Natural facial care
With active ingredients from nature for beautiful, well-cared-for skin
Natural cosmetics for the face means more than just a green label. They are based on natural ingredients such as plant extracts, plant oils, plant hydrolates, pure essential oils and minerals, as well as beeswax and honey. Synthetic chemicals, petroleum-based products and environmentally harmful substances are, as a matter of principle, excluded from certified natural cosmetics. This only becomes meaningful through independent certification schemes such as NATRUE, COSMOS or Demeter, which precisely define what is permitted. At Violey, you’ll find certified facial care products ranging from daily cleansers to night serums, from light gels for blemish-prone skin to rich creams for very dry skin. No advertising cookies, no personalised tracking.
What should I look out for in certified natural cosmetics for the face?
The label says a lot, but not everything. NATRUE and COSMOS exclude synthetic preservatives, mineral oils and PEGs. These are consistent and verifiable guidelines for ingredients, not marketing claims. What the seal does not cover: how well the product suits your skin. Essential oils, for example, are found in many certified products and can still irritate sensitive skin. Everyone knows that the immune system can react allergically even to completely natural elements. A limited number of ingredients and fragrance-free variants are therefore a good second criterion.
In what order should facial skincare products be applied?
The basic rule is: from the lightest to the richest texture. After cleansing, a facial toner or hydrolate removes any remaining dirt and make-up. The serum applied next penetrates deep into the skin and provides intense hydration. Eye care products support the extremely thin and sensitive skin around the eyes with specialised active ingredients. Finally, the richer day and night creams help maintain the skin’s moisture balance. Whilst day creams tend to focus on forming a protective barrier against daily environmental factors such as fine dust, wind and temperature fluctuations, night creams support the skin’s own repair processes whilst you sleep. With natural cosmetics, it’s also worth paying attention to the consistency of the individual products. Plant-based oils and fats are often heavier than their synthetic counterparts and should therefore be used towards the end of your skincare routine. More important than sticking to a strict order is allowing each product time to be absorbed into the skin before moving on to the next step.
Why use a serum?
The skin has three main layers. For cosmetic products, the distinction between the epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer) and subcutis (underlying layer) is important. Most active ingredients in cosmetics do not penetrate as far as the deepest layer of the skin, the subcutis, as this layer—comprising fatty and connective tissue—lies deep within the skin. The aim, therefore, is to provide targeted support to the upper and middle layers of the skin. Due to their rich consistency, skin creams act almost exclusively on the epidermis.
A serum contains active ingredients in high concentrations and has a light, usually water-based texture. This allows it to be absorbed more quickly and reach deeper layers of the skin. In natural cosmetics, serums are formulated using plant-based active ingredient complexes and combined with plant lipids, essential fatty acids and moisturising ingredients such as hyaluronic acid. Anyone who has no previous experience with serums should choose one specifically tailored to their own skin concerns and start with a small amount.
What is the difference between day and night skincare?
Skincare is not a matter of vanity, but a simple necessity. We live in an age where our diet, lifestyle and environmental pollution have a significant impact on the appearance of our skin. Adult skin definitely needs support and protection. There is no conclusive evidence to show exactly how beneficial separate day and night skincare routines are. The aim of skincare products should always be to provide the skin with sufficient moisture.
Day creams are usually lighter in texture. They are designed to protect the skin from harmful environmental factors, dry office air and fluctuating outdoor temperatures. Night creams, on the other hand, are often richer in texture: they do not need to be applied under make-up or sun cream and have more time to be absorbed overnight. Their main purpose is to support the skin’s night-time regeneration. Due to their rich texture, night creams are particularly recommended for dry, sensitive or mature skin.
Tip: Getting started with natural cosmetics – where to begin?
It’s best not to switch everything over at once, but to start with the products that stay on the skin the longest: day cream, night cream and serum. This is where contact with the skin is most intense. Cleansers and toners, on the other hand, are rinsed off. This means they have less of an impact in everyday life. If you have sensitive skin, you should look for fragrance-free formulas. Even natural cosmetics can contain natural fragrances that may irritate the skin.
Which natural skincare products are suitable for blemish-prone skin?
As heavy oils can block the pores, you should look for light textures. Proven active ingredients in skincare products for blemish-prone skin include zinc, niacinamide from natural sources and salicylic acid from plant-based sources such as willow bark extract, usually in low concentrations. Many certified brands have developed their own ranges specifically for skin prone to blemishes.
What natural ingredients are found in natural facial care products?
Typical ingredients include moisturising aloe vera, almond oil and shea butter for dry skin, as well as refreshing hydrolates such as rose water. Natural cosmetics deliberately focuses on traditional active ingredients that have been used in skincare for centuries. Modern formulations also incorporate well-researched active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture.
