The ingredients used in cosmetics can be either synthetic or natural. In short, synthetic ingredients are substances made by humans, while natural ingredients are derived from nature. Most natural cosmetics manufacturers share a philosophy that could be described as using the goodness of nature and/or producing with respect for nature. If I believe what I see on the internet, in stores, or on my Instagram feed, people are becoming increasingly aware of the ingredients in the products we apply in our daily skincare routines. Consequently, more and more blogs are emerging that provide advice and tips on how to create a completely healthy lifestyle. But do natural products really work that well? Many of these bloggers believe that natural cosmetics actually contribute to healthier skin, but unfortunately, for more than half of natural ingredients, this has not yet been scientifically proven. In fact, many products are sold with added natural ingredients that you might not want to apply, such as lavender or mint, which can actually be irritating. But that’s not the only concern.

The effectiveness of a good product depends on multiple factors, not just active ingredients. Effectiveness depends on the processing, shelf life, concentration, purity, and stability.

And this processing starts with the extraction of ingredients because an extract from a cucumber or an aloe vera plant doesn’t go directly into a jar. Even if the ingredient comes from nature and is effective, to what extent does a product still fulfill its promise after undergoing several processes before it can be sold? For example, green tea naturally has a brown color. When this ingredient is added to a cream, it can only be added in low concentrations, or else the cream will turn brown. But to be effective, a higher concentration is needed. However, a brown cream is unattractive to most people. Ultimately, natural products often contain synthetic ingredients as well, which are often needed to maintain stability.

But don’t get me wrong, I’m not against natural products. Ingredients that have been proven to have a positive contribution include oatmeal, (manuka) honey, coconut oil, green tea, and soy. If they meet all the above conditions and provided you don’t have pre-existing skin problems, why not? Ultimately, it’s important that products contain ingredients that are safe, whether synthetic or natural. And when you combine the right ingredients from both sides, it’s ultimately about the right composition and stability. So… it all comes down to finding the right balance. 😉

If you want to know how the use of ingredients in cosmetics is legally regulated within Europe, you can check out https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/cosmetics/cosing_en

With love, Fabienne

Sources
bron 1: Nederlandse Cosmetica Vereniging (2019). Natuurlijke Cosmetica. Geraadpleegd op: https://www.ncv-cosmetica.nl/cosmetica/natuurlijke-cosmetica/

https://www.degroenedrogist.nl/nl/service/certificates/