How Natural is Your Natural Skincare Product?

There are so many misconceptions when it comes to the term natural. Even when companies have honest intentions of delivering the very best quality possible, the lines of what qualifies as being truly natural are most usually blurred. That's why it's important to note that "100% Natural" very rarely exists in the way we think it does. 

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF NATURAL?

It all depends on who you ask. The true definition of natural in the dictionary is,  "existing in or formed by nature". That seems pretty clear and denotes a property that is not altered in any way, naturally or synthetically.

This is the issue when it comes to our food, cosmetics, health-care and otherwise. Companies use the following terms to describe their products as synthetic-free, when consumers hear unadulterated, natural everything.

• All-Natural;
• 100% Natural;
• Mother Earth;
• Nature's Way, and so on.

While their products very well may contain natural ingredients and zero synthetics, it's rare to cover an entire category of products without an altered ingredient, even if it's just being altered by the addition of another natural substance. 

IS THE USE OF THE TERM NATURAL REGULATED?

While food laws are extremely strict, although they do differ from country to country, the regulations on natural health products (like vitamins, topical treatments, etc.), skincare and cosmetics are less than exact. It is worth noting that governments and officials are working hard to improve them, especially of late. Therefore, it is up to the consumer to familiarise themselves with what is and isn't natural, and the overall transparency of the product and brand.

HOW DOES PAMPERED FEMME DEFINE NATURAL?

Our definition of natural is the unaltered state of a substance found in nature. While it can undergo a process like extraction or otherwise, it remains unadulterated by any additives, natural or otherwise. 

ARE PAMPERED FEMME PRODUCTS 100% NATURAL?

While our products are made solely of natural ingredients (the one exception being our soaps), certain components are a combination of natural substances that alter their original state. In an effort to remain transparent and avoid miscommunication, we label our products appropriately.

DOES PF LEAVE IT TO THE CUSTOMER TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE?

Not a chance. We believe that as the brand and sole creator behind our products, the responsibility falls entirely on us. We spend weeks, sometimes months, sourcing ingredients that are as natural as possible. Are we exaggerating? Not in the least. Even with a mountain of research into an ingredient with raving reviews, we can discover that at its conception liberties have been taken that distort its original properties. 

Why does it matter, if it's still natural? Pampered Femme is passionate about bringing the wholesome effects of properties found in nature. When such substances are altered, their beneficial results are compromised.

We are dedicated to avoiding the use of dangerous irritants and chemicals. We are also committed to complete transparency. So, if we don't know what's really in our ingredients, how can you, the consumer, be expected to?

WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE?

Your responsibility as the consumer is straightforward. Be honest. Whether it's the aesthetics, our terminology, our ingredients, the process - we welcome you and encourage you to keep us on our toes. 

"We Care" isn't a gimmick, it's a reality for Pampered Femme. It's the basis of our brand and our promise to you and the environment. Email your concerns to wecare@pamperedfemme.ca and we will rectify the matter accordingly.

WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA ABOUT NATURAL PRODUCTS ANYWAY? 

True, not all preservatives and additives are evil. However, we feel strongly (and you will too once you see the difference Pampered Femme makes) that nature knows its stuff!

We've created a list of all the ingredients we use to make our skincare products. You can dive in and learn about all their magical properties and why we choose them. We give you as much information as possible in order that you can feel confident in our products and in your decision-making. 

ARE PAMPERED FEMME PRODUCTS 100% ORGANIC?

Once again, terminology is flexible. While most of our ingredients are certified organic, some are not or simply haven't had time to receive their certifications. Rather than adorn our site and products in 100% Organic marketing...for the sake of marketing...we prefer to keep it simple. The term organic has its own set of issues, and deserves its own blog post. So, stay tuned!

THE PAMPERED FEMME PROMISE

In short, we provide you with the best, unadulterated natural products possible. One of the reasons we release our products one category at a time is because we want to know how they hold up over time, through shipping, and so on. They don't go onto our site until they have passed our ridiculously high standards.

We don't opt for marketing gimmicks, or inflated pricing, and keep the accessibility of our products in mind when selecting ingredients and packaging.

If you have any topics that you wish to know our stance on, just ask! We promise to do what we can to honour our bodies, the planet and society as a whole. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get pampered!