Why Natural Products are better than Synthetic Ones

Many cosmetic products of high-street brands contain a large percentage of non-active ingredients like water (which often makes up at least 70% of the product) or cheaply produced synthetic ingredients used to improve texture, feel, fragrance or preservation. Such ingredients comprise mineral oil, petrochemicals, vegetable oils, synthetic or plant emulsifiers, synthetic fragrances or colourants, preservatives and parabens. The amount of active ingredients in these products is a negligible 0.5% to 6%.
Many natural and organic products, however, offer high levels of active plant extracts and ingredients – as high as 90% or more. Instead of water, they might, for example, contain aloe vera (products by Green People are a good example), whilst mineral oil is replaced with natural oils (e.g. almond or olive oil) and synthetic fragrances and colours are substituted with plant extracts and essential oils. Another benefit of higher concentrations of active ingredients is a more economical usage, as smaller amounts suffice.

© Manuela Hübner, 2009