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Does “Natural” Skincare Work? Pros, Cons & What to Know
In recent years, ‘natural’ has been a huge buzzword in the beauty world. Natural skincare in particular has really taken off, with proponents of the all-natural movement proclaiming these products to be better for both the skin and the environment.
However, is this really the case? Does natural skincare actually work, and is it something that you should be buying into? Join Vine Vera as we talk through the pros and cons of natural skincare, along with everything else that you need to know.
What’s Natural Skincare All About?
Natural skincare is exactly what it sounds like: skincare made from natural ingredients. They’re usually made with plant-derived ingredients, such as plant oils, plant butters, and plant extracts. Natural products don’t contain any synthetic or chemical ingredients whatsoever, which is one of the reasons why they’re trending in such a big way.
Why is Everyone Raving About Natural Skincare?
Why all the fuss over natural skincare? Here’s what all of the buzz is about:
Natural Skincare Exposes the Skin to Fewer Synthetic Chemicals
Not so long ago, it became known that the average American woman uses around 12 personal care products a day. This may not seem like much, but it actually amounts to exposing the skin to roughly 168 different chemicals per day, which is much more shocking!
The fact that natural skincare products don’t contain any synthetic chemicals enables people to greatly cut back on that number. From parabens and sulfates to artificial fragrances, all of those synthetics that are commonly found in cosmetics are absent in all-natural products. This, in theory, means that the skin barrier, as well as the skin in general, can be kept healthier and more intact.
Natural Products Can Be Gentler on the Skin
While all of the chemicals used in skincare products serve a purpose, there’s no getting away from the fact that some of them can be irritating on the skin. Sulfates, for instance, are powerful detergents that efficiently cleanse the skin. However, they can also strip away the skin’s natural protective barrier. This is why the Vine Vera Resveratrol Cabernet Mousse Cleanser boasts a sulfate-free formula. Likewise, parabens are effective preservatives but are controversial ingredients due to their potential health implications (again, you won’t find any parabens in Vine Vera skincare products!).
With natural skincare products free of all of those chemicals, they can sometimes be gentler on the skin. This is why they’re often favored by those with sensitive skin types.
Natural Ingredients are Packed With Beneficial Compounds
One of the big benefits that comes from using just about any natural ingredient is that they tend to have multitasking abilities. While many synthetic ingredients are often geared toward a singular purpose, plant-derived ingredients, be they in the form of an oil, an extract, or anything else, contain a vast array of beneficial compounds that enable them to boost the complexion in multiple ways.
Take shea butter, for example, which you’ll find in several Vine Vera skincare products, including the Resveratrol Cabernet High Potency Moisture Day Cream. It’s primarily used for how it intensely moisturizes the skin. However, it also contains fatty acids that soothe the feeling of inflammation, as well as antioxidants, including vitamins A and E, that fight the appearance of environmental damage. It leaves the skin barrier feeling stronger too.
This multifunctional nature is shared by just about every natural ingredient. With more and more people seeking out multifunctional skincare products in an attempt to cut back on overly long skincare routines, natural skincare ingredients fall perfectly in line with this.
Natural Ingredients are Biodegradable and Believed to be More Eco-Friendly
With sustainability becoming a focus of just about every industry, this movement has helped to fuel the demand for natural skincare. After all, unlike some synthetic chemicals that harm the environment and don’t easily break down, natural ingredients are completely biodegradable.
As a result, this has led many to also believe that natural skincare is more sustainable and eco-friendly. However, as we’re about to discuss, this isn’t always the case…
The Downsides of Natural Skincare
There’s no denying that natural skincare certainly has an appeal. However, before you jump onto that all-natural bandwagon, you also need to be aware of the downsides:
Natural Ingredients Aren’t Always Sustainable and Eco-Friendly
Let’s start by talking about the impact that natural skincare has on the environment. It’s believed to be the more sustainable option. After all, the ingredients used in those products come from nature! However, this doesn’t mean that they’re sustainable. Many of the natural ingredients used in cosmetics contribute to environmental destruction, whether due to their growing requirements, harvesting methods, or anything else. The resources that are then needed to process and ship those ingredients also take a toll on the planet.
With this in mind, it could easily be argued that synthetic ingredients are far more eco-friendly. When an ingredient is produced in a lab, it can be created locally. This means a lower carbon footprint, and it won’t require nearly as many natural resources either. When it comes to sustainability, lab-produced ingredients often win out.
Natural Doesn’t Mean Organic
People often assume that because a skincare product is natural, it’s also organic. However, this isn’t actually the case. This means that although you may think that your natural skincare products are exposing your skin to fewer chemicals, they could actually be laden with pesticide residue and other toxic chemicals.
Yes, you could seek out products that are both natural and organic. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that organic doesn’t mean that an ingredient is completely chemical-free. The use of chemicals is limited when producing those ingredients, but they are, on the whole, still used to some extent.
‘Natural’ isn’t a Regulated Term
The worrying part about the natural skincare trend is that the term ‘natural’ isn’t actually regulated in the skincare industry. Just about any brand can slap this claim across their packaging, even if their products are filled with synthetics and only contain a small percentage of natural compounds.
This can make shopping for high-quality natural skincare tricky. You’ll need to get into the habit of scouring each and every ingredient list. This is important when buying any cosmetics. However, it becomes even more so if your goal is to only use natural ingredients.
Natural Skincare isn’t Always Gentler on the Skin
Earlier, we discussed how natural skincare products can often be gentler on the skin because they don’t contain some of the notorious chemicals that are commonly used in cosmetics. However, don’t make the assumption that all natural ingredients are going to be kinder to your skin…
Research shows that nearly every single all-natural skincare product out there contains known irritants that can trigger dermatitis and other skin issues. Even though their ingredients may be natural, it’s surprisingly easy to develop allergies to certain oils, minerals, and other compounds that are found in those ingredients. What’s worse is that many people don’t expect these results. They’re taken by surprise when their skin reacts, not suspecting that their natural skincare products are the cause. As you can imagine, this then means that it takes much longer to rectify those new skin concerns.
Results Can Be Inconsistent
One of the reasons why the efficacy of skincare products has progressed in leaps and bounds over the years is because of how lab-produced ingredients can guarantee consistency in performance. On the other hand, the same can’t be said of natural ingredients.
Instead, natural skincare products often vary quite significantly when it comes to how effective they are. Different batches of the same formula can produce very different results. This is due to how the various compounds in a natural ingredient can dramatically fluctuate depending on where an ingredient has been grown, how it has been grown, the weather conditions it experienced while growing, how it was harvested, and more. If you’re looking for skincare that provides consistent results, all-natural products are unlikely to deliver.
You’ll Miss Out on Some of the Best Ingredients Around
There’s no disputing the fact that the majority of the natural ingredients used in skincare products are extremely beneficial. However, shunning all synthetic ingredients means that your skin will be missing out on some of the most effective ingredients around.
Take resveratrol, for example, which you’ll find in every Vine Vera skincare product. It’s originally a natural compound – it comes from the skin of red grapes and a few other plants. It’s an incredibly powerful antioxidant, more so than many other natural ingredients. However, to make it practical and sustainable to use this ingredient in cosmetics, it’s usually lab-produced.
The same can be said of hyaluronic acid. Again, it’s a natural compound that’s found in the human body. It’s exceptionally hydrating, providing a plumper complexion in seconds. That’s why you’ll find it in several Vine Vera products, including the Resveratrol Pinot Noir Phyto-Silk. It’s efficient yet completely safe. However, again, it’s a lab-produced ingredient, meaning that it won’t be found in all-natural products.
So, What’s Best for Your Skin?
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to natural skincare products. This can make it difficult to determine what’s actually best for your skin.
When it comes down to it, going with an extreme, such as all-natural or all-synthetic, means that your skin is going to end up missing out on one or the other. Ideally, if you want to see the best results from your skincare routine, you’ll need a bit of both. Natural ingredients combined with synthetic compounds will really enhance how a skincare product works, while also ensuring that your skin is receiving all that it needs.
Want to give your skin the best of both worlds? Click here to check out Vine Vera’s bestselling skincare products.
