So how can you tell if what you're buying is actually healthier? “Consumers need to focus on the ingredients they contain,” says Geller. Beauty brands are developing natural-based formulations with natural, naturally derived and certified organic ingredients. Of natural origin means that the starting material is natural. Often, these modifications are aimed at obtaining a more stable natural ingredient, preventing oxidation, browning, etc.
Many companies follow globally approved guidelines for calculating their natural percentage. Organic formulations fall into three categories, which are overseen by the USDA. To be 100% organic, products must use only certified organic ingredients (excluding water and salt); these products can use the USDA seal. To label a product as organic, formulators must have a minimum of 95% certified organic ingredients (excluding water and salt), as well as a certification from a third party, such as Quality Assurance International (QAI); these products can use the USDA organic seal.
Products can say “made with organic ingredients” if they contain more than 70% certified organic ingredients; any product can use a certified organic ingredient that mentions the name of the certified organic ingredient. Both this approach and the one with more than 70% organic products cannot use the USDA seal. Everything natural may seem to be equivalent to what's best for the environment, but this isn't necessarily true. On a case-by-case basis, all-natural ingredients can lead to a less sustainable supply because of the amount of that natural ingredient that is needed or the places where it is harvested and the environments in which it is harvested.
harvest. In practice, sustainability is a priority in the decision-making process for each ingredient. A great example is our use of vegan squalane in personalized skin care. Natural squalene is shark liver oil, an incredibly effective moisturizer that doesn't meet the ethical standards of many beauty brands.
Instead, vegan squalane (made in a laboratory) combines olive oil, rice bran oil and amaranth oil. It doesn't happen on its own in nature, but it's better for nature. When you apply skin care products, their ingredients gradually enter the bloodstream and affect body processes.
Natural skin care products
use beneficial and gentle ingredients, minimizing potential adverse effects.By choosing natural skin care products, you reduce the risk of negative health impacts, resulting in healthier, more radiant skin. Many major skincare brands test their products on animals, a doomed practice that poses serious ethical problems. Manufacturers of natural skin care products often avoid animal testing, allowing you to support ethical practices and avoid contributing to animal cruelty. Natural skin care products usually contain many more beneficial ingredients, do not harm the skin, and are made with much more attention to detail.
When it comes to long-term health, studies reveal that organic foods expose consumers to less pesticide residues. Understanding these criteria can help you make more informed decisions when selecting natural skin care products. While the natural beauty movement has had some positive aspects, such as the diversification of the beauty industry by influential people who have made skincare more accessible, Dr. Gurrieri says there are other issues that deserve closer analysis.
However, an ingredient can also be considered synthetic if it was derived from nature and then processed or altered in a laboratory to create a more polished version of the 100% natural ingredient. It's important to note that many skincare products are water-based, and since water can't be certified as organic, it's almost impossible to find a 100% organic skincare product. About 20 years ago, he began manufacturing his own natural skin care products, adding essential oils to a hydrating base after seeing how some of his customers reacted to the artificial fragrances of other products. From there, Tracey's interest in natural skin care grew with her understanding of how nutrition affects health.
Natural beauty has become a category of luxury skincare products, which markets their products at higher prices, which companies consider to be a unique benefit, says Dr. Gurrieri. However, while all cosmetic ingredients are governed by the same safety standards, regardless of whether they are of natural or synthetic origin, finding a truly natural beauty product in today's market can be incredibly difficult, as most cosmetics often need specific synthetic preservatives to increase life. useful and functionality.
According to a recent survey, 69% of women aged 35 to 54 are increasingly choosing natural skincare products, and 6 out of 10 now read product labels before making a purchase. Natural skin care products have a significant reduction in ingredients known to cause irritation and exacerbations, including parabens, synthetic foaming agents and artificial fragrances. Dr. Gurrieri states that natural beauty, also known as clean beauty, is an intelligent marketing technique that makes us feel good when we take care of ourselves using ingredients of natural origin.
In a nutshell, it's not enough to label a product as “natural” for the best results; natural skincare products must also be organic and of ethical origin. The amount of antioxidant vitamins in natural skin care products tends to be much higher than in synthetic ones.
