It is no secret that artificial chemicals have potentially damaging effects on your wellbeing, creeping their way into every aspect of your life, including your skin and hair care routine. Whilst many large, well-known companies take advantage of artificial ingredients when manufacturing their products; they’re affordable, accessible, and will therefore bring the price of the products down making them desirable for consumers, we aim to explain why opting for products that use natural ingredients is more beneficial for your wellbeing.
The ‘Quality over Quantity’ remark is worth remembering here. Oftentimes, the lower the price of a product, the less effective it will be when it comes to nourishing the skin. They tend to be diluted with water, in which case Water will be very high up on the ingredient list, and contain chemicals such as parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates and synthetic colours or fragrances in order to alter the practicality of the product whist compromising the treatment of the skin, causing irritation, flare ups and possible allergic reactions. When there are products on the market that seek to nurture your skin that contain fewer, more natural ingredients, it is an investment that is worth making.
Let’s talk about natural, organic ingredients and their benefits. Synthetic fragrances are irritants, causing inflammation and redness. However, it is possible to infuse products with essential oils which have positive effects on both the skin and wellbeing. For example, Lavender Essential Oils have been known to improve mood and reduce stress, treating neurological issues such as migraines, anxiety and depression. The antimicrobial effects of lavender essential oils help soothe and heal cuts and dryness, which is why it is so popular amongst natural remedies and beauty products.
Natural skin care and hair care products are rich in nutrients. Ingredients such as Jojoba Oil and Avocado Oil are favoured in skin care products due to the skin's ability to effectively absorb the nutrients within them, which retains moisture and soothes the skin. Both oils also contain antioxidants which fight oxidative stress caused by everyday pollutants, heals dry, flaky skin triggered by conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as well as promoting collagen production to reduce the appearance of aging.
Avocado Oil also has anti-inflammatory effects. This is great for those with Rosacea, as it helps to reduce redness and inflammation of the skin.
Alongside organic oils, Vitamin E is great for the skin as they too are a powerful antioxidant; Vitamin E acts as a barrier between the skin and environmental stressors. reducing UV damage in the skin and therefore minimising signs of aging. Not only that, but it is suitable for most, if not all, skin types.
So, we have established that the nutrients in natural skincare products help reduce skin irritations but how does the use of organic ingredients have a global impact? Well, simply put, natural ingredients are extracted without releasing any harmful chemicals into the Earth’s atmosphere, whereas parabens, which are widely used in beauty products, have been detected in the environment, contaminating natural resources such as soils and waters.
It is also possible to invest in hair care products that utilise natural, organic ingredients. Look out for Macadamia Seed oil, which contains natural fatty acids that regulate oil production, adding shine to the hair without weighing the hair down due it’s lightweight, nongreasy properties. Coconut oil is another natural ingredient that has great benefits to your hair, as it is enriched with nutrients that promote hair growth, whilst maintaining the moisture in the hair preventing dryness and controlling frizz. Like the natural ingredients in skin care, they too are a lot more environmentally friendly than otherwise harmful, artificial chemicals.