Natural vs Medical Grade Skincare: The Clean Beauty Myth Unveiled
As the beauty industry continues to expand and evolve, more and more skincare products are marketed as “natural,” “green,” “organic,” or boast ingredient callouts. On the other hand, medical grade skincare products sometimes get a bad rap due to misconceptions and conspiracy theories. However, as professionals in the industry, it is our responsibility to educate our clients about the truth behind these buzzwords.
The Truth About Natural Skincare Products
Let’s start by debunking the myth that natural automatically means better. While it may seem like using all-natural ingredients would be safer for our skin, this is not always the case. In fact, studies have shown that natural products can often lead to higher rates of reactions and allergies. This is because natural ingredients can vary in potency and purity, making it difficult to determine the potential risks.
Additionally, many natural or clean skincare products have not undergone proper safety and efficacy testing, leaving consumers vulnerable to adverse reactions. These products may also lack necessary preservatives, leading to bacterial growth that can be harmful to the skin.
Preservatives in Skincare: An Essential Component
Preservatives are crucial in skincare products to ensure safety, efficacy, and shelf-life. They prevent harmful microorganisms, like bacteria and fungus, from causing spoilage and skin infections.
Origin of Preservative Fears
Misinformation fuels the fear around preservatives. Many mistakenly believe all preservatives are harmful, fueled by misleading marketing that associates ‘clean beauty’ with being preservative-free.
Debunking the Preservative Myths
Contrary to belief, not all preservatives are harmful or unnecessary. They ensure product longevity and safety. The FDA regulates preservatives in cosmetics to ensure consumer safety. In fact, a lack of preservatives can lead to bacterial contamination. Without proper preservation, natural products can become a breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.
Parabens, recently vilified in the beauty industry, have been safely used in cosmetics for over 50 years. While they weakly mimic estrogen, they have not been proven to cause cancer or health issues. Your best bet? Be informed about skincare ingredients, but avoid falling for marketing hype. Make decisions based on scientific facts and data, not unwarranted fears. This is where finding an esthetician that you trust comes in to outsource the necessary research to understand the intricacies of the skincare world.
The Facts About Medical Grade Skincare Products
On the other hand, medical grade skincare products are highly regulated and must undergo rigorous testing for both safety and effectiveness before being available on the market. As professionals who work with these products, this gives us confidence in delivering results while also protecting our clients from any potential harm.
It’s important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to skincare. Every individual has unique skin concerns and needs, and medical grade skincare can offer a customized approach to address these concerns. Medical grade products often use a combination of both synthetic and natural ingredients in order to achieve the best results for each individual. To learn more about what medical grade skincare is read our blog post here: What is Medical Grade Skincare? Is it Worth it?
The Clean Beauty Myth
The term “clean beauty” refers to products that are free from harmful ingredients, but unfortunately, this trend has also led to fear-mongering and misinformation about certain chemicals.
The truth is, everything is made up of chemicals – even water! And while some ingredients may have been labeled as toxic or dangerous by certain organizations, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims. In fact, many of these ingredients have been thoroughly tested and deemed safe for use in skincare products.
The Importance of Science Literacy
As professionals in the skincare industry, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and our clients about the science behind different ingredients and their potential effects on the skin. Instead of blindly following trends and buzzwords, we should rely on evidence-based research to guide our choices.
In the realm of skincare, it’s essential to trust in the expertise of industry professionals and data-backed evidence, rather than being swayed by trends or propagating unnecessary fear towards chemicals. So let’s put an end to the clean beauty myth and focus on making informed decisions based on science and evidence. Stay tuned for more science-based skincare information and recommendations from us!
XOXO,
Sapien Babes
