The natural skin care industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in beauty. There are plenty of reasons to use natural skin care instead of traditional products, like avoiding potentially harmful synthetic chemicals. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly option. Whether it’s a tried-and-true skin care regimen, how often you wash your hair, or the cosmetics you’re curious about, beauty is personal. 

What is natural skin care?

The term “natural skin care” can mean different things. The “natural” label isn’t regulated across the industry. This means each company can choose what “natural” means for themselves. “There’s a lot of debate in the industry on what’s considered ‘natural’ and what’s not,” says licensed esthetician and beauty blog author Dana Murray. “Often, natural ingredients can be inconsistent in makeup, so it’s hard to measure effectiveness and potency. [As well, some] natural ingredients, like essential oils, can cause irritation to the skin,” she says.

Benefits of natural skin care

According to a 2015 study, botanical products can be a rich source of:

• vitamins
• antioxidants
• essential oils
• hydrocolloids
• proteins
• terpenoids
• bioactive compounds

According to the study, plant extracts can be a safe and cost-effective alternative to synthetics.

Terms to know

With no strict definitions, you’re largely on your own to research which products are “natural” to you. Luckily, this article can help.

What is the product derived from? This is the first question to ask yourself.

In other words, what’s in it, and where does it come from? Is it a natural source, like plants, animals, minerals, and marine sources? Or is it derived from petrochemicals? 

Naturally-occurring: this means that ingredients are used in their natural, unprocessed state. Examples of naturally-occurring ingredients include raw honey and crushed flowers.

Nature-identical: this means that ingredients are produced in a lab and are chemically identical to those that occur in nature. An example is sorbic acid. Originally derived from rowan berries, sorbic acid is now commonly included as a nature-identical ingredient.

Synthetic: this term sits on the far end of the spectrum and includes ingredients that were created and processed in a lab. An example of this is parabens, which are common beauty preservatives.

How is it processed?

Just because ingredients are derived naturally, it doesn’t mean they’re processed naturally. Ingredients can be processed physically or chemically. Processed physically means the molecular composition or structure stays the same. Processed chemically means the molecular composition or structure changes.

Examples of naturally derived but physically processed ingredients include raw, unrefined oils and butters. These are processed through means like cold-pressing or filtration.

An example of a naturally derived but chemically processed ingredient would be castor wax. It’s a vegetable wax derived from the castor bean produced by adding hydrogen to pure castor oil, a process called hydrogenation.

Know your labels

There are various certifications and marketing words under the umbrella of “natural” products. Some are regulated and some aren’t.

Organic

Companies can have their products certified organic. They can also label their products as organic to indicate that all the ingredients are derived from organic sources. This means the product itself may not be certified, but all the ingredients are certified organic.

Green

This unregulated term refers to environmental impact and sustainability. Green products are usually produced with intention of limiting environmental impact. For example, a green product may contain raw materials that are harvested in a way to support the environment rather than harming it.

Clean

This unregulated term describes products that typically focus on being non-toxic. 

Vegan

These products are created without animal by-products.

Cruelty-free

It’s important to note that, while vegan products are almost always cruelty-free, cruelty-free products are not always vegan. An example would be an organic lip balm that contains beeswax. Brands can claim these terms without being certified. But, if you want to ensure it, there are several organizations that certify vegan and cruelty-free products.

Fair-trade

This regulated descriptor focuses on sourcing, ensuring that ingredients are sourced ethically in terms of the planet, people, or environment.

Safety

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, all-natural products, such as vitamins and herbal remedies, can interact with cancer treatment — specifically chemotherapy and radiation. This is especially true for vitamin A, vitamin C, and St. John’s wort. Serious side effects can occur if used during cancer treatment. So it’s best to talk with your doctor before starting a new routine.

If a product is truly natural, a major drawback is short shelf life. Natural skin care products may only have a shelf life of 3–4 months. Parabens (which are synthetic) keep products clean, contaminant-free, and usable for up to 2 years.

By Ashley Hubbard

Posted on March 5th, 2021

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