Because Natural is Always Best! Cosmetics From Nature For Your Health and Beauty

Hello! 

We are all aware of the fact that all natural things are best for our body both from the outside and from within. Therefore, many people are more willingly reaching for cosmetics that are of natural origins. Do you prefer a product with fewer ingredients that are all-natural rather than a popular cosmetic with advanced substances created in laboratories? I am not surprised! Today’s post will explain this phenomenon in detail. 

What do natural cosmetics contain?

More and more cosmetic producers add natural ingredients derived from plants, minerals and even animals to their cosmetics. These substances have a high nutritional value and a huge impact on our skin, hair, and nails. In cosmetics, we can find:

1. Plant extracts which can take on various forms in care products. Dry extracts are powdered and micronized plant parts added to masks, creams, hydrolates and many others. They are visible in cosmetics because they cannot be completely dissolved. Spirit extracts are, in other words, tinctures from various parts of plants soaked in alcohol. This solution is used in normal skin care or hair care products, but must not be used for sensitive, dry and allergy-prone skin. Water extracts, macerates, vegetable juices and oil extracts are most often used in cosmetology. Such a product is obtained by grinding and long-term soaking in oil or water.

2. Hydrolats (vegetable waters, floral waters) are produced during the distillation of fresh plant parts. During this process, the essential oil and by-product (hydrolat) are formed, i.e. condensed water vapor, which contains beneficial substances and small amounts of essential oil. Hydrolats are often used as bases for toners and mists. They are also added to creams, balms, shampoos and many other cosmetics. Also, they have a pH close to the pH of the skin, so they have a delicate effect.

3. Vegetable butter and oils are one of the most popular ingredients used in cosmetics. They can be made from every part of the plant, have very good cosmetic properties and contain a lot of nutrients (unsaturated acids, waxes, vitamins, and minerals). Vegetable butter and oils are used as bases for many products or on their own.

4. Animal originating ingredients that are in cosmetics must be obtained in an appropriate manner: no animal could be harmed, could not experience pain and could not be killed. The most frequently used products are: lanolin, beeswax, honey, silk, bee venom, viper venom, snail slime, and dairy products.

5. Minerals can be divided into microelements and macroelements. The first ones include: nitrogen, calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium, and the latter: iron, zinc, copper. They are all important because of the body’s functioning both from the inside and outside. For cosmetology purposes, minerals are obtained from plant extracts, thermal waters, mud and silt, eg from the Dead Sea.

How do the natural ingredients work?

Natural components included in various cosmetics have diverse effects:

• they moisturize (aloe vera, urea, algae, avocado oil, cucumber extract);
• soften (thermal water, squalane, green tea extract, shea butter, sweet almond oil, rose extract);
• strengthen the blood vessels (arnica, ginkgo, silicon, horse chestnut extract);
• relieve acne (tea tree oil, black cumin oil, rockrose hydrolate, green clay, tar, chamomile);
• brighten (green cucumber extract, green tea extract, vegetable enzymes);
• regenerate (lanolin, shea butter, natural waxes, green algae);
• prevent aging (grape seed oil, argan oil, vitamin C, green tea extract);
• make wrinkles less visible (bee and viper venom, snail slime, rose extract).

What does the naturalness of cosmetics mean?

Natural cosmetics must be marked with special certificates that unquestionably define the criteria of naturalness. Such a product must consist of 95% – 100% ingredients of natural origin and cannot include any mineral oils, synthetic UV filters, SLS, parabens, artificial fragrances, and extracts from genetically modified plants. How to tell a regular product from a natural cosmetic? Have a look at the composition, study the packaging (some manufacturers use eco-friendly materials), see if there are any certificates listed, check in what area such cosmetics are sold (natural cosmetics are usually sold “locally”). Also, prepare a larger amount of money, because natural cosmetics cost a little more than drugstore products.

Are natural cosmetics suitable for everyone?

Without a doubt, natural is always the best. Products that are free of synthetic additives will certainly cause less damage. Unfortunately, even natural cosmetics can cause irritation. Even though they are better tolerated by the skin, they can still cause allergic reactions to people with acne-prone, couperose, dry and sensitive skin. Unwanted side-effects can also be observed by pregnant women. High concentrations of some ingredients can contribute to allergic reactions, the formation of discolorations, rash, and redness.

So girls, do you use natural cosmetics? Let me know in the comments what products are your favorite ones!