Are Natural Products Better For Sensitive Skin?

Updated 9/14/17. A question I often get is, “My skin is red and irritated from some new products that I’m using. It says they are all natural. Aren’t natural products supposed to be gentler?”

When choosing skin care products, is “natural” really better? Will natural products be gentler and less harsh? My answer is no, not necessarily. In some cases, they can actually be more irritating.

For starters, there is no legal definition of the word “natural.” Different companies have different definitions of what this word means for their products (as I have with my own skincare line that you can read here). These philosophies can vary greatly from company to company. Therefore, the word “natural” is too vague of a description for any line of products.

The better choice when choosing products for sensitive skin is to look for the following words:

• Gentle: This won’t necessarily guarantee you won’t have a negative reaction, but it does imply that the product may not contain common sensitizers.
• Safe for sensitive skin: This also won’t necessarily guarantee you won’t have a negative reaction, but again, it does imply that the product may not contain common sensitizers.
• Hypoallergenic: While this terminology isn’t used as much these days, it does imply that common sensitizers are avoided.
• Fragrance-free: Synthetic perfumes are the #1 cause of allergic skin reactions. This verbiage generally indicates that artificial fragrances are not used in the formula. All of the Renée Rouleau products do not use artificial perfumes.
• Dye-free: Synthetic dyes are not used because they may be irritating for sensitive skin. All the Renée Rouleau products do not use dyes and synthetic colorants.
• Sulfate-free:  Harsh and irritating detergents like Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate are not used in the formula. All the Renée Rouleau cleansers are sulfate-free.

NOTE: Using products with the above verbiage will not guarantee you won’t have a negative reaction; every person’s skin responds to products differently based on their body’s chemistry. However, looking for those keywords is a good practice when considering new skin care products.

As for organic product lines, they often use high amounts of essential oils. These can be incredibly irritating. A general rule of thumb is to smell a product. The stronger the scent, the more irritating it might potentially be. Easily irritated skin types should avoid using essential oils like menthol, spearmint, and peppermint. Overall, I believe that everyone should treat their skin as sensitive and always avoid using products that contain harsh and harmful ingredients. And most importantly, use products exclusively for your skin type. Check out skin types #4, #5 and #9 as these cater to red, easily-irritated and sensitive complexions. Take my Skin Type Quiz to find yours.

As for DIY home skin care recipes. I definitely have a strong opinion about doing those and you can read all about it here.

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Renée Rouleau

Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”