How to Tell Which Skincare Products Are Natural & Synthetic Chemical Free
Our skin is so important.
Many of us search through pages of different skin care routines and rituals to find anything to give us magically flawless skin.
Marketing campaigns and TV advertisements promise us healthier looking skin at the cost of luxurious products with attractive packaging.
We buy then test and experiment with so many different products, but how much do you actually know about what these products contain?
When you’re faced with a long list of wordy, complicated ingredients, it is no surprise that a lot of us don’t know what we’re actually using on our skin.
What does natural skincare mean?
How do you select the best natural skincare products without chemicals?
What is the difference between organic and vegan cosmetics?
To help you figure out what is really in your skin care products and cosmetics, we’ve created a guide to clear up any confusion.
Join us as we explain:
Natural Skin Care Products
Natural and organic skin care products are often preferred in the health and beauty industry. These products are not only much more effective for your skin and less likely to cause harm, but using natural and organic products is often much better for the environment too.
Organic ingredients must be grown naturally without the use of pesticides, chemicals, hormones or antibiotics. This can refer to any type of ingredient including fruit, vegetables and oils.
So how do you know if your skin care is chemical free?
Companies are not allowed to state that they are natural and organic unless over 95% of their ingredients are actually organically grown.
Products that state they are fully organic need to meet organic standards and use only natural substances to protect biodiversity.
Furthermore, the products require organic certification and must have followed approved guidelines. This is usually regulated by an authority figure or organisation.
In the US, organic products must meet the regulations of the USDA organic regulations. In the UK organic products are regulated by legislation, covered in The Organic Products Regulations 2009. This is mainly overseen by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
If you are interested in natural skincare products, it is worth taking a look at our DARK EYE ALL-NATURAL EYE SERUM ($19.45).
This product, like all Luminositie products, has been specifically formulated to be non-toxic, 100% natural effective skincare and is completely safe and healthy. It is also suitable for all types of sensitive skin.
Organic and paraben free, the product is made without the use of any harsh chemicals or ingredients - a breath of fresh air in an industry where this isn't common!
Natural Skincare Ingredients
In contrast to organic products, lots of companies falsely claim that they are ‘natural’ when in reality, the product is filled with synthetic ingredients. In most countries, there isn’t actually regulation about using the term ‘natural’ in marketing or television campaigns.
As a result, cosmetic companies don’t need certification or to meet minimum standards in order to claim that their skin care products are natural. Many manufacturers will use misleading language and claim that their products are eco-friendly or have insane health benefits. This is sometimes known as greenwashing.
To find out if a product is truly natural, you will need to become a little more familiar with the actual ingredients. It can seem complicated at first, especially when you are faced with a long list of blurry words. But doing your research can help your skin in the long-run.
Natural skincare ingredients can help reduce the signs of ageing and maintain a young and fresh appearance for your skin. Natural ingredients are better for our skin as they are made from flower and plant extracts. Ingredients to look out for include all natural butter and plant derivatives such as:
- aloe vera
- cocoa butter
- shea butter
- coconut oil
- clay
- ceramides
- green tea
- walnuts
- olive leaf
- rosehip seed oil.
Find out more about what the 7 best skincare ingredients are for healing damaged or aged skin.
Synthetic Cosmetics
Some of the synthetic, unnatural ingredients we see in cosmetic products include Alpha and Beta hydroxy acids, hydroquinone, retinol, kojic acid, copper peptide, to name a few.
When used for long periods, these substances will age the skin and cause all sorts of problems as they are very corrosive.
In addition to the above synthetic products, there are a number of synthetic products that are used in cosmetics.
Some of the products to avoid are Parabens that are widely used as they act as a preservative. This includes Methyl Paraben, Propyl Paraben, and Butyl Paraben.
These ingredients are parabens which means that your skin care product will last longer on the shelves and in your home before they officially expire. However, keeping your moisturisers for too long can also be bad for your skin. You wouldn’t eat a rotten banana so you shouldn’t be using a moisturiser that has been left on the shelf for months on end.
Everything you use on your skin from cleansers to oils and moisturisers is absorbed into the skin. Adding chemicals and preservatives is not a natural form, so it may cause additional skin concerns and actually leave you with worse skin than before.
Cherish your skin
Gwyneth Paltrow makes a good point about your lifestyle choices. “The idea that you’re exercising and trying to eat well and then slathering yourself with chemicals, parabens, and silicones — it’s not great.”
Navigating through the vast range of skin care products out there is complicated enough, without having to distinguish between vegan, organic, natural, eco-friendly, synthetic or chemical free.
With all of the different marketing terms and television advertisements, it is no wonder we are all confused. We know how hard it can be to find the right skin care product for you, especially when you’re on the lookout for flawless results.
Your skin is your largest organ and is the outer layer of protection for your body. You need to make sure that you look after it, and don’t experiment with skin care products that you are confused about.
Make sure you check the ingredients and do your research before adding it to your skincare routine.
Everyone’s skin can be very sensitive to change and any unwanted chemicals will only cause more skin concerns than benefits!