One of the many big debates that is at the forefront of our society today is if products with organic ingredients are better than those with synthetic ingredients. This debate particularly extends to skin care products. It is very easy to become lost in the enormous number of studies and reports published, and to be drawn in by the loose promises of value and results that are made by cosmetics companies.
Natural or Synthetic – Which is Best
Many prefer organic, but is organic really any better either.
Huge firms nowadays will quite happily spend millions researching and selling their products. Although they may claim to be doing it to help you personally, you would have to be very naïve to believe this. Companies have the sole intent of making money, with staff working around the clock to achieve it.
Advertising uses the old trick of overly scientific words to confuse consumers and convince them that because it is technical, it must be good. They have their products endorsed by self-proclaimed experts in the field. What comes out at the end of all this work put in by companies is an expensive cream, gel, shampoo, moisturizer, exfoliant or other cosmetic that tells you it is the best you can buy, all acting naturally.
Claims are, more often than not, too good to be true. Should you believe these claims?
It entirely depends on where you stand on the issue of natural versus synthetic, and how much trust and good experiences you have with these products.
However, there is one extremely important fact that you need to be aware of.
Difference between Natural and Synthetic Skincare Products
Both natural and synthetic ingredients used in skincare products come from natural resources. This applies to any so-called synthetic ingredient that you can think of. Almost everything is made of chemicals whether it is found in nature or it is produced synthetically. Synthetic ingredients are nothing more than chemical copies of natural ingredients.
Natural ingredients are no safer than synthetic ingredients. Indeed, skincare products made from synthetic ingredients are often better for the skin since they do not contain any toxic elements that maybe found in the natural product.
There are no legally defined guidelines on the use or definition of the term “natural.” The term “natural” is a very loose word, which means that manufacturers and marketers are free to use the word however they like, even if their product or the way it is manufactured is not “natural” at all. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be safe but by the same token, both can be unsafe as well.
Although a skin care product might very well contain natural products like aloe or vitamin E, what you are not being told is that the processes used to extract these components often utilize many synthetic materials. And even once natural ingredients are extracted, they are typically combined with synthetic products such as preservatives and stabilizing agents that help prolong shelf life.
However, even if the product was totally organic, this could still leave problems. With some people, there is a big risk of having a severe allergic reaction, so putting plant extracts on your skin, even if it doesn’t cause a major attack, may lead to irritation of the skin.
It is better to worry about eating natural produce rather than putting natural ingredients on your skin. One thing everyone can agree on is that eating a diet loaded with antioxidants and vitamins is extremely beneficial to healthy skin. The body is very efficient at processing natural foods and using the blood stream to transport these nutrients to the skin.
Search for a cosmetics range that you have faith in and that works in harmony with your skin, and stick with it. This is the best way to get happy skin.