Are you confused about natural and synthetic products?
Not to worry I have it all covered up for you in detail with extensive research, and general health background before letting you decide.
It seems we’re all aiming to be more aware of what we buy and make mindful choices around what we’re clasping on our faces.
But every place you look, information between the two camps: scientific and lab-based (i.e chemical) or eco-friendly and plant-based (aka natural), seems to spin in different directions.
“Chemicals are horrible for us,” “natural skincare is powerless,” “synthetic materials are inducing sensitivity,” “essential oils can cause inflammation.” With such different opinions, what should we conclude? And where should we be investing our skincare budget?
What do you think is meant by Natural Products?
Natural products indicate that the products are composed with ingredients found in nature, often from plants, such as botanical oils, and it could demonstrate products lacking manufactured preservatives such as parabens
What do you think is meant by Synthetic Products?
Synthetic products mean products encompass laboratory and scientifically proven derived particles, such as hyaluronic acid. The procedures are made using chemical samples of natural ingredients.
Natural vs Synthetic
The natural versus synthetic camps have overwhelmed the trade a bit as some claim that natural products are not beneficial and others that synthetic products are dangerous. Likely the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
Naturally, derived products can be highly effective when formulated properly. However natural does not certainly mean good. Also, Synthetic products are not inherently harmful because they are developed in a laboratory, and many are actually available.
Synthetic ingredients can be dangerous, so also are lots of natural ingredients found in organic products are dangerous to the skin.
When it comes to natural formulas, there is no chemically free product, everything is a chemical cos they contain elements, particles, and matter.
Synthetic ingredients are generally formed in a laboratory. There is no natural retinol or hyaluronic acid made for equatorial use, so synthetic versions are made from compounds that naturally occur in plants, animals and are duplicated using laboratory techniques. It means they are essential to creating many of the products we use every day.
Natural ingredients learned for their natural healing powers, plant-based ingredients, oils and extracts offer numerous advantages to the skin, such as preventing free radicals, skin glow, repairing of skin cells, and so on.
The reason why synthetic ingredients have gained a “bad name” could be due to possible bioaccumulation effects – in other words, a buildup of these chemicals can be found in blood, breast milk, and urine samples.
We are seeing a rise in skin allergies and atopic dermatitis and ingredients such as SLS, mineral oil and preservatives may be implicated in some cases.
SLS is a detergent that strips away the skin’s natural protective oils, leaving it exposed and prone to reaction.
It is also very alkaline, so it disrupts the skin’s pH balance and important acid mantle. It’s the main reason people get that feeling of tightness after washing their face
Mineral oil has good and bad in it. It’s occlusive meaning that it sits on top of skin creating a barrier. It means that the water in the skin cannot evaporate away. However, it doesn’t benefit the structure of the skin itself.
We need preservatives in our skincare products otherwise their shelf life would be extremely limited. On the other hand, cleansers rely on ingredients such as SLS and related compounds to actually remove dirt, debris, and oil from the skin.
On the other end of the spectrum, there are entirely chemical ingredients such as parabens or common sunscreen ingredients oxybenzone ( banned in Hawaii and Europe), which are created and processed in laboratories and have no ties to nature or the natural world.
As wonderful as they sound, products made of 100% natural ingredients may contain natural preservatives — if any at all — which are not strong enough to kill most bacterial growth and fungus.
When stored in containers and jars that require users to dip in with every application, or in humid environments like tropical countries or even a steamy bathroom, the product could be a hotbed for mould and bacteria. This, in turn, might lead to an infection or eczema flare-up.
Besides the importance of preservatives, other synthetic ingredients like vitamins A and C have also been proven to be great skin saviors.
The Science of Natural Skincare
While it’s impossible to determine the ultimate winner between natural and synthetic products, using science and technology to enhance the healing properties of natural ingredients might just be the solution that combines the best of both natural and synthetic ingredients.
Conclusion
While neither natural nor synthetic products and ingredients have a higher hand over the other, It is advisable to balance the ingredients used in making each product version
However, since everyone’s skin responds contrarily to various ingredients, it’s a question of special preference.
If you’ve been using and enjoying essential oils for a long time without irritation, chances are, you’re fine to keep using them but if you are experiencing irritation do change them.
Do let us know in the comments below if you are a naturalist, synthetic user, or both. Viola!
