Today, I wanted to talk to you all about a topic that often comes up when we are discussing skin care products. This information is provided within the context of the skin industry, of course. My advice is to follow the science. The Skin is an Organ. Skin is a Science.
Myth #1: All chemicals are bad for you.
Truth: All matter is made up of chemicals – water (H2O) is a chemical. All ingredients in skin care products are chemicals, however not all “chemicals” are dangerous.
Myth #2: Something made with natural ingredients it is automatically good for you.
Truth: Posion-Ivy is natural and you wouldn’t want to ingest that or apply it topically to your skin.
Myth #3: Synthetic ingredients are bad for you.
Truth: Synthetic does not necessarily mean “un-natural”, it just means that the ingredient of interest that is typically found in nature, is created to mimic the true function of its original source without obtaining it, in an environmentally irresponsible way.
Myth #4: All natural ingredients are sourced more responsibly than their synthetic counterparts.
Truth: Just because an ingredient comes from nature doesn’t mean it is sourced in an environmentally responsible way. Manufacturing small amounts of a skincare ingredient naturally found in plants, can require harvesting and processing acres of that plant. Synthesizing that ingredient in a lab can create exactly the same molecule that functions exactly the same way on your skin, while preserving those natural resources. In other words, your skin wouldn't know the difference between the 2 versions of the same ingredient.
Myth #5: All natural ingredients have botanical origins.
Truth: Many common skincare ingredients are actually not derived from a plant source. For example, hyaluronic acid has amazing hydrating and barrier function benefits, but naturally comes from our skin or an animal. That molecule can be created synthetically in a lab and provide the same hydrating benefits without risk of animal cruelty.
