Are your products natural or organic
Most of our products such as the oxides are produced to be natural in a laboratory. The reason for this is that a natural oxide would not fit the FDA requirement for the minimium in heavy metal contents. Soils naturally contain heavy metals so any oxide must be purified for cosmetic use.
The term "Organic" when applied to pigments is not the same as with food products.
Organic Pigments: There are three types of organic pigments: Lakes, toners and true pigments.
Lakes are pigments made by absorbing the dye on a substrate such as alumina hydrate. There is no chemical bond between the dye and the substrate. The dye takes on the insoluble nature of the substrate. Based on the absorptive powers of the substrate, the amount of dye in the lake may range from 12-40%.
Toners are more resistant to light and heat but extreme pH can change the shade.
True pigments are the most stable but they are relatively uncommon.
For your reference: "Some Iron Oxides are still extracted naturally; however, Iron oxides in nature (dirt) are often stuck with toxic metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, antimony and selenium (when they are in nature). This is why the FDA stepped in to regulate cosmetic colorants so the level of toxic metal present are present in such low concentrations that they are considered “safe.” In fact, only synthetically prepared iron oxides are approved for use in cosmetics in this country. (Johnson, S.T. & Wordell, C.J. “Homeopathic and herbal medicine: Considerations for formulary evaluation,” Formulary, 32, 1167, Nov. 1997. )" http://teachsoap.com/2012/03/24/soap-coloring-options/
Oxides and ultramarines are not natural pigments. They are manufactured in labs and have been since the 1970s. Pigments (oxides and ultramarines) used to be mined but the FDA stepped in and demanded some purity as these minerals were full of toxins such as arsenic, mercury and lead to name a few. Since then, these colorants have been manufactured in a lab - same molecular structure just a different way of processing. When you think about it, would you really want to put these toxins on your skin anyway? Sometimes natural is not the best option. Iron Oxides, and similar mineral pigments are not, by FDA standards, "Natural", because they are not directly extracted from plants or animals. Instead, they come from minerals. While considered "natural" by consumers, cosmetic-grade pigments are all man-made in order to meet FDA approval. http://www.creationsfromeden.com/resources/about_cfe/rants_by_randi_1/the_truth_about_micas_oxides_ultramarines
Scientific Facts: Iron Oxides are naturally occuring mineral deposits. These compounds are used as pigments in a variety of applications. Iron Oxides used in cosmetic and personal care products are synthetic. Because some of the starting materials for synthetic Iron Oxide may come from the earth there may be trace amounts of heavy metals present. The levels of heavy metals in Iron Oxides are regulated by the FDA, and the small amounts that may eventually be in cosmetic or personal care products do not pose a risk to human health. http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/ingredient/iron-oxides
Comparatively Speaking: Natural- vs. Mineral-based Colorants - See more at: http://www.cosmeticsandtoiletries.com/formulating/function/pigment/118610674.html#sthash.OhrxE1If.dpuf