Natural, botanical and organic skincare products can make an excellent addition to any beauty routine, but it’s important to start slowly and understand their differences.
Notably, some natural products, such as herbs and essential oils, can interfere with prescription medicines or cause irritation; poison ivy and prickly pear oils in particular can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.
No Harmful Chemicals
Natural ingredients, like shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil, rosehip seed oil and chamomile essential oil can provide many benefits to your skin’s hydration, nourishment and healing needs. They also can soothe any irritation that might exist which is why many opt for these natural remedies.
“Natural” is not a regulated marketing term, meaning products can claim they are natural without meeting any particular standards. Therefore, it’s essential to check ingredient lists carefully and seek brands which prioritize environmental responsibility when it comes to product sourcing and packaging.
A good natural skincare product should be free from harmful chemicals, including parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates and synthetic preservatives. Instead, these products will use botanical extracts and naturally-derived substances which are much safer for you and the environment compared with synthetic fragrances which may irritate sensitive skin while contributing to hormone imbalances, toxicity and overworked immune systems – ideal products will work towards eliminating such toxins for healthy, radiant and beautiful skin!
No Parabens or Sulfates
Natural skincare differs from its conventional counterpart in that it does not contain potentially irritating ingredients like parabens and sulfates, creating gentler treatments. Furthermore, these products usually feature transparent ingredient lists featuring familiar botanicals resulting in lessened irritation of the skin.
Natural and organic ingredients tend to be produced without pesticides or chemical fertilizers, making these products healthier for both the environment and skin.
Another consideration is that natural and organic products tend to be specifically tailored for specific results, like increasing collagen production or soothing irritated skin. Furthermore, these natural and organic products tend to absorb better into your skin than synthetic ones and are less likely to cause an allergic reaction; nevertheless it’s always wise to conduct a patch test before adding new products into your skincare regimen; also look out for cruelty-free certifications to verify if products were tested on animals (this doesn’t guarantee raw ingredients weren’t).
No Harmful Preservatives
Clean skincare often gets misunderstood as synonymous with harmful preservatives, but that isn’t always the case. Certain products would spoil or become contaminated far quicker without preservatives added (check out Force of Nature Clean’s article on this).
There’s good news: there are natural alternatives to toxic preservatives like parabens and formaldehyde! And these solutions are both skin-friendly and eco-conscious!
Natural preservatives often come from renewable sources like plant extracts and essential oils, and are biodegradable, meaning their impact on ecosystems is lower compared to synthetic preservatives that pollute our soil and water supplies. Furthermore, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing and processing and do not require animal testing for compliance reasons – another huge plus. Finally, due to being more similar to our bodies they’re less likely to interfere with prescribed medication and treatments and therefore safer for sensitive skin types.
No Harmful Allergens
Many skincare ingredients can trigger allergic reactions in some people. This includes fragrances, preservatives and dyes as well as some natural components like botanical extracts, oils and essential oils – although these reactions could also occur after contact with cross-reactive substances that resemble allergens (like ragweed and chamomile).
While there is no consensus definition of what constitutes “natural” skincare products, some believe they offer significant health advantages for the skin. Natural products generally consist of ingredients from nature that don’t contain harsh chemicals that could potentially irritate it; which could make them ideal for people with sensitive skin.
Note, however, that even natural skincare products must still contain preservatives to protect from bacteria and mold growth; when shopping for such a product with the label “natural”, be sure to read carefully the ingredient list.
