Neostrata Facial Cleanser

Is natural skincare really better?

Many people swear by natural products, and for good reason; they generally don't cause as many side effects as their synthetic counterparts. However, that doesn't mean they're necessarily better for you. We looked into the research, and here's what we found.

Key Takeaways

While there are dozens of benefits to using natural products, there are also some downsides to consider. The biggest problem is that natural products tend to contain fewer ingredients, which makes it harder for the body to identify and process them. That being said, if you're wondering whether natural skincare is right for you, here are some of the main takeaways.

Side Effects

One of the things that make synthetic products so popular is that they're much easier to tolerate. For instance, people with sensitive skin often have success with sulfate-free products, which are less irritating than their traditional counterparts. On the flip side, there are a few side effects that you might experience from using natural products.

The first and most obvious problem is that while natural products don't generally cause as many side effects as their synthetic counterparts, they still cause side effects. That being said, the side effects are generally relatively mild. At worst, you might end up with a skin reaction that requires medical attention.

Another potential downside to using natural products is that sometimes the effects don't wear off as quickly as you'd like. In some cases, it can take several weeks or months for your skin to regulate back to its natural state. In some cases, this is because the ingredient doesn't break down quickly enough within your body. If you're experiencing this issue, it might be a good idea to try something synthetic so that your skin can respond better to treatment.

Best For

Depending on your skin's needs, you might have different criteria for choosing the right skincare products. If you have oily skin and experience many breakouts, you might want to avoid products that have oil as their main ingredient. Instead, you could try an antiperspirant/deodorant. If you have dry skin and need hydration, you could try an anti-wrinkle serum or day cream with SPF 50+, or go for an acid serum in the morning and a moisture serum in the evening.

On the other hand, if you have sensitive skin and want to prevent certain ingredients from being rubbed or scratched off during the day, you might choose a product with natural fibers like silk or hemp. In some cases, you might also need to try different products for each skin area, as some ingredients are better suited for certain skin types. For example, onion contains natural oils that help lock in moisture, but they also have a skin-stripping effect that makes them dangerous to use on skin with sensitive skin. In this case, you might want to try a product with a low onion content or leave it out altogether.

Durability

Another important factor to consider when choosing skincare products is how durable they are. After all, you don't want to be replacing your makeup or skincare products too often.

In general, most natural products are less durable than their synthetic counterparts. That being said, some natural products are extremely durable while others are practically useless. The key is knowing which category your particular product fits in. For instance, coconut oil is extremely durable, as it resists water and oil separation. That makes it great for keeping your waterproof mascara in place all day long. Similarly, apricot seeds are both oil and water-based, so they tend to separate easily from each other. That makes them perfect for sensitive skin applications, like skin cleansers and moisturizers. However, they aren't always the most long-lasting product. For example, sugar cane has a short shelf life due to the rapid evolution of fruit flies in storage.

Cost

Depending on your budget, you might have different priorities when choosing skincare products. In some cases, you might want to save money, and in other cases, you might want to invest in better quality products. In general, the cost of natural products is often significantly higher than the cost of their synthetic counterparts. That being said, because of their lower rates of contamination, you might get a better deal when buying natural products in bulk.

As a general rule of thumb, if you're looking for a long-lasting product, go for a synthetic one; if you're looking for something that's gonna break down quickly, go for a natural one.

Overall Verdict

Ultimately, we need to ask ourselves, is natural skincare really better? The answer is, it depends. On the one hand, natural products tend to have fewer side effects; however, that doesn't mean they're necessarily better for you. As a general rule of thumb, if you have oily skin and experience many breakouts, you might want to avoid products that have oil as their main ingredient. If you have dry skin and need hydration, you could try an antiperspirant/deodorant. If you have sensitive skin and want to prevent certain ingredients from being rubbed or scratched off during the day, you might choose a product with natural fibers like silk or hemp. In some cases, you might also need to try different products for each skin area, as some ingredients are better suited for certain skin types. For example, onion contains natural oils that help lock in moisture, but they also have a skin-stripping effect that makes them dangerous to use on skin with sensitive skin.

To be honest, there are many benefits to using natural products, but there are also some serious downsides to consider. If you're wondering whether natural skincare is right for you, here are some of the main takeaways. While there are dozens of benefits to using natural products, there are also some downsides to consider. The biggest problem is that natural products tend to contain fewer ingredients, which makes it harder for the body to identify and process them. That being said, if you're wondering whether natural skincare is right for you, here are some of the main takeaways.