What is the appeal of "natural" products?

Feb 27, 2013

Kristi S.

Hi there :) just curious here, not looking to persuade anybody either way.

I personally don't see the appeal of natural products; to me its just a bunch of dirty stuff that doesn't clean or moisturize or clear acne. That being said, I've always had very problematic skin, so I understand that natural/DIY products work well for people with better skin than I.

I want to know why natural skincare appeals to you. What it is that makes you snub chemical products? Not trying to attack anybody, just curious :)

Feb 27, 2013

Emily S.

Sometimes too much chemicals can make your skin 100 times worse.

Feb 27, 2013

Brittany A.

Like Emily said, it can make your skin worse. Along with other reasons. Asking why people prefer natural products is pretty much the same as asking why some people prefer organic food. There are so many chemicals that we don't know the long term effects of yet or that we even know isn't that good for us (or the environment). And there are some really good natural products out there, like you said, different types of skin can affect it, but also as you know different brands also have different qualities. Like I said, there are several reasons.

Feb 27, 2013

Megan M.

I tried acne treatment in jr high. I used something like pro active. It wasn't pro active but same idea. The skin on my face dries out and it burned to touch and my acne didn't get any better. I started just washing my face with a cloth and using a bit if moisturizer after, and boom. Problem solved. Not that this is right on topic either but it's close, I recently switches to a more natural shampoo rather than a chemical and sulfate filled one and my hair feels so much softer and its less greasy..

Feb 27, 2013

Breelyn H.

I prefer natural products over chemical ones because I know what's all in the natural one than the chemical. I believe the reason why we have so many types of different plants, fruits, and vegetables is so we can use them for everything including shampoo, makeup, lotion and what not.

Feb 27, 2013

Madison G.

Natural is best, less is more when it comes to skincare. lush fixed my skin competely.

Feb 27, 2013

Francesca S.

It is different for everyone and down to personal choice but after over 10 years of problem skin and trying most big brands out there I can say the best products I've found tend to be the natural organic ones, Korres and Lush have done wonders for my hair and skin! Recently switched to lush mascara and it's brilliant! Give it a try 😉

Feb 27, 2013

Kaitlyn M.

Sometimes simple is better! Then again I'm not a stickler for natural products. I just happen to like quite a few.

Feb 27, 2013

Marilyn O.

Most people don't know fragrance/parfum can contain 3000 different chemicals. Parabens have been found in breast cancer. Different info like that. Try reading No More Dirty Looks or looking on the ewg website. Never trust a brand claim, look at the ingredient list. Like for Lush, I wanted to try their new colors but found out contained parabens. I feel like better safe than sorry. I made the switch because my daughter. I didn't want expose her to harmful chemicals since I breastfeed. Your skin is the largest organ and absorbs what you put on it.

Feb 27, 2013

Daria A.

It isn't as "dirty" as putting a million chemicals on your face, chemicals can make you break out, and it isn't healthy for you skin to put chemicals on it.

Feb 27, 2013

Jes T.

Natural is way better for your skin because youre not absorbing as many chemicals.

Feb 28, 2013

Kristi S.

Thanks everybody :)

Feb 28, 2013

Megan G.

I prefer products that I know what the ingredients are, because whatever goes onto your skin is absorbed into the blood stream in less than 30 seconds! I use a mix of natural and less natural products

Feb 28, 2013

Emily W.

I think a big problem is that "natural" is not a regulated term. Anything can call itself "natural" and there is no law or regulation to stop it. Additionally, "natural" isn't always better. Nightshade is a "natural" product, doesn't mean you should eat it. There's a lot of hatred for chemicals, but very little knowledge of chemistry. Just because something is synthesized in a lab, doesn't mean it is bad for you. The door swings both ways.

Feb 28, 2013

Anna T.

Yes, also sometimes natural actually means naturally derived. For instance zinc oxide. Totally cultivated in a lab, there isn't a zinc oxide mine anywhere.

Also, an ingredient in bare minerals original foundation is bismuth oxychlotid, it's a byproduct of lead. It's naturally occurring but a known skin irritant.

Neither of this is bad, I don't have an allergy or anything. I'm just saying that their should be more guidelines and that natural doesn't mean you won't have an allergy or that its better.

Feb 28, 2013

Anna T.

*bismuth oxychloride

Feb 28, 2013

Carly D.

Products without artificial colors and scents are better for your skin because they do not damage skin cells or pores. Most products that are NOT natural contain animal bi-products (animal fats) that are extracted from legitimate road kill. I am not making this up. I do my research. It is good to use natural products that are meant for your skin instead of things that are concocted in a lab and contain all kinds of chemicals that can have the opposite effect than what you are aiming for.

Mar 1, 2013

Anna T.

Oh yeah animals that's another note, not all companies that are all natural are necessary vegan or cruelty free. A couple that come to mind are Aveda and Burt's Bee's. Both I'm pretty sure are vegetarian and naturally derived but are not cruelty free.

Common ingredients in natural lines that are from animals are beeswax, collagen, elastin, pearl powder and silk powder.

So again, more research!  Lol.

Mar 1, 2013

Anna T.

Also, I think I just contradicted myself if Burt's bees is in fact make from beeswax. Any research anyone?  Lol

Mar 1, 2013

Marilyn O.

Yeah burt's bee's isn't vegan.

Mar 1, 2013

Amber B.

I prefer natural skin care products, because most products I've used on my face before filled with chemicals made my skin more worse which I'm trying to clear up lol && all in all I rather know what I'm putting on myself rather than a bunch of words I don't understand and that's why I like all natural because it is what suits me(:

Mar 1, 2013

Amber B.

Lush is so amazing!! @Madison G.

Mar 1, 2013

Hazel G.

I use a brand called 'naturally radiant' (superdrugs own) because generally I find it works better and smells nicer. however I don't get the thing about all these natural home remedies, like sugar and olive oil and all that crap, just seams messy and dirty to me.. I'd rather use a skin product from a shop that does the same thing haha.

Mar 1, 2013

Julianne J.

This one is tricky. Chemicals can be from "natural" things. Chemicals can be good or bad- our bodies are made out of chemicals. And the green beauty trend is great in many respects but certain chemicals under suspicion haven't been researched in the appropriate way and green leaning companies are publishing research that might not actually be sound. The hatred towards parabens and sulfates might be generated by companies that are free from it but are more interested in making a profit than actually caring about your health. There are some cosmetic ingredients that might be deemed harmful, but there are others that are harmless and are coming under fire big time, to the delight of the green companies.

Mar 2, 2013

Bemnia L.

I've struggled with acne and oily skin since I was 10. I use a lot of chemicals on my skin on a daily basis. My skin just needs a break from all the chemicals. I use olive oil as a night time moisturizer