While a significant number of natural beauty and organic cosmetics firms have launched products claiming to be environmentally friendly or organic, they continue to grapple with ingredient issues, according to Inside Cosmeceuticals.

Research led by Organics Monitor suggested that the quality and supply of organic and natural ingredients remains a major issue for manufacturers and brand owners.

The introduction of natural and organic cosmetic standards is also giving rise to new challenges for companies.

Standards agencies are imposing restrictions on the use of synthetic chemicals, processes and packaging.

Brands such as Melvita have passed stringent tests and the France-based organic natural beauty firm is certified organic by Eco-cert.

Judi Beerling, technical research manager at Organic Monitor, believes that companies also find it hard to acquire enough quality materials for their products.

"Having sufficient supply of high quality raw materials at reasonable costs is a major concern for many companies," she said.