No Synthetics. No Exceptions.
Synthetics, in their simplest form, are man-made substances that do not exist in nature. They can also be nature-identical chemicals synthesized in a lab, or chemicals made using some molecules from naturally derived raw materials combined with man-made compounds.
Given how broad that definition is, it's no wonder that manufacturers eager to appear "natural" or "organic" can easily cloud the issue — using synthetic chemicals while feeling justified calling them natural. The motivation? Simple: profit. Truly natural cosmetics are costly to make. The raw materials can be unpredictable and difficult to work with, and they are simply not suited to mass manufacturing. Synthetic additives exist to make products easier and cheaper to produce.
Natural vs. Organic: What the Words Actually Mean
A natural substance is one extracted from a raw material found in nature without the use of a laboratory. An organic substance uses raw materials found in nature that were cultivated, raised, and extracted without man-made chemicals. Organic certification is reserved for substances that are farm-raised by certified organic standards.
The Uncomfortable Truth About "Natural" Brands
As a natural cosmetic chemist, I am continually dumbfounded by how many skincare lines claiming to be synthetic-free actually contain a plethora of synthetics in every formula. Here are ingredients I pulled directly from a popular brand that built its entire marketing campaign around the claim of containing absolutely no synthetic ingredients:
Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Undecylenate, Glyceryl Caprylate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Decyl Glucoside, Sorbitan Palmitate
These are all synthetics.
Another common tactic is simply omitting certain ingredients from labels to make products appear more natural and concentrated — ingredients like emulsifiers (required in every lotion and cream), water (also required), or preservatives (without which a cream or lotion won't last a week on the shelf).
What We Do Differently
At Meadowlake Farm, we produce exactly what we claim to produce: skincare made from raw materials that are natural, organic, or wildcrafted. Review our ingredients and compare. You'll discover we are the rare — and wonderful — exception.
Ingredient Glossary
At Meadowlake Farm, we believe you deserve to know exactly what goes on your skin. Below is a glossary of the natural ingredients found in our handcrafted formulas, along with the benefits each one brings.
A
Algae Extract: A firming agent that promotes new collagen formation and aids in healing and scar prevention.
Aloe Vera: Skin-soothing and moisturizing; anti-inflammatory; potentiates the skin health benefits of essential oils.
Aloe Butter: Possesses skin-soothing and moisturizing properties; anti-inflammatory; potentiates the skin health benefits of essential oils.
Apricot Kernel Oil: Expeller pressed from dried apricots; high in vitamin A; ideal for dry, delicate, mature, and sensitive skin types.
B
Borage Seed Oil: Cold pressed from the seeds of the borage plant; contains 8–20% Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA). Effectively combats the aging process, reverses UV damage, regenerates cells, and stimulates new cell activity.
C
Calendula: Flower extract long used topically to treat skin rash, infection, and eczema; antiseptic and astringent.
Carrot Seed Oil: Anti-aging and anti-inflammatory; rich in vitamin A; diminishes fine lines and wrinkles.
Castor Oil: A soothing emollient with humectant properties.
Coconut Oil: Expeller pressed; non-greasy, nutrient-rich, and easily absorbed; an excellent emollient that provides a smooth and silky feel.
E
Echinacea: Improves hydration; anti-aging and anti-inflammatory.
Emulsifying Wax: Our own proprietary blend of beeswax, jojoba wax, lecithin, and xanthan gum.
Essential Oils: 100% pure, undiluted, steam-distilled from plants, leaves, fruits, and flowers. Selected for their antiseptic, antimicrobial, and bactericidal properties, as well as their aromatic benefits.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Cold pressed; rich in antioxidants, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, chlorophyll, and natural peroxides. A superior moisturizer with a high degree of protection from environmental stressors and excellent healing properties; highly compatible with human skin.
Eyebright: Anti-inflammatory; tones and tightens.
F
Filtered Water: Fresh and pure from Meadowlake Farm.
French Green Clay: Draws oils, toxins, and impurities from the skin; stimulates circulation for a toning effect.
Fruit Acid Complex: A blend of five extracts — bilberry, sugar cane, maple sugar, orange, and lemon — containing naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acids known to promote younger, smoother-looking skin by improving the rate of skin cell renewal.
G
German Chamomile: Soothing and anti-inflammatory.
Ginger: Healing; diminishes age spots; lightens and tones.
Grape Seed Oil: A superior, light, easily absorbed emollient with regenerative properties; non-greasy and nutrient-rich.
Green Tea: Rich in antioxidants; anti-inflammatory; inhibits collagen degradation; enhances microcirculation; protects against UVB damage.
H
Hemp Seed Oil: High in essential fatty acids; provides superior moisturizing, balancing, and healing properties.
Hibiscus: An antioxidant flower extract that inhibits elastin degradation, helps maintain elasticity, and firms and tones the skin; anti-aging.
J
Jojoba Oil: A plant wax with anti-inflammatory properties; closely resembles human sebum; readily absorbed; a superior softener and moisturizer.
Jojoba Pearls: A wax very close to human sebum; serves as a non-abrasive exfoliant that physically removes rough, dry skin without causing damage.
K
Kelp Extract: An excellent, bioavailable, nutrient-rich moisturizer.
L
Lady's Mantle: Skin-lightening, toning, and anti-aging.
Lemon Balm: Soothing and calming; anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral.
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate: A natural antimicrobial derived from fermented radishes (trade name Leucidal); used as a preservative.
M
Mango Butter: Superior skin-softening and moisturizing properties; derived from the kernel of the tropical mango fruit.
Moroccan Rhassoul Clay: Mined in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco; a mineral-rich clay unmatched in its ability to withdraw impurities from skin. Deep cleansing, mild, and pore-clearing; improves skin tone, texture, and clarity.
P
Potassium Sorbate: A food-grade preservative used to control the growth of yeasts and molds; the inactive salt of sorbic acid.
Propolis: A honeybee product that facilitates rapid healing, tissue repair, and collagen renewal; scavenges free radicals that damage skin at the cellular level; potent antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
R
Raw Beeswax: A protective barrier that guards against environmental insult; a humectant that helps retain moisture; a rich source of vitamin A that promotes cell turnover and repair. Unlike petroleum products, it does not block pores; anti-inflammatory; promotes tissue repair; alleviates irritation associated with dry skin conditions.
Raw Honey: The foundation of all our formulas. Rich in antioxidants, live enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and alpha hydroxy acids; provides vital bioactive nutritional support to the skin; promotes rapid healing and cell turnover; maintains moisture and protects against environmental stressors.
Red Clover: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and sun-protective.
Red Raspberry Leaf: Antioxidant and anti-aging; astringent.
Rice Bran Oil: High in vitamins; promotes cell regeneration; high in fatty acids; anti-aging; improves tensile strength, texture, and elasticity; ideal for dry, delicate skin; superior healing properties.
Rooibos Tea: Rich in antioxidants; provides anti-inflammatory support; inhibits collagen degradation; enhances microcirculation; protects against UVB damage.
S
Safflower Oil: Expeller pressed; high in vitamins A, C, D, and E, minerals, lecithin, and linoleic acid; ideal for dry, delicate skin; superior healing properties.
Shea Butter: A glyceride of oleic acid; high in antioxidants and cinnamic acid; a natural sunscreen; readily absorbed; an excellent moisturizer and smoothing agent.
Silk Protein: A natural lipid from palm oil combined with natural silk-derived protein (amino acids); superior skin-conditioning qualities.
Sunflower Oil: Expeller pressed; high in vitamins A, C, D, and E, minerals, lecithin, and linoleic acid; ideal for dry, delicate skin; superior healing properties.
Sweet Almond Oil: Derived from the dried kernel of sweet almonds; an excellent emollient.
T
Tea Tree Oil: Antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal; promotes healing.
V
Vegetable Glycerin: Moisturizer and moisture-retention agent; skin softener.
Vitamin E Oil: D-Alpha Acetate, the most natural form available; a superior antioxidant; a natural preservative for carrier oils; helps prevent wrinkles and scarring.
W
White Tea: Rich in antioxidants; provides anti-inflammatory support; inhibits collagen degradation; enhances microcirculation; protects against UVB damage.
Willow Bark: A source of natural salicylic acid-like ingredients with analgesic, antiseptic, astringent, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties — with none of the irritation associated with synthetic salicylic acid.
Witch Hazel: Astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory; aids in moisture retention; protects against sun damage.
Z
Zinc Oxide (non-nano particle): A natural mineral that sits on the outermost layer of skin, providing a physical barrier against damaging UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. Significantly different from synthetic sunscreen chemicals, which act through skin absorption. Superior to nano-particle titanium dioxide, which can enter the bloodstream.