The low-down on synthetics

I am sure you have all heard the industry goss about synthetic ingredients in skincare products; you will find it everywhere these days.  I constantly read about it in magazines, on forums and even come across it in product advertising.

Is there really such thing as a cosmetic that is 'all' natural?  Some synthetic ingredients are actually amazing and beneficial for your skin, and despite of the objections of cosmetics companies claiming the opposite, every cosmetic product in the world, believe it or not, contains its share of synthetic ingredients.

Having derived from many origins synthetic ingredients all begin as natural because everything originally comes from our environment; nothing can just be magically created.  Petrolatum and mineral oil are in fact by-products of the gasoline industry, yet how is that considered unnatural?  Gasoline, deriving from crude oil, is distinctly natural as it comes from organic material, such as fossils, that have been buried in the earth for millions of years.  Petrolatum and mineral oil are especially reputable skincare ingredients that have gained recognition for having excellent moisturising properties, while at the same time being completely harmless.  Even the claim that these ingredients contribute to blocked pores, and are bad for your skin is furthermore one claim that has never been proven.

A good point to always remember is just because an ingredient grows out of the ground or is found in nature doesn't mean it necessarily good for your skin, and just because it is synthetic doesn’t mean it is bad.