More and more people, irrespective of gender, are getting into skincare to ensure good health and natural glow. But we often find ourselves confused about which product to pick.
Our phone screens are often bombarded with brands claiming their products to be 100% natural and chemical-free. While certain harsh chemicals are bad for our skin, there are some that can benefit the dermal layer immensely.
On February 16, 2023, Kanika Talwar, Founder and CEO at CosIQ, joined us for our ongoing series, HZ Women of the Month, where we discussed the concept of scientifically-backed skincare products.
Talwar claimed her brand does not advertise its products as chemical-free; instead, they list every ingredient at the back of the label to ensure transparency. She said that while brands may say that their products are chemical-free, their labels would tell you that it’s not true.
The entrepreneur mentioned that if a product has a soothing fragrance, it’s usually not possible without adding chemicals. While sulphates, parabens and mineral oils are bad, chemicals like salicylic acid, hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide, among others, are essential for the skin if used in moderation.
For example, brands claiming 80% or 90% vitamin C in their products are luring the customers to buy their products. However, Talwar told us that this concentration of the chemical would ultimately cause a burning-sensation on the skin and lead to redness and inflammation.
Affordable, Scientifically-Proven and Result-Oriented Products
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Talwar started CosIQ in June 2021 when she saw a boom in organic and natural products but an “absence of a molecular skincare brand”. She wanted to create a brand that would offer its clientele affordable, scientifically-proven and result-oriented products.
“There were many skincare products available in the market, but none of them was meeting the exact needs of the consumers and giving them respite from skin issues,” she added.
Talwar had worked with a few skincare manufacturing units that made her realise the need for “clinically and chemically formulated skincare products”. She also felt that transparency was missing on the labels. Hence, CosIQ was born.
‘Natural & Organic Are Just Buzzwords’
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Speaking about brands selling products containing natural elements like aloe vera, turmeric, and ashwagandha, Talwar referred to “natural” and “organic” as mere buzzwords.
She added that whatever exists in nature is a chemical component. “Water is H2O and salt is NaCl.” Similarly, each natural element has a chemical formula. However, these natural products alone cannot add benefits to our skin, therefore, we need chemicals that can provide us with desirable results.
For example, Talwar said, when we use something like a walnut scrub, the tiny particles can scratch our skin and cause redness or inflammation. However, with a chemical peel, one has to apply it for 10 minutes and rinse it off. It would work to help you get rid of blackheads and dead skin cells without rubbing your face rigorously.
Sunscreens & Their Usages
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Talwar suggested picking sunscreenpicking sunscreen according to one’s exposure to sunlight and skin type. For example, an SPF 50 sunscreen would work for someone who spends their day out in the sun, while SPF 30 would work for someone who works in the office, and SPF 15 or 20 for people who mostly stay at home.
Talwar emphasised that a person must not get into skincare without knowing their skin type; else, the products can do more harm than good. For example, if one uses products meant for dry skin on oily skin, it may lead to breakouts and other issues.
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Skincare Routine
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Talwar advised us to pick a good face cleanser instead of a face wash. She said that the more foamy a face wash is, the more amount of sulphate it would contain.
After cleansing, you need an alcohol-free toner. After that, you should apply a moisturiser, then a serum depending on your skin requirements. For example, vitamin A or retinol serum is good for fine lines, wrinkles, acne and breakouts.Vitamin Cis essential for the glow. It also works well with pigmentation and dark spots much like niacinamide, if topped up with sunscreen.
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The entrepreneur also suggested doing a patch test for every product before applying it. It helps in determining if that specific product will suit their skin type or not
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