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The Problem with Natural Skincare Products

*Disclaimer – This post is not meant to bash natural skincare products; rather clarify, from a pharmacist’s perspective, what one can expect when seeking out cosmetics marketed as being natural… Although we describe Apothekari as “Scientific Skin Care”, we could easily justify calling it a natural skincare line. Our products are formulated with safety and efficacy in mind after all, and avoids many of the ingredients that individuals find problematic or wish to avoid in skin care treatments. However, when it comes to describing a cosmetics line as a natural one, consider that the term ‘natural’ isn’t regulated. For the most part, the term is used as a marketing one to promote products as being safer or better for consumers and the earth, when that may or may not be the case. ANY company can market their products as being natural and if one isn’t sure about exactly what they are looking for, it’s easy to be misled. In this post, let’s get down to the nitty gritty about natural skincare. When I’m asked if Apothekari offers natural skincare treatments, it’s important to know what precise features a customer is looking for. Natural skincare lines may be: Paraben-free Formaldehyde-free Preservative free (not a good idea! Read why here). Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Vegan/plant based Silicone-free Synthetic colourant-free Cruelty-free, etc. Apothekari is all of the above*, but just as important, it is also an effective line, incorporating ingredients that have demonstrated skin benefits in clinical trials. Some natural skincare lines do not share the same philosophy, emphasizing the safety aspect, while letting us down when it comes to efficacy. In order to offer skin care treatments that are both safe and effective, it’s important to include specific concentrations of active ingredients and use manufacturing practices that respect the integrity of these ingredients. Ingredients must be compatible with one another, to both minimize the potential for side effects and to ensure that they don’t interact with one another. Lastly, a sound preservation system is essential. Why Natural Skincare May Let Us Down If you’re looking for cosmetics that deliver results, it’s not enough to focus on the fact that it is a natural skincare product. Safety can’t be disputed, but the following are important to keep in mind as well: A Lack of Synthetic Ingredients. Flowers and plants are a fantastic source of skin beneficial ingredients, but their composition can vary from batch to batch, depending on on the season, the geography and the climate. What you got a few months ago may not be the same as the lot you get now – think of summer tomatoes vs the ones we get in the dead of winter. Plus, it may be difficult to extract enough of the active ingredient from a plant. A lab allows for the controlled production of ingredients, with little variation from batch to batch. Preservative Free. All products formulated with water MUST contain a preservative. If you opt for a natural, preservative-free line, you may be limiting yourself to products formulated with oils only. There’s no doubt that oils offer many skin benefits, but your skin needs more. Natural isn’t Always Safe. Ingredients such as essential oils and citrus oils are as natural as can be. And while they can smell lovely, they can also be highly sensitizing and irritating for many individuals. As I’ve written about the topic before; there are numerous safe and effective ‘natural’ ingredients and we include many in our brand. However, they’re not always the best or safest option for skin and problematic ones do exist. Brands can do it right by incorporating both natural and synthetic ingredients into their formulations. By choosing wisely, it’s possible to offer products that deliver on efficacy while minimizing the potential for adverse effects. That’s natural skincare done right and it’s the philosophy we follow at Apothekari! *not all our products are vegan, but many are. See individual product listings for more detailed information.

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Natural Beauty – 6 Tips; No Product Required

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all be a natural beauty? Although you may think that you need to drop a ton of cash at the beauty counter, it’s not necessarily a must. True, there are many treatments that offer numerous benefits to skin, but there are also many things we can do that don’t cost much at all. Shop All Apothekari Here Are 6 Natural Beauty Tips That Won’t Break the Bank: Fall in Love. (We know. Easier said than done. But, if you can…) Scientists have discovered that ‘love struck’ couples have high levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in their brains. Dopamine is involved in proper skin functioning and a healthy appearance as it supports an appropriate supply of blood to the cells by increasing circulation. Hello, natural blush! They Don’t Call it Beauty Sleep for Nothing. Nighttime is when skin regenerates and repairs itself. Try to get seven hours a night as often as possible. And make sleep a priority – it’s a necessity, not a luxury. And no, you can’t catch up on weekends. Exercise. Not only good for the waistline and the heart, it’s also good for the skin. Exercise helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to the skin and will keep you young-looking and healthy. Research out of McMaster University in Ontario, found that people over the age of 40 who exercise regularly have healthier skin. In fact, the study showed their skin to be closer in composition to that of 20- and 30-year-olds. Calm Down! Stress releases hormones like cortisol that can exacerbate acne and breakouts. Take mini breaks during the day to walk or chat with friends. Calming activities trigger your brain to quit producing cortisol, a pimple culprit. Minimize Squinting. Squinting can accentuate and lead to fine lines. Wear sunglasses even when it’s cold and cloudy as UVA rays – those responsible for skin aging – still seep through. Eat Well. What constitutes eating well has become a very complex topic indeed, making it increasingly difficult to go there. I don’t think any of us can dispute it’s a good idea to load up on your leafy greens. Beyond that, I think Michael Pollan summarizes it best, “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” What do you think of these natural beauty tips? Do you have any to share?

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