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Identifying the key differences between natural and synthetic ingredients so you can make the most informed decisions for the health of your skin.
In skincare, the debate between natural and synthetic ingredients has become one of the most talked-about topics, and one of the most misunderstood. Some people believe that lab-made ingredients are more advanced or effective, while others swear by the purity and safety of what comes from nature.
After over 20 years as a holistic esthetician, I’ve studied thousands of clients’ skin firsthand and the difference for me is undeniable. Natural ingredients, when used in their purest and most potent form, work better with your skin’s biology rather than against it. They deliver visible results while supporting long-term skin health.
In this post, I’ll break down the real difference between natural and synthetic ingredients, share why nature’s formulas are often just as (if not more) effective than their lab-made counterparts, and highlight the botanicals I personally use in our Flora Mirabilis products to achieve those results.
Natural ingredients come directly from the earth from flowers, herbs, seeds, nuts, fruits, and clays.
They are often used in their raw form or obtained through minimal processing. Processes can be physical pressing (to extract oils), drying, or distillation (commonly used for essential oils). The aim is to keep the chemical structure of the natural compounds largely intact; natural ingredients contain many different chemical compounds, each often containing hundreds.
From my perspective as an esthetician, that harmony is key. Your skin recognizes and responds to natural compounds because they’re biologically familiar, the same way your body processes whole foods better than processed ones. When we use ingredients that are unrefined and true to their natural form, we support the skin’s natural repair and protection functions rather than trying to change it.
That’s why, in every Flora Mirabilis formula, I choose natural ingredients that are cold-pressed, steam-distilled, or clay-mined and never solvent-extracted or refined to the point of losing their integrity.
Synthetic ingredients are compounds created in a laboratory rather than extracted directly from nature. They’re typically made by combining or altering raw materials and often petrochemicals or botanically derived base chemicals to produce a specific, isolated compound.
While many synthetic ingredients are designed to mimic natural ones, they lack the full spectrum of nutrients and antioxidants that come from the whole plant. For example, a lab might isolate one active compound believed to provide hydration or brightening, but in doing so, it loses the synergistic effects of the dozens of supporting compounds found in the natural source.
Commonly used chemicals include hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide (lye), sulfuric acid, and ethanol. Synthetic ingredients can also be produced by engineering microorganisms such as bacteria and yeasts to produce certain chemicals.
This doesn’t mean all synthetic ingredients are harmful. Some are safe and can perform well. But I’ve found through years of hands-on experience that isolated compounds often give short-term results at the expense of long-term skin balance. When skin is fed with complete, living ingredients, it thrives, not just visually improved while using the products.
It is worth noting that many of the synthetic ingredients produced are replicas of compounds found in natural ingredients!
Besides the obvious, which is that natural ingredients are directly sourced from nature while synthetic ingredients are lab-made, the major difference is that a natural ingredient contains hundreds of chemical compounds, whereas a synthetic ingredient typically contains a single isolated compound.
One could argue that it is preferable to use a single isolated compound if it is proven to do x,y, and z for your skin. However, the compounds that a plant produces work in synergy, which means that the cumulative effect is greater than that of just a single isolated compound.
Based on all the evidence I have researched and, most importantly, the actual results I witnessed firsthand on thousands of facial clients, I truly believe that using products made from natural ingredients is the best way to keep your skin healthy. In the same way, avoiding ultra-processed foods and instead consuming whole foods (minimally processed and as close to their natural state as possible) is generally considered healthiest for your body.
While some synthetic ingredients have been deemed safe for your skin, the vast majority of synthetic ingredients contain a cocktail of many different ingredients and preservatives. There have been enough studies done on some of the most commonly used synthetic ingredients proving them to be harmful to your skin, in particular, propylene glycol, parabens, artificial fragrance and dyes, and sodium laurel sulfate, for me to swear off the use of them personally and in my facials.
When I choose ingredients for our Flora Mirabilis products, I make sure to choose only natural ingredients that are minimally processed, unrefined, and as close to their natural form as possible. I only source these natural ingredients from farms that practice sustainable and organic farming. I also make sure to choose ingredients rich in compounds that work synergistically and are proven to improve the health and appearance of your skin.
In conclusion, when it comes to using natural vs. synthetic ingredients in skincare, I wholeheartedly believe in the safety and efficacy of natural ingredients. If you are looking at a synthetic product, avoid those containing potentially harmful ingredients to your skin, such as propylene glycol, parabens, artificial fragrances and dyes, and sodium laurel sulfate.
If you are choosing a natural product, take some time to research the ingredients and make sure the compounds they contain are what you want your skincare product to do for your skin. Either way, the more informed you are about ingredients, the better equipped you are to make the best decisions for your skin's health.
If you are looking for products already formulated with this in mind, checkout our Fountain of Youth Cleansing Clay and Holy Grail Face Oil as an option for an organic 2-step skincare routine.
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While coconut oil does have benefits for skin and hair, its fatty acid profile makes it a less-than-ideal choice for facial skincare. If your goal is clear, youthful, and radiant skin, there are far better options.
When it comes to seed oils and your skin, it’s not about avoiding them- it’s about choosing wisely.