Organic skincare has been around thousands of years ago though people weren’t discussing it as much as it was raved about in the 20th century. For instance, Ancient Indians have the concept of applying products on the skin only if they would eat it, while Ancient Egyptians used olive oils to make their skin youthful and moisturized. During the 1800s, people began experimenting and used zinc oxide and other chemicals to lighten the skin.
As the standard of beauty evolved over the years, the preference for skincare also changed. People became fed up with the harmful effects of harsh chemicals and are now compelled to going back to the natural way. The proof is the plethora of skincare products made from organically grown plants without a hint of alcohol, sulfates, and similar chemicals.
If you plan to put your chemical-based skincare in the backseat and switch to a harsh-free approach to caring for your skin, it is essential to know that organic skincare also has its risks, particularly if you have sensitive skin.
Side Effects of Organic Skincare
Acquiring allergy when an organic product is used for a long time.
Dermatologists’ studies show that you can acquire allergies when using a specific skincare product for a long time. The immune system changes as you repetitively expose yourself to the product. An allergy to organic products may also arise during adulthood. It is essential to remember that organic does not necessarily mean 100% safe.
You should switch products when starting to notice allergic reactions. Organic skincare’s shelf life can be shorter than chemical-based products due to the lack of preservatives, so it gives you a chance to finish it and quickly jump into a new organic skincare product.
Essential and citrus oils may cause itching and trigger skin allergies.
As much as you love the calming scent of mint, cinnamon, lemon, or tea tree oil, these organic ingredients are often linked to irritate the skin when applied excessively. Knowing your triggers can be very tricky, mainly if it is your first time trying organic products, so you should do a patch test when trying out any skincare.
Among the safest essential oils to apply on the skin are frankincense and sandalwood. The European Union warns about the effects of chamomile and lavender as skincare components.
Organic creams may cause infection.
Dermatologists remind consumers to be careful of using organic creams as they may have natural bleaching ingredients that can inflame the skin when exposed to direct sunlight. The inflamed skin can be painful, and the worst scenario is infections on the body’s thinnest skin – under the breast, armpit, and groin area.
The term organic is abused because of the lack of regulations to classify the products. Skincare companies advertise the magic word to get the consumers’ attention even if the products, though made of plant-based content, still contain steroids and mercury.
It is advisable to purchase only from reputed organic skincare companies to avoid being scammed with this marketing strategy.
