Natural Skincare: Both Sides of the Story
I wouldn't call myself an outdoorsy, nature girl, but I do make an effort. I recycle. I buy organic, when I can. I shop at the health food store for more nutritious alternatives to daily staples, especially for my baby. But when it comes to natural skincare, I am smart enough to know that there are two sides to the story, and I'm not going to get caught up by the hype. America is going green in droves, and for the most part, this is a good thing. But when that extends to skincare, there's a lot of misinformation.
Natural Skincare Myths:
1. Natural is better for your skin. The truth: Not necessarily. While you may prefer the sound of natural ingredients (lavender extract certainly sounds more poetic than mineral oil, for example) and the idea of using natural ingredients on your face, the reality is that your skin doesn't know the difference between natural ingredients and so-called unnatural ones. Your skin only knows what an ingredient does for it; it doesn't care where it came from. The appeal of naturally-derived ingredients has led cosmetic companies to pepper skincare products with all kinds of exotic sounding plants, whether or not their is any substantial research supporting their efficacy. In other words, it doesn't matter whether they work - just as long as it looks good on the label.
2. Natural is better for the environment. The truth: Again, not necessarily. The amount of energy expended in harvesting and processing natural ingredients is considerable, and can outweigh the potential environmental benefits of using natural ingredients.
3. Natural is natural. The truth: Huh, you ask? Isn't that obvious. Not really. My biggest problem with the natural product hype is that many of the so-called natural ingredients aren't really all that natural. At least, they're not natural by the time they find their way into a skincare product, because of the amount of processing that has gone into them.
4. If a product says it's natural, it is. The truth: Not even close. Many companies add a smattering of natural-sounding ingredients at the end of an ingredient list, in minute amounts, as mere window dressing, yet if you look at the advertising or on the front of the package, these ingredients are highlighted. This is nothing but blatant hype. Many of these ingredients are nothing more than fragrance extracts, which aren't at all beneficial to skin and can be irritating. Finally, there are very few cosmetic companies really committed to "natural" skincare. (For a list of these, see tomorrow's blog). If you study the ingredient list of products from most of the companies that claim to be natural, you'll find that they are contain as many preservatives, chemicals, and other synthetic ingredients as more mainstream companies.
Whew! Now that I got that off my chest, it's time to move on to what can be right about natural skincare, what to look for, and the companies that are truly committed to making natural products. But for that, you'll have to check back again and read tomorrow's blog.
Natural Skincare Myths:
1. Natural is better for your skin. The truth: Not necessarily. While you may prefer the sound of natural ingredients (lavender extract certainly sounds more poetic than mineral oil, for example) and the idea of using natural ingredients on your face, the reality is that your skin doesn't know the difference between natural ingredients and so-called unnatural ones. Your skin only knows what an ingredient does for it; it doesn't care where it came from. The appeal of naturally-derived ingredients has led cosmetic companies to pepper skincare products with all kinds of exotic sounding plants, whether or not their is any substantial research supporting their efficacy. In other words, it doesn't matter whether they work - just as long as it looks good on the label.
2. Natural is better for the environment. The truth: Again, not necessarily. The amount of energy expended in harvesting and processing natural ingredients is considerable, and can outweigh the potential environmental benefits of using natural ingredients.
3. Natural is natural. The truth: Huh, you ask? Isn't that obvious. Not really. My biggest problem with the natural product hype is that many of the so-called natural ingredients aren't really all that natural. At least, they're not natural by the time they find their way into a skincare product, because of the amount of processing that has gone into them.
4. If a product says it's natural, it is. The truth: Not even close. Many companies add a smattering of natural-sounding ingredients at the end of an ingredient list, in minute amounts, as mere window dressing, yet if you look at the advertising or on the front of the package, these ingredients are highlighted. This is nothing but blatant hype. Many of these ingredients are nothing more than fragrance extracts, which aren't at all beneficial to skin and can be irritating. Finally, there are very few cosmetic companies really committed to "natural" skincare. (For a list of these, see tomorrow's blog). If you study the ingredient list of products from most of the companies that claim to be natural, you'll find that they are contain as many preservatives, chemicals, and other synthetic ingredients as more mainstream companies.
Whew! Now that I got that off my chest, it's time to move on to what can be right about natural skincare, what to look for, and the companies that are truly committed to making natural products. But for that, you'll have to check back again and read tomorrow's blog.
posted by The Beauty Insider @ 7:50 PM
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