One of the biggest and strangest debates in the skincare community is about whether natural skin care or chemical skincare is better overall. As our society returns to natural living and organic products, there has been a significant backlash from the chemical skincare community over natural products’ efficacy and quality. Simultaneously, much of the natural skin care community accuses chemical skincare products of using toxic substances in their products.
While some chemical products use ingredients that can be harmful, the bottom line is personal preference and beliefs. What works for some may not work for others, and there is no single right answer to which is better. The best you can do as a consumer is arm yourself with information and go forth into the cosmetic department knowing what aligns most with your values and lifestyle.
What’s Considered Natural? What’s Considered Chemical?
One of the biggest breakdowns in the natural skin care vs. chemical skin care argument is the inconsistency in defining both. In some cases, natural skincare means that the product is derived from plants or naturally occurring oils. In other cases, it simply indicates the absence of certain synthetic ingredients such as parabens. In both situations, “natural” does not indicate how the plants were grown or whether they absorbed pesticides or chemicals in the growing process. In contrast, organic skincare uses ingredients grown without pesticides or chemicals.
In chemical skincare, the definition is equally vague. Chemical compounds are not always harmful, and many, like water, occur naturally. However, when used in skincare, chemical generally refers to the fact that the ingredient was formulated in a lab. In cases such as retinol, these chemicals are created to mimic natural ingredients.
Consider These Factors
When deciding which route to use, it’s important to consider a few factors.
- Do you have allergies? Many people have encountered products or ingredients that cause skin irritation or rashes. If you’ve identified an allergen, it’s best to avoid it entirely. Along with many chemicals, some plants or extracts in natural skincare can irritate people with allergies.
- Do you have sensitive skin? Some people are not allergic to ingredients per se, but their skin becomes easily irritated. In these cases, it’s usually best to stick with natural skincare products. Chemicals are harsh on the skin and can cause issues for those with sensitivities.
- Is the environment a priority? Natural skincare products are almost always better for the environment, especially if the product is organic. The ingredients in these organic skin care products don’t involve chemical compounds that can be toxic to water supplies or landfills.
- Are you health conscious? Though chemicals are not always bad, many ingredients in synthetic skincare lines break down the body’s natural hormone system over time and have profound negative impacts on health. Many common ingredients in chemical skincare, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, and phthalates, have been known to cause cancer and other health issues.
If you feel that natural is the way to go, the best place to start is with Organic Cosmetica. Free of GMOs, animal products, gluten, nut products, and soy, our best organic skin care products eliminate the main irritants from our ingredient lists. Our products are clean and at least 60% organic, and there are options for every taste. Don’t waste any more time with irritated skin or sub-par health; make the switch to Organic Cosmetica today.
