Synthetic vs. All-Natural Skincare: What’s Really in Your Products?
When you walk down the skincare aisle, you’ll see labels like natural, clean, pure, and botanical everywhere. But if you flip those bottles over and read the ingredient lists, you’ll often find a very different story.
Many conventional skincare products are filled with synthetic ingredients, fillers, and preservatives. Not necessarily because they are better for your skin—but because they are cheaper to produce and easier for large companies to manufacture at scale.
At Malama ʻOhana, we believe skincare should be created with your health, your family, and the Earth in mind—not a corporate profit margin.
Why Many Skincare Products Use Synthetic Ingredients
Large cosmetic companies are built on one core principle: maximize profit while minimizing cost.
That often means:
Choosing cheaper synthetic ingredients over natural ones
Using fillers to bulk up formulas
Designing products for long shelf life instead of skin nourishment
Prioritizing appearance, scent, and texture over effectiveness
These products are carefully engineered to:
Look luxurious
Smell appealing
Stay stable for years on store shelves
But they are not always designed to give your skin the best care possible. They are designed to meet a price point and increase company margins.
What Are Fillers in Skincare?
Many mainstream products contain ingredients that:
Create a smooth or silky feel
Extend shelf life
Improve appearance
Lower production costs
Common filler or synthetic ingredients include:
Silicones
Petroleum-derived emollients
Artificial fragrances
Synthetic preservatives
Artificial colorants
These ingredients may make a product feel nice, but they often do very little to truly nourish the skin.
The Malama ʻOhana Approach to Natural Skincare
At Malama ʻOhana, we follow a different philosophy.
We believe:
Every ingredient should serve a real purpose
Skincare should be safe for families and children
Products should be gentle on the environment
Simplicity is more powerful than excess
That’s why our products are made with:
Natural herbs
Cold-pressed plant oils
Locally sourced Hawaiian ingredients whenever possible
Natural preservation methods
No unnecessary fillers or synthetic additives
If a better ingredient costs more, we choose it anyway—because your skin deserves wholesome, powerful ingredients, not cheap substitutes.
A Natural Alternative to Harsh Anti-Aging Ingredients
Many anti-aging products rely on retinol, a synthetic vitamin A derivative. While effective for some people, it is also known for causing:
Skin irritation
Redness
Dryness and peeling
Sun sensitivity
Unsuitability during pregnancy
Bloom: A Gentle, Natural Anti-Aging Serum
Our Bloom Anti-Aging Serum uses bakuchiol, a plant-derived ingredient known as nature’s retinol alternative.
Bakuchiol helps:
Smooth the appearance of fine lines
Improve tone and texture
Support skin renewal
Provide anti-aging benefits without irritation
It offers the results people want from retinol—without the harsh side effects.
Natural Sunscreen That Protects Skin and Ocean
Many conventional sunscreens use chemical filters that have been linked to:
Coral reef damage
Hormone disruption concerns
Skin irritation in sensitive users
Malama ʻOhana sunscreens are made with:
Mineral-based, natural ingredients
Reef-safe formulations
Skin-nourishing plant oils
They are designed to be:
Safe for your skin
Safe for your children
Safe for our oceans
Eco-Conscious Packaging
Many beauty brands invest in elaborate packaging designed to look luxurious—but most of it ends up in the trash.
At Malama ʻOhana:
We use simple, functional packaging
We avoid unnecessary boxes and inserts
We choose containers meant to be reused or recycled
We encourage customers to:
Reuse bottles for travel or storage
Recycle containers responsibly
Because caring for your skin should never harm the planet.
Why Natural Skincare Matters
Choosing natural skincare products means:
Fewer synthetic chemicals on your skin
More nourishing, plant-based ingredients
Reduced environmental impact
Products designed with intention, not just profit
At Malama ʻOhana, we create skincare that reflects our values:
Quality over cost
Nature over synthetics
Integrity over marketing trends
Because your skincare should be designed for the best version of you—not the best margins for a corporation.
Shop Natural Skincare Made with Aloha
Explore our collection of natural, small-batch skincare made with herbs, oils, and locally sourced ingredients:
Bloom Anti-Aging Serum
Natural mineral sunscreens
Botanical moisturizers
Family-friendly herbal products
Every product is crafted with care for your skin, your family, and the Earth.