Navigating the World of Natural Beauty, how do you know if natural skincare is what you want and need?
I am not a makeup person; I never have been, and at the ripe old age of 56, it's clear that I never will be. I learnt this quite early in my teens. There was the usual, ubiquitous breed of teen girls who took much pleasure in ridiculing me whenever I ventured into the world of makeup. I wonder today, watching my daughter navigate the teen girl scene, if this is a right of passage. It's just a fact that young teen girls can be another breed of tricky. My grandmother, a paragon of rules and regulations, said no woman is pretty enough to go without make-up; I couldn’t disagree with her more if I tried.
Besides the nasty forays into teen girl dynamics, I know I will never be comfortable learning how to apply makeup for two reasons. One, I was never able to figure out where to start when putting on makeup, and no matter how hard I tried to learn, I always looked a little off, like I needed to fix something, and I didnt ever have a clue what that was! Two, and this is more long-winded. My mother was a working mom, and holidays were challenging for her, so we went to modelling school. In hindsight, that was such an unbelievable reach that there are no words. Once again, the inability to learn how to put on make-up was very apparent, but more than that, my skin had an adverse reaction to the products. I came out with the quintessential skin irritation, vivid enough to make any teen hide in their room for a lifetime.
Coupled with this, I developed teenage acne, the misguided and messy foray into the world of makeup; trying to cover up my challenged skin only exasperated my troubled and unhappy skin's state of being. My mother and grandmother dragged me between skin specialists and beauty therapists, but none of this worked or helped. It only left me feeling continuously uncomfortable in my skin. Natural skincare and natural beauty products were not on our horizon and were very far removed from our reality; there needed to be room to begin exploring the benefits of natural skincare, and there needed to be room for this.
My grandmother, a paragon of rules and regulations, said no woman is pretty enough to go without make-up; today, I couldn’t disagree with her more if I tried. In my later years, I now believe that while makeup is a possibility and wonderful thing for many people, it all starts with being comfortable in your skin. With makeup, your skin is the palette; like any palette, it works best when in its best condition. As the founder of a natural skincare range, I believe the obvious and best choice is to choose natural skin care products to keep your skin in a calm and loving space that can support and nourish you. And embrace your natural beauty as your starting point.
But what is Natural beauty?
Before I even start on this rabbit hole, the most important fact is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, beginning with each individual owning, accepting, and embracing their unique internal and external beauty. To state the undeniable fact we all struggle with, beauty, whether natural or not, should not be defined or dictated by mass media to anyone on this beautiful planet.
In simple terms, Natural beauty is a term used to describe a person's appearance without artificial enhancements or makeup, just as they stand in their most natural skin. While there are cultural and societal standards for beauty, natural beauty generally celebrates individuals' inherent beauty without relying heavily on cosmetics, plastic surgery, or other artificial means.
A more holistic interpretation is that natural beauty is more than just physical appearance; it's a harmonious blend of inner and outer qualities. It's a concept that transcends superficial standards and celebrates each individual's unique and authentic aspects. A holistic definition encompasses the essence of natural beauty, which is inner beauty that radiates from within, and physical beauty, which is about embracing each individual's unique features. Ultimately, natural beauty is about being true to oneself, embracing individuality, and celebrating one’s uniqueness. The main drive in our culture today towards natural beauty is a combination of factors, including urbanisation, environmental awareness, health benefits, social media influence, and changing values as people continue to seek connection, meaning, and well-being.
How do natural beauty and natural skincare work together?
At AYA Natural Skin, natural beauty and natural skincare are inextricably intertwined. While natural beauty emphasises a holistic approach to well-being, focusing on inner health, physical vitality, and a connection to nature, natural skincare supports these principles by using ingredients derived from the natural world that are nature's skin nourishers, creating radiant skin naturally.
Both natural beauty and natural skincare prioritise a holistic approach to beauty, considering the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Natural skincare is an internal and external journey. Natural skincare products are formulated with ingredients derived from plants, minerals, and natural sources to embrace natural beauty enhancers and revitalising natural ingredients, allowing the skin's natural balance to be the focus.
Understanding natural skincare for you:
The challenge with the natural skincare industry and the excess of natural skincare products in the market today is finding your way through the plethora of information, terms, and accreditations and correlating it all with your values and skin needs. I wrote a blog about this: “Natural skincare - what does natural mean?” to try and break down and gain a clearer view of the natural skincare industry's choice of words and terminology. Ultimately, I created the definitions for AYA Natural Skin to serve and explain our values and beliefs. A term I didnt define and have started exploring recently, simply because I love it, is shadow essence, a beautiful and thought-provoking way to describe a plant's deeper layers, often intangible qualities. It invites us to explore the plant beyond its physical appearance and to appreciate the subtle nuances that make it unique and the ultimate selection of an ingredient in a natural skincare product.
But I digress; choosing natural skin care and skin care products starts with knowing your skin and what it needs, matching your selection, tuning into your values and beliefs, and matching this with aligned skin care products. For me, many ingredients are considered natural and are, I am sure, excellent, and while they may meet certain aspects of my skin needs, they don't align with my values and beliefs and so lose instant appeal for me. A natural skin care product is not immersed in a philosophy of holistic skincare, and mindful skincare practice won’t meet the values and beliefs I believe are conducive to my skin’s well-being and won't create radiant skin naturally for me.
The best approach I take to my skincare product choices is always to read the ingredient list on any natural skin care product. If I don't recognise a term, I will research it to find out its source, origin, and the process by which it was derived or created. The reality is that skincare labels can be misleading. While I am sure many brands strive to provide accurate and transparent information, there are instances where labels may be deceptive or exaggerated. You see this mainly using vague or general terms that can be difficult to interpret and understand or exaggerated claims about the benefits of their products, suggesting that they can solve all skin problems or deliver miraculous results. Specific labels may not disclose all ingredients, considering it propriety knowledge. While there is value in this, it's also a slippery slope for hidden ingredients that I would be uncomfortable with.
Another area that I find tricky is misleading packaging, where a product's packaging may suggest specific properties or benefits that are not actually present in the formula. My absolute pet peeve is when some labels display certifications or logos that are misleading or do not have significant meaning. I become distinctly uncomfortable when a natural skincare product's ingredient list is not clearly and concisely shown on the product and its website.
To be comfortable and confident with your natural skincare choices and to avoid being misled by skincare labels, carefully examine the ingredient list of natural skincare products to understand the product's composition. Always ensure you recognise, understand and know the ingredient, its origin, and its process. Most importantly, research the brand's reputation and understand its ethos, values, and belief system. I always choose to be cautious with products that make exaggerated claims, having been in this industry too long and knowing that these claims are simply impossible for a brand firmly entrenched in choosing natural ingredients that embrace natural beauty enhancers and revitalising natural ingredients. It makes sense to opt for products with clear and concise labelling and avoid those with vague or misleading statements. Reading reviews from other consumers is always valuable, but trust your values and beliefs to steer you to the natural skincare products that resonate with you.
Navigating the world of natural beauty can be a transformative journey of self-discovery and empowerment. As I've shared my experiences and insights, it's clear that natural beauty is more than just physical appearance; it's a holistic approach to well-being that encompasses inner qualities, connection to nature, and self-acceptance. True beauty comes from within. It's about feeling good in your skin, radiating positivity, and connecting with your inner self. By nurturing your natural beauty, you're not just enhancing your appearance; you're also cultivating a sense of well-being and empowerment. So, take a moment to appreciate your unique beauty and embrace the natural skincare journey. Discover what works best for you, experiment with different products, and, most importantly, enjoy the process of self-care and self-discovery.