5 to 6 minute read

Unveiling the Truth: Natural vs. Synthetic in Cosmetics and Soap

In the curious world of cosmetics and soap, terms like "natural" and "synthetic" often pop up, sparking fiery debates and confusion. At Spooks & Spanks, we believe in transparency and education, so let's unravel these terms and see how they impact your skincare choices.

The Allure of "Natural"

When we hear "natural," we might imagine frolicking through enchanted forests or bathing in a waterfall like an ethereal nymph. But in the cosmetic industry, "natural" isn't always as magical as it sounds.

Have you ever tried to clear up your skin by mashing an orange with honey and applying it to your face, only to find your skin feels like it's burning and has turned bright red? I have! This happens because sometimes, natural ingredients in their pure form can be irritating and too intense for your skin. It's a reminder that while natural ingredients can be beneficial, they aren't always gentle or suitable for every skin type. That's why at Spooks & Spanks, we carefully select and balance both natural and synthetic ingredients—often synthesized from natural sources, like that orange—to ensure our products are effective and safe for your skin.

Natural Ingredients

Natural ingredients are derived from plants, minerals, or animal by-products. While they can be wholesome, not all natural ingredients are safe or align with our values, or even create the quality we look for in our formulas. For example, cochineal is a natural dye derived from insects, used to create a red hue in cosmetics such as lipstick, and even in some alcohols to add a colourful appeal. However, at Spooks & Spanks, we avoid using cochineal because our products are vegetarian—and mostly vegan, except for the honey sourced ethically from our sponsored beehive. Science has also evolved quite a bit since the time we discovered we could use bugs to colour clothing and food, allowing us today to use ethical and vegan methods to colour products. We believe in crafting products that are not only safe but also align with our ethical and effectiveness standards. It's also why we choose synthetic mica over natural mica to ensure ethical sourcing, as natural micas are often extracted by children in mines, and to minimize environmental impact.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can offer aromatherapeutic benefits, but they are potent and can also cause skin sensitivities or allergic reactions. These highly concentrated oils can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively affect the respiratory system. Individuals can also have different reactions to essential oils, just like they might to other medicines, products, allergens, or irritant triggers. It's crucial to know your skin and patch test products on a small area of your skin, like a careful alchemist to ensure they suit your needs.

That being said, just because synthetics sometimes offer what natural ingredients can't, doesn't mean we don't use any natural ingredients. There are many organic and pure natural ingredients we love to use that are incredibly beneficial to your skin, such as aloe vera juice, eucalyptus essential oil, bilberry extract, French green clay, honey, lavender extract, real avocado puree, real coconut milk, and real mango. Each of these ingredients brings unique benefits, like soothing, nourishing, and hydrating your skin.

The Misunderstood "Synthetic"

On the flip side, "synthetic" often gets a bad rap, like a poor misunderstood witch in a fairy tale. However, synthetic doesn't automatically mean harmful. In fact, it can be quite the opposite:

• Synthetic Ingredients: These are often chemical compounds extracted from natural ingredients and refined in laboratories to ensure purity and consistency. For example, vanillin, the primary chemical component of vanilla flavor and scent, can be synthesized from lignin, a natural polymer found in wood. This process allows us to enjoy the sweet scent of vanilla without depleting natural resources.
• Safety and Stability: Synthetic ingredients are often more stable and consistent, reducing the risk of contamination and ensuring a longer shelf life. This reliability is key in maintaining the high standards of our products.

Synthetics: From Cosmetics to Medicine

In both the world of cosmetics and the medical field, synthetics play an essential role in enhancing effectiveness and precision. While the term "synthetic" might conjure images of artificiality, it's important to understand that many synthetics are rooted in natural elements, offering improved benefits over their raw counterparts.

• Synthetics in Medicine: Natural remedies, such as herbal teas or ginger, have been traditionally used to soothe coughs and minor ailments. However, lab-made drugs take it a step further. By isolating and synthesizing the active compounds found in nature, scientists can create medications that target illnesses with greater precision and efficacy. For instance, the active ingredient in aspirin, salicylic acid, was originally derived from willow bark but is now synthesized for consistent potency and safety. Fun fact, salicylic acid is also great to help with acne and inflammation!
  
  When people tell you to eat your greens because they are packed with vitamins, believe them. It's true. But if you want an even higher dose of vitamins, you can also chose to take a multivitamin, which synthetized the beneficial chemical compounds in various vegetables and fruits to then pack them into a convenient pill that will help you get all the nutrients you need to live healthy. The same goes when panthenol, also known as vitamin B5, a chemical compound that is derived from pantothenic acid which is found naturally in plant sources, is added to your favorite shampoo bar.
  
  

Understanding "Chemical"

When people hear the word "chemical," it might conjure up images of vats of bubbling toxic green substances. However, the truth is far more nuanced. Everything around us is made of chemicals, from the air we breathe to the water we drink. In fact, you consume chemicals every day, as they are the fundamental building blocks of the universe. For instance, the delightful flavor of a natural strawberry is largely due to chemical compounds called methyl and ethyl butanoate, and methyl and ethyl hexanoate. The compound responsible for the red color of a strawberry is anthocyanin, which also provides antioxidant properties.

At Spooks & Spanks, we understand the importance of using safe and effective ingredients, whether they're naturally derived or lab-processed. Our commitment is to provide you with products that are both safe and trustworthy, blending nature and science for the best results.

The Art of Fragrance Creation

Fragrance is a magical blend of science and art, where natural and synthetic elements come together to create captivating scents. At Spooks & Spanks, we understand the importance of crafting fragrances that are not only enchanting but also safe and ethical.

• Natural vs. Synthetic Fragrances: Derived from essential oils and botanical extracts, natural fragrances capture the essence of nature. However, they can sometimes be inconsistent due to variations in raw materials and may cause sensitivities in some individuals. Synthetic fragrances, created in laboratories, offer consistency and stability. They allow us to replicate the scents, by making the exact chemical compound responsible for scent, of rare or endangered plants without depleting natural resources, ensuring our fragrances are free from allergens commonly found in natural extracts.

At Spooks & Spanks, we blend both natural and safe synthetic elements to craft unique fragrances that align with our ethical standards. By doing so, we ensure that our products are safe, consistent, and environmentally friendly.

Spooks & Spanks: A Balanced Approach

At Spooks & Spanks, it's not black or white—it's a kaleidoscope of possibilities! We blend the best of both worlds:

• Natural Ingredients: We proudly use ingredients like shea butter, carnauba wax, aloe vera juice, eucalyptus essential oil, bilberry extract, French green clay, honey, lavender extract, real avocado puree, real coconut milk, real mango, and argan oil, known for their nourishing properties.
• Lab-Processed Ingredients: We also incorporate ingredients derived from nature that are processed in laboratories to ensure purity, functionality, and effectiveness in our formulas. This approach allows us to enhance the efficacy of our products while maintaining the highest safety standards.
  
  

Trusting Spooks & Spanks

At Spooks & Spanks, we prioritize your safety and peace of mind:

• Ethical Sourcing: Our commitment to ethical practices is unwavering. We use synthetic mica to support sustainable sourcing. Our palm oil comes from an approved supplier who is a member of the RSPO, ensuring responsible sourcing. Additionally, we sponsor a beehive managed by a small business in Quebec, providing us with high-quality honey. 🐝
• Ingredient Transparency: Our products are crafted with a blend of natural and synthetic ingredients, carefully selected to balance safety and effectiveness.
• Eco-Friendly Practices: From biodegradable and recyclable packaging to reducing waste in the making of our products, we're committed to reducing our environmental footprint. We believe in leaving a positive impact on the planet while delivering exceptional products—something Alicia learned in her many scouting years: leave the planet better than you found it.
• Community Support: We give back to the community by donating soap ends and bits that aren't big enough to sell, or those that don't pass aesthetic quality control, as well as collected grams and milliliters of extra product, to people in need of hygiene products. These donations go to homes for unhoused women and children, ensuring they have access to essential hygiene products and eliminating waste of perfectly suitable product.
  
  

In Conclusion

Don't let marketing get you! Natural isn't always healthy, and synthetics aren't always toxic. And chemicals are everywhere around you, and we can even go as far as they ARE you, and that doesn't mean they are going to kill you. Another important point is that the term 'natural' doesn't have a regulated definition, so companies can put it on whatever they want!

Explore Our Ingredients

Curious about what goes into our handmade creations? Visit our Ingredients Page to explore the components that make up our products. This page is part of our effort to educate and maintain transparency with our valued customers.

Whether natural or synthetic, the key is understanding the ingredients and their impact. At Spooks & Spanks, we are dedicated to providing products that are both safe and effective, ensuring you can trust what's in your bath and beauty routine. So go ahead, indulge in a little spooky self-care magic!

Here's a great and funny YouTube video by a PhD chemist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCO0k-COsZY


Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35336671/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10627153/#:~:text=Fruit%20color%20is%20a%20major,1).
https://www.britannica.com/technology/cochineal