Many popular skincare ingredients have a natural alternative that works through the same principle or mechanism. 'Natural' is not automatically better: the concentration, stability and formulation of a product determine how it works. The difference lies in honest choices, using natural ingredients where the evidence supports them and combining components instead of relying on a single hero ingredient.
Is natural skincare really better?
No, not automatically. And anyone who promises otherwise is selling a fairy tale. 'Natural' is not by definition safer or more effective: some plant ingredients actually irritate. The effect of every ingredient, natural or synthetic, depends on concentration, stability and the formula around it. The real distinction is not 'natural' versus 'synthetic', but what demonstrably works. That is exactly why we communicate honestly about what our ingredients can and cannot do: we choose natural skincare where science supports it. And where it doesn't, we say that a natural equivalent simply does not exist. Only fair.
Our philosophy: combination over isolation
The skincare hype revolves around hero ingredients: one substance that supposedly solves everything. But your skin does not work with one substance, it works with systems. That is why we combine several natural components that reinforce each other: humectants, antioxidants, essential fatty acids and protective extracts together support the skin on more fronts than a single active ingredient. You can see what that looks like per product on our ingredients page, where every ingredient is explained honestly.
Natural alternatives to the best-known active ingredients
Four ingredients currently dominate skincare marketing. For three of them there is a natural alternative with practically the same effect. For one there isn't. We say so honestly.
Natural alternative to hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is the best-known humectant in skincare, but its mechanism, attracting and holding water, is not exclusive. Glycerine, aloe vera and konjac root work through the same water binding, and some of our formulas contain sodium hyaluronate, the easily absorbed form of hyaluronic acid itself. Read how these natural humectants work in natural alternative to hyaluronic acid.
Natural alternative to collagen
Applying collagen sounds logical, but the collagen molecule is too large to penetrate the skin. What does work: supporting your own collagen production with vitamin C and protecting against the oxidative stress that breaks collagen down. Read how that works in natural alternative to collagen.
Natural alternative to retinol
Retinol is proven to be effective, but it can irritate and is advised against during pregnancy. Carotenoids from carrot, algae and sea buckthorn provide natural provitamin A and protect the skin as antioxidants, more gently, with a subtler effect on cell renewal. Read the honest comparison, including bakuchiol and the pregnancy question, in natural alternative to retinol.
Niacinamide: here there is no natural alternative
There is no plant equivalent or precursor for niacinamide. We would rather say that honestly than force a claim: a brand that has a natural alternative for everything, even where none exists, makes itself untrustworthy. There is partial overlap via oat extract and zinc oxide. Read the full story in what niacinamide does and what natural ingredients can do.
The natural ingredients you will find in our products
Claiming an alternative is easy, showing what your products are made of is the real work. These are the ingredients that make the alternatives above possible, each with its own explanation.
Vitamin C from natural sources
Vitamin C plays a role in collagen formation and protects against free radicals, but the pure form oxidises quickly. Kakadu plum is one of the richest natural sources there is and can be found in our Sunscreen SPF30. More in vitamin C from natural sources.
Antioxidants: the system behind the protection
Antioxidants are the common thread through almost every alternative above. No single antioxidant does the job alone: vitamin E, Q10, polyphenols and carotenoids capture different radicals and reinforce each other. Read more about natural antioxidants for the skin.
Q10, the body's own antioxidant
Q10 occurs naturally in your skin cells and declines from around your thirties. In our serums it works as part of that broader system, not as a stand-alone hero ingredient. More in Q10 for the skin.
Sea buckthorn: three effects in one berry
Sea buckthorn combines carotenoids (provitamin A), vitamin C and essential fatty acids, making it one of the building blocks of our natural alternative to retinol. Read more in sea buckthorn for the skin.
Squalane and the lipids that support your skin barrier
Ceramides are the hype around the skin barrier, but our formulas do not contain them: they do contain the natural lipids, including linoleic acid and squalane, that support the barrier and supply the building blocks for your skin's own ceramide production. Read more about squalane and about ceramides and natural lipids.
Exfoliating acids: here we are ahead of the hype
With AHAs and PHAs no alternative is needed: lactic acid, citric acid and gluconolactone are literally the same categories of active substances as in the best-known exfoliants, just from natural sources and without the marketing layer. More in AHA, BHA and PHA explained.
