Synthetic Skincare vs. Natural Alternatives The case for replacing your synthetic skincare with natural alternatives

“Retinol is often the “go-to” ingredient for acne, scarring and anti-ageing, however, many skin types can be sensitive to retinol causing redness, dryness and flaking. It is also contraindicated for use in pregnant women. Thankfully there are natural products which can perform the same action without the side effects of retinol,” says Anna Mitsios, naturopath, nutritionist and founder of natural beauty brand, Edible Beauty.

“Two of the botanicals that work wonderfully together in healing the skin and combating acne are gotu kola and calendula extracts. Gotu kola acts to repair, strengthen and regenerate the skin, boost antioxidants and increase blood supply to affected areas making it an excellent organic and natural treatment for acne, scarring and eczema. Calendula extract is rich in anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory actives that combat acne and reducing scarring. It’s also rich in beta-carotene, which acts in the same way as Vitamin A in assisting to repair, soothe and regenerate the skin.”

The perfect combat to unhappy skin conditions, Edible Beauty’s calming, multi-tasking Soothe Me Balm is packed with gotu kola and calendula extracts.

“Salicylic acid is used in anti-acne products to clear and prevent pimples,” explains Vanessa Megan Gray, founder of her eponymous certified organic and cruelty free skin care brand, Vanessa Megan. “Salicylic acid has a quick action result, killing bacteria, cells and drying out the skin. In this way, it strips the skin, and when you strip the skin of natural oils you leave it open to infection. When you pop a pimple, you will notice a few pimples rising around that site because the skin is no longer strong enough to fight bacteria.”

When responding to acne with natural ingredients, Gray suggests working in the opposite way to achieve results. “Our focus is to build the quality of the skin to improve skin function. First, swap your harsh foaming cleaner, which can strip the natural layer on the surface of the skin, with a cream cleanser. Next look for natural oils that heal and strengthen skin, such as sea buckthorn oil, pumpkin seed oil, rosemary essential oil and lemongrass essential oil.”

Made with sea buckthorn, pumpkin seed, rosemary and lemongrass oil, Vanessa Megan's Nature's Elixir Face Oil has been known to reduce angry cystic acne to calm, even skin.

Used to plump, moisturize and retain water, “Hyaluronic acid is a natural glycosaminoglycan (polysaccharides that are an important component of connective tissue) and can be derived from multiple resources, foods, supplements and hyaluronic acid powders. It’s distributed widely throughout connective, neural and epithelial tissue. It is of the chief components of the extra-cellular matrix (the tissue that provides structural support to cells),” explains Gray.

“One of my favourite botanicals when it comes to alternatives to hyaluronic acid is Hibiscus sabdariffa (Rosella extract),” shares Mitsios. “This plant is known as a natural “botox” plant extract and ultimately achieves the same plumping and firming effects as hyaluronic acid. Cranberry seed oil makes another great alternative to hyaluronic acid, as it has the perfect ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which means that this oil absorbs very effectively into the skin providing it with extreme hydration.”

Edible Beauty’s No.4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion - made using cranberry seed oil and Rosella extract - nourishes, firms and plumps skin to new levels of perfection.

“An emollient has skin softening or smoothing properties. It’s an oil and water combination,” explains Gray. Synthetic emollients are often produced at high temperatures, destroying nutrients, antioxidants and essential fatty acids, and can clog pores or cause skin irritations.

“There is a plethora of choice when it comes to using natural emollients. Natural vegetable, nut and seed oils make great emollients that lubricate and help skin remain smooth and pliable. They work very effectively to protect the skin barrier, moisturise and help replenish the skin's natural oils,” explains Mitsios.

Vanessa Megan’s Peruvian Flower hand and body cream is made using oils including jojoba - the closest oil to our own skin’s sebum; it’s the easiest one for our skin to absorb.