Contrary to conventional cosmetic products that contain synthetic chemicals and artificial ingredients, natural cosmetics contain plant-based ingredients which may be more gentle on your skin.
Natural cosmetics are better for the environment and you can safely use them even if you have sensitive skin. True natural cosmetics also contain organic ingredients derived through controlled organic farming practices.
Benefits
Natural cosmetic products aim to be more gentle on your skin than their conventional counterparts and may include soothing ingredients like shea butter, rose oil or lavender extract to relieve irritation or dryness and may help prevent acne breakouts. They’re free from harsh chemicals which could irritate or dry out the skin as well.
Natural skin care ingredients can be found both naturally or manufactured through chemical processes. They typically derive from plants, flowers, trees, herbs or other botanical sources and may be organic or non-organic in their production process. Furthermore, natural skincare ingredients tend to be free from artificial dyes, fragrances, phthalates or sulfates that could exacerbate skin allergies.
Natural and organic ingredients tend to be more sustainable than synthetic chemicals as they use soil that hasn’t been polluted with pesticides. But that doesn’t make them any safer; formaldehyde found in keratin treatments or parabens found in synthetic moisturizers have both been linked with cancer or other serious health conditions.
Ingredients
As beauty consumers become more selective in their product purchases, many are opting for natural cosmetics made with plant-derived substances known for their healing capabilities. Paraben- and mineral oil-free products have become increasingly popular.
Butters are essential components of natural skincare as they form a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, helping reduce trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and providing a soft, smooth complexion. Jojoba oil in particular has become increasingly popular as an anti-ageing remedy; shea butter also boasts excellent nourishing and regenerative qualities.
Emollients are another integral element of natural cosmetic formulations, providing softening and moisturizing effects to the skin. Examples of such ingredients are coconut oil, shea butter and rosehip oil. Emollients also serve as natural preservatives in products like facial creams and serums where oil-in-water emulsions play a critical role.
Choosing between natural cosmetics and conventional cosmetics
Natural cosmetics are widely celebrated by consumers for the excellent results they offer on both skin and hair, as well as being more eco-friendly than their synthetic counterparts. Furthermore, these natural cosmetics often reduce irritation risk as well as allergic reactions more effectively than synthetic alternatives.
Demand for eco-friendly and safe cosmetics is changing the industry, driving new formulations that incorporate plant-based ingredients. This shift has resulted in increasing research on natural preservatives that provide more eco-friendly alternatives than synthetic compounds like paraben esters, formaldehyde donors and phenol derivatives.
But it is important to keep in mind that not all cosmetics labelled “natural” are actually 100% natural; in some instances manufacturers add only small proportions of natural ingredients into synthetic products in order to use the term ‘natural cosmetics” on their packaging. NATRUE’s label provides consumer assurance based on verifiable criteria related to processes, formulation and ingredients of each product.
Cosmebio
As we all know, selecting cosmetic products is an integral component of life. There is an abundance of products out there for you to select from; therefore it is vital that you make decisions that meet the needs of both your skin type and lifestyle.
Cosmebio association created the NAT (natural) label as an aid in this regard, to assure consumers of products containing only natural ingredients produced using environmentally-friendly processes and meeting environmental standards. Based on COSMOS standard which unifies organic labels with clear specifications for consumer use.
NAT label products provide consumers with assurance of quality and credibility, helping to avoid purchasing misleading products like those labeled organic when only contain small percentages of organic ingredients or use synthetic fragrances and dyes. In addition, companies looking to develop eco-friendly products use vegetable oils, biodegradable packaging materials and no polluting solvents during production; the NAT label serves as a valuable guideline.
