So, you went nuts and bought a ton of natural and organic beauty products. You used them religiously for days, maybe weeks, determined to see results.
And.. nothing.
Or so you think. See, like conventional beauty products, their eco-friendly counterparts also require you possess realistic expectations, even if you did pay 2.00 more an ounce than its conventional counterpart. But don’t freak out – yet!
Here’s why it seems like those natural beauty products aren’t working.
1) You’re expecting a miracle in an unreasonable amount of time
You can’t completely dissolve dark circles under your eyes or shrink a zit in an hour – so why are people still expecting such unrealistic results from their natural beauty product? Even super strength, dermatologist approved, $300.00 an ounce face creams can’t deliver those kinds of miracles. You have to give it some time – ideally, the amount of time the company suggests. Eye creams may take up to 4 weeks of consistent use. You’ll likely see a difference with a new facial wash or moisturizer in a week or three. Depending on your skin type and climate, you can see results from body creams in a few days. Some hair care products can deliver what looks like instant results, but it depends on your hair type.
2) The concentration is too low for your skin/hair type
I’ve noticed in the past that 1-2% salicylic acid didn’t do a damn thing for my skin. So, I’ve had to up the ante – and have gotten much better results. Sure, doctors recommend using lower concentrations, but sometimes you do have to play it by ear. If a single drop of something isn’t doing anything, try two drops. Don’t go too far though, and with some experimentation, you may see better results. Or, try a more concentrated version of what you’re using. For instance, instead of a light moisturizer, try the brand’s cream or serum instead.
3) You’re using the wrong formulation (oily skin using something really meant for dry, etc)
I’ve made this mistake before. I have normal to combination skin, but in my vain attempt to prevent any and all acne, I went for products formulated for oily, acne-prone skin. The result? My face was stripped and felt drier than the Sahara. I also have dry hair and have tried to use clarifying shampoos, thinking my hair had too many product residue in it. Naturally, my strands felt like straw after rinsing. Yikes.
Always use products made for your skin and hair type.
4) It’s not actually all that ‘natural’ after all
Did you read the ingredients? No? Take another look. You may spot something you’re allergic to, but it’s listed in a different name. Or, there may be chemicals that are reacting furiously on your sensitive skin – even if their label says it’s FOR that skin type. If you spot a questionable ingredient, do a tad of research on it first. Can’t find any info? Pass on it. There’s always something else out there for you – trust me. Or, you can always go ‘back to basics’ – try pure argan, jojoba, coconut or grapeseed oil for moisturizing, instead of some concoction with a mix of ingredients you may not recognize.
5) The product’s expired or its ingredients aren’t potent anymore
Shelf lives for natural beauty products tend to be on the shorter end of the spectrum, and it can get tricky when you’re buying them online. If it was sitting on their warehouse shelves for months before your purchase, you may be dipping your fingers into something that was supposed to expire last week.
Keep an eye out for products that have been officially discontinued by the brand, or products that are in stock at a retailer but not at the actual company’s website. In many cases, you can just ask the actual company if they’re still developing a particular scent or line of products – and if they say no, pass on the deal you found at that random retailer. You can also try asking the retailer how long they had the product on the shelf.
Other tell-tale signs of something expired are rancid smells, weird consistency for the product, or separating ingredients (and that’s not the intended behavior).
