FAQs

COSMOS is one of the world's most rigorous certification standards for organic cosmetics and personal care. It is recognised globally and governed by a group of leading certification bodies, including ACO (Australian Certified Organic). To carry the COSMOS Organic label, a product must meet strict criteria: a minimum percentage of certified organic ingredients, a ban on hundreds of synthetic chemicals including parabens, silicones, synthetic preservatives and petrochemicals, traceable sourcing and verified manufacturing practices. The certification is not just about what is in the formula. It covers how ingredients are grown, processed and made. In Australia, COSMOS certified organic skincare is audited by ACO Certification Ltd, which means the certification is verified externally rather than self-declared. When you see COSMOS Organic on a Bare Roots product, every claim has been independently tested and confirmed.

Bare Roots is certified organic. We hold COSMOS Organic certification through ACO Certification Ltd (Processor 11690), which is the gold standard for organic cosmetic certification in Australia and is recognised internationally. "Natural" is an unregulated term. Any brand can call a product natural regardless of what is in it. Certified organic is different. It requires independent third-party verification against a defined standard. Our certified products meet strict requirements for organic ingredient content, excluded ingredient lists and ethical sourcing. We display our certification details, including our processor number, directly on our products and packaging so you can verify it yourself.

A routine for sensitive skin needs to prioritise barrier support over correction. At Bare Roots, we recommend starting with a gentle, pH-balanced certified organic cleanser like the Gentle Cleansing Milk or Gentle Foaming Cleanser. Both are designed to cleanse without stripping the barrier. Follow with the Herbal Mist while the skin is still damp to rehydrate and help the next products absorb more effectively. Apply a serum suited to your specific concern: Omega Oil for barrier repair, Curative Serum for renewal or Clarity Serum for breakouts. Finish with Vital Cream or Flora Cream to lock in hydration and support the barrier. All Bare Roots products are formulated for sensitive skin first, without harsh actives, synthetic fragrance or known irritants.

The skin barrier is made up of lipids, specifically ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol. When these are depleted, the barrier cannot do its job. Moisture escapes and irritants enter more easily, which is why damaged barrier skin feels dry, reactive and tight. Certified organic barrier repair skincare works by replenishing those lipids with plant-derived equivalents. At Bare Roots, products like the Omega Oil deliver essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6 and 9) that mirror the skin's own lipid composition. Our Vital Cream and Flora Cream contain ceramides and plant butters that reinforce barrier structure. We avoid stripping surfactants, synthetic alcohols and other common ingredients that degrade the barrier, which means each formula supports repair rather than working against it.

Yes. Bare Roots is stocked by skin therapists, beauty clinics, salons and spas throughout Australia and New Zealand. We have a wholesale program specifically for professional stockists that includes professional-size back bar products, including larger formats of the Plant Peel, Microflora Algae Mask and Omega Oil designed for use in treatments rather than retail. Clinics and therapists who come on board receive opening order packs, marketing materials, display stands, consultation tools and access to our education resources. If you are a skin professional interested in stocking Bare Roots, you can apply through the wholesale section of our website or contact us at info@bareroots.com.au.

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived active extracted from the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia. It is used in certified organic skincare because it produces results similar to retinol, improving fine lines, supporting cell renewal and addressing pigmentation, without the side effects that make retinol unsuitable for many people. Retinol is a synthetic Vitamin A derivative that can cause dryness, peeling, sun sensitivity and prolonged irritation, especially in the early weeks of use. It is also not compatible with pregnancy. Bakuchiol is well tolerated by sensitive and reactive skin, is safe during the day and does not require a slow introduction period. In our Flora Cream and Curative Serum, bakuchiol and mothbean extract (another natural retinol alternative) deliver active renewal without pushing the skin past its tolerance.

It is often the better choice. Synthetic fragrances, preservatives, alcohols and surfactants found in many conventional skincare products are among the most common triggers for rosacea flare-ups, eczema and general skin reactivity. Certified organic skincare eliminates most of these by default, because the standard prohibits hundreds of common irritants. At Bare Roots, every formula is built around a barrier-safety-first approach. We formulate for sensitive and reactive skin types rather than treating them as an afterthought. Our Gentle Cleansing Milk, Herbal Mist, Vital Cream and Omega Oil are regularly used by people managing rosacea and eczema, and our Clarity Serum is formulated specifically for inflamed and blemish-prone skin. We always recommend patch testing before full use, as any product can affect individual skin differently.

"Natural" is an unregulated marketing term. There is no legal definition a brand must meet to call a product natural. A product labelled natural can still contain synthetic preservatives, petrochemical derivatives and artificial fragrances, as long as some of its ingredients come from natural sources. Certified organic is different. Certification through a recognised body like COSMOS, audited in Australia by ACO, requires that a defined percentage of ingredients be certified organic, that specific synthetic chemicals be explicitly excluded and that sourcing and manufacturing meet a verified standard. Certification is not self-declared. It is audited independently and renewed regularly. When you are choosing between a product labelled "natural" and one labelled "COSMOS certified organic," they are not the same thing.

Yes, and for many people it works better than conventional acne treatments for exactly that reason. Most conventional acne products work by aggressively stripping or drying the skin, which reduces breakouts in the short term but often worsens barrier function and leads to rebound oiliness and sensitivity. Certified organic skincare for acne takes a different approach: supporting the barrier, regulating oil production and addressing the bacterial and inflammatory causes of acne without destroying the environment healthy skin needs to function. Our Clarity Serum uses natural antiseptic actives including Turmeric, Maclura Cochinchinensis and Mothbean Extract to inhibit acne-causing bacteria and speed up healing without drying. Combined with a barrier-safe cleanser and a light moisturiser, this approach produces clearer skin over time without the reactivity cycle.

The routine follows a straightforward sequence: cleanser first, then mist while the skin is still damp, then serum or oil and then moisturiser to finish. For a morning routine, cleanse with your chosen Bare Roots cleanser, apply the Herbal Mist while the skin is still damp, follow with Omega Oil or your treatment serum and finish with Vital Cream or Flora Cream. For an evening routine the same sequence applies, though you can add a mask one to two times a week before your serum and moisturiser step. The Bamboo Enzyme Peel or Plant Peel can be used once or twice a week in place of, or after, your cleanser depending on your skin's tolerance. If you are unsure which products suit your skin, our Skin Quiz at bareroots.com.au will walk you through a personalised recommendation.

Look for a named certification body and a verifiable processor or licence number. In Australia the most recognised certifying body for cosmetics is ACO (Australian Certified Organic), which grants COSMOS Organic certification. A brand that is genuinely certified will display their certification badge and typically their processor number on their packaging or website. You can cross-reference this with ACO's public register. Be cautious of terms like "made with organic ingredients" or "contains certified organic X" without a full product certification. These often mean only a small portion of the formula meets any standard. At Bare Roots, our certified products carry COSMOS Organic certification through ACO Certification Ltd (Processor 11690), which can be independently verified.

Yes. The full Bare Roots range is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Our formulas are free from synthetic retinoids and other actives commonly contraindicated during pregnancy. Products like our Curative Serum and Flora Cream use plant-derived alternatives including bakuchiol and mothbean extract to support cell renewal. These work by a different mechanism to Vitamin A entirely and carry none of the associated pregnancy concerns. We also formulate without synthetic fragrances, parabens and sulfates across the board. Bare Roots is designed to be safe and gentle for all life stages.

Essential fatty acids, primarily Omega 3, 6 and 9, are lipids the skin needs to maintain a healthy barrier but cannot produce on its own in sufficient quantities. They are called "essential" for this reason: they have to come from somewhere else, either through diet or applied directly to the skin. When the skin is deficient in these lipids, the barrier becomes compromised. Moisture escapes, irritants enter more easily and the skin becomes reactive, dry and prone to inflammation. Applied topically, essential fatty acids replenish this lipid layer directly. Our Omega Oil contains safflower oil (rich in Linoleic acid), grape seed oil (Omega 6 and Vitamin E), chia seed oil (Omega 3) and hemp seed oil, each targeting a different aspect of barrier repair. Regular use restores the skin's ability to hold moisture and protect itself without needing to constantly layer on more product.

Tightness and dryness after cleansing almost always points to a cleanser that is stripping the skin's natural oils and disrupting the barrier. This is common with foaming cleansers that use harsh surfactants like sodium lauryl sulfate, high-pH formulas and cleansers containing alcohol or fragrance. When these are used repeatedly, the skin's barrier degrades over time, leading to ongoing dryness, sensitivity and sometimes paradoxical oiliness as the skin tries to compensate for moisture loss. The fix is switching to a cleanser designed to maintain the barrier rather than strip it. Our Gentle Cleansing Milk is formulated specifically for this and cleanses thoroughly without removing the lipids the skin needs. The Gentle Foaming Cleanser achieves the same result in a lighter, pH-balanced foam. Both are certified organic skincare for sensitive skin and leave no tight or uncomfortable feeling after rinsing.

Wholesale applications are open to skin therapists, beauty salons, spas, clinics and wellness practices throughout Australia and New Zealand. To apply, you can register your interest through the wholesale section of our website or email us at info@bareroots.com.au with your business details. First opening orders come with a complimentary opening pack, with Silver, Gold or Platinum options depending on your opening order size. These include professional back bar products, marketing materials, display stands, prescription booklets, consultation pads and access to our digital education resources and ebook library. We support stockists with ongoing education, product training and marketing assets. If you are a skin professional wanting to stock certified organic Australian skincare in your clinic, we would love to hear from you.