I just ran into another person online who has used “natural” skin care for a year, complaining of dry, dehydrated, rough skin (she used argan oil to moisturize, pumpkin seed oil to cleanse).
Meanwhile, I’ve been using the same “unnatural” routine from winter to summer, without one flake in sight – and with clear skin too.
My skin is always supple and glowy…I can wear makeup, sunscreen, and look well put together AND have clear skin. Yet I don’t use any oils AT ALL, and my routine cannot pass for “natural” at all.
My Not-So-Natural Skin Care Routine For The Win
I use a “chemical” cleanser in the evenings only that gently cleanses my face without me needing to tug, pull, press too hard on my skin AND without stripping my face of oils.
My cleanser removes all makeup and impurities without me needing to use super hot water, and without me needing to then remove the cleanser with another cleanser…Some people double cleanse, where I just cleanse — once, but thoroughly AF.
After my skin is nice and clean, but not squeaky clean, and not scalded and red (like from oil-cleansing!), I apply a “chemical” toner that opens by pores.
To be clear, pores don’t actually open and close or change size, however, they do get clogged and therefore “closed”. I open them by de-clogging them, with a “chemical” ingredient that penetrates face oil and goes deep inside the pore.
When a product ‘penetrates’ this is only a figure of speech – the product merely dries, and the active ingredient works on or in the pores — the product doesn’t go into the bloodstream.
Skin doesn’t actually absorb anything, it keeps everything out.
This same ingredient gently resurfaces the surface of the skin, leaving it soft and smooth by getting rid of excess dead skin cell build-up.
After my skin has “absorbed” the “chemical” toner, I spray my skin with a hydrating spray containing more “chemicals” that help the skin stay moist. These chemicals are called humectants and antioxidants, that help the skin retain more moisture.
After this, while my face is still damp, I apply a “chemical” serum which contains more humectants and antioxidants, to really pack the skin with moisture.
Then I follow with a “chemical” moisturizer that seals in all the moisture in my skin, and keeps it from evaporating throughout the day. It contains chemicals called emollients, that prevent water from evaporating from my skin.
I’m left with super happy, balanced, hydrated, clear skin.
Natural Vs Chemical Skin Care
The only reason “natural” skin care has taken off in recent years is because a lot of false information is spread about how skin works — the biggest myth, for instance, is that skin absorbs chemicals.
A lot of people are scared to use “unnatural” or “chemical” skincare to their skin’s detriment because they think that their skin absorbs chemicals. If our skin absorbed stuff, we’d all be long dead — Mr. Clean anyone?
Skin is a protective organ, keeping everything OUT not in, so don’t miss out on amazing products because of faulty logic.
Another myth that drives people to spend tons of money on natural skincare is the myth that skin can’t breathe under chemical products, yet somehow it can breathe under oil?
Skin can not breathe through the pores — skin breathes though the blood, which means it receives nutrients and oxygen literally from your bloodstream.
I’ve busted this beauty myth and many others in my 10 Days Of Busting Myths video series — you can get it anytime you want by signing up here.
The natural skin care industry is an industry that works on fear-mongering as its main marketing strategy — a strategy I can’t stand behind since it’s literally based on faulty logic and lies.
Your skin is not your stomach, and your skin is not your butt…Your skin works to protect you. And you need to protect it, by being extremely gentle AND SMART with how you do skin care.
There are “chemical” skin care brands that contain horrible acne-causing or drying ingredients and irritating fragrances, but equally, there are “natural” skin care brands that contain naturally irritating, pore-clogging ingredients and weird formulations meant more for the stomach than the skin.
There are “chemical” skin care brands that are thoroughly tested, researched, containing the latest in skin care technology that truly do what they say — and there are “natural” skin care brands that do actually source beneficial ingredients for your skin.
Natural is not always better, and yes, there is a right way to cleanse and moisturize that in no way shape or form includes OILS — especially on acne-prone skin.
Dry, dehydrated, flaky skin is a result I encounter often in people who use oils long-term.
When I used oils for over three months I had dry, rough, build-up on my skin and my skin felt bumpy to the touch. It looked oily and was severely congested with tiny comedones and bigger pustules.
When I used oils, I quite literally had the worst skin of my life.
Now I use a combination of natural and chemical skincare for the best results. I use natural hydrating mists and serums with beneficial antioxidants and humectants, but chemical products to remove my makeup, exfoliate my skin, and seal in moisture.
I get the best of both worlds instead of jumping on one super limiting bandwagon.
It’s important to choose products not because they’re ‘natural’ or ‘chemical’ but because they WORK.
What do you think? Is natural really better?
Love,
Olena
