So what does ‘natural’ really mean? And is it effective?
Consider this…even two ‘natural’ ingredients can still have a reaction with each other – just think of oil and water and the way they naturally separate when combined.
Whilst natural is often a definite positive, it’s important to remember that not all natural ingredients are necessarily ‘good’ for your skin, whilst not all synthetic ones are can be deemed ‘bad’. Combining the best of both to work in synergy for the most complimenting ‘effect’ for you and your skin, is what it’s all about. As with everything else, in life ‘all things in moderation’ applies but empowerment to know where you stand with your skin care is a MUST!
Think of your skin as a sponge, readily absorbing everything applied to it. Consider nicotine patches and how they work for those kicking the smoking habit. Application, leads to inevitable absorption into our skin, bloodstream and this can affect our hormones sending our systems out of ‘whack’ and resulting in an unbalanced complexion.
So, let’s define ‘natural’…
What is ‘natural’? The term ‘natural’ can be used for any material that has been grown without the stringent ‘control’ of man and then harvested, mined or collected for processing without chemical reaction to result in an ingredient that is similar to its original source. The processes used should maintain the integrity of the raw material, and therefore not dramatically alter it from its original state, such as extraction of oils etc.
What is ‘nature identical’? This term is used for materials found in nature but suffer severe difficulties in supply of quantity for commercial purposes. This also can apply to some materials that may be harmful to animals in their extraction (but not in AWE’s case). These materials are therefore prepared synthetically and are identical in everywhere to their natural counterparts.
What is ‘naturally sourced’? This is where 2 natural ingredients may be fused and processed together to create a combined functioning ingredient. To combine, these raw ingredients must undergo a level of synthesis therefore are then slightly removed from the ‘natural’ category and deemed ‘naturally sourced’.
What is ‘naturally derived’? Used for ingredients derived from natural processes such as fermentation, percolation and so forth. This process can dramatically alter the original ingredient however it is still harboured in nature.
Are natural products considered EFFECTIVE?
Natural ingredients sound good and healthy and studies have shown that many have powerful health benefits when consumed as foods. But, can the same be said for topical application on the skin via our skincare? Of course it can.
Natural anti-oxidants are present in all types of skincare these dates, for very good reason as they help guard the skin against free radical and oxidisation. But often, a synthetic, targeted active is required to help treat the present/past damage to the skin, whether it be wrinkles, pigmentation or acne scars etc.
The confusion surrounding the effectiveness of natural products often occurs due to brands including only a very small and token amount of a natural active and positioning their marketing around this for sales purposes only. The ingredient in many cases is not in a concentration adequate enough to have a specific biological effect on the skin, hence little to no results.
On the flipside, there are good quality skincare and cosmeceutical ranges available that do help you to achieve your desired skincare management and results…naturally! Synergistically blending these natural actives with some medical grade, proven synthetic counterparts can remedy a brilliant and gentle solution for your skin and skin concerns. Peptides and fruit extracts can often be deemed as naturally sourced or derived depending on the processes used, so easily complement your skin as they are being recognised as something non-invasive. This can only be a good thing.
So, what’s the solution? Research your skincare brand and the integrity of their raw materials, concentrations used and refer to customer testimonials stating results.
AWE’s stance on NATURAL:
As you know (we shout it from the rooftops!) AWE Cosmeceuticals is among the discerning skincare manufacturers making a concentrated effort to harness nature’s goodness, practiced for thousands of years in the Indian subcontinent, through the ancient medicine of Ayurveda.
We avoid toxic ingredients and chemicals in our skincare ranges. This has, of course, a number of benefits, including reducing our daily inevitable ‘toxic load’ and also aims to keep products skin compatible reducing the prevalence of irritation and sensitivity.
Let’s try to understand what’s in your AWE products and why they ARE there.
“With the world’s largest pharmacopeia at its disposal, Ayurveda provides a wealth of natural ingredients to beautify the skin and promote a youthful, healthy complexion. At AWE, I personally select each and every ingredient that we blend into our range of products”. Rebecca Powne, AWE Founder
AWE Cosmeceuticals combines the latest advances of modern scientific research with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, the world’s oldest holistic medicine, to deliver a superior, medical grade, skin care range that is naturally and ethically produced.
The AWE Cosmeceuticals approach is about delivering visibly superior results without compromising the viability of the skin or using any harsh chemicals. Our products are a recipe of goodness; they are safe and effective with proven medical data to substantiate use in topical applications.
At AWE, we pride ourselves on delivering to you, products that work, selecting the best in effective antioxidants, peptides, fruit extracts and acids. Our list of goodies is long, however below are a few actives you’ll spot across the range.
Antioxidants/Peptides: AC.Net™, Co-enzyme Q10, Syri Calm™ and Pro-Youth Complex™, Green Tea, Gotu Kola, Ginkgo Biloba and one of our favourites, the coveted Indian Gooseberry.
Fruit extracts: such as Papaya Ferment Extracts.
Acids: Salicylic, Azelaic, Gluconic , Hyaluronic and Alpha Lipoic.
Other innovative actives: ß White and Licorice (brightening), Papain (exfoliating) and Colloidal Oat Flour to reduce irritation.
Herbal plant extracts: AWE is proud to blend the best Mother Nature offers. Plant extracts selected for their skin conditioning benefits include Aloe Vvera, Cranberry Extract and Organic Honey. Some fabulous anti-irritant extracts include Willowbark and Centaury Flower.
Vitamins/Amino Acids: Just as vitamins from our diet, help balance our bodies energy levels, we use vitamins in the AWE range, to help balance our skin’s energy levels. We use Vitamin C to help increase collagen production, Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) to help brightening skin and increase skin elasticity and Vitamin A (Retinol) the most sought after anti-ageing vitamin of all, capable of reprogramming skin cells. L Arginine is an amino acid with free radical scavenging properties, helping to slow down the ageing process and protect our skin from environmental factors.
Oils: We use oils extracted from both the plants and seeds, to offer the most concentrated benefits. Just a few of the oils highlighted with the range are from Sandalwood, Jojoba, Pomegranate, Rose Hip, Hemp, Raspberry, Lemon Myrtle, Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Jasmine and Juniperberry and of course Shea Oil.
Preservatives/Surfactants: AWE aims to seek out the best in natural preservatives such as P-anisic (basil) and Glyceryl Caprylate (coconut). These are then further supported by self-preserving, airless packaging to protect this natural goodness from sunlight and aeration, keeping actives in optimal condition for the best performance.
Offering gentle cleansing, AWE elected to leave out the harsh, drying surfactants and instead use plant derived cleansers from coconut, glucose and fermented sugar to naturally cleanse, whilst keeping your skin in balance.
Remember to try to avoid nasties (just as all AWE products do) such as Sulfates, Parabens, Formaldehyde Releasing Agents, Propylene Glycol , PEGs , Mineral Oils as well as artificial fragrances and colours.
At AWE Cosmeceuticals, we believe that true beauty stems from a healthy approach of eliminating toxins from our bodies and of course not introducing them at all is even better!
Here’s to being a natural beauty!