Natural. Organic. Clean. Skincare addicts everywhere constantly see these hot words flaunted aesthetically on skincare bottles on the shelves of Ulta and across their Instagram feed claiming to solve their skincare worries all while being less harmful to the environment. To the everyday consumer, these marketing claims seem to make perfect sense since we commonly associate natural and organic ingredients with health and sustainability. In contrast, skincare products created in a lab with chemicals and ingredient lists that are impossible to read tend to make us skeptical of benefits. Obviously, skincare that claims to be clean must be better for your skin, right?
Wrong! Regardless of the vast claims surrounding natural skincare, there are multiple scientific studies proving that a lot of natural ingredients in beauty products lead to more irritation than they do benefits. However, that is not to say that ALL natural skincare products are inherently bad, but instead warrant a bit more wariness when it comes to buying certain natural products, regardless of the promising marketing. To simplify identifying which natural ingredients to avoid and which to stick to, Paula’s Choice Skincare provides a comprehensible list outlining good vs. bad skincare ingredients on their website.
In terms of regulation, it is crucial to note that the Food and Drug Administration does have rules that companies must follow in order to make claims on their labeling. To verify that these product claims are accurate, head to NDClist.com and make sure it is registered on the site. When it comes to your skin, it is always worth the extra couple minutes of research of ingredients and registration to verify skin claims and avoid skin damage.
In regards to the alternative to natural beauty, chemical and lab formulated products also have multiple misconceptions surrounding them as a direct result of companies using marketing to instill fear in consumers. However, much of this misinformation is easily debunked when looking into scientific research. Often, chemical products tend to be safer than natural products since formulators are able to create a more stabilized substance while controlling percentages of ingredient levels.
When it comes to media there is a ton of misinformation surrounding skincare products. Even though “natural” and “clean” may not necessarily be detrimental to your skin, it also may not be the best option to achieve results. Avoid misleading marketing tactics by relying more on scientific data rather than influencer recommendations that are pushing clean beauty regardless of the harmful effects on the skin.
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