Are natural/organic skincare products like One Thing better than 'normal' ones?

Many people believe passionately that natural, organic ingredients are better for the skin but is this the truth? So what are the benefits of natural/organic skincare products?

They're Better for the Environment

Simply put: natural skincare products are better for the environment than are synthetic skincare products. The reasons for this are numerous. First and foremost, synthetic chemicals have the potential to harm animals and plants with which they come into contact. Should the synthetic chemicals from a synthetic product seep into the ground, they could have dire consequences on surrounding ecosystems. Secondly, the processes associated with manufacturing traditional skincare products put a great deal of stress on the environment. This is because the extraction of certain ingredients (aluminum, lead, etc.) requires mining. Mining produces a great deal of pollution, ultimately leaving a negative carbon footprint on the environment at large. Natural skincare products forego the use of such ingredients, and so don't necessitate mining. And because they use only natural ingredients, they cause no harm to the surrounding plants and animals.

They're Safer

When compared to synthetic skincare products, natural skincare products are much safer. This is because the ingredients contained within natural products are much safer than those contained in synthetic products. See, when a lotion is applied to the skin, the ingredients contained within it slowly sink into the bloodstream. From there, they have a direct effect on many of the body’s processes. If the ingredients are beneficial, they’ll have beneficial effects. If, on the other hand, they’re a detriment, they’ll have adverse effects on the body. So, by using a natural skincare product as opposed to a synthetic one, you are essentially avoiding all negative health effects. This will result in you feeling better and looking better.

Their Manufacturer Doesn't Harm Animals

You might be shocked at how many skincare product manufacturers test their products on animals. A good many of the big names in the industry continue to do so, to the obvious detriment of the animals which are being tested on. The good news is that natural skincare product manufacturers forego animal testing, and, in fact, do nothing to harm other living beings. In this sense, they are more ethical and more empathetic than a good many of the synthetic brands. If you’re against animal testing and for the humane treatment of animals, natural skincare products are the best way to go. They will prevent you from contributing to harmful and malicious practices.

They're Packed with Beneficial Nutrients

The most poignant way to highlight the differences between synthetic and natural skincare products is to discuss their ingredients. The ingredient profiles of the two types of products are wildly different, to the point that they don’t even resemble similar products. When you look at the ingredient label on a synthetic product, you’ll see words such as Triclosan, Glyceryl Stearate, Dye #4, and Petrolatum. These ingredients are made in labs, and, while capable of performing their function, can be detrimental to the body. Natural products, on the other hand, are filled with familiar-sounding ingredients such as jojoba oil, argan oil, apple juice, lemon juice, and so on and so forth. These ingredients are not only not harmful to the body, but they’re actually beneficial, in fact. This is due to the fact that they contain vitamins and compounds such as Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Resveratrol, alpha-hydroxy acid, and more, all of which help the body to function at optimal levels.

They're Easier on the Skin

One of the biggest problems with synthetic skincare products is that they’re harmful to some individuals’ skin. Certain ingredients contained within these products can cause everything from swelling to redness to itchiness to outright allergic reaction. For this reason, they’re better avoided altogether. Ingredients to look out for include parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, synthetic dyes, propylene glycol, and triclosan. However, it’s important to note that some other synthetic chemicals can cause this problem as well. This is why it’s generally a better idea to opt for natural products. Natural products are free of irritants, and, instead of being a detriment to the skin, they are actually beneficial to it.

They Leave No Doubt About Your Health

At the present time, there is a great deal of controversy surrounding the ingredients used in synthetic skincare products. While some believe these ingredients to be safe, others are skeptical, citing the fact that very little independent research has been done on them. So, in essence, by using synthetic skincare products, you’re throwing caution to the wind. For all you know, you’re allowing harmful chemicals to seep into your bloodstream. In the long-run, this could have dire consequences. The question you have to ask yourself is: are you comfortable gambling on your health? Is it worth it to potentially harm yourself with a synthetic product when you could just as easily be using a natural product? Remember: until a new ingredient has been tested, it’s impossible to know what type of impact it could have on the body. You don’t want to be one of the unfortunate souls decades down the line, suffering from health problems that you could have avoided.

Here are the top 7 key differences between natural and organic products.

Natural skincare products have natural ingredients
Organic skincare products have stricter standards
‘Natural’ can be just a marketing trick
Natural skincare products don’t adhere to the same guidelines as organic products
Lookout for organic logos on organic products
Terms ‘vegan’ and ‘cruelty-free’ are not synonymous to ‘natural’ or ‘organic’
Prices of organic skincare products will be higher

Top 7 key Differences Between Natural And Organic Skincare Products

Here are a few basic differences between organic and natural skincare products:

Organic

None of the following are ever used in the production of organic products

Manufactured herbicides/artificial pesticides
Preservatives, sulfates, parabens, synthetic colors or any other chemicals
Routine antibiotic use
Growth regulators
A limited number of pesticides are permitted
The farming method should take care of sustainable land management

Natural

Ingredients should be naturally extracted i.e., from plants, flowers, or any other mineral source
Prohibition of

Sulfates/Sulphates, parabens or other environmentally unfriendly substances
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Petrochemical constituents
Never tested on animals
Quality of the ingredients should be retained during the manufacturing process

However there are some of natural, organic ingredients that are bad for your skin! Many of them are lurking in products claiming to be better or safer because they’re natural or organic. Sad but true. Whether due to blissful denial or because they don’t know the research, lots of cosmetic companies sell products with ingredients that aren't really natural or contain natural ingredients that are a problem for skin. Conversely, just because an ingredient is synthetic doesn't make it a problem for skin. So let's set the record straight!

Please know we're not saying there isn’t a large range of natural ingredients that are exceptional for skin, because there are—lots and lots of them! But the idea that they’re the "best" or only option for skin is not good advice. When formulating products for Paula's Choice Skincare, Paula and her team only select natural ingredients with a proven track record of being beneficial for skin. We avoid using problematic ones because these aren’t doing your skin any favors. Now that's naturally done right that the best cosmetics companies follow!

Companies like ONE THING are a great example of an organic and natural skincare brand that only uses beneficial ingredients. Founded in South Korea, ONE THING aims to remove unnecessary costs and proposes only one ingredient that suits your skin needs.Their collection uses only carefully selected raw materials for safety like 100% organic ingredients (EWG Grade 1). No harmful chemical additives other than the material are used.