
Going Natural
The Upside:
Some natural products are void of fillers like water and petroleum. “Water dilutes a product and petroleum suffocates skin. Using bases of fruit juices and the like allow for the other ingredients in the product to work to their full potential,” says Hopper. Natural-based skin care not only takes the worry of toxicity out of the equation, but many commonly used ingredients (fruits, aloe leaf juices and extracted oils) can help hydrate and brighten skin and decrease blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation.
The Downside:
Dr. Munavalli says, “There is a misconception that plant-derived substances are better than artificial ones. There are many natural ingredients that are allergens and could be inflammatory if not altered.” Adds Dr. Waldorf, “Anything that employs a natural aspect needs to go through a purification process. There are lots of companies that use naturals but putting something in a bottle without the proper steps doesn’t make that ingredient a true active.”