Why choose natural beauty products instead of conventional ones

We propose an exercise for you, do it today! Enter a store, pick up a body care product from the shelf, and study the label. You will find that it may contain dangerous chemicals, from parabens (linked to cancer) to formaldehyde, and far from caring for you, it can irritate your skin. Moreover, by buying it, you support (even without wanting to) large corporations and contribute to the pollution of the planet.

Since you are reading this text, perhaps it’s time to change your beauty routine by turning to organic, natural cosmetics that support local businesses, are not tested on animals, do not harm the environment, and most importantly, are healthy.

Natural skincare products cleanse, tone, exfoliate, and moisturize the skin without using any harmful artificial chemicals or additives. And because at Hodaia, we love to share the knowledge accumulated over years of study, we are writing here some features and the advantages of 100% natural skincare products.

What does a bio product mean?

At Hodaia, we craft skincare products for over four generations, and we know very well that skincare products haven’t always been created in laboratories. In the beginning, people made them in their own homes and used natural cosmetics that proved their effectiveness and continued to do so over the centuries. Well, 100% natural products based on ancient recipes exist today, and although they may not be as popular as those in supermarkets, they are even better.

Natural skincare involves the use of creams and lotions, elixirs, balms, soaps, shampoos, floral waters, etc., made from ingredients available in nature. We are referring to herbs, roots, flowers, and essential oils, but also minerals or animal-derived products such as beeswax.

What benefits do these products have?

More and more people are turning to organic products, whether it’s about food, cleaning products, or skincare items. And this trend makes perfect sense. Why? Because, when it comes to food, the process they undergo, once ingested, involves their breakdown by the digestive system and the elimination of harmful toxins by the liver. Things happen differently when we put something on our skin—the largest organ of the human body—because up to 60% of synthetic chemicals can enter the bloodstream and accumulate in the body. We can avoid this by using chemical-free, natural, and organic personal care products and enjoy their benefits in our daily skincare routine.

They are healthier

As we know, conventional skincare products can contain ingredients that irritate the skin or even cause allergies. In the long run, some substances can have serious health consequences. Take, for example, deodorants that contain aluminum. Although they can be found in any store and are used by millions of people, they can cause Alzheimer’s and breast cancer.

When you choose organic products, you eliminate these risks. Of course, there are people sensitive to certain oils or essences, but you can avoid products that contain them. And this step is much simpler because, unlike conventional cosmetics, natural ones don’t have an endless list of ingredients that you don’t understand. The information is provided clearly, in a transparent manner.

It doesn’t affect the environment

Synthetic chemicals can harm not only our skin but also animals or plants that come into contact with them. Initially, you might think it’s not a problem. You just need to make sure your cat doesn’t touch the shower gel, right? However, we also need to consider what happens to the products after we use them. Inevitably, the substances end up in the water used during showers. From there, they can contaminate water and soil, potentially having serious consequences on ecosystems. For the same reason, it’s good to avoid cleaning products with toxic synthetic ingredients.

Let’s also take a look at how conventional cosmetics are manufactured. The extraction of certain ingredients requires mining, a process that causes pollution. The carbon footprint increases when we consider transportation, the production of plastic packaging, and ultimately, the waste generated. Because they do not contain synthetic substances and are produced locally, natural cosmetics have a much smaller ecological footprint.

They support local businesses

More and more people want to buy products made close to home, whether it’s seasonal foods, natural cosmetics, or slow fashion clothing. The benefits include job creation in the local community, support for small entrepreneurs rather than corporations, and the high quality of the products

Additionally, this way, you can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint. Locally produced cosmetics do not require unnecessary preservatives and artificial stabilizers because they reach the customer more quickly from the producer. Moreover, the consumption of fossil fuels and harmful emissions is reduced because they are not transported from another country or even another continent.

They are not tested on animals

Unfortunately, a significant portion of cosmetic product manufacturers still tests their products on animals. While China explicitly requires animal testing, many companies export their products there, forcing them to conduct animal testing to access that market. Moreover, the country exports extensively to Europe, which is why numerous products in supermarkets in Romania may not be cruelty-free.

Natural care products, on the other hand, are not tested on animals. Furthermore, the ingredients used are considered to be clean, so they do not harm living beings. Thus, the producers are more ethical than many popular brands. Hodaia products are tested on us, our family, friends, and all the curious people close to us for each new product we launch.

Why are organic products more expensive than regular ones?

As shown, organic cosmetics have numerous advantages. However, if you’ve also looked at the prices, you’ve probably noticed that they are somewhat more expensive than regular ones. What could be the reason?

It’s the same story as with perfume versus eau de parfum: the “true” version is the perfume. It has the highest concentration, quality, and potency are top-notch, but the price is higher. The exact same thing happens with natural cosmetics.

Well, everything starts with the ingredients used. The more expensive these are, the higher the final price will be. Synthesizing certain substances in a laboratory is simpler and cheaper than obtaining an essential oil, for example.

When manufacturers try to avoid ingredients harmful to health, it can be challenging to find a suitable substitute. Either it’s not easy to produce, or it’s difficult to obtain.

Then, we also need to talk about packaging. Generally, consumers of organic cosmetics look for environmentally friendly packaging. Reusable containers made of glass or metal are more expensive than polluting plastic ones. Thus, the difference adds up to the final price

What is the solution?

Try to avoid marketing pitfalls. Any supermarket can launch a ‘bio,’ ‘clean,’ or ‘natural’ line because these terms don’t have a clear definition.

The solution is to check the ingredient list. With truly natural products, you should immediately understand what they contain. Additionally, it’s good to do a bit of research on the brand. Learn its story: who is behind the business, where it sources its ingredients, how and where it operates, does it offer transparency?

3 products we recommend you should try

Do you want to try some natural cosmetics but don’t know where to start? I’ve prepared a list of suggestions suitable for any age. They are so natural that you can even eat them.”

The shaving potion is a fusion of natural oils that hydrates both the hair and the skin before and after shaving. It contains cold-pressed oils from grape seeds, safflower seeds, rosehip seeds, castor seeds, and essential oils of sage, mint, lavender, rosemary, and thyme.

The product contributes to irritation-free shaving, preventing injuries or scars, helps the skin become more elastic and soft, and provides a refreshing sensation. It is applied gently with fingers on the area to be shaved, then left to act for 1-2 minutes. After shaving, a small amount is applied to the entire face, massaging the skin until it is fully absorbed.

The hardworking hands ointment is a cream that takes care of any type of skin, no matter how stressed, dry, or sensitive it may be. It contains cold-pressed oils from hemp seeds, walnut, and grape seeds, beeswax, juniper and sage extracts, and mountain chalk

The cream has moisturizing, emollient, repairing, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. It contributes to skin regeneration, improves its resilience, and prevents the occurrence of skin infections.

The moisturizing body oil is a true indulgence for the skin. It contains cold-pressed oils from walnut kernels, safflower seeds, castor seeds, and grape seeds, as well as essential oils of lavender and rosemary, for a sensory treat.

The product contributes to irritation-free shaving, preventing injuries or scars, helps the skin become more elastic and soft, and provides a refreshing sensation. It is applied gently with fingers on the area to be shaved, then left to act for 1-2 minutes. After shaving, a small amount is applied to the entire face, massaging the skin until it is fully absorbed.