As people become more aware of the importance of a healthier lifestyle, the focus there is on nutrition. But many still don't realise how important the quality of the products we put on our skin are as well.
The skin is our largest organ and it "remembers" how we have treated it over time. What is less well known, that this largest organ absorbs up to 60-70 % of what we feed it.. Studies have shown that most of what we put on our skin actually enters our bloodstream. These chemicals, whose names we can't even pronounce, appear in our blood and their toxins flow through our body.
Another study showed that most children and adults have almost 100 substances or chemicals and toxic compounds from household detergents, cosmetics and toiletries in their organism. Many of them can even cause serious diseases or damage our immune system in the long run.
The figures presented are not meant to scare you, but to make you wonder what you are actually using, what you really need from it and what the composition of the cosmetics you use is.
Here are the reasons why natural cosmetics are always the better choice:
1. it does not contain any harmful substances!
Synthetically derived substances are in the Natural cosmetics taboo. Also all preservatives that are contained in conventional cosmetics to have an antibacterial effect. However, these can pose a great risk to people who suffer from respiratory problems and allergic reactions, for example, but also other serious illnesses.
Paraffins and silicones are not used in the production of natural cosmetics, as they are known to lead to clogged pores, which can slow down the regeneration of skin cells and lead to dehydration. Moreover, they do not contain any nutrients. Mineral oils, such as those from industrial waste, can be contaminated and are bad for that reason alone, because they are certainly not entirely natural.
Baths and scrubs in natural cosmetics do not contain nanoparticles from microplastics, but only natural particles. With them, you avoid damage to the skin and give it room for bacteria to develop.
2. animal and nature conservation
The concept of natural cosmetics is a return to nature and the past, when there were no modern laboratories and chemicals, and when people only used nature's gifts to maintain beauty. The ingredients of organic cosmetics are ecologically produced, without artificial substances that are harmful to plants and the environment, and natural cosmetics also usually come in environmentally friendly packaging.
The use of natural cosmetics has another special benefit, namely the protection of animals, as the manufacturers of natural cosmetics do not carry out animal testing. The pollution of water and underwater fauna through the use of regular care products, as in the case of exfoliation, is also not addressed enough and needs to be more widely recognised by consumers.
One of the many research studies confirms that the total number of microplastics in a common cosmetic product can be very high. For example, it is estimated that between 4600 and 94500 microbeads can be released with each application of a skin scrub. Although cosmetic microplastics are by far not the most important source, they still account for up to 4.1 % of the microplastics that enter the marine environment worldwide each year, i.e. between 10,900 and 38,300 tonnes.
Plastic microbeads are therefore a very important source of pollution. But they can be avoided thanks to natural alternatives such as brown sugar, sea salt, etc. Many countries, starting with the USA, have banned the production and use of products containing microplastics. The law for nature-certified cosmetics is very strict and such ingredients are banned.
If you are vegan, you need to pay special attention to what your favourite cosmetics contain, because some ingredients are of animal origin. A good example is emu oil, which is obtained by drying the skin of emu birds, as it is rich in natural fats.
3. natural cosmetics care
Natural cosmetics are nothing new on the market, but the oldest care concept of mankind. The ancient Egyptians and Romans used olive and almond oil, honey and camomile for hair and face care. These are just some of the most common herbs and oils for skin care.
Natural cosmetics also do not contain aggressive cleansers or sulphates. Sulphates create a foam that binds and removes impurities, but also removes natural skin oils. Regular use of sulphates can cause the skin to become dry and irritated.
4. natural fragrances
Perfumes contain a structure that can irritate the skin. Natural cosmetics do not contain synthetic fragrances, but essential oils that are more compatible with human skin.
Natural cosmetics have a special advantage for people with asthma or other breathing problems. Such care products do not contain synthetic fragrances that irritate the mucous membranes. Fragrances in natural cosmetics are obtained from the oil and flower extract of certain plants so that they do not have any negative effect as chemical compounds.
5. it offers protection
Just using natural cosmetics protects you as a consumer. Women are highly exposed to synthetic ingredients because we are the ones who use more cosmetic products during the day. A deodorant belongs in every woman's bag, but if you choose natural cosmetics, you protect your breasts and glands from harmful aluminium.
Natural cosmetics are also free from synthetic dyes and preservatives. Parabens are endocrine disruptors that can mimic oestrogen in the body. Studies show that parabens affect the mechanisms of normal breast cells and cause abnormal growth, which studies show leads to a risk of breast cancer and are banned in organic cosmetics.
Natural cosmetics offer protection that should not be underestimated for pregnant women and mothers who share everything with their baby. Think about it.
6. the healing power of natural substances
Natural ingredients have been traditionally used for centuries and have been used in topical creams, lotions and preparations in traditional medicines and healing traditions of many cultures. In the last 20 years, clinical and laboratory studies have also recognised the benefits of natural skin care substances.
Accordingly, a number of these ingredients and compounds are now being developed, used or considered not only for anti-ageing effects but also for use in dermatological conditions. For example, certain ingredients have been found to be useful in the treatment of psoriasis, i.e. atopic dermatitis, due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
And as science progresses, some studies have already shown that the probiotic bacterium Bacillus Subtilis has a positive effect on inflamed areas by nourishing, moisturising and "rejuvenating" the skin by removing "bad" bacteria and cleaning the pores.
Then some Ingredients like green tea, niacinamide and pumpkin as being effective in the Combating acne and rosacea. Licorice, green tea, arbutin, soy, acai berries, turmeric and rosehip stand out for their hyperpigmentation and antioxidant abilities.
Some of the studies conducted at the gut microbiota level have shown that the use of probiotic bacteria excellent at fighting infections and restoring a healthy epidermis.
Tomorrow's cosmetics promise revolutionary discoveries! The care of the future will no longer be composed according to skin type, but according to the nature of the microbiota.
In the cosmetics world, there is more and more talk of once natural and as well as organic cosmetics. However, the information on the two concepts and especially on the advantages and disadvantages is not satisfactory.
Disadvantages attributed to natural cosmetic products are as follows:
- The shorter shelf life: They do not contain many preservatives, but are particularly healthy. However, you should always pay attention to the expiry date.
- Price: We often hear that natural cosmetics are very expensive. This is not the case at all when you consider that you can make natural hair masks or deodorants at home with just a few ingredients.
- Like other cosmetics, natural cosmetics can cause allergic reactions and irritation. For example, a cream may be organic and made from almonds, but if it causes an allergic reaction or skin irritation, there is no point in using it.
- Fruit acids, which are often a component of peelings, can have an aggressive effect on the skin and cause irritation if exposed to the sun directly after application.
- Getting used to natural care after conventional cosmetics can be a long process. It may take weeks or even months before you see results, but your patience will definitely pay off.
And a few tips at the end...
- If you do not notice any results or side effects with the products, change them.
- Instead of being seduced by the packaging, research how many ingredients are in the preparations you want to buy. If you choose natural cosmetics, make sure that the ingredients are truly natural and what percentage of each ingredient is in the product.
- If you want to use organic cosmetics, check that they have a valid certificate and, if it is important to you, that they have not been tested on animals.
- The secret of beautiful skin lies in the efficiency, safety and sustainability of the raw materials.
In all this, don't forget to ask yourself how many beauty products on the shelves do you really need? So ultimately, our recommendation is creams full of good bacteria, not preservatives that eliminate it indiscriminately! The simpler the ingredient list of the products used, the better. But in the end, the decision is yours alone ...
Source:
https://www.longdom.org/open-access/toxicity-and-genotoxicity-of-beauty-products-on-human-skin-cells-in-vitro.pdf
https://tn.boell.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Etude%20Microplastique%20LR%2028%20Octobre%202019_Rachel.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4858398/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20626172/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31188689/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6502191/
