5 minute read
Choosing the right skincare can feel overwhelming, especially with so many products promising instant results. More people across New Zealand are now turning to organic and natural skincare because they want products that are gentle, effective, and made with ingredients they can trust. Brands like Azurlis Botanical Skin Care focus on science-backed botanical ingredients, creating skincare that supports healthy skin without unnecessary chemicals or harsh additives.
What Is the Difference Between Organic Skin Care & Natural Skincare?
Defining Organic Skin Care is not always straightforward because, much like Natural Skincare, there are different standards and interpretations within the sector. In addition, not all products marketed as organic are organically certified.
In principle, Organic Skincare uses naturally derived ingredients that are grown and processed with minimal synthetic chemicals, with ingredients grown without pesticides, herbicides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
But because even the above definition can be interpreted in different ways, over the decades several Organic Certifying Organisations such as the Soil Association in the UK, BioGro NZ, and COSMOS EU-based, have provided a means to verify and validate that the ingredients meet the strict agricultural criteria. However, Organic Certification does not automatically mean that the skincare is vegan or not tested on animals, so clearly it may not be cruelty-free. This has led to the development other independent Certifying organisations such as COMOS Natural, Natrue, BDIH, ICEA that are aligned to the values of COSMOS.
In addition to these there are numerous Vegan & Cruelty-free Certifying organisations across the world with the USA-based PETA being amongst the best known.
Both organic and natural skincare brands adhere to using ingredients that are sourced or derived from plant oils and botanical extracts. These ingredients are known for being sources of vitamins and antioxidants, providing an excellent source of nourishment for the skin as well as supporting overall skin health.
Although, there are some differences in the Organic and Natural approval of ingredients processing and manufacturing, there is a deep common philosophy to these organisations, this being that these formulations are free of petrochemical derived ingredients that include parabens, phenoxyethanol, synthetic fragrances and harsh sulphur-based detergents.
Consumers should also be aware that the terms ‘natural’ and ‘organic’ are not always used consistently in marketing. This is why certification standards and transparent ingredient disclosure remain important when evaluating skincare products.
Why Are People Switching to Organic Skin & Natural Care?
One of the biggest reasons is skin sensitivity. Harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances can irritate the skin, especially for people with dryness, redness, or hormonal skin concerns. However, this can be a trap because many natural ingredients can also lead to sensitisation.
Essential oils used as natural fragrance are a good example. The use of these oils requires careful consideration of the constituents that can lead to irritation and sun sensitivity. Their levels of incorporation are carefully monitored in organic and natural skincare brands in the EU, but these standards are not uniformly adhered to globally.
Although many organic and natural skincare formulations are designed to support the skin barrier, the effectiveness and gentleness of a product ultimately depend on the overall formulation rather than whether an ingredient is natural or synthetic.
So, the statement that “organic skincare products are often designed to work with the skin rather than strip it” is a generalisation, and each product must be considered for its selected ingredients, intended functionality and safety.
Another reason to switch to Organic and Natural skincare is sustainability and ethics. Many natural skincare brands use recyclable packaging, use cruelty-free testing methods, and responsibly sourced ingredients.
Do Organic & Natural Skin Care Really Work?
Yes — when formulated properly. Botanical ingredients like bakuchiol, jojoba oil, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and antioxidant-rich plant extracts can deeply hydrate, support collagen renewal, and improve skin texture.
Modern approaches to organic and natural skincare can combine botanical and other scientifically validated ingredients to deliver visible results, with some brands — including vegan skincare brands such as Azurlis™ — choosing to avoid animal-derived ingredients entirely.
Besides, consistency is usually more important than using dozens of products that would just over complicate your routine.
Organic & Natural Skincare VS Mainstream - Better for Sensitive Skin?
Neither is universally better for sensitive skin. Organic/natural and mainstream products both have advantages and disadvantages. The best choice depends on exactly what triggers your skin’s response. The source of an ingredient does not dictate either its safety or its effectiveness.
So, Natural and Certified Organic Skincare focus on the uses plant-based ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, or hormone modulators.
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Advantages:
- They avoid common irritants such as artificial dyes, parabens, harsh detergents and synthetic fragrances.
- They can be rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E and flavonoids.
- Also, providing soothing benefits such as botanicals like aloe vera or oatmeal.
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Disadvantages:
- Although there are regulations that apply to the Organic Certification, the designation "Natural" is not a strictly regulated term.
- Some natural extracts (like the extracts of certain citrus-based essential oils) can be highly irritating and sun-sensitising.
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They also have shorter shelf lives and higher risks of bacterial contamination, if they lack effective preservatives.
Mainstream Skincare
Mainstream products rely heavily on laboratory-formulated ingredients.
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Advantages:
- Ingredients like ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and petrolatum are backed by extensive dermatological research for repairing the skin barrier.
- They offer precise formulations and stable, long-lasting shelf lives.
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Disadvantages:
- They often contain artificial fragrances, harsh detergents with sulphates, and potential allergens that can trigger reactive skin.
Mainstream Ingredients that are approved in Organic and Natural Skincare
Interestingly, there is an increasing range of ingredients, that might be considered strictly mainstream, that have been approved for use in organic and natural skincare such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid and bakuchiol.
Their approval for use in the organic and natural skincare is a test to the research that has shown the advantages of these ingredients, as well as the sustainability in manufacturing the effective component of a natural extract without totally exhausting the natural sources. Such is the case with the ingredient Bakuchiol that is the active ingredient of the babchi plant. It is the bakuchiol component that provides anti-inflammatory properties, supports collagen turnover, and helps regulate sebaceous gland activity.
This is one reason why many dermatologists are beginning to focus less on whether a product is ‘natural’ or ‘synthetic’, and more on how well the formulation supports the skin barrier.
What Dermatologists Recommend
Dermatologists usually suggest a "hybrid" approach, focusing on specific ingredient profiles rather than marketing buzzwords. For sensitive skin, focus on the following features.
- Fragrance-Free: Synthetic and natural fragrances are leading causes of skin sensitization.
- Hypoallergenic: Look for formulas tested to be gentle on reactive skin.
- Minimalist Formulas: Shorter ingredient lists make it easier to pinpoint your triggers.
Before applying any product, you should always perform a patch test on your inner forearm to check for adverse reactions.
The Take Home Message
At Azurlis™, these are some of the features we recommend looking for when choosing skincare products:
- Transparency in the ingredients list – that the reason for naming a key ingredient is clear.
- Plant-based active ingredients – because there is a huge range of well-known botanical ingredients that have been used beneficially and safely for centuries.
- Fragrance-free – to minimise the potential for sensitivity.
- Cruelty-free Certification – because our immune system and that of animals is different, so what is an allergen to humans may not be one for animals, and vice-versa.
- Sustainability in ingredients - No need to damage the environment while manufacturing appropriate ingredients.
- Sustainable packaging – minimise packaging and contribute as little as possible to landfills.
The best skincare routine is usually simple, consistent, and adaptable to your lifestyle to ensure wellbeing for all.
Organic and Natural Skincare are not about chasing perfection.
Healthy skin is rarely about extremes or complicated routines. More often, it comes from consistency, thoughtful formulation, and supporting the skin barrier over time. Well-formulated botanical skincare can play an important role in helping the skin remain comfortable, resilient, and naturally radiant throughout different stages of life.
Bibliography
Dini, I. & Laneri, S. (2021, 26 June). The New Challenge of Green Cosmetics: Natural Food Ingredients for Cosmetic Formulations. Molecules, 26, 3921. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/13/3921
Michalak, M. (2023, 23 October). Plant Extracts as Skincare and Therapeutic Agents. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24, 15444. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/20/15444
Gonçalves, S. & Galvåo, I. (2023, 14 December). Natural Ingredients in Skincare: A Scoping Review of Efficacy and Benefits. BioMed. & Biopharm. Res. 20(2), 1. https://www.alies.pt/BBR%20Editions/Vol-20-2-2023/bbr.20.2.328.pdf
Olivero-Verbel, J. & al. (2025, 24 November). Aromatic Plants as Cosmeceuticals: benefits and applications for skin health. Planta, 260, 132. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00425-024-04550-8
Barna, A.S & al. (2023, 10 April). Preliminary Approaches to Cosmeceuticals Emulsions Based on N-ProlylPalmitoyl Tripeptide-56 Aceta-Bakuchiol Complex Intended to Combat Skin Oxidative Stress. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24, 7004.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/8/7004
Agarwal, D. & al. (2025, 1 October). Ecotoxicological impacts of parabens on flora and fauna. Nature, 2025,1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s44454-025-00012-2
