Today's market offers a vast range of skincare products, some of which are synthetic and others that are natural. Although both of these two types of products have the potential to be helpful, natural products are by far the front runner.
In fact, if you have ever read the ingredient labels on any random synthetic skincare products, you would likely find out that the complicated jargon on their labels is shocking at the very least.
Take sodium lauryl sulfate, for example. Although this compound is frequently present in shampoo and body wash, research has shown that it can irritate your skin by breaking your natural skin barrier.
Another synthetic chemical to avoid is parabens. According to the FDA, they imitate estrogen and can be found in a variety of moisturizers, shampoos, shaving gels, and other products. Parabens, according to Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, can induce aberrant or excessive breast cell growth. This has the potential to lead to cancer and other serious health concerns.
Why is Good Skin Care Important?
Our skin is the biggest organ in our body, and it absorbs practically everything we put on it. Every day, the average person lathers and sprays around ten different beauty products onto their skin. Unknowingly, they are exposing themselves to a variety of harmful compounds, which eventually finds its way into their system.
For this reason (among many others) choosing organic, natural skincare and clean beauty should be a top priority if you want to live a healthy lifestyle.
Here are a few benefits of Natural Ingredients:
They’re Environmentally Friendly:
In the simplest terms, natural skincare products are superior to synthetic skincare products in terms of environmental impact. There are several reasons why this is the case.
First and foremost, synthetic chemicals have the ability to harm animals and plants with whom they come into contact. If toxic chemicals from a synthetic product leak into the earth, they could have disastrous implications for the ecosystems around them.
Second, the methods involved in producing traditional skincare products places a significant amount of strain on the environment. This is due to the fact that the extraction of some elements (aluminum, lead, and so on) necessitates mining. Mining emits a significant amount of pollutants, resulting in a negative carbon imprint on the environment as a whole.
Skincare products made from natural ingredients aren’t produced using such methods, and thus mining isn't required. They also have little to no negative impact on the environment because they only employ natural ingredients.
They’re Filled with Helpful Nutrients:
Examining the ingredients of synthetic products and the natural ingredients of clean beauty products is the most effective approach to illustrate the differences between them. The ingredient profiles of the two types of items are so dissimilar that they don't even look like they belong together.
Chemicals like Triclosan, Glyceryl Stearate, Dye #4, and Petrolatum can be found on the backs of manufactured products. These compounds were synthesized in laboratories and, while they can serve their functions, they can also be quite harmful to the body.
Natural products, on the other hand, are packed with well-known ingredients like jojoba oil, argan oil, aloe, pomegranate, cocoa butter and so on. These components are not only non-toxic to the body, but they also provide major healing benefits.
Animal-Friendly Production Methods:
You might be surprised to learn how many skincare companies still test their products on animals! Many of the industry's prominent names continue to do so, clearly to the disadvantage of the animals that are being tested on.
The good news is that natural skincare companies do NOT use animals in their research or their products. In this way, they are more ethical and compassionate than a lot of synthetic brands.
Natural skincare products are the best option if you're an animal lover, or simply if you’re against animal testing and would like to maintain your integrity.
Common Natural Ingredients and their uses
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is one of the most popular natural products for skin, and it comes with a long list of benefits. Coconut oil, when applied on the body in its raw state, efficiently softens the skin and is a fantastic moisturizer for the entire body.
It can also be made into a regenerating, exfoliating lotion by mixing it with salts and sugars. Massage some coconut oil into your face and then wipe away with a cotton pad soaked in warm water to remove your makeup.
Rose Water
Rose water is one of the most valuable essential flower waters on the planet, containing a wide range of skin-healing characteristics. Its astringent characteristics make it ideal for healing wounds since it causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing the flow of blood caused by cuts and minor wounds.
This natural remedy is also anti-inflammatory and relaxing, so it's ideal for hydrating dry, irritated, or itchy skin. It finishes by toning and strengthening the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance.
Aloe Vera
The soothing effects of the aloe vera plant's sap and gel have been used for hundreds of years. Aloe has a plethora of known uses in the skincare world, from soothing rashes to treating acne.
Aloe vera gel is a popular natural skincare product that may be purchased in its purest form. It is an excellent sunburn treatment, deeply moisturizing the skin and providing a welcome cooling sensation. You can find organic aloe juice as the number one ingredient in 8 of 9 Gilly’s Organics products!
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is a natural skincare superhero with more uses than you may imagine. While it's important to apply lavender in the right amounts (or else it'll irritate your skin), it's also highly therapeutic. It’s the essential oil of choice for our Sugar Scrub and our Shampoo!
Because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, lavender is an excellent acne treatment as well as for relieving eczema itchiness. It's one of the most powerful natural ingredients for healing burns and decreasing scarring.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, a well-known acne treatment, is a strong antibacterial that can help clear the skin by reducing excess sebum production. This anti-fungal ingredient can also be used to treat athlete's foot and other fungal infections. It can even reduce itching from insect bites and calm dandruff.
Additionally, tea tree oil can be used to treat small wounds, promote healing, and prevent infection, making it a valuable addition to your natural first aid box! It can be found in our Face Wash and our Conditioner.
Final Thoughts:
It doesn’t take much examination to realize that natural and synthetic ingredients are worlds apart in terms of both safety and quality.
At Gilly’s Organics, we have a wide variety of all-natural products with uses that range from moisturizing to exfoliation and everything in between. All of our products are crafted with only the purest natural, effective ingredients from nature to ensure that your skin receives the care it deserves, SAFELY.