If you’re a “clean beauty” advocate, you most likely avoid—if not completely reject—products that contain parabens and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). But how often will you find a great product that does not contain one or a few potentially harmful chemicals?
Many products claim to be natural, but few have ingredients that pass the test. So when I chanced upon Gods’ Nectar Radiance Softening Cleanser by Origani Certified Organic Skincare, I knew it was something worth sharing, especially to clean beauty advocates and organic product lovers.
Paraben and SLS
People are still debating on whether parabens, a preservative used in cosmetics and beauty and household products, and SLS, a foaming agent found in shampoos and cleaning agents, do cause cancer, or if they only hasten its development. Most studies agree on the following:
- In high concentrations and when left on the skin instead of washed off, these chemicals are potentially harmful (e.g., can cause diseases) to your health.
- SLS is occasionally problematic, depending on the user. It can cause skin irritation when left on the skin for a long time.
A study in 2017 revealed that parabens might be more harmful than we think, and we must further lower the concentration of parabens allowed in commercial products. So why do 85 percent of health and beauty products still contain these harmful ingredients? To what extent should we avoid products that contain them?
Thankfully, brands like Origani Certified Organic focus on creating natural, organic beauty solutions.
Gods’ Nectar Radiance Softening Cleanser
When you look at the formulation of Gods’ Nectar Radiance Softening Cleanser, you’ll notice how the ingredients were carefully selected to keep it natural and free from chemicals as much as possible. It promises to give dry and delicate skin the gentle cleansing it needs and deserves. It has nourishing cleansers like aloe vera juice, coconut water, and natural oils and extracts that are certified organic.
Aloe Vera Leaf Juice Coconut Water
Until I came across Origani’s Gods’ Nectar Cleanser, I didn’t know that washing the face with aloe vera juice and coconut water has amazing benefits.
Beauty experts and home remedy experts know this: Aloe vera leaf contains micronutrients called polyphenols, which brings multiple health benefits. Aloe vera leaf juice can do the following for your skin:
- Reduce redness
- Heal sores and burns
- Increasing collagen production
- Improve its elasticity
- Slow down the signs of aging
Coconut water cleanses the skin from impurities while hydrating and moisturizing it. It can ward off dryness, itchy patches, and fine lines. Its potassium content keeps your electrolyte levels normal and reduces excess oils and breakouts. With its antibacterial and antifungal properties, it’s able to protect your skin from acne, bacteria, and infection.
Coco-glucoside
Gods’ Nectar Cleanser does not use chemical foaming agents (surfactants) like SLE or SLS. Rather, it uses coco-glucoside, a naturally derived surfactant, from coconut, palm kernel oil, corn, or wheat. It is recognized as such by the Natural Product Association and certified by Ecocert.
Coco glucoside is ultra-mild. It is the preferred natural surfactant for skincare products for sensitive skin. It’s also non-ionic, which makes it friendlier for the environment.
According to Mintel, a huge percentage of beauty and cosmetic products still use SLE:
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLE) – 67.3 percent
- Coco-glucoside – 16.5 percent
- Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) – 12.3 percent
Though SLS is milder than SLE, both are still chemicals. The chemicals-dominated industry does not give you a lot of options.
Organic oils and extracts
Gods’ Nectar Cleanser also contains six certified organic oils and extracts like avocado oil, rosehip seed oil, apple fruit extract, olive leaf extract, calendula extract, and chamomile extract. These extracts have a combination of benefits, including:
- Skin hydration and moisturization
- Soothing of itchiness and eczema
- Healing for chapped skin
- UV protection
- Cell regeneration
- Skin tone correction and reduction of scars
- Anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic, antioxidant
- Anti-aging
- Skin smoothening
The only ingredients that aren’t natural in Gods’ Nectar Cleanser are citric acid (or Vitamin C) and the preservative Potassium Sorbate. The rest is natural, and most are organic.
If you’re a purist looking for a foolproof natural cleanser, or if you have sensitive skin and would love a product with the least amount of chemicals in it, this cleanser is your best option. And when it comes to commercially manufactured products, I think it’s as natural as a cleanser can get.
