredients that regenerate and protect hair and scalp from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Our sunlight serum, for example, contains brown algae with fucosterol and marine carotenoids, which effectively counteract UV and IR damage while protecting hair from environmental toxins.

Do our products contain SLES/SLS surfactants?

No. We choose not to use Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), or ammonium-based surfactants in our cleansing products. Instead, we formulate with coconut-derived cleansing bases and gentler alternatives.

Do we use palm oil in our formulations?

We adhere to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards and purchase credits from this non-profit organization. This ensures we support certified sustainable palm oil production while protecting territories from deforestation, ensuring fair compensation for workers and local communities, and preserving natural habitats.

Are our products suitable for people with allergies or sensitive skin?

Our formulations comply with current regulations and meet high quality standards in both production and raw material sourcing. All product lines are developed with particular attention to skin tolerance. Products labeled "Nickel Tested" have nickel content below 1 ppm (1mg/kg), which is tolerated by 90% of people with nickel sensitivity. For other allergies, we recommend reviewing the ingredient list and consulting a healthcare provider before use.

Can people with nickel allergies use our products?

Products labeled "Nickel Tested" contain nickel concentrations below the recommended tolerance threshold of 1 ppm (1mg/kg). This amount does not trigger reactions in approximately 90% of individuals sensitive or allergic to this metal, providing a high safety margin.

Are our formulations suitable for people with celiac disease?

Our formulations pose no risk to individuals with celiac disease. Celiac disease affects the intestine, and cosmetics are not ingested nor do they contact intestinal mucosa. Even with lip products, potential ingestion cannot lead to significant gluten intake. For those with contact allergies or irritant dermatitis, we recommend consulting a healthcare provider about ingredient compatibility.

Are our products safe during pregnancy?

Our products contain only safe, well-tolerated ingredients suitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. However, given the individual nature of physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, we recommend consulting a healthcare provider who is familiar with your specific situation.

Can essential oils in our products cause skin irritation?

The essential oils in our formulations come from medicinal plants, flowers, and fruits through natural extraction processes like pressing and steam distillation. These concentrated substances are properly diluted in our formulas and should never be applied directly to skin. All products undergo dermatological testing to ensure skin compatibility. The label lists any potential allergens present in the essential oils.

What sustainable choices have we made for product packaging?

We package our formulations exclusively in glass and aluminum—materials that are protective, preservative, and infinitely recyclable. We avoid plastic and unnecessary packaging, creating essential materials only from eco-sustainable paper, wood, metal, and cotton. Our FSC-certified paper labels do not compromise container recyclability. We also source eco-certified papers, including Tree-free options made from agricultural byproducts rather than harvested trees.

What is the meaning behind our brand name?

Our name represents "Organic Way," combining the organic component with lifestyle values centered on circularity, ecosystem respect, resource recovery, and natural ingredients. While organic principles have been central since our founding in the early 2000s, biodynamic practices have enhanced our approach since 2010, particularly through our agricultural workshop that produces locally sourced ingredients.

How should I use Oway products?

We offer a simplified yet professional beauty routine with only necessary products in appropriate quantities. Our concentrated, multi-action formulations can be combined for personalized effects without waste. Our packaging includes the note: "Rich and concentrated product: use it in the right doses to avoid waste," encouraging mindful usage of these potent formulations.

Where can I find ingredient lists?

Complete ingredient lists (INCI) are available online on each product page under "Agricosmetica® formula." Physical products display ingredient lists on the back of labels (glass bottles) or on the reverse side of aluminum tubes.