Myth: No-chemical skincare is better

Fact: Everything is chemical, even air and water. There is no none chemical skincare.

Well, first things first, there is no such thing as no-chemical skincare. The water we drink and the air that we breathe- all chemicals. Then how did the term “chemical-free” and “no-chemical” come about? Well let’s jump into this myth to find out the essential truths!

“No-chemical” terminology

Why did “no-chemical” even start as a skincare trend? Well, it came from the idea of avoiding possibly harsh chemicals that could potentially disrupt skin barriers or create sensitivity. This means ingredients like: SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), fragrance, parabens and more. They get a bad reputation in the skincare industry and the reason why some brands try to take the easy way out with a “chemical-free” or “no-chemical” label to ease the fear from consumers.

“No-chemical” doesn’t mean it’s safer or better

All of your skincare products, despite their ‘natural’ ingredients, are made up of chemicals! So, to put it frankly, “chemical-free” skincare does not exits.

What we can take away from the “chemical-free” label brands use, is that their product utilizes more plant extracts in the formula. Does this mean the product is safer and better? Well, truth is even a single plant extract contains numerous substances, including those that benefit the skin like antioxidants or those that are more volatile and create irritation. To put it plainly, just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s “safer” or “better” for your skin!

Key takeaways

Main thing to take away from this article, chemical-free skincare doesn’t exist. We shouldn’t rely on labels, chemical-free or not, to determine if a skincare product is safe or suitable for our skin. Whether the ingredients are synthetic or natural doesn’t matter, only avoid the ingredients that cause irritation or allergy!

Get Personal on Picky

We get that people are Picky about their skincare, and so we made our app ready for customization! Check out the attributes each product has to find the one best suited for your skin and concerns. Filter products that are “paraben-free,” “eczema safe,” “oil-free,” and so much more on the Picky app! Want more skincare myths debunked? Check out our other Myth vs Fact articles here! Follow us on instagram for more fun skincare science content.