Natural skincare and beauty certainly are having a moment. There's no way you can miss the words 'organic', 'natural,' and 'clean' when you are walking down the isles or scrolling the internet these days. Thankfully this focus on health is beyond the trend phase and has now become a lifestyle. One of which the founders of YUNI have been a part of for decades.

What makes a skincare product natural? Natural skincare products use ingredients found in nature and are free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, sulfates, and phthalates, as defined by Dermatology Times. Using elements from nature to relieve skin issues is nothing new. Thousands of years ago, the first skin and hair products were composed of plants, botanical extracts, and essential oils.

But why is natural better when it comes to skincare? We know it's easier sometimes just to grab the same seemingly harmless products you've been using since high school. But over the years, we've come to understand that there are some truly incredible health benefits to using natural skincare products. Read on to learn why you should make the switch.

Natural skin care is more potent

It's been a long-standing myth that skincare products with natural ingredients are somehow not as effective as the synthetic, chemical versions. In actuality, natural is frequently even more potent. We forget that synthetic is oftentimes an attempt at replicating what comes from nature. Like our food industry, it is cheaper for companies to produce a product in a lab rather than sell the real version.

When we nourish ourselves with vitamins and healthy fats through certified organic fruits and vegetables, we support our bodies' optimal function. This same concept is true for our skin. Incorporating vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids from the earth does wonders for the health of our complexion.

There are fewer side effects

As long as you aren't allergic to the ingredients themselves, natural skincare brands don't come with as many potential reactions as their synthetic counterparts do. However, to stay completely safe, it's essential to always read over the ingredient list of a product, natural or not, before you apply it to your skin.

More and more studies have begun to reveal the harmful effects of the toxic ingredients commonly used in our conventional skincare and beauty products. The EWG reported that parabens and phthalates mimic our bodies' natural hormones. This affects our fertility and reproductive organs, even increasing our risk of cancer. We can't forget that our skin is our largest organ, one that is porous and absorbs much of what is applied to it.

Better for the environment

Natural ingredients are a much better choice if you're concerned about the health of our planet. The ingredients found in your natural skincare product will break down easier when thrown away or when some of the product goes down your shower or sink drain. The toxic chemicals found in mainstream cosmetics eventually make their way into our soil and oceans, contributing to the degradation of our natural habitat and wildlife.

The best natural products are also cruelty free because we know they are safe to use on humans, and it's unfair to harm the precious animals we share the earth with. Since there are already thousands of natural and organic ingredients that are already proven to be safe, there's no reason these animals shouldn't be able to stay where they belong in nature.

Let's not forget that helping the environment makes us all healthier in the long run and creates a safe place for our future generations.

They are more moisturizing

Natural skincare products contain the most powerful moisturizing ingredients in the world. There is genuinely no need to look anywhere but nature to hydrate your skin. Nothing can replicate the nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids found in the oils and butters of an actual plant.

Shea Butter, which you can find in our GLIDING LIGHT Multipurpose Beauty Balm, is naturally rich in skin loving vitamins A, E, F, and essential fatty acids. The rich emollient extracted from the nut of the shea tree dates back to the time of Cleopatra, who used it on her skin and hair.

Other dry skin savers are jojoba oil and coconut oil, which rejuvenate and protect the skin's barrier. You can find these beneficial ingredients in our Light Seeker Facial Oil.

They are better for sensitive skin

Natural skin care can work wonders on every skin type, but those with sensitive skin will truly benefit from the gentler formulas and more nourishing ingredients. Acne prone skin can often become flared up from irritants and over-drying. To avoid breakouts, it's best to steer clear of the added fragrances, preservatives, and sulfates in conventional skincare.

Instead of stripping the skin of its natural oils, turn to skin calming ingredients like Certified Organic Buriti Oil and Turmeric Root found in our ACTIVE CALM Firming Facial Skin Moisturizer. This formula also has Green Tea Extract, which minimizes bacterial activity to prevent blemishes.

As you can see, there's no denying that choosing natural skin care is the healthy option for your complexion, your whole body, and the planet. Just like we nourish our bodies with wholesome, nutritious foods from the earth, we should also be using nature's bounty to support the wellness of our skin.