The world of skincare is vast! There are different types of products for specific skin concerns and a variety of skincare ingredients available. Of the various classifications, two that are similar but not the same are vegan and natural skincare. The terms seem similar, right? Turns out these two things are different, Sereni-Trees! Want to know the difference? Read this article until the end, while gaining more knowledge about the natural ingredients in skincare!

Different Skincare Ingredients

Both smell natural, but why are they different? We can draw a straight line from the ingredients. A brand can be considered natural skincare if 50% of its ingredients come from natural ingredients and 10% from certified organic (non-harsh chemical) ingredients. As for vegan skincare, this type of skincare is also made from natural ingredients but without animal ingredients or 100% vegan!

However, we can’t just take a brand’s “claims” at face value. Even if it’s “natural” or “vegan”, it’s important to check the ingredient label to avoid harsh chemicals (such as parabens, phthalates, SLS). Because we need to remember, natural ingredients are NOT always free from chemicals! Psst, another tip for reading labels, generally natural ingredients will be located at the top of the label with scientific / Latin language while synthetic ingredients are located below.

Another important note, the more natural ingredients in a product, the longer the shelf life of the skincare will be (not as long as synthetic skincare). The logic is like food that has minimal preservatives, it will definitely spoil faster than those with high preservatives, right? So, make sure that besides the label, pay attention to the expiry date on the skincare product bottle before buying!

Explanation of Natural Ingredients in Skincare

Natural skincare ingredients have a broader meaning. Not necessarily derived from nature, natural ingredients have 4 types of classification, namely: 

• Pure natural ingredients: 100% natural, these ingredients still retain the shape and structure of the components. During processing without chemical reactions or processes. Examples include Olive Oil and Shea Butter.
• Natural delivered: This ingredient has undergone chemical reactions such as fermentation or hydrolysis (addition of emulsifiers to preserve the natural ingredients).
• Natural identical: This material undergoes a synthetic manufacturing process in a laboratory. Examples include Citric Acid. 
• Natural synthetics identical: Opposite of natural identical, synthetic molecules are made similar to natural chemicals such as glycol, but using natural ingredients such as sugarcane or corn extract as the base.

Turns out it’s not that simple after all! In addition, the source of natural ingredients is also divided into 4 groups, namely from plants, animals, minerals and marine. As consumers, it is very important for us to research the origin of the ingredients, but don’t forget that the manufacturing process is no less important! The best natural content is without eliminating the natural properties of the ingredients and does not harm users and the environment.

This is why it’s important to choose natural ingredients that have been laboratory tested to ensure they are safe and harmless from the formulation or manufacturing method. This will help skincare formulators learn about the properties of natural ingredients and reactions between ingredients.

Even though it is natural, it must have standardization and accountability! Therefore, we must be smart in choosing before using a product or choosing a brand.

Does “Natural” and “Vegan” Skincare Mean Cruelty Free?

This is often a misconception in the skincare world too! Skincare labeled natural or vegan is not necessarily cruelty free or free from animal testing. Because of the diverse world of skincare, there are labels from trusted organizations such as Leaping Bunny, Ecocert or Vegan Society. Their function is to “guarantee” that a skincare brand fulfills their claims. These certifications and labels are not easy to get, which is why they are so trusted in the skincare world!

Cruelty free itself means that a brand does not “torture” animals during the product manufacturing process. Examples include no animal testing or the use of animal-derived raw materials.

With that explanation, we can conclude that if a skincare product is made from natural or vegan will be guaranteed cruelty free if it already has that label. So, we should not be easily fooled and really make sure before buying a product, is it in accordance with our needs and desires? It is not uncommon for skincare brands to just “grab” a label without actually being certified. There’s nothing wrong with being careful, Sereni-Trees!

Serenitree Bodycare, Natural or Vegan Skincare?

Serenitree is a natural skincare brand that currently focuses on a range of bodycare. Confused about choosing a trusted local natural brand? We could be the answer! We are already BPOM verified, is labeled with No animal testing, No harsh chemicals, No added fragrance, No parabens, No synthetics coloring, No phthalates, and No SLS. 

In addition, Serenitree has the Clean formulation label. The meaning of this label means that all the ingredients contained in all products and the manufacturing process have been tested to be safe for users or the environment (not always natural, the point is safe). Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, people with sensitive skin or skin conditions such as eczema, and children above 3/6 years old can safely use our products. 

Last but not least, our products are also labeled with extracted natural ingredients. This means that the natural ingredients in the skincare have undergone an extraction process from natural sources such as plants or fruits. Of course, these natural extracts have been specially processed to isolate active compounds that are beneficial to the skin. 

Sounds very effective and safe doesn’t it? In conclusion, choosing skincare doesn’t always have to be “organic”, “natural” or “vegan”. It all comes down to your needs, skin condition and preferences. Pay attention to the ingredients and the manufacturing process first, natural ingredients and synthetic ingredients are not always harmful or good. That’s why it’s important to do a patch test or consult your skin type with a professional. Don’t change and carelessly choose skincare and experience bad side effects later. Be a smart skincare user, Sereni-Trees! Hope this article is useful!