Natural skin care: What to know before you start

If you’re looking to clean up your skin care act, you’re not alone. In fact, the global market for natural and organic cosmetics was estimated to be a $24.2 billion industry in 2022, projected to double by 2030.¹

Where things get tricky, though, is understanding the terms that get used on your favorite beauty bottle. “Natural,” “clean” and “organic” all have different definitions, despite often being used interchangeably. And different brands can use these words in different ways. That can make it difficult to determine what to look for as you revamp your skin care routine.

So here’s a quick look at what these terms mean, how some brands interpret them, and how to make these products part of your day-to-day.

In this article:

• What do “natural”, “clean” and “organic” mean in skin care?
• Tips for building a clean beauty routine
• Essential natural skin care products
• Do-it-yourself (DIY) natural skin care remedies

What do “natural,” “clean” and “organic” mean in skin care?

You probably have a feel for what these words mean in everyday life. For skin care brands, it works a little differently.

Some terms, like “organic,” do have specific meanings and are regulated (explained in the next section). Others are used in a more general way and may change from brand to brand. The term “natural,” for instance, isn’t an official, regulated label,² but it’s often used to denote that some of the ingredients are sourced from nature or are free from synthetic materials. Keep in mind, however, that “natural” ingredients aren’t necessarily friendly to your skin and some can cause harm.³

The term “clean” also isn’t regulated,⁴ but brands mostly use it to describe products that avoid ingredients that might cause harm to your skin. Broadly speaking, clean skin care products are free from ingredients like bisphenol A (BPA), formaldehyde, parabens and phthalates, explains Jenny Perillo-Duranski,5 a clean beauty expert in Chicago and founder of Lena Rose Beauty. While the specifics can vary, the overarching benefit of clean skin care is that it can help reduce your exposure to toxins and common allergens (like latex, certain fragrances and some preservatives).^6,7

Tips for building a cleaner, more natural beauty routine

One way to get a better handle on products is to look for seals and certifications from external third parties. “Organic,” a more regulated term, is one way to do that. “The USDA Organic seal and Ecocert⁸ are currently the strongest labels for personal care products,” says Perillo-Duranski. “To receive USDA certification, products must include more than 70 percent organic ingredients. Manufacturing facilities can also apply to be eco-certified, which is a strong indicator of their commitment to both natural and organic production.”

The organic label comes from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which only looks at the agricultural ingredients within a product. If it contains at least 95 percent organic ingredients, the product can display the USDA organic seal. If it has at least 70 percent organic ingredients, a product can be certified as “made with organic ingredients.”⁹

Aside from looking for these stamps of approval, many products will clearly state if they’re free from certain ingredients on their packaging.

And remember, you don’t need to completely overhaul your entire routine in one fell swoop. Perillo-Duranski advises first swapping out the products you use the most (for example, your deodorant, face wash, body wash, moisturizer and so on). Starting small is still starting.

Essential skin care products

So you want to aim for “natural,” “clean” or “organic” skin care goals. When looking for products that fit the bill, you can look for the following labels on the packaging.

• Organic: "Organic," "USDA Organic" and "Made with organic ingredients"

• Natural: "Natural," "All natural," etc.

• Clean: "Formaldehyde free," "Fragrance free," “Paraben free," "Phthalate free," "Sulfate free," "Silicone free" and so on.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) natural skin care remedies

Making your own skin care products is another great way to help ensure that you’re using totally clean and natural ingredients. Perillo-Duranski suggests these two easy recipes:

Hydrating face mask

Mash half a ripe banana and add two tablespoons of full-fat Greek yogurt. “The probiotics in the yogurt can help gently exfoliate dry skin, revealing a brighter complexion,” says Perillo-Duranski. “And the banana is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help calm inflammation and redness while also moisturizing the skin.” Leave it on for a few minutes to let it work its magic.

Exfoliating body scrub

This scrub will help buff off dead skin cells to leave your body feeling soft and smooth. You’ll also use leftover coffee grounds from your morning coffee, minimizing waste.

Combine half a cup of used coffee grounds with half a cup of organic cane sugar or brown sugar. If you want, add 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oil for a natural fragrance. Rub a spoonful of this mixture in circular motions all over your body in the shower before rinsing.

Bonus: The caffeine in the coffee can help energize and tighten your skin, Perillo-Duranski notes.