Why I choose Natural when it Comes to Skincare

I use only natural skincare.  Okay that’s the goal.  Sometimes I compromise, but every time I apply some commercially produced, chemical-laced product I feel like I am doing myself an injustice.  And I only do this when I was rushed and lazy and didn’t seek out an alternative, or if I really can’t find an alternative that works for me (shampoo – tell me please if you have any advice, I’ve been on a long journey with this one and that’s a topic for another blog post).

What I always do when I use a commercial product, is turn it around and read the ingredients.  I don’t know what most of the items listed actually are, but they sound unnecessary at least and dangerous at most.  I do this to remind myself why not to use these products.

For me, it’s a personal conviction, I didn’t read anything or watch anything that changed my mind, It just began to not feel right to trust big commercial beauty brands and their claims about what my skin needs when I know that many incredibly nourishing and healing ingredients exist in nature and are best applied in their purest form.  That makes sense to me.  I wondered about the ethics behind the beauty industry and whether they really have my best interests at heart.  When you are selling things like beauty and youth, it’s too easy to take a ride down a slippery slope of compromise and manipulation because at the end of the ride there’s a lot to be gained.

I’m a bit skeptical like that.  I don’t trust everything I read and see and none of us should.  It’s the scourge of our age, too much information and not enough questioning.  Also a topic for another blog.

The thing I am really trying to say here is, don’t we just want to go back to basics with our skincare?  Why all the chemicals that have really just been added to make the products commercially viable?

So for example, here is an incredible range of locally produced all natural skincare products for pregnant moms:  www.natralogic.co.za.  I used their products during my pregnancy.  To discover a brand that not only aligns with my values and has put in all the effort to bring their products to market by following necessary certification and safety procedures is a real win for me.  Natralogic is South Africa’s first all-natural and safety approved range of skincare products for use in pregnancy.  Now you know.  Knowledge is power, and I just gave you the truth that an alternative exists to all of the other pregnancy skincare products that are going to be competing for your attention.

If you are swayed in any way or to any degree to consider journeying towards less chemicals in your skincare and beauty regime, pregnancy is definitely a good time to do it.  Consider this, your skin is your body’s largest organ!  That means whatever you are rubbing all over it is being absorbed into your body and placing an unnecessary burden on your skin, your detoxification processes and your entire immune system.  And I know you pregnant moms not eating the cheese and the sushi –  think about what you are using on your skin too.  There’s actually some really great research-based information with a lot more detail regarding the effects of chemicals on the pregnant woman and developing foetus here on the Natralogic website.  This also includes a link to a useful list of common chemicals to avoid in skincare products while pregnant.

If you are are already on this journey but didn’t know that this brand exists, then I hope I have passed on some useful info to you.  I found Natralogic on social media and that’s definitely one of the redeeming features of social media, it does in fact have the ability to connect us with people and brands that ‘match’ us, for lack of a better word.  This is a brand I was happy to find and a brand that I am happy to share with others.

And one last thing that I want to say is, if price is a factor for you (like it is for me), consider the fact that you are paying for a product that is going to work.  Someone has put extra effort into sourcing ingredients and performing research that is going to benefit the end user.  It’s not just about AVOIDING bad ingredients but also about paying for quality ingredients that ensure the products will fulfill their claims.  So yes, you are always going to find cheaper commercial products (and some with fancy ad campaigns and packaging that are more expensive), but seek truth.  With what you are able to spend, buy the best you can and look after yourself.

I enjoyed looking after myself during my third pregnancy using Natralogic Tummy Creme and Exfoliating Creme (which go together to use daily in the prevention of stretch marks).  Their cooling leg gel was a real treat for my tired and sore legs, I just wish hubby was more into giving foot massages.  And… I their nipple cream kept my nipples nourished during these early weeks of breastfeeding, it’s made with ultrapure medical grade lanolin.  My first baby wreaked havoc on my nipples and so when it comes to nipple care I believe in the best!