Organic vs. Synthetic. Burgers vs. Hot Dogs. Disneyland vs. Disneyworld. There’s always a yin and yang in the world. No one will ever agree absolutely. There is definitely a reason why synthetic products have the majority of the following, and contrary to some opinions, I don’t think it has anything to do with ignorance. It’s cheaper, it’s faster (sometimes), and about a thousand times easier to find. I definitely didn’t wake up and have an epiphany moment and believe that synthetic products were all bad and organic products were all good. There’s a spectrum both in our thought and in quality of products. My journey began as a personal experiment. I thought it would be really fun to see how far I could go and how much I could learn about natural skincare. I read a lot of articles and learned about ingredients, but mostly I tried tons of products. I always took care to understand what I was putting on my skin and stuck to ingredients that worked. It took a little while, but finally my skin cleared and it’s stayed cleared.
Ah, the switch. You’ve been thinking that a natural skincare routine sounds nice, but you’re unsure of where to start. Maybe you need some extra convincing. The reason to switch will vary for everyone. Some will make it immediately and go on a shopping spree, while others will phase out their products as they run out.
Either way, this article aims to convince you to switch if you are on the fence, or give you 15 more great reasons why you should. Enjoy.
15. Everything we need to cure our skin ailments is made by the Earth.
We are natural, living, breathing beings – same as the snails and the whales. Why do we need synthetic formulas to get rid of a natural process. Skin ailments such as acne or dehydration occur naturally, so it makes sense that natural products can help us get rid of it.
14. Transparency is never a bad thing.
Transparency on a label or a tag is never a bad thing. It’s how we hold companies accountable and make sure they practice what they preach. Part of being a conscious consumer is demanding transparency in ingredients, manufacturing processes, and company values.
13. You wouldn’t eat chemicals so why would you put them in your body?
My general rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t eat what’s on the label, then why would you put it in your body? I realize that kind of thinking is a little extreme, and I don’t abide by it religiously. In practice, I think that using ingredients whose medicinal and therapeutic qualities are known is best. This doesn’t mean that I’m only using blueberries and oatmeal on my skin – there are plenty of naturally occurring chemicals that do really great things to your skin. Just ask yourself if you want to put those ingredients in and on your body.
12. Nature is science and science is nature.
This argument always kind of drives me crazy. Sorry if I get preachy. The basis of science was founded on natural principles. The most unbelievably complex scientific systems are found in nature and were discovered in nature and were inspired by nature. I understand the argument in the sense that “naturepaths” sometimes have a tendency to spread “old wives tales” that have no scientific foundation, but that has nothing to do with organic skincare. Organic ingredients DO have scientific evidence backing their effectiveness. That’s why synthetic ingredients were built off of their organic/natural counterparts. I’m no Phoebe Buffay when it comes to organic skincare. I strongly believe in scientific reasoning and evidence (I am a data analyst by trade, after all). I am here to tell you that organic skincare IS backed by science.
11. We did it this way for thousands of years.
Again, synthetic products have been around a tiny fraction of the time that organic ingredients have roamed the earth. If our brilliant ancestors did it, why shouldn’t you?
10. The environment will thank you.
Often overlooked, the manufacturing process is important to consider. What kinds of bi-products are being released into the air and ground while these instant anti aging serums are being produced? News flash: it isn’t pretty. Organic ingredients are picked from trees and roots and dug out of the ground. Many just use water and natural oils to combine the ingredients. Companies that take extra care to use reusable and recyclable packaging win extra points in my book as well!
9. Easy on the wallet (in the long run)
When you look at organic skincare, it can seem really expensive compared to drug store prices. But, it’s really a matter of perspective. Organic products can be multiple times more effective in smaller doses than synthetic products because of the level of dilution. I can tell you from personal experience, I ran out of products a lot slower when I started buying organic. It only takes a fingertips worth of moisturizer to coat your whole face for the entire day. It’s magic! Organic ingredients can also be found in your local supermarket! Buy ingredients “wholesale” and then check out some of my favorite recipes for homemade skincare products (coming soon). Christmas gifts, anyone?
8. You’re investing in your body – long term.
We don’t know how synthetic ingredients will harm us in the long term. They just haven’t been around long enough. The short term benefits are clear, but how will it affect us down the line? Organic beauty products have been around since the beginning of time (read: The Big Bang). We used organic remedies successfully for thousands of years before synthetic products were even invented. By using organic skincare ingredients, we are treating our bodies for what they really are: living, breathing, natural beings.
7. Feel good about the decisions you’re making.
Knowing you’re doing something good for your body is really empowering. Making the conscious choice to go above and beyond for your skin, your body, and overall lifestyle can only bring you positive vibes.
6. It really works.
I was skeptical too. Especially because it’s an investment. But you don’t have to throw all your current products away to experiment with one product. Finding something that works for you requires time, effort, and (usually) money. Try an organic spa for your next facial or massage, try a homemade recipe for your next body lotion to save your money. It only takes one product to bring about positive change before you are hooked. And you will be hooked, I promise.
5. You’ll feel better in your own skin.
You feel better about yourself after you’ve worked out, right? You racked up the courage and motivation, you worked hard, and when it’s over, you feel this rush of good vibes. That’s how making a positive life change for yourself is. Organic beauty is a lifestyle and a choice – a positive one. When you stick with it, you’ll feel like there’s nothing you can’t do. Because there isn’t!
4. Be your own regulatory process.
We don’t have the same regulations as Europe for example. There are some ingredients that they’ve banned there that we haven’t here. I just wonder why. Politics and regulation aside, it’s so much easier to identify and control the ingredients you use when it’s doesn’t look like it came out of a chemistry textbook. While the FDA hasn’t regulated a lot of ingredients, I think that it’s important to realize that we don’t know how these chemicals will affect us over time. Especially given we live in pollution and germ ridden cities.
3. It’s easy to trace the cause of your skin problems.
When you know the ingredients that go into your skin products, it’s so much easier to play process of elimination when your skin is acting up. Knowledge is power, people! By taking control of your skincare ingredients, you are taking control of your skin’s health. Big responsibility, but even bigger payout.
2. There’s literally no reason not to.
Just try it. I dare you.
1. Because you have the choice!
Choices, choices, choices. Life’s full of tough choices. This one isn’t that tough though. When you are trying to make healthy choices, you go for the protein shake and a workout, not a DQ Blizzard and Netflix binge watch (we all do that though…). My point is, you can make that same choice for your skincare. By questioning where your skincare comes from, how it was made, and what’s in it, you may find that the answer you seek lies in nature and not synthetics. You have access to organic skincare and I’m going to show you how to use it.
