Global natural health and beauty products company Comvita has won certification by the prestigious US-based Natural Products Association (NPA) for its skincare range.

The certification was awarded after the NPA established all ingredients in Comvita skincare products are natural, safe to use, environmentally responsible and sustainable.

Comvita's manuka honey skincare range.

Comvita chief executive Brett Hewlett says the certification is an endorsement of the quality of the skincare range.

'Natural cosmetics are among the fastest growing skincare categories in the world today because people simply want effective products that are safe for their skin and safe for the environment too.

'The certification by the NPA underscores the confidence we have in each and every ingredient in our range and our determination to position Comvita in the highest-value and fastest growing sectors of the natural health and beauty care markets.”

In the last few years, Comvita has become a global natural health and beauty products business.

Sales are projected to be $91m-$95m in the current year to 31 March 2012, well ahead of the $39m sales in the year ended 31 December 2006. Earnings are also growing strongly.

The skincare range, launched less than 12 months ago, is expected to produce about $2m in revenue this financial year as the company's fastest growing sector.

Comvita general manager personal care Leigh Kite says the certification should provide consumers with confidence in the company's products.

'Certification by the NPA reinforces Comvita's reputation for producing efficacious beauty products from the highest quality, safest, natural ingredients.”

She says research shows consumers are concerned about misleading natural and organic claims on cosmetic and beauty products and this perception is well founded as cosmetics brands don't require certification to make ‘natural' claims.

'Products with natural-sounding names or one organic ingredient can often imply they are natural and good for you – that isn't always the case,” says Leigh.

'Comvita's customers should now have extra assurance about the quality and integrity of our products.”