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Natural Skincare Ingredients: What Does it Really Mean & Why It's Important!
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
When it comes to skincare, most people assume that if a product says natural or organic, it must be safe and healthy. Unfortunately, the truth is far more complex.
As a Master Herbalist who creates small-batch skincare, I’ve learned that what’s printed on the label doesn’t always reflect the integrity inside the product. Today, let’s explore why true natural skincare—made from non-GMO, wildcrafted, and truly organic ingredients—matters more than ever.
Your Skin is Your Largest Organ
Skin is far more than a protective barrier. It’s alive, breathing, and absorbing.
What you put on your skin doesn’t simply vanish. From carrier oils to essential oils to synthetic preservatives, molecules can penetrate your skin’s layers and enter the bloodstream—a process known as transdermal absorption. Depending on the chemical structure, some ingredients can reach deeper tissues within minutes.
This is why skincare isn’t just cosmetic—it’s physiological.
When skincare is made from synthetic, processed, or contaminated ingredients, your body must process and detoxify those substances, just like it would with unhealthy food. The difference? Most people wouldn’t knowingly eat formaldehyde, parabens, or phthalates… yet they apply them daily through mainstream products.
What Does “Natural” Really Mean?
The word natural has no legal definition in skincare labeling. A product can contain synthetic preservatives and petrochemicals and still market itself as natural.
Even organic certifications aren’t foolproof but there are companies that source true organic:
Certified organic oils may be deodorized, bleached, or refined using chemical solvents like hexane.
Many "organic" herbs are mass-produced under large-scale farming conditions that diminish nutrient density and energetic quality.
Wildcrafted herbs, however, are harvested directly from their natural environment, without cultivation chemicals or human interference. They tend to carry richer phytonutrient profiles and more potent energetics, which support deeper healing.
At Wholehearted Harmony, wildcrafted and small-farm organic herbs form the foundation of many of our salves, soaps, and balms for this reason.
Synthetics: What You’re Actually Putting on Your Skin
Many conventional skincare products rely on synthetic additives for shelf stability, texture, and scent. Unfortunately, these substances can disrupt hormonal balance, trigger inflammation, and accumulate in body tissues over time.
Common ingredients to avoid include:
Palm Oil: Linked to deforestation and skin sensitivities.
Parabens: Preservatives that mimic estrogen, disrupting hormonal function.
Triclosan: An antibacterial agent linked to endocrine disruption.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Strips skin’s natural oils, often contaminated with 1,4-dioxane.
Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen sometimes released from certain preservatives.
Phthalates: Often hidden in “fragrance”; linked to reproductive harm.
1,4-Dioxane: A likely human carcinogen, often a byproduct of ethoxylation processes.
Synthetic Fragrances: Chemical cocktails that may contain hundreds of undisclosed compounds.
It’s not just about short-term skin irritation. Many of these compounds carry systemic risks over time.
Essential Oils: Why Testing Matters
Essential oils are powerful allies in skincare—but only if they are pure.
This is where GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) testing becomes essential. This advanced testing method:
Identifies each volatile compound present in the oil.
Detects contaminants, adulterants, and synthetic additives.
Confirms botanical source and therapeutic composition.
Many large essential oil companies skip or obscure this step.
Young Living has faced FDA warnings for marketing their oils as unapproved drugs, and concerns regarding the purity and sourcing of their products have been raised publicly. doTERRA, while widely popular, markets oils as “Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade”—a term that is proprietary, not independently verified. Both companies have been criticized for making health claims that exceed scientific evidence.
After seeing enough red flags, I personally walked away from using oils from both brands.
Instead, I trust Plant Therapy and Rocky Mountain Oils, both of which prioritize transparency, third-party GC-MS testing, and ethical sourcing.
If your essential oils aren’t tested, you can’t be sure what’s in them—or what your skin is absorbing.
What True Natural Skincare Should Look Like
Whether it’s soap, lotion, oil, cream, or salve, real skincare should be crafted with the same integrity as a wholesome meal. Look for:
Non-GMO, wildcrafted, or genuinely organic herbs and oils.
Raw, unrefined butters and carrier oils, preserving fatty acids and nutrients.
Essential oils with GC-MS verification—not proprietary marketing.
Small-batch, artisan formulations that prioritize quality over quantity.
No palm oil, parabens, triclosan, sodium laureth sulfate, formaldehyde, phthalates, 1,4-dioxane, or synthetic fragrances.
If you can’t recognize the ingredient—or if the company can’t trace its source—it probably doesn’t belong on your skin.
Why I Created Wholehearted Harmony’s Skincare Line
At Wholehearted Harmony, every soap, salve, and lip balm I create is handcrafted with pure, honest ingredients. Could I source cheaper oils? Sure. Could I add synthetic stabilizers for longer shelf life? Absolutely. But that’s not the path of true healing.
While using wildcrafted, non-GMO, and organic ingredients comes at a higher cost, I believe integrity is non-negotiable. You deserve products made with the same care I give to my family.
Your skin is your largest organ. Every blend I offer—whether a healing salve or a bar of artisan soap—reflects my commitment to true, whole-body wellness.
In Closing: Skincare is Health Care
Choosing truly natural skincare isn’t about trends. It’s about returning to what your skin—and your body—recognizes and thrives on.
When you honor your skin with wildcrafted herbs, raw oils, and authentically pure ingredients, you’re not just nourishing your skin. You’re supporting your body’s ability to heal, protect, and thrive.
Nature provides everything we need. At Wholehearted Harmony, it’s my privilege to share that with you.
~With love, herbs & harmony 💚
Debbi, Wholehearted Harmony
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