As you train to become an esthetician and learn more and more about skincare, you're likely going to get a lot of questions from friends, family, and clients about the ingredients found in skincare products.
As people become more and more conscious about the environment and more concerned about what they put on and in their bodies, interest in natural and organic skincare products is increasing. There's an assumption among many that "natural" or "organic" always mean that a product is healthier or somehow better for a person's skin than a product that contains synthetic ingredients.
Part of being a skincare professional involves knowing what products and ingredients to recommend to your clients to best help them meet their skincare goals. Here's the full scoop on natural products.
What Are Natural Skincare Products?
"Natural" can be mean different things depending on who you ask or who's making a particular skincare product. For some people, natural means a product is fully plant-based or is something they could whip up in their kitchen, such as a face mask made from avocado. For others, a natural product might contain active ingredients that are primarily found in nature, rather than an active ingredient that is produced in a lab.
Natural skincare products can also be those that are more environmentally friendly. They might be sold in packaging that's easily compostable or recyclable or not come in packaging at all.
Not All Natural Products Are Created Equally
One thing that will be important to stress to your clients and anyone else who asks you about natural products is that they aren't all created equally. And, natural doesn't necessarily mean safe or healthy.
There are numerous natural ingredients that can cause allergic reactions when applied to the skin or that can make the skin more sensitive to the effects of the sun. Citrus ingredients, for example, can increase the skin's sun sensitivity.
Essential oils are other examples of natural ingredients that can cause irritation or allergic reactions when applied to the skin. Some people don't notice a problem when they first start using an essential oil, but after repeated exposure to it, can develop an allergy that causes rashes or other visible skin irritation.
Some natural ingredients that are known to be irritating or to have a negative effect on the skin include alcohol, witch hazel, citrus oils, and clove oil.
Some natural ingredients are usually always beneficial for the skin, though, such as oatmeal, clays, and shea butter.
Packaging Matters When Choosing Natural Skincare
Packaging matters for all skincare products, including those that are labeled as natural or organic. While a client who's interested in natural products might be most interested in the eco-qualities of the packaging, there's more to consider beyond whether or not the bottle or box can be recycled.
For example, skincare products should be stored in airtight, opaque containers, as oxygen and light can cause them to break down more quickly. Ideally, the product will dispense from the container from a pump, rather than requiring a person to dip into it with a swab or their fingers.
Talking to Your Clients About Natural Skincare Products
It might be the case that a natural or organic product is going to be the best option for your client. Or it might be that another product would help solve their concern or improve the health of their skin better. Part of training to be an esthetician involves learning how to diagnose people's skin concerns and how to recommend the best products to them, whether those products are natural or not.
Interested in learning more about the career of an esthetician or about skincare? Request more information today about the esthetician training program at Cortiva Institute Massage Therapy and Skin Care Schools.