When it comes to "natural", be wary of claims
The quest for the best skincare is a difficult one. If you were to survey 1000 random people and ask what is safer, a natural or synthetic ingredient, it stands to reason that the majority would select natural ingredients. In reality, the word “natural” is a gray area when it comes to finding the best skincare. After all, arsenic is natural, and so are lead and mercury. It doesn’t mean that we want to use them on our skin.
Most women tend to be drawn to natural-based products. According to survey results, 74 percent of women with children at home, and 60 percent of women without kids at home, look for green or natural products. The problem is that green and natural are difficult to define terms and marketers tend to take advantage of consumers by labeling their products as “natural”, when in reality this term is void of meaning. In their quest for the best natural skincare products, they may find endless options masked in deceitful claims.
The FDA does not have a defined meaning for "Natural"
The FDA governs the realm of food and cosmetics, and they openly admit that they have not defined a meaning for the term “natural”. This means there are no rules or regulatory guidelines that prevent marketers from calling out the word “natural” or “green” on their cosmetic labels. Nor does the FDA have regulations for the term “organic” for cosmetics. The USDA regulates the term “organic” when it comes to food, but these rules are not strictly enforced when it comes to cosmetics.
What to look for when evaluating products for your skin
As a consumer, it’s difficult to navigate a landscape full of false promises. It’s only logical to look for the best natural skin care products for your family, because you want to protect them and keep them safe. Products that claim “natural” and “organic” may also be preservative free and laden with essential oils, both recipes for skin irritation and even infection. Preservation is a crucial aspect of formulating cosmetics in a way to protect consumers. While you might choose unpreserved bread at the store, you can clearly see when it grows moldy, and you don’t expect the shelf life to last for 2 years. Cosmetics often sit on the shelf for years and should always be preserved in order to protect your skin, especially products that are used around your eyes and mouth. If a product becomes infected with bacteria and is used on your skin, you can experience severe irritation or allergic reactions.
If you are concerned about whether an ingredient is safe for your skin, a better resource than “natural”, “green” or “organic” is to look for a third party source such as the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Rather than finding the best natural skin care ingredients, you’ll be able to identify the safest skin care ingredients. Once you are able to confirm a product is formulated with safe ingredients, it’s time to look at efficacy.
The best skincare? Efficacy rules.
Let’s face it, if you want to improve your skin, efficacy is far more important than identifying only natural skin care products. In fact, we recommend that the best skincare treatments combine efficacious ingredients with natural ones.
Our top favorite “efficacious”, non-natural skin care ingredients:
Peptides
Synthesized from amino acids, peptides are powerful yet gentle compounds which help activate specific pathways in the skin, triggering anti-aging benefits. Peptides can “speak” to your skin cells, boosting collagen, elastin and hyaluronic synthesis to help reverse the telltale signs of aging like wrinkles, fine lines and sagging.
Salicylic Acid
This beta hydroxy acid is unique from other acids because it is oil soluble, which means it can absorb easily and penetrate oily, blemish-prone skin. It helps to dissolve oily, keratinized build-up in your pores, clearing away blackheads and whiteheads. Salicylic Acid is not all-natural, but it is naturally occurring in Willowbark, a botanical anti-inflammatory. Willowbark naturally contains Salicylic Acid and Aspirin, both powerful soothing agents which help quell redness and swelling. As a bonus, Salicylic Acid is well-tolerated by most skin types and can even help to diminish the look of wrinkles and large pores with continued use.
Azelaic Acid
A monographed drug, Azelaic Acid is an exfoliating acid that is surprisingly gentle. It’s so gentle, it’s used to treat Rosacea. One of the symptoms of Rosacea is pimples and painful redness. It’s difficult to treat because it is also accompanied by severe sensitivity and dryness. Typical anti-acne remedies like Benzoyl Peroxide or Sulfur will likely irritate Rosacea, but Azelaic Acid exfoliates and clears blocked pores without drying out your skin.
Hyaluronic Acid
Not all natural, but Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring compound in your skin, and is responsible for the plush, soft feel of youthful complexions. As a moisturizer, it behaves like a weightless humectant, attracting and binding 1,000 times its weight in water to your skin. Low molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid penetrates deeply and can actually pull moisture from the dermis into the epidermis for an internal plumping effect.
Retinoids
Retinoids are a form of Vitamin A which help to boost cell turnover. Retinoids are known for their side effects, because they can induce redness, peeling and dryness. However, Retinoids are great at stimulating collagen synthesis, and are one of the only ingredients that can actually stop collagen loss due to sun damage.
Pair Effective with Natural
For maximum results, we recommend pairing these heavy-hitters with natural skin care ingredients that complement their effects.
Our top favorite natural skin care ingredients are as follows:
Marula Oil
This soothing plant-derived oil is also a powerful antioxidant, helping to scavenge free radicals and allow collagen to flourish. The result is voluminous, youthful looking skin.
Shea Butter
This nutritive plant-based butter is brimming with nutritive antioxidants like catechins and lupeol. Clinical studies show a collagen-boosting, anti-inflammatory effect when applied to your skin.
Tea Tree Oil
One of the oldest, most trusted remedies is Tea Tree oil, which has been widely studied as an antiseptic and antifungal agent. It’s documented as having a similar activity to Benzoyl Peroxide on acne. This is big news considering Benzoyl Peroxide is an FDA-approved, monographed drug for acne.
Do your research and don't be afraid of buzz words
If you’re not inclined to stop using natural skin care products, it’s important to understand that if you want the safest, most efficacious products, you need to do your own research first. Consult third party sources when you’re looking for the best skincare ingredients, and don’t be afraid of chemicals. After all, water is a chemical, and it’s extremely beneficial for washing and hydrating your skin. Once you gather enough information, you will be armed to make your own decisions about what the best natural skin care ingredients (and non-natural) are.
