By Sophie Bishop (Guest post)

Have you ever been browsing items in a shop, scanning the label of your skincare or wellness products, and not knowing what 90% of those ingredients are? Never mind being able to pronounce them.

Well, don’t worry; you’re not alone.

As women, we are becoming increasingly aware of what goes into our products, as those same ingredients end up on our faces. 

For the sake of hormone health, skin sensitivity and everything in between, what we put on our faces matters more than ever. There’s a demand for transparency, efficacy and natural alternatives within the wellness and skin care industries as a whole.

Here we will be exploring 8 science-backed reasons why choosing natural products is not just a trend, it’s a decision that can affect everything from our health to our impact on this planet. 

Let’s learn how to make smart, empowered decisions without sacrificing the importance of our skincare routines. 

1. Your Skin Absorbs More Than You Think

There’s much debate about what our skin can actually absorb, and many over exaggerations or distortions out there. But what we do know is; things like hormones, unnatural ingredients and harmful chemicals¹ can be absorbed into the body. 

We need to be mindful about the products we use, and this is why natural skincare products free from parabens, phthalates and sulphates are more than a luxury, they’re a health safeguard. 

Plant-based products focus on including ingredients that offer bioavailability, which basically means the body needs it and will therefore use it more effectively in the way it’s intended. 

By purchasing products that are organic, natural and free of nasty additives, we’re allowing our body to work with maximum efficiency.  

2. Menopause Demands Better: Naturally

For women all over the world, menopause marks the start of lots of changes.

Menopause comes with a shockingly wide variety of symptoms that affect people in different ways. From hot flushes and sore feet, to aching joints and dry skin. 

Whilst there are some effective treatments to ease going through menopause², it’s never going to be easy, but don’t despair. There are things that you can do to help your body along the way. 

This is where natural products for menopausal women start to shine. Unlike synthetic hormone treatments, natural alternatives will allow your body to attempt to restore some kind of equilibrium in a gentle way, without harsh side effects. 

Botanicals can help to ease discomfort and holistically nourish the body, without unsettling anything that will likely already be out of balance. These include:

• Phytoestrogens

• Magnesium

• Essential oils (found in Zea’s menopause support range)

Giving your body the natural ingredients it needs can make enduring menopause more manageable.

3. Your Routine Deserves Better

Many conventional or ‘mass market’ products are built around preservatives and lab-made compounds that aren’t natural and have no place in our bodies. 

Switching to a natural skincare routine based around botanicals and antioxidants can reduce irritation and dryness that’s caused by a buildup of ‘stuff’ your body simply does not need, left over from the products you applied. And yes, even if you washed them off, they'll still be there.

Natural ingredients, on the other hand, will be absorbed, used by the body, reduce irritation, dryness and reduce long term damage without leaving any residual ‘stuff’ behind.

Look for natural ingredients like: 

• Aloe vera

• Jojoba

• Kakadu plum

• Calendula

Especially in cleansers, toners and daily SPF moisturisers, as they do more than simply cleanse; they nourish, repair and protect.  

4. Your Hormones Respond to What You Use

Some ingredients in beauty and personal care products can disrupt the hormone balance in our bodies, something which is precariously balanced without any outside interference as it is.  

Our hormones, or endocrine system, can be heavily impacted by the introduction of outside chemicals³, which is why many are turning to products specific to women's hormonal health. Natural support from natural products is crucial, especially when those products are mimicking things like oestrogen.  

So, start paying attention to products that include things like synthetic fragrances; we don’t want them. 

Instead, it’s time to start opting for hormone-friendly formulations that benefit long term health and help you to keep your chemical makeup in balance. 

5. Nature Has Your PMS Support Covered

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is so much more than mood swings; it can include pain, fatigue, anxiety and poor sleep, which rather unhelpfully makes all the other previously mentioned things worse! 

For many women, plant-based support can act as a gentle and effective way to manage symptoms. Something that’s much more important than merely covering them up with painkillers and sleeping pills (all of which do exactly the opposite of what we’ve been talking about).

Magnesium, ginger and essential oils like clary sage are all commonly used in natural remedies for PMS and can help to relieve cramps whilst reducing stress levels, so make sure you choose a product that can help you to control your PMS symptoms in a natural way.

6. Sustainability Matters

Sustainability is a huge buzzword at the moment, and rightly so. 

We are in a battle to save our planet and choosing to shop sustainably is a great way to make a big difference.

We can choose to shop with companies that pack their products sustainably, avoid using things like palm oil and source their ingredients and goods from ethical, sustainable locations. 

Did you know, for example, that microplastics are actually an intentionally added ingredient to plenty of women’s products out there? 

Luckily, there are brands, like Beat the Bead⁴, that can help you spot the nasties in almost any product. 

Choosing to shop with organic skincare for women in mind is a great place to start, but there is a lot more to it. 

Support brands that make use of cruelty-free testing, biodegradable formulas and recyclable packaging.

It’s a win for your health and the Earth.

7. Face Cream Shouldn’t Be a Chemistry Experiment

The skin on a woman’s face is particularly sensitive, especially around the eyes. 

Choosing an all-natural face cream can suddenly clear up irritations, flaky skin, blotchy patches and even rough textures, all because we are avoiding irritants like parabens and artificial colourants. 

By opting for blends that combine anti-inflammatories and antioxidants produced by natural sources, like the Original Kunzea Cream, we eliminate not only the need for cheap, horrible products but also the problems they cause. 

8. Your Health Is Worth the Effort

With wellness and good health becoming a bigger part of our society’s mantra, it’s time to make sure it’s a real priority for you. 

These days, we tend to pay lots of attention to what goes into our food, but we’re so inexperienced when it comes to ensuring the products we use on our bodies are ‘safe’ that we can easily undo all the good work that eating healthily has done.  

So, next time you’re replenishing your supplies, try to turn your eagle eye to the ingredients of your products and pay attention to the fact that your body is only as good as what you give it. 

Whether you’re switching out your whole shelf or picking out a natural face moisturiser, choosing with your health in mind means choosing to care.

Final Thoughts

Natural products are not about being trendy; it’s not a fad that will pass with time. 

They’re about listening to our bodies, and indeed the earth beneath our feet, prioritising long-term health and supporting ethical, sustainable businesses.

We’re entering an era of caring for our bodies and the earth in equal measure, and with natural products by your side, you’ll be experiencing wellness like never before. 

From skincare to PMS relief, going natural is a powerful way to take control of your wellbeing, and feel the difference through every part of your body. 

If you want to learn more about ingredients, product guides, and new wellness research, then subscribe to the Zea blog for weekly expert-backed updates.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sophie Bishop is a medical, well-being and lifestyle writer. Passionate about raising awareness, she covers key healthcare and wellness issues to inform, provide actionable advice and engage readers. Contact Sophie via her website: https://sophiebishop.uk/.

REFERENCES: 

¹ “How Microplastics Can Disrupt Hormones and Fertility,” Science Daily, April 19, 2024, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240419131901.htm.

² “Menopause Treatments,” Gynae Doctors, https://gynaedoctors.com/services/menopause-treatments/.

³ “Endocrine Disruptors,” National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine.

⁴ “Guide to Microplastics,” Beat the Microbead, https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/guide-to-microplastics/.