Natural vs. Synthetic Ingredients: Which is Better?
I am sure you have heard this before: “Plant-based products are better for you! You should buy more natural products, especially when it comes to skincare, cosmetics, and makeup products.” All natural, plant-based ingredients are really trending right now...but are these ingredients actually better than their synthetic counterpart? And how are they better? Should you just stick with synthetic ingredients? We are here today to discuss both natural and synthetic ingredients, and their differences, to help give you a solid answer!
For starters, plant-based cosmetics products can be rich in nutrients to consume, but are not necessarily safe to rub all over your body. Nutrients found in some naturally derived plant based products are also in such low concentrations that they carry no effect on the body. Some synthetic cosmetic products available in the United States contain harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and others, which experts say can cause damage to your body. Scientists also say that parabens in particular can lead to developmental disorders, fertility issues, cancer, and chronic diseases when used in high concentrations.
Synthetic ingredients for cosmetics products like hair color and eyebrow tints are typically developed in a lab and may be created to mimic the effects of natural ingredients, or to provide benefits that cannot be achieved with natural ingredients alone.
PPD (which stands for Paraphenylenediamine) is a synthetic ingredient commonly found in hair dyes. PPD is widely used in permanent hair dyes to create dark color, and it can provide a long-lasting, vibrant color. However, PPD can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially to those with sensitive skin. To learn more about PPD and the risks when using it (especially when using around the eye area) click here.
Our Products Contain
For use around the eye area, PPD is banned for use by experts and by the FDA because of how harmful it can be. PPD can be harmful if it is in contact with the skin or is ingested. It can cause a range of allergic reactions, from mild redness, itching, and rash to more severe symptoms like blisters, swelling, and even anaphylaxis in rare cases. PPD sensitivity can develop over time, which means that repeated exposure to the chemical can lead to a stronger reaction. Additionally, PPD is also known to cause contact dermatitis, which can be painful and difficult to treat. Overall, while PPD is an effective hair dye ingredient, it can pose a significant health risk to individuals who are sensitive to it.
Luckily, none of our products contain this chemical! Our products are made with plant-based oils and ingredients, and Silver nitrate-based colorants. Silver nitrate-based colorant achieves similar results to traditional hair tints without any use of PPD or toxic hydrogen peroxide. These tints have a negligible reactivity rate and are FDA compliant on lashes and brows. These colorants work by depositing the color on top of the hair, rather than inside the cuticle. This dramatically lowers the reactivity inside the body while lasting just as long.
Click HERE to shop natural, PPD free eyebrow tints. Our eyebrow and eyelash tints include other ingredients like green tea leaf extract, sweet almond extract, soybean extract, and natural iron oxides (earth pigments.)
Parabens
Our all-natural eyebrow and eyelash tints contain no parabens, which makes them better for the environment and perfect for sensitive skin. Recent studies from experts show that parabens can disrupt hormones in the body, harm reproductive organs, increase the risk of cancer, cause intense skin irritation, and many other health issues can arise. It should be noted that these issues are Our products do not contain any harmful PPD chemicals or parabens. Cosmetics typically contain mixtures of different types of parabens, the most used six types being methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl- and isobutylparaben. Since parabens are so cheap and act as a great preservative, you can find this toxic ingredient in SOME of the following products (depending on the brand):
Foundation.
Blush.
BB and CC creams.
Tinted moisturizer.
Moisturizing face cream.
Shampoo and conditioner.
Body wash.
Shaving cream.
Lip balm and lipstick.
The list goes on and on. To avoid parabens in skincare products, many companies use organic sources of preservation such as salicylic acid, benzoic acid, and sorbic acid.
Safety
Some natural, plant-based ingredients are safer than synthetic ingredients, especially when it comes to skincare or cosmetics products. Though, it is important to research and understand the safety of any ingredient, regardless of whether it is natural or synthetic. Godefroy's products are cruelty free, environmentally friendly, and contain 0 harsh chemicals, which significantly lessens the chance of an allergic reaction. Also note that a lot of our products are also made without perfumes or fragrances, which makes them perfect for all skin types. Using plant-based cosmetic ingredients instead of synthetic will be healthier for your skin, your lashes, and for your eyebrows.
In conclusion...
Ultimately, whether a cosmetic product is "better" for you will depend on your personal preferences and values. Some people may prefer natural, plant-based products for ethical or environmental reasons, or if they are simply looking for a safer product to use. All natural, plant-based ingredients are a great choice for makeup and cosmetics products, but it is important to research and understand the safety and efficacy of any ingredient. If Parabens or PPD worries you, always check the label before purchasing any cosmetics product. With haircare, we recommend looking out for alternative preservatives, including sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate, for your safety. Check out our hair dye products which include beard enhancing cream, touch-up dye, and application kits. All of our products are paraben-free, and are created with plant-based ingredients of high quality.
