When choosing skincare, we often believe we need to choose between results or safety, but is it really that black and white?

Picture yourself standing in front of the body lotion aisle at your local drugstore. To your left, you see one in a cardboard box with labeling that boasts about being “green”, “all-natural”, and “clean”. On your right, you see a clinical-looking white bottle that proudly claims to be “dermatologist tested” and filled with active ingredients. You may be leaning towards one more than the other, but why? 

The debate between natural and synthetic ingredients is not new. While in recent years the trend has leaned towards all-natural as the superior option, the reality isn’t as straightforward—it’s more of a nuanced gray area. 

Let’s delve into the disparities between synthetic and natural skincare, and address the ultimate question: is one genuinely the better option? And, perhaps more importantly, how can you decide which one is best for you?

Understanding Natural Skincare

Natural skincare, while it’s still an unregulated term, generally refers to skincare that exclusively uses ingredients derived from nature like botanicals and plant-based compounds. You may know a few of these common ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter, jojoba oil, oatmeal, and rose water. 

Natural ingredients come from flowers, minerals, fruits, and various plants. You could consider this the original form of skincare, as ancient civilizations relied on hand-made concoctions with nature-found ingredients to treat their skin. 

This type of skincare gained popularity in the past decade as it was positioned as a “safer” alternative to traditional cosmetics. The argument has generally been “If I can eat it, it must be good for my skin and health.”

Benefits

Nature likes Nature

Your skin, as a natural entity, naturally embraces ingredients from nature itself. Consider jojoba oil, often used in moisturizers due to its composition, closely resembles the skin’s sebum. This similarity facilitates effective absorption.

Simplicity

Natural skincare ingredients are composed of complex compounds with multiple benefits. This means it’s easier to have a simpler and more minimal formula. For instance, our oils use Kalahari Melon Seed Oil as a base. This oil is loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and minerals—a simple formula delivering multiple benefits. 

Safety

A significant reason many opt for natural products is their perceived safety. The assumed absence of endocrine-disrupting chemicals makes natural products appealing, with fewer side effects compared to synthetics. But, it’s not as simple as that. Let’s expand…

Drawbacks

Contrary to popular belief, not all natural ingredients are safe, as some can be toxic and allergy-inducing (nuts, for example). Sensitive skin types may find all-natural ingredients more irritating. Moreover, imperfections in natural ingredients can lead to inconsistent skincare products. 

There’s also the misconception that “clean” and “natural” products contain ONLY clean and natural ingredients. The fact is that many of these products contain endocrine-disrupting ingredients (like soy) and known toxic preservatives (like phthalates and parabens). Some natural ingredients contain phytoestrogens–a naturally occurring substance with hormone-like activity that has a similar effect to estrogen. Natural doesn’t always equal safe. 

Additionally, the eco-friendliness of natural choices can be questioned, especially when not sourced ethically.

Understanding Synthetic Skincare

Now, turning our attention to synthetic skincare (think medical office or even OTC skincare from the store), it primarily uses lab-made ingredients that often replicate naturally derived elements. For instance, while hyaluronic acid is naturally present in skincare, it’s reproduced on a molecular level to deliver identical effects. Many of today’s “hot ingredients” are synthetic, such as peptides, niacinamide, and retinol.

However, synthetic ingredients have developed a bad rep due to the clean beauty movement. Popular concepts like, “if you can’t read or pronounce it you shouldn’t apply it” have scared people from trying skincare (and any type of cosmetic product) that is not completely natural. As you’ll see, just because something is hard to read doesn’t make it unsafe. 

Benefits

Stability

Due to their lab-made nature, achieving consistent and stable formulas is easier with synthetic ingredients. Unlike the variability seen in natural ingredients, synthetics can replicate nature at a molecular level, ensuring consistency.

Innovation

Research enables technological advancements, leading to different delivery systems and formulations that yield superior results.

Sustainability

From a sustainability standpoint, synthetic ingredients can be more eco-friendly in acquisition and production, as they don’t deplete natural sources. Choosing natural isn’t always the greener option.

Drawbacks

While synthetic skincare offers advantages, a significant drawback is the reason people opt for natural alternatives—the lack of regulations around certain chemicals. Many skincare products incorporate endocrine-disrupting chemicals like parabens, artificial fragrances, phthalates, sulfates, plastics, and petroleum-based ingredients; which can also contribute to allergic reactions and/or reactivity displayed through the skin.

Moreover, a prevalent issue with synthetic skincare is the tendency toward a “more-is-more” philosophy. This approach can be harsh on most skin types, leaving the skin dry and irritated, exacerbating the initial concerns.

The Alternative – An Integrative Approach

In the ongoing debate of natural versus synthetic, is there a clear winner? There’s no clear answer as they both have valid pros and cons. 

We believe the answer is not one of choosing either or, but embracing an integrative approach that harnesses the strengths of both natural and synthetic ingredients. 

By combining the multi-benefit complex ingredients found in nature with synthetic components for stability and enhanced efficacy, we can create skincare products that are not only more sustainable and effective but also gentler on the skin.

This philosophy is at the core of Results by Nature—taking the best from both worlds to craft superpowered skincare that delivers results without compromising your overall well-being. 

Natural ingredients offer safety and holistic benefits, albeit with potential pitfalls like inconsistency and allergens. On the other hand, synthetic ingredients offer scientific precision but carry risks like endocrine disruption and over-treatment. When it comes to choosing the best, the optimal approach lies in a harmonious blend of both.

For integrative skincare that champions the delicate balance between both worlds, so you don’t have to decide between results or your health, try Results by Nature. 

Sources

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Endocrine disruptors. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm 

WebMD. (n.d.). What to know about harmful chemicals hiding in your cosmetics. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/features/harmful-chemicals-in-your-cosmetics 

Daniells, S. (2023, October 25). The ten best synthetic skincare ingredients (according to Aveseena founder). cosmeticsdesign.com. https://www.cosmeticsdesign.com/Article/2023/10/25/the-ten-best-synthetic-skincare-ingredients-according-to-aveseena-founder