Natural Vs. Synthetic Beauty Products: And Their Effects On The Skin And Environment
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- May 3, 2023
As the name implies, natural beauty products are made with natural ingredients like plant extracts, essential oils, and minerals. One thing that makes Natural beauty products everyone’s go-to is that they are more environmentally friendly and safer for people with sensitive skin.
Synthetic beauty products, on the other hand, are made with chemical compounds. However, these products are produced so that they can mimic the effects of natural ingredients or, in most cases, enhance their properties.
Even though these products are always effective, they may contain ingredients that can be harmful to some people.
The effect of natural and synthetic beauty products on the skin and environment depends on the kind of product you are using or its ingredients.
Taking cognizance of the ingredients used in your beauty products, including their potential effect on the skin and the environment, shouldn’t be taken lightly. Natural and synthetic products can be both effective and safe when formulated responsibly.
Below are some possible effects of natural and synthetic beauty products on the skin and environment.
EFFECTS OF NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS
ON THE SKIN
1. NOURISHMENT AND PROTECTION
Many natural beauty products are produced with plant-based ingredients rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. These ingredients protect and nourish our skin, leaving it looking and feeling healthy.
2. THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS
Natural beauty products are not made from synthetic chemicals that can be harmful and harsh to the skin. Natural beauty products should be your go-to if you are with sensitive skin or allergies.
3. EFFECTIVE IN TREATING CERTAIN SKIN CONCERNS
Some natural ingredients, like tea tree oil, witch hazel, aloe vera, and so on, contain antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties that help a lot in treating certain skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis, among others.
ON THE ENVIRONMENT
1. BIODEGRADABILITY
Natural beauty products are produced in a way that they can easily break down naturally in the environment, which in return, reduces the amount of waste and pollution produced.
2. SUSTAINABLY SOURCED
One unique thing about natural beauty products is that their ingredients can be sustainably sourced. That is, they are grown and harvested in a way that doesn’t affect the environment or deplete natural resources.
3. ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING
Most natural beauty brands prioritize eco-friendly packaging which assists in minimizing their environmental impact.
Natural beauty products are created equally, although some of them may contain harmful or toxic ingredients, which is why you must take cognizance and research the ingredients used in the making of the products, including the brand’s sourcing and manufacturing practices.
EFFECTS OF SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS
ON THE SKIN
1. EFFECTIVE IN TREATING SPECIFIC SKIN CONCERNS
Synthetic beauty products are made up of powerful ingredients that can be highly effective in treating specific skin concerns, including acne, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles.
2. CONTAINS SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS THAT MIMICS THE PROPERTIES OF NATURAL INGREDIENTS
As we’ve said earlier, synthetic beauty products are made up of chemicals that mimic the properties of natural ingredients, more like a synthetic version of vitamin C or hyaluronic acid, and so many others. These synthetic versions are highly effective, and they work just like natural ingredients.
3. CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION OR ALLERGIC REACTIONS IN SOME PEOPLE
Synthetic beauty products contain synthetic fragrances and other chemicals, which can be irritating to the skin and may cause allergic reactions in some people.
ON THE ENVIRONMENT
1. NON-BIODEGRADABLE MICROBEADS
The Majority of the synthetic beauty products we see out there contain microbeads; microbeads are nonbiodegradable, and they can take up to hundreds of years to break down in the environment. They are more like plastic particles that can harm aquatic life when washed down the drain.
2. SYNTHETIC CHEMICALS CAN HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Ingredients used in the making of synthetic beauty products can negatively affect the environment and wildlife, no matter how small they are. Triclosan, an ingredient used in the making of antibacterial products, has been proven toxic to aquatic life.
EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Not all synthetic beauty products are harmful to the skin. Some of them are made with safe and effective ingredients. As we’ve said earlier, it is important to research the ingredients used in the products, including the brand’s sourcing and manufacturing practices, to make informed decisions about the products we use on our skin.
Dorcas Akintoye is a versatile writer with a passion for beauty, fashion, relationships, and culinary delight. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she adds a touch of elegance to every topic she explores. She is a writer at THEWILL DOWNTOWN.
