<ul><li>The term ‘natural’ or ‘clean’ or ‘green’ doesn’t have a clear definition today.</li><li>Third-party organizations and Retailers have released standards that include lists of ingredients that meet their definition of ‘natural.’</li><li>Here, we look at what dermatologists think about ‘natural’ skin-care.</li></ul>

Definition of Natural

<ul><li>It's inaccurate to assume that everything chemical is bad, and everything natural is good.</li></ul>Eg: Poison ivy is natural, but that's not something you want to put on your skin.<ul><li>Ingredients are not intrinsically bad, it's about how they're used and in what quantity.</li></ul>Eg: Think of a puddle of water — not a big deal, but a tsunami can be catastrophic.<ul><li>A product labelled as 'natural' tells us nothing about ingredient safety or sustainability but it makes patients and consumers feel better.</li></ul>

All Chemicals aren’t bad, all things natural aren’t good

<ul><li>‘Natural' is more of a cultural concept — it extends the belief in the superiority of the natural world and that human modification and inference inevitably causes harm.</li><li>'Natural' products also allow people to connect themselves with a perceived healthy lifestyle, as well as certain favoured values like harmony with the environment, a spiritual connection with nature, and altruism.</li><li>When you buy a 'natural' product, you're buying everything that 'natural' products represent.</li></ul>

“Natural” is a cultural concept

<ul><li>Don't automatically assume that because something's ‘natural,' it's safe.</li><li>Understand the product, make sure you've done a little bit of research.</li><li>Public regulation of ‘natural’ products — including a universally agreed-upon definition for the word — would empower us all to make more informed decisions.</li><li>When in doubt about if a product is right for you — ‘natural’ or not — you should visit a dermatologist to assess the ingredients. Because it's what's inside that counts.</li></ul>