It started during the pandemic, with people having lots of time on their hands, the trend of do-it-yourself products emerged. People started making soaps, shampoos, even body washes of their own out things found in their own houses. People with the right-hand skills eventually sold these “all-natural”, homemade products for people to use. This approach promotes the idea that ‘non-toxic’ beauty products are the ideal choice for skin care. But are they really?  

First let’s define “all-natural” in the world of beauty products. Clevelandclinic.com states that the term ‘Natural’ applies to ingredients sourced from plants and other non-lab origins.” Now imagine adding the word “all” in that “natural”. You are going to expect the ingredients that make the whole product all came from nature. With no addition of chemicals, toxins, and is essentially good for Mother Earth.

Well, these truths are convincing enough to encourage their use, but Allergist Sandra Hong M.D. suggests that people must be informed about what to look for to ensure that the products they use on their skin will not cause problems.

For further explanation, whether you are aware or not, there are “natural” ingredients that may trigger your allergies. And these in time will cost you more money in the long run, if you think about it. This is somewhat already a minus 1 for the “all natural” team. Let’s dig in deeper.  

In a 2023 study, it showed that nearly every skin care product that is marketed as “all natural” actually contains ingredients that can trigger contact dermatitis. This is described as having itchiness, rash the moment you put the product in your skin. Now, ain’t that appealing? Not. This study examined nearly 1,700 products considered natural, clean, healthy for skin, or suitable for people with sensitive skin, Dr. Hong explains. “It found that more than 94% of the time, these products contained agents known to cause contact dermatitis.” Symptoms of contact dermatitis include blistering, flakiness, oozing red rash, painful, scaly and swollen skin. 

Now, the above info may sound unnerving, let’s just think of it as Gen Z’s call it, “real talk”, but it ain’t all that bad. There are natural ingredients that makers use that are good for the skin. Shea butter, aloe vera, coconut oil, and honey are a few examples of natural organic components that are proven to calm, nourish, hydrate, and encourage smooth skin. Organic skin care products are mild on your skin and won’t hurt you over time, even though the results can come slowly. 

Here comes the words, organic and natural. Are they even the same thing? The answer is, No. A large percentage of natural substances derived from plants, animals, or minerals can be found in natural cosmetic products.

They attempt to minimize the usage of artificial components, particularly those derived from the petrochemical sector. But they can also consist of vegetables, dairy products, or egg products derived from intensive farming. Organic cosmetics go one step further by utilizing natural ingredients from organic farms in their formulations.

While an organic cosmetic product is also a natural cosmetic product, a natural cosmetic product might not be organic! 

So, should we choose beauty products derived from organic products then? Maybe, maybe not. There are difficulties with components produced organically. The primary justification for using organic ingredients in cosmetics is their impact on health. Cosmetics, skincare products, lotions, serums, creams, and makeup can all enter the body through the skin.

We as customers wish to prevent ingesting petrochemicals, which beauty brand makers may view as contentious, irritating, allergic, dangerous, or carcinogenic, by selecting cosmetics bearing an organic label. Selecting a cosmetic product with elements sourced organically involves more than just staying away from dubious ingredients. Already, natural components derived from conventional agriculture provide a healthful substitute for synthetic compounds. 

So, what is the conclusion in all of these? Are “all-natural” beauty products effective? This is not to argue that going natural has no benefits.

However, before you dive headfirst into the realm of natural skin care products, educate yourself to carefully read labels and place a greater emphasis on the actual components than on ambiguous marketing words. Also, avoid the sweet-smelling products for the benefit of your skin. 

“Keep it simple,” suggests Dr. Hong. “Products with few and simple ingredients are what you should really concentrate on.”