DermLetter.
  • Skin Care & Beauty
  • Skin Conditions
  • Science
  • Trends & Lifestyle
  • Product Reviews
Subscribe
DermLetter.
DermLetter.
  • Skin Care & Beauty
  • Skin Conditions
  • Science
  • Trends & Lifestyle
  • Product Reviews
  • Skin Care & Beauty

‘Natural’ Skin Care Products – Do They Work?

  • September 15, 2013
  • 3 minute read
  • 83 views
Photo by Retha Ferguson from Pexels
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

Most dermatologists agree that the ‘green’ and ‘natural’ hype is ahead of the science. There simply isn’t enough published work and reputable studies that support some of the claims that many skin care companies are making.

Natural vs. Synthetic: What does each one mean?

The dictionary definition of natural is rather simple. It is described as “existing or caused by nature; not made or caused by humankind while the word synthetic is described as being “made by chemical synthesis, especially to mimic a natural product.” In the skincare industry, things can get quite a bit more complicated, however.

In the world of skincare products, people often assume that natural products contain only or mostly plant-based minerals as per their definition. Unfortunately, North American labeling restrictions often don’t include herbal or natural skin products, allowing many companies to write naturally on their product despite the product being mostly made up of synthetic materials.

Health Canada has been quoted saying that “Some products normally thought of as cosmetics are not covered by the Cosmetic Regulations” while the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) does not regulate the use of natural as they don’t have a definition for the word nor see defining it as very pressing.

*The word ‘organic’ is much more stringently regulated, with USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and ACO (Australian Certified Organic) being the most prominent players in the certification process.

Despite all this, false advertising is not the most important thing to know when it comes to natural skin products.

Are natural products better for people who have sensitive skin?

Natural and synthetic describe a particular quality in the ingredients, but one is not necessarily better than the other. People can be allergic to all kinds of ingredients, both synthetic and natural. While strong chemicals take a heavy toll on sensitive skin, not all synthetic products are harmful to the skin. Many synthetic products are made from a combination of natural ingredients. Natural ingredients do not make a product anymore or less likely to irritate those with sensitive skin. In fact, many completely natural oils like rosemary, bergamot, and peppermint are known to irritate sensitive skin.

Should I trust those Farmer’s market finds?

Homemade concoctions are most often very hit-and-miss. Rarely do these products produce miracles, but the lack of controlled studies also makes it very difficult to evaluate them as either positive or negative properly. Some homemade creams can be beneficial, and it is up to you whether you want to take the risk or not.

What ingredients should I look for?

Leslie S. Baumann, a dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology at the University of Miami, suggests:

For Dry Skin…Argan Oil
To fade Brown Spots…Soy
For Rosacea and Face redness…Maitake Mushrooms
For Sensitive Skin…Rhodiola
To Soften Wrinkles…CoffeeBerry
To lessen UV damage…White Tea and Green Tea

This list is not comprehensive nor exclusive but outlines a few products that have been researched and tested and have seen some good results. It is also important to understand that many homemade skin creams do not have a sufficient concentration of an ingredient to make a difference.
Natural remedies and homemade natural skincare ingredients have shown to be much more effective in condition prevention than in treatment.

Use #AskDermLetter to ask us skincare questions on Twitter. Follow us @SkinExpertsTalks for daily tips and articles on skincare.

 

 

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • Skincare products
Previous Article
Excessive Sweating
  • Skin Conditions

Hyperhidrosis: What is it?

  • June 15, 2013
View Post
Next Article
  • Skin Conditions

Skin Care Tips for Acne Patients

  • September 15, 2013
View Post
You May Also Like
Woman in Gray Crew Neck T-shirt with arms up
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Fighting Body Odor

  • February 9, 2021
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Skin Care Throughout History

  • November 13, 2020
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Maskne: Masks and Acne

  • August 13, 2020
USD bills and coins
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Four Crowdfunded Beauty Products

  • August 13, 2019
epilator and shavers
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Hair Removal Options

  • August 9, 2019
gardening outside
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Sun Safety for Outdoor Working Environments

  • August 7, 2019
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty

Blister Management

  • April 22, 2019
laser cosmetic procedure
View Post
  • Skin Care & Beauty
  • Cosmetic Dermatology

The Cost of Cosmetic Procedures

  • February 28, 2019
Most Popular
  • reflection of woman applying makeup
    Is Beautypedia Legit?
  • Post-Inflammatory Erythema
    Post-Inflammatory Erythema
  • non-comedogenic image
    What does non-comedogenic mean?
  • Sunspots
  • Do Asians Age Differently?
Recent Posts
  • Anti-Aging Checklist

    View Post
  • Beauty Products: Online vs. In-Store

    View Post
  • Eczema & COVID-19 Q&A

    View Post
  • Top 10 Most Popular Cosmetic Procedures

    View Post
  • Acne Scarring and Treatments

    View Post
Our YouTube Channel
https://youtu.be/faKj2X-l4F4

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

DermLetter.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Skin Care Newsletter

Input your search keywords and press Enter.

Go to mobile version