Have you ever felt like your skincare routine just seems to make your skin worse? Does your moisturizer seem too oily and your serums too drying? Does that acne cream just aggravate breakouts? We’re here to let you know that you’re not alone, and that there are skin care options that may be able to help. Natural skincare products use the purest botanical and earthly ingredients with minimal processing, which could be your answer to clearer, softer skin.
Finding Natural Skincare in Pittsburgh
Dr. Marc Liang, a Pittsburgh board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic surgery, points out that the way that natural skincare is derived can be a plus for some people over others. If you’re trying to figure out whether natural skincare is right for you, there are a few things to consider.
“Natural skincare can be a great option for those looking for gentle, eco-friendly, and chemical-free products,” says Dr. Liang. “These ingredients often go through minimal processing to retain their natural properties, making them gentler and potentially less irritating for the skin. However, whether it is ‘better’ than other options depends on your specific skin concerns, preferences, and tolerances. It’s important to assess your individual needs and choose products that align with your skincare goals.”
Local Natural Skincare
While natural skincare is not strictly regulated, there are brands within Pittsburgh that are working to bring products straight from the earth to your counter. Lovett Sundries is one of the businesses that take natural skincare ingredients very seriously. They are even Leaping Bunny Certified, meaning that their company uses animal cruelty-free production methods and supply chains. Co-owner Jeff Lovett explains that it was after an experience close to home that Lovett Sundies made their own firm standards for their products.
“After a big health scare for our founder and co-owner Marit, we started looking very closely at the ingredients in the products we use in our home and on our bodies,” says Lovett. “We think it’s incredibly important to use ingredients with minimal processing, and we never use parabens, sulfates, phthalates, PFAS’s, formaldehydes, or artificial fragrances. When we say all-natural we mean you can trace the ingredient directly back to the plant or mineral it came from. For instance, all of our fragrances are pure essential oils or floral waters, and simple plant oils.”
How to Shop for Natural Skincare
Now that you’re more familiar with what natural skincare is, it’s important to understand how to shop for it. It’s so much more than just grabbing whatever is the cheapest, has the prettiest packaging, is the first thing you see, or whatever has the longest ingredient list. In fact, oftentimes, something that you don’t understand is actually going to be worse for you.
“More complicated is not always better, and innovation is not always a step forward,” says Lovett. “All-natural formulations are generally simple, clean, and efficient. You’ll find that a little goes a long way when the ingredients are all natural. While it’s also easy to only think of how the products you use on your body affect you, their effect on the world is just as important. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable so when it’s empty, you know that it is actually a zero-waste solution. The ingredients and containers we use in life are borrowed from nature. That’s where they came from and where they’re headed back to when we’re done”
Let Lovett Sundries Help
Even if you’re still feeling a bit confused, all you have to do is step into one of the natural skincare shops like Lovett Sundries and ask any questions you have. Just like this local brand, any other small business will be happy to help and often use the most natural ingredients.
“We are also a woman owned and family run company,” says Lovett. “There are just three of us here, so our customers can feel connected to the people who made their favorite things. Small batch manufacturing means we are up close and personally engaged with every step of the process. If you’re ever curious about one of our ingredients or manufacturing methods, just ask and we’ll tell you everything we know. Better yet, come by the shop and see where it’s all made.”
The Cautions of Natural Skincare
Now, you should note that just like anything else, natural skincare is not a one-size-fits-all. You need to look into the ingredients in the products you’re purchasing and be knowledgeable about them. To start learning more about how natural skincare can help you, Lovett Sundries has a few tips.
“It’s important to keep in mind that ‘natural’ doesn’t always mean safe and ‘synthetic’ is not inherently harmful,” explains Lovett. “This is why it’s important to look into ingredients that are unfamiliar. If you ever want to know more about an ingredient in your personal care routine, we have a glossary of many of the ingredients on our website. For a broader look at ingredients, check out the Environmental Working Group website. They have the best database of ingredients and give each component a hazard score.”
Story by Kylie Thomas
Photo Courtesy of Lovett Sundries
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