“So, these products are all chemical-free, right?”
We’ve heard this. Have you?
Let’s see if this term makes sense in the world of cosmetic chemistry.
Spoiler alert! It doesn’t.
NOTHING IS CHEMICAL-FREE
All products are made of a number of chemicals. Why? Because all substances are chemicals. And when we mean all substances, we mean ALL substances. Water is itself a chemical.
Therefore, by this logic, a chemical-free product is just nothingness.
A MARKETING STRATEGY
If this term is incorrect, then why has it gained popularity? Where did this term come from?
Chemical-free is a misguided term that is very commonly used in marketing to explain the use of natural ingredients in skin care and personal care.
In marketing, the term chemical-free is used to categorize the product to be healthy, safe or eco-friendly. As to why it has gained popularity, honestly I’m not quite sure.
SO, WHAT’S RIGHT?
What we should actually be asking about when buying or using ANY cosmetic product:
- Are the products skin-safe and non-toxic?
- How do these ingredients help make the product work for me?
- Do I have any known allergies to any of the ingredients in this product?
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It is more important to say no to toxic chemicals or chemicals that adversely affect the environment rather than shame all chemicals.
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Written by Ambica Gayathri (Co-Founder of Scentora)