Most of us use skin care and beauty products daily. There will be a variety of reasons why you choose certain products; usually based on their marketable features such as anti-ageing, repairing, softening, hydrating, etc. However, have you ever thought about the ingredients in your products? As we become more conscious of what we put into our body, Ermana’s ethos is to show as much concern for what we put on our body.In this article we list just a few of the reasons to use natural skin care.

1. The Body absorbs what goes on the skin.

It is said that the average woman can host as many as 515 different synthetic chemicals on her body due to her daily grooming routine. The body can absorb about 60% of what is applied to the skin. We are exposed to a vast array of toxins and chemicals every day through cosmetics, skin care products and hair products. These toxins build up in our bodies and contribute to our toxic load. Whilst the body has an effective detoxification system, we can easily overload it.

2. They are safer for the environment

Chemically based products can have a negative impact on our environment in numerous ways. Manufacturing processes to extract ingredients like aluminium and lead requires mining which produces pollution and puts a great deal of stress on the environment.
During manufacture, majority of the chemicals will end up in the air and water. Synthetic chemicals have the potential to harm animals and plants with which they come into contact.
We also wash these chemicals down the drain during our own personal use. These harmful ingredients will end up in the soil and water, potentially harming microorganisms and sea life. This can have dire consequences on surrounding ecosystems.

3. Cruelty Free

You might be shocked at how many skincare product manufacturers still test their products on animals.  The good news is that most natural skincare product manufacturers forego animal testing. In this sense, they are more ethical and more empathetic than a good many of the synthetic brands.

4. They are more effective

Many synthetic products contain water as their main ingredient. This means that a preservative must be added to prevent the water from degrading. Therefore there is less room in the product for ingredients that are beneficial to the skin. Natural products are packed with beneficial ingredients and each one is working to improve the condition of the skin. A higher volume of beneficial ingredients means that you don’t need to use as much of the product to see results.

Organic and natural skincare products are more cost effective when compared to their non-natural alternatives. While some chemical based products may be cheaper, you end up needing to use a lot of them - putting layer after layer of moisturiser on as your skin still feels dry. Therefore, using more and having to buy more frequently, and actually costing you more in the long run.

5. Natural ingredients have stood the test of time.

Many natural skincare ingredients have been used for centuries; developed from ancient remedies to heal and soothe skin conditions. There is no better test than the test of time.

6. Peace of mind

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, little independent research has been done on them.
Treating skin kindly from both the outside and within will leave you feeling great and looking fantastic too. Switching to natural and organic skincare products is a great place to start.
So, by using a natural skincare product as opposed to a synthetic one, you are essentially avoiding all negative health effects. Also, products with natural ingredients ultimately provide several advantages for our skin, body, well-being, and the environment.

It’s great to be health conscious and think about what we are putting into our bodies, and it doesn’t stop at what we eat and drink. If you don’t think something is safe enough to eat, then why put it on your body?

Chemical ingredients to avoid:

Parabens - Hormone disruptor, possible developmental & reproductive toxin, may affect fertility and developmental delays in children.

Triclosan - Hormone disruptor, possible developmental, endocrine & reproductive toxin, may affect fertility and contribute to metabolic disorders.

Phthalates - Hormone disruptor, possible developmental, endocrine, respiratory & reproductive toxin, increased risk of developing asthma and allergies, developmental delays in children, may affect fertility.

Parfum or Fragrance - a cocktail of mystery ingredients, which are often comprised of toxic ingredients including hormone disruptors amongst others. Due to the secrecy of ingredients in parfum, it is protected by industry trade laws. That means companies or manufacturers using parfum don’t legally have to disclose what’s in it.

Oxybenzone - Hormone disruptor, possible developmental toxin, may affect immune system and allergies.

Talc - Associated with an increased risk of detrimental health effects, especially to the uterus and ovaries.

Petrochemicals - Concerns over possible organ toxicity, possible carcinogen and problems with contamination.

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash