The Anti-Natural Side of Natural Cosmetics


What’s
all the hype around "natural" cosmetics? Is “natural” the gold standard, while “synthetic” equals toxic? Is everything “natural” as wholesome as it’s portrayed? Today, we’re going au naturel—direct, no filters, and diving headfirst into the myths and truths of "natural cosmetics."
 

WHAT DOES “NATURAL” EVEN MEAN? 

When it comes to creams, people might mean two things when they say “natural cosmetics”: 

  1. Products made with ingredients of natural origin, derived from plants 🌱, animals 🐌, or minerals 🪨. 

  1. Products made using “simple” processes—like crushing, pressing, or distilling—without using advanced lab tools to "cook up" a formula. 

On the other hand, “synthetic” refers to anything created or manufactured in a lab. 

At first glance, this seems straightforward, but words can be tricky. “Natural” sounds honest, simple, friendly, normal… while “synthetic” is often equated with fake, artificial, strange, or even dangerous. But is that the reality?
Forma 

YOUR “NATURAL” BIAS IS LYING TO YOU 

People often assume “natural” cosmetics are safer, more eco-friendly, and more effective. Spoiler alert: they’re not. 

  • SAFER – ABSOLUTELY NOT 

    • Natural cosmetics have strict limits on preservatives, often relying on less effective ones than their synthetic counterparts. This means higher chances of bacterial contamination and shorter shelf lives. 

    • Also, nature itself is a massive allergy minefield: nuts, citrus, pollen… Plus, essential oils beloved by "herb fans" are a leading cause of skin reactions every year. 

  • MORE ECO-FRIENDLY – NO WAY 

    • Extracting natural essences requires huge environmental resources (land, water, carbon footprint, etc.) for very small yields. 

    • In extreme cases, crops like argan in Morocco or shea butter in Africa are threatening local ecosystems and communities, despite being marketed as "charity." 

  • MORE EFFECTIVE – IMPOSSIBLE 

    • In a lab, you control concentrations, temperatures, and contaminant levels. Nature’s randomness often works against consistent results. 

    • When it comes to results, natural remedies are often less efficient than scientifically tested alternatives. Denying science and progress for the sake of "natural" products is, frankly, foolish.

EMBRACING THE ARTIFICIAL 

Your skin doesn’t care whether an ingredient comes from a farm or a test tube—it only cares if it works. What matters is biocompatibility: using products that are safe, effective, and leave you looking and feeling great. So, if someone starts preaching about “natural” cosmetics, feel free to tell them to go fly a kite. 

P.S.: If you want a face worth swooning over, try our Wowyoung night serum with 0.3% lab-synthesized retinol. It smooths wrinkles and leaves your skin softer than ever in 90 days. Say goodbye to infusions of local herbs.