What is natural skincare?
Natural skin care explained
100% natural skincare is any skincare that is entirely made from ingredients that occur naturally in the environment. This means products made from plants, minerals, or water. Natural skincare does not include any synthetic materials and often includes organic products. Organic skincare is not the same as natural skin care. Organic is a label earned when a certain standard of production is met. Organic standards include:
cycling resources
promoting ecological balance
conserve biodiversity
omitting specific synthetic ingredients and/or pesticides
As well as other rules and regulations.
So basically the title "organic" is regulated by certifying bodies while "natural" is not.
Interestingly, a not-very-natural product can get away with obtaining an "organic" certification as long as it meets all the organic criteria. This is hard to do and rarely seen, given that the criteria to be met in order for a product to be deemed organic is stringent enough to ensure it is pretty natural.
Makes sense?
If not lets put it this way:
not all natural products are organic, but organic products are usually natural.
Not all organic products are natural however - the two terms are mutually exclusive yet closely related, as they have similar standards. The omission of synthetic ingredients and preference for earth-care is what the two have in common.
"Its just a fad"
Nope. 100 natural and organic skincare is not a fad, it is a way of life. It's actually the only way of life that truly makes sense.
100% natural, organic, plant-based, handcrafted, clean, minimal, and pure. These are all descriptors of skincare products that have become increasingly popular in recent years as people become more interested in selfcare and protecting their skin. But what do these terms actually mean? And are they really better for your skin than conventional skincare products?
Definitions
100% natural skincare can be handcrafted. This means that the products are made in small batches by artisanal manufacturers.
Clean skincare is any skincare that does not contain any harmful ingredients. The term clean has different meanings for different people, but generally, it means that the products are free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and other harmful ingredients.
Minimal skincare is any skincare that contains only the necessary ingredients to achieve the desired result. Minimal skincare is often made with fewer than 10 ingredients and is designed to be gentle on the skin.
Pure skincare is anyskincare that contains no impurities. Pure skincare is usually made with all-natural ingredients and does not contain any artificial additives.
It gets confusing because truthfully most of these terms overlap and are seen all at once in a truly good, truly natural product worth your use.
Raw materials?
Raw materials are unprocessed goods. They are natural by default. Therefore natural skin care products are generally made from raw materials that occur naturally in the environment, such as plants, minerals, and water. They are unprocessed and free from synthetic chemicals, fragrances, and preservatives or any other irritating ingredients. Like raw foods, raw skincare products are more gentle and effective than conventional products because they are closer to the natural pH of the skin and don't contain harsh chemicals that can damage or irritate the skin. Naturally, raw/natural skincare products are often also vegan and cruelty-free. Their naturally gentle natural makes them suitable for a variety of skin tones, leading to clean skin and improved collagen production.
Why natural skin care
All natural skin care is an important part of selfcare and healthy skin. It helps to heal and protect the skin, while also providing a sense of beauty and relaxation. This is because naturally derived products are more likely to contain active ingredients. Natural skincare products are often made from 100% organic materials, and are often vegan and cruelty-free. This means that they are gentle and safe for even the most sensitive skin types. Moreover, natural skincare products -such as those by Gleam & Glow- are often handcrafted, using only the highest quality ingredients. This results in a clean, pure product that is free of harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. As such, natural skincare products provide the perfect solution for those looking for a safe, effective way to improve their skin care routine.
So what are natural ingredients?
Think of things that grow out of the earth.
Now think of what we can make without changing those things too much.
And there you have natural ingredients.
Stuff like:
pure essential oils
aloe vera, glycerin, apricot kernel shells
plant oils like olive oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, etc. etc.
shea butter
dried plants in whole or powdered form
other plant extracts
foods like oats, cane sugars and himalayan salts
Products using only natural ingredients get to be called "natural products."
Why are they lying?
Yes there are a lot of lies out there. So many products marketed as "natural" "pure" "clean" or "raw" that contain synthetic ingredients, dyes and fragrances.
Its up to you the consumer to not take a title for face value and READ THE INGREDIENTS
For goodness sakes this is the most important thing you can do to ensure that the product you are considering is worth coming near that beautiful body of yours.
Other than that, you body will tell you the rest (yeah it's pretty smart).
To reiterate
There is no regulation around the use of the term "natural" on skincare products, so it's important to do your research to find out exactly what's in a product before you buy it. However, if you're looking for an alternative to conventional skincare products that are less likely to damage your skin, natural skincare is the way to go!
Where Gleam & Glow comes in
Gleam & Glow is a skincare brand offering natural skin care products and some organic skin care products to promote clean beauty and a natural skin care routine. Our products assist in reducing acne prone skin, oily skin and skin irritation. We pride ourselves in being a true representation of what natural skin care products really are. A standard for others to follow as we make our way back to simplicity and natural beauty.
What else is out there
There are so many cosmetics brands and beauty companies that offer cosmetic products such as anti aging creams, makeup products, eye creams and other personal care products.
At the end of the day you need to listen to your body and pay attention to what it says. It will tell you when a product is good or when something is not right.
You have more wisdom in your body than you could possibly imagine.