Are ‘natural’ skincare products really safe for you?

In an ideal world, all skincare products would consist solely of natural ingredients. However, if this were the case, we might miss out on the potential benefits associated with synthetic ingredients. For a skincare product to be effective, it must contain “actives”. These actives can be obtained from either natural or synthetic sources. Natural actives come from plants while synthetic ingredients are made in a lab.

Instinctively, one might think that naturally derived ingredients are superior to those manufactured in a laboratory. But is that really true?

Unfortunately, there is no legal standard for what constitutes “natural” in skincare, leaving many brands to define it according to their criteria. Just because a product is labelled as natural doesn’t mean it is made with 100% natural ingredients.

“Nature is often used to sell products in the skincare and wellness industry, but sometimes, businesses are simply exploiting nature for commercial gain,” says Sally Gouldstone, CEO of Seilich, a personal care brand.

This doesn’t mean there are no benefits to going natural. However, before fully immersing yourself in natural skincare products, it’s important to read labels carefully. Focus more on actual ingredients than vague marketing terms.

Buzzwords like “eco-friendly,” “sustainable,” and “natural” aren’t regulated, so they might be meaningless when it comes to product labelling. Be wary of products that claim to be “chemical-free,” as this implies that chemicals are inherently bad—even though water is a chemical.

Also, some naturally occurring ingredients can have a powerful effect on our bodies. For instance, botanicals such as tea tree oil, eucalyptus, and rosemary can trigger skin irritation, with sensitivity varying from person to person.

On the flip side, synthetic skincare products—also called chemical-based products—consist of ingredients (artificial) created in a laboratory after thorough research on natural ingredients.

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UNSAFE CHEMICALS?

The truth is, you’re just as likely to be exposed to unsafe chemicals in processed foods and drinks, cleaning sprays, food packings, and even prescription medicines as well as in personal care products.

With the rising popularity of natural skincare, synthetic skincare has developed a bit of a bad rap. While it is true that synthetic skincare can include a few undesirable ingredients like paraben, silicones and phthalates, it also includes ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinol that have quickly become many people’s favourites.

Researchers have found dangerous levels of mercury in skin lightening and anti-ageing creams. They’ve linked chemicals in hair dyes and straighteners to breast and uterine cancer. They’ve also traced fragrances in soaps and shampoos to poor semen quality and fertility issues.

READ ALSO: All Your Questions About Fragrances In Skincare Answered

IS SYNTHETIC SKINCARE BETTER THEN?

Interestingly, natural skincare is almost always processed in a lab, further blurring the definition of “natural”. Hyaluronic acid, for instance, is often extracted from sweet potatoes in a lab. While salicylic acid, one of the best acne treatments is lab-extracted from willow bark.

Does that mean synthetic skincare products are better than natural ones? Not necessarily. The effectiveness of both natural and synthetic products varies, so it’s not as simple as saying one is better than the other. Both have their pros and cons.

While many natural ingredients can go straight from the source into the product, synthetic ingredients are manufactured by experts, offering greater consistency and uniformity in batches.

Lab-extracted ingredients in synthetic skincare also allow for more sustainable, cruelty-free options. For instance, squalene, a hydrating ingredient traditionally harvested from shark livers, can now be extracted in a lab from rice bran, sugarcane, and olives.

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However, some ingredients in synthetic skincare may cause irritation or clogged pores, so it’s advisable to steer clear of PEGs, silicones, and synthetic dyes.

Meanwhile, plant-based ingredients are high in antioxidants, which help fight the damaging free radicals our skin encounters daily. Antioxidants include beta-carotene derived from carrots and sweet potatoes, vitamin C in citrus and rosehips, and polyphenols in green tea.

Both natural and synthetic ingredients have a place within the skincare industry. Before writing off either one, research the ingredients found in the products you buy.