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Natural cosmetics and synthetic cosmetics are two opposite sides of the beauty industry, each attracting buyers. The feud between the camps raises a lot of questions. Those who are not yet fully convinced of their beauty beliefs must break through to the truth through articles on topics such as “Synthetic cosmetics are harmful to the skin” or “Natural care is ineffective.”
The global natural cosmetics market has exceeded the expectations of all analysts, who predict that it will be worth $54 billion by 2027. These products can be found on the filter pages of major beauty stores, indicating that you only want to display natural products. The number of natural brands is growing every month. On the other hand, the beauty community revels in The Ordinary, which focuses on science, synthetic ingredients and their benefits.
Terminology
First, it’s worth understanding the terminology. Natural cosmetics are products that contain natural ingredients. For example, essential oils and plant extracts.
In contrast, synthetic cosmetics contain chemical ingredients created in a laboratory. But, to be as honest and fair as possible, any ingredient in makeup is a chemical (even plain water). It’s all about origins. Let’s take hyaluronic acid as an example. It was originally obtained from animal tissue but is now successfully synthesized in laboratories – and is therefore a substance of synthetic origin.
Problems with natural cosmetics
The most active are the advocates of natural care. They claim that natural analogues can be found for every synthetic ingredient and that, in general, all natural ingredients are unconditionally safe for the skin and the entire body. In such moments, one thinks of poison ivy, and half the world’s inhabitants avoid it.
Often, followers of natural cosmetics play a rather aggressive game – they demonize synthetic ingredients, thus misleading buyers. Misunderstandings also arise in the context of conceptual substitution when many natural brands position themselves as emissaries of the clean beauty cult. Let’s remember that “clean” cosmetics brands promote safety first.
Problems with synthetic cosmetics
Synthetic cosmetics are not always the safest either. Let’s not talk about environmentally harmful glitter or coral-damaging sunscreen. First, many of us are not thinking about the planet, but our health. As a result, the beauty industry itself, which has spawned many horror stories about toxic cosmetics, has instilled a fear in consumers about synthetic ingredients.
Back in 2012, Clean Cosmetics activists discovered lead in L’Oreal, Maybelline and NARS lipsticks. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) sided with these brands, claiming that the lead content in lipsticks is safe for skin. In fact, it’s unclear how much lead must be present in cosmetics to be harmful to the body. In principle, it is poisonous and dangerous.
So what is better?
There is no clear answer to this question. You can take a radical stance – buy products labeled “100% natural,” apply a drugstore essential oil blend to your face before bed, and promote the idea of natural care. But most experts agree that this approach cannot be called infallible. There are many dangerous plant extracts out there, and there are also synthetic ones that are good for your skin.
Brand reputation depends not only on ingredients but also on production, testing and packaging, which can be unethical. There is always a risk when buying natural cosmetics, whose ingredients are extracted from plants that are currently threatened with extinction. Or sponsor a brand that tests its retinol serum on rabbits. There are a lot of pitfalls and you need to be very careful to avoid them and not just get hung up on the origin of the composition.
The best advice that can be given in this situation is to try to combine them. Try, test, and eventually you’ll be able to find those natural cosmetics products that perfectly suit your preferences.
How to Choose Cosmetics That Are Right for You
Recommendations from friends and relatives are the draw. You may guess right or you may miss your choice because your skin is unique. Ideally, you should consult a beautician or podiatrist. Choosing cosmetics and cosmetics is a little more complicated than choosing a cream based on your skin type.
An experienced specialist will analyze the condition of your skin, note the main problems, listen to your wishes and give specific recommendations. After that, choosing the ideal cosmetic product will be much easier.
If you don’t have a beautician in your situation, don’t ignore the advice of a professional store consultant. They have extensive experience in selection and are well versed in the range of cosmetics presented and how they work individually and in combination.
