Everything is a Chemical: Clearing Up Skincare Confusion
The word chemical has gotten a bad reputation over the years. Somewhere along the way, “chemical” started to sound scary, something unsafe or toxic. But here’s the truth: everything in life is a chemical.
Water, oxygen, vitamins, antioxidants; these are all chemicals. Even the safest, most natural substances we rely on every day are made of chemical compounds. So when it comes to skincare, it’s not about avoiding chemicals altogether (that’s impossible!), but about understanding which ones serve you AND your skin best.
Natural vs. Synthetic—What’s the Difference?
Aloe vera straight from the plant? Chemical compounds. Hyaluronic acid made in a lab? Also chemical compounds. Whether an ingredient is natural or synthetic, the important question isn’t where it comes from, but what it does for your skin. Natural doesn’t automatically mean gentle, and synthetic doesn’t automatically mean harmful. For example, kale is packed with vitamins but can still cause reactions in certain skin types, while a lab-formulated ingredient like trichloroacetic acid can be incredibly effective in a controlled, professional setting.
What Really Matters in Skincare
When choosing skincare, three things make all the difference:
What it does for the skin – Does it hydrate, brighten, soothe, or resurface?
How it’s formulated – Is it stable, balanced, and designed for real results?
Concentration & safety – Even beneficial ingredients like vitamin C, glycolic acid, or retinol can cause irritation if the concentration is too high for your skin type. Professional-grade products are carefully formulated and tested to ensure you get the benefits without unnecessary risk.
This is where professional guidance matters. I’m trained to know which ingredients pair well together, and which to avoid depending on your unique skin type.
Safe, Thoughtful Skincare at Afterglow
At Afterglow Skin Studio, I work with 3 lines I deeply trust: Botnia, CosMedix and WISH Skin Health. All 3 are clean, clinical, and safe, and they complement each other beautifully. From Botnia’s fresh, plant-based apothecary compounds to WISH + CosMedix’s advanced resurfacing peels, every product is chosen to serve a purpose.
And while it’s rare, if a guest ever reacts to an ingredient—whether it’s natural like kale or synthetic like trichloroacetic acid—it’s always carefully documented so we can continue tailoring treatments safely and effectively.
Skincare is chemistry, and chemistry is not something to fear. It’s simply the science of how ingredients interact with your skin. And when those interactions are chosen with care, the result is healthy, radiant, confident skin.
At Afterglow Skin Studio your glow is just good chemistry at work!
