What Does Natural Skincare Mean?

What Does Natural Skincare Mean?

There’s a huge trend promoting natural skincare. Many choose to go this route expecting a safer and gentler approach to skincare.

The reality is that the word “natural” describes the ingredient's source, stipulating that it comes from a plant. It has nothing to do with safety or effectiveness. Beyond that, no one can agree, and there’s no legal definition. So in short, the word “natural” is simply a marketing term.

Choosing a skincare product is not so much about where the ingredient is derived from, e.i. plant, animal, mineral, and petroleum. What matters most is if the product you buy will help you achieve the results you are seeking.

Let's Go Back To Basic

Every ingredient, both synthetic and naturally derived, is a chemical. Water is a chemical—H₂O. We tend to think that there are harsh ingredients out there; in reality, it’s not so much that we have good and harmful chemicals, it’s more like some chemicals are more useful than others. Every chemical has a purpose. It boils down to what problem we aim to solve.

Is Natural Safer

We think “natural” is along the lines of sipping piña colada by the beach. The last thing you think of as “natural” is dealing with the itchy red rash on your arm and back from having rolled in poison ivy. What about lead, arsenic, mercury, and tobacco? Is there such a thing as a safe cigarette?

As a society, we may think that plants are safer than synthetic chemicals, but that is not always so. The truth is, many naturally derived ingredients haven’t been purified or tested.  Read More