Does Natural Skincare Really Work?

If you have been an avid user of cosmetic products for years, it can be difficult to make the change to a natural skincare range. 

Perhaps your current skincare product works well, but you have heard about the benefits of using organic and natural skincare products. Besides being good for the earth, it's good for your skin too. 

And most natural skincare products are not tested on animals, meaning that you don't have to worry about the harm it can cause to our furry friends, leaving you with a clean conscience. 

BUT the question is, does natural skincare work just as well as its chemical counterpart? 

Here is the answer.

Natural Skincare - What does science say?

In all honesty, natural skincare products and synthetic products possess the same molecular substance. 

For example if you are using saylic acid that has been produced in a lab or saylic acid found in nature, the structure is the same, so your body won't be able to tell the two substances apart. 

Therefore the results would be very similar. But it doesnt always mean that synthetic products are healthy for you, even if the results are the same.  

For example, Perry Romanowski a cosmetic scientist states “ For years now, studies have suggested that certain endocrine disruptors found in personal-care products, such as phthalates and parabens, may have adverse effects when used long-term, and many informed beauty shoppers have a general aversion to silicones. 

But that’s not the only reason to go natural. “One of the main benefits of natural ingredients is that they can be more sustainable and generally better for the environment if responsibly sourced”.

It’s also important to know that natural products feed your skin. Take for example our dry skincare range. It might take some time to boost the skin's natural hydration and suppleness, but as it builds over time, your skin can heal and hydration is restored. 

NOTE: If a skincare range is truly organic and natural it will only last 3 - 4 months. The reason why so many chemical skin care products last long, is due to the parabens inside the product. 

Read More: Natural Skincare Products that Work

So if the results are similar to cosmetic products, why change to natural skincare?

Good question. 

The answer is simple. 

Some synthetic skincare ranges contain harmful ingredients that are bad for your body. Infact, approximately 60% of what you put on your skin enters the skin and ultimately the bloodstream, therefore affecting the health of your body, including the brain and other vital organs.  

Other people might choose natural skincare products because of ethical reasons (such as not testing on animals). Or they might want to support local farmers who believe in sustainable farming that only uses organic. 

This is why getting to know what's in your skincare products is important. 

If you are using cosmetics that contain things such as:

• Parabens
• Artificial Fragrance/Parfum
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Toluene.
• Phthalates
• Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 
• Formaldehyde
• Oxybenzone 

Be wary. Many of these chemicals are bad for your body. For example Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat. It has also been linked to some types of cancer in high levels of exposure. 

Even if you look at artificial fragrances and perfume, it can cause headaches, irritate the skin and eyes and in some severe cases cause asthma. 

Besides the side effects of chemicals, others choose to use natural because many products are not tested on animals. 

Testing chemicals on animals can amount to inhuman cruelty, and some of the leading cosmetic skincare brands out there, are still testing their products on animals. Animal testing can cause poisoning and even death to these creatures. 

Therefore if you love animals, be careful of where your skincare products come from. Even some of the top brands say that they don't test on animals, only to find out that they allow testing on animals in China. 

If you are unsure if your current skincare range tests on animals have a look here at PETA’s cruelty free range. (Pradiance for example is cruelty free, therefore you can sleep easy knowing no animals are harmed in the making of our organic skincare range.)

Make the switch…Not just for results, but for everything else. 

Yes, natural skincare products work, but so do synthetic products. Therefore at the end of the day, choosing a skincare range is not just about the results.

It's up to all of us to choose wisely; for our bodies, for the earth and for our animals. 

We all have some kind of accountability to our earth, it starts with each one of us to make a difference.

And if natural skincare (always read the label first, not all products that are called “natural” are created equal,) doesn’t have the harsh side effects as some chemical ingredients do, then isn’t making the change worthwhile?