Everything you need to know to start a natural skincare regime
In a recent poll, over 40% of skincare buyers stated that switching to products that are natural and/or organic was important to them.
In recent years, the natural skincare industry has exploded, but with so much marketing hype around, it's tough to know exactly how best to make the switch to natural skincare.
Concerns we regularly hear include:
· How much money should I spend?
· How do I know my skincare is truly natural?
· If a product is natural, is it also vegan?
· Can I trust this product will be effective?
· What are the key products I should go natural with first?
· Will natural skincare affect my sensitive skin?
We’ll try to answer each one in turn, to help you understand exactly how you can go natural, easily.
How much money should I spend on natural skincare?
That’s dependent on your budget entirely, and how complex your skincare regime is/needs to be.
If your skin is allergy or eczema prone, it’s worth spending a little bit more money to get truly quality ingredients. Look for Soil Association approved skincare brands that use certified organic ingredients and avoid artificial chemicals.
We’d always recommend starting with something simple, like a great moisturiser as an entry point. You could also try a ‘trial’ kit with smaller sizes that last for up to four weeks to give you an idea of how your skincare is going to work.
You can get trial sizes of a good organic moisturiser for under £10. Many companies offer sachets which of course cost less.
How do I know my skincare is truly natural?
There are a few ways to check how ‘natural’ your skincare is. The first is to look for a respected certification like the COSMOS logo, or Soil Association.
A natural product can have a tiny percentage of natural ingredients and still be allowed to call itself ‘natural’, so look to see if it honestly shows how much of the product is natural.
Check the ingredients list. If you see sulphates, (sodium laureth or lauryl sulphate) silicone, or parabens (identifiable by words starting with “ethyl,” “butyl,” “methyl,” and “propyl”), chances are it’s not an entirely natural product and is best avoided.
If a product is truly natural, is it also vegan?
No, you cannot assume that just because a product is natural that it is also vegan. Natural products can include things like honey, egg or milk derivatives, lanolin or cochineal. A product needs to state it is vegan to be sure. The same can be said of products that are ‘cruelty-free’; they are not necessarily vegan.
Can I trust natural skincare to be effective?
The plant kingdom offers a wealth of incredible materials that, correctly extracted and used in good formulations, can care for skin of all ages. Natural skincare performs in awards and panel tests just as well as household names. Indeed, award-winners (check out the Beauty Bible awards for example) are a good place to start for the stars of the natural skincare world.
But efficacy in skincare is determined by many things; your skin’s condition to start with, the results you’re aiming for and how long you’re hoping to see them in.
Being natural is absolutely no barrier to results; many of the world’s plants, like sea buckthorn for example, are used by the biggest skincare brands in the world to improve skin condition.
Consider also a skin consultation with a natural skin expert who can advise you on the best product choices for your skin type.
What are the key skincare products I should go natural with first?
We’d always suggest starting with cleanser, toner and moisturiser. Serums and body treatments are great but they’re often pricier and a bigger investment.
Acclimatising your skin to any new skin regime takes around 28 days, so you need to make sure you use it regularly for at least that amount of time to decide.
Alternatively, a fun way to go natural is with a face mask. Look for something to suit most skin types and always follow up with moisturiser.
Will natural skincare affect my sensitive skin?
If you have any kind of skin sensitivity, it’s really important to use a patch test before trying any new skincare.
The good news is that in most cases, sensitive skin types benefit the most from the switch to natural skincare.
Fewer harsh preservatives, fragrances and detergents mean less irritation. The higher percentage of ingredients like aloe vera often leads to a reduction in inflammation.
In short, natural skincare is a great option for those with skin sensitivities. If you have any kind of allergies though, always check the ingredients fully before using.
Looking to make the switch to natural skincare? Have a chat with our skincare experts to make the best choices for you.