Three Shades of Natural

At ORY Skincare, we believe “natural” should be clear, honest, and useful—not a vague marketing buzzword. This page explains how we classify ingredients so you know exactly what’s in your lotion, cleanser, toner, and serum, and why it’s there.

How to read this page

    • Each category includes: a definition, how it’s made, common examples, why we use it, what to watch for, and typical skin-type fit.
    • On product pages you’ll see small badges: Purely Natural, Naturally Derived, or Nature Identical beside each ingredient, plus links to deeper ingredient notes.

Purely Natural

Plain-English definition
Ingredients taken directly from nature and only minimally processed by physical methods (e.g., washing, filtering, grinding, cold-pressing, distilling), so the natural chemical structure remains intact.

How it’s made

  • Harvest → clean → physically process (e.g., cold press, macerate/infuse in oil, steam-distill, filter).
  • No chemical reaction is used to change the molecule itself.

Examples you’ll see at ORY

  • Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii; unrefined or lightly refined)
  • Cold-Pressed Avocado Oil (Persea gratissima)
  • Other carrier oils: Jojoba, Sweet Almond, Grapeseed, Rosehip
  • Hydrosols/Distillates (e.g., Lavender hydrosol)
  • Botanical Infusions (e.g., Jojoba + Lavender infusion in our Oil Phase)

Why we use it

  • Rich in native phytonutrients (fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants).
  • Great for skin barrier support and sensory elegance without additives.
  • Aligns with customers seeking the closest-to-nature option.

What to watch for

  • Batch variation (color/aroma) is normal.
  • Some unrefined botanicals can be too heavy or aromatic for very reactive skin.
  • Natural odor and color can subtly scent/tint a formula.

Skin-type fit

  • Dry/Mature: shea, avocado, jojoba = barrier comfort
  • Normal/Combination: lightweight oils (jojoba, grape)
  • Oily/Acne-prone: choose low-comedogenic oils (hemp, squalane*), lighter infusions
  • Sensitive: patch-test rich botanicals; opt for refined versions when needed

Naturally Derived

Plain-English definition
Ingredients originating from natural sources (plants, sugars, lipids, minerals) that undergo controlled chemical or enzymatic processing to create functional, skin-friendly materials (e.g., emulsifiers, mild cleansers, conditioners). The finished ingredient is different from the raw plant molecule, but its feedstock is natural.

How it’s made

  • Start with a natural feedstock → purify → react or combine with other safe components → create a consistent, high-performance ingredient.
  • Common pathways: esterification, hydrogenation, fermentation, enzymatic modification.

Examples you’ll see at ORY

  • Emulsifiers (to bind oil + water): e.g., Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Cetearyl Olivate/Sorbitan Olivate
  • Mild cleansers (surfactants) for gel cleansers: Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside
  • Conditioning emollients: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (from coconut + glycerin)
  • Squalane (plant-derived) for lightweight barrier support
  • Fermentation-derived actives: Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid)

Why we use it

  • Enables stable creams and lotions that feel elegant and absorb well.
  • Offers gentler cleansing compared with many traditional detergents.
  • Improves consistency and safety vs. highly variable raw botanicals.
  • Expands what “natural” skincare can do—performance with comfort.

What to watch for

  • Still “natural-rooted,” but not the same molecule you’d find in the plant.
  • Quality matters—certifications (e.g., COSMOS-accepted) and traceability help ensure responsible sourcing.

Skin-type fit

  • All skin types benefit because these materials often reduce irritation risk while delivering stability and glide.
  • Sensitive/Oily users appreciate gentle surfactants and light emollients that don’t occlude.

Nature Identical

Plain-English definition
Ingredients made in a lab but chemically identical to a molecule that also exists in nature. You get the same structure and behavior, often with better purity, consistency, and safety.

How it’s made

  • Created by synthesis or fermentation, matching the exact chemical fingerprint of the natural counterpart.
  • Allows precise dosing and high purity (fewer natural contaminants).

Examples you’ll see at ORY

  • Citric Acid (pH adjuster; also found in citrus)
  • Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) (skin-soothing humectant)
  • Allantoin (keratolytic/soothing; occurs in comfrey)
  • Urea (part of skin’s natural moisturizing factors)
  • Sodium Benzoate/Benzoic Acid (preservative system; occurs in some fruits)

Why we use it

  • Safety & consistency: medical-grade purity helps minimize irritation.
  • Performance: precise control over pH, preservation, and hydration.
  • Sustainability: avoids large-scale extraction of rare plants for tiny yields.

What to watch for

  • Though chemically identical to natural, some shoppers equate “lab-made” with “synthetic = bad.” In reality, identity and purity matter more than origin for skin compatibility and sustainability.

Skin-type fit

  • Sensitive: panthenol and allantoin are often well-tolerated.
  • Oily/Acne-prone: pH-balancing citric acid supports a healthy acid mantle.
  • Dry/Mature: urea and panthenol help hydrate and smooth.

Quick Comparison

Category

Origin & Processing

Is the molecule changed?

Typical Role in Formulas

Key Benefits

Purely Natural

Direct from plants; physical processing only

No

Core oils, butters, hydrosols, infusions

Rich phytonutrients, close to nature

Naturally Derived

Natural feedstock + chemical/enzymatic transformation

Yes

Emulsifiers, mild cleansers, elegant emollients

Stability, gentleness, performance

Nature Identical

Lab-made to match a molecule found in nature

No (identical)

pH adjusters, humectants, soothing agents, some preservatives

Purity, precision, sustainability

How ORY Applies These Categories

(What you’ll see on our site)

  • Ingredient Badges on every product page:
    • Purely Natural (e.g., Shea Butter, cold-pressed oils, hydrosols)
    • Naturally Derived (e.g., emulsifiers, coco-glucoside, plant squalane)
    • Nature Identical (e.g., citric acid, panthenol, allantoin, urea)
  • Full Ingredient Index: Each ingredient lists source, function, category, pros/cons, and skin-type notes.
  • Formulation Rationale: Short notes under each product explaining why we chose a given ingredient and its category (e.g., “Naturally Derived emulsifier chosen for stability and sensitive-skin tolerance”).
  • Transparency Promise: If an ingredient could be sourced in more than one way, we state our source and category (e.g., “Plant-derived squalane, Naturally Derived”).

FAQs

Is “natural” always safer?

Not automatically. Safety comes from the molecule, its purity, the dose, and the finished formula, not only its origin. Many Naturally Derived and Nature Identical ingredients are gentler and more consistent than raw botanicals.

Why use Nature Identical if a plant makes it?

Nature sometimes produces tiny amounts with variable purity. A lab route gives the same molecule with higher purity and lower environmental impact—and lets us dose it precisely.

Will products feel different across categories?

Yes. Purely Natural oils/butters feel richly emollient. Naturally Derived emollients and emulsifiers provide silky, fast-absorbing textures. Nature Identical humectants and actives dial in hydration, soothing, and pH for comfort.

Labels you may see on ORY product pages

Purely Natural

Example: “Cold-Pressed Avocado Oil — Purely Natural (Oil Phase).”

Naturally Derived

Example: “Glyceryl Stearate Citrate — Naturally Derived (Emulsifier).”

Nature Identical

Example: “Citric Acid — Nature Identical (pH adjuster).”

Ready to explore?

Browse our Ingredient Index to see how each item is categorized.
Ingredient Index

Start a custom formulation—choose your skin type and we’ll guide you through Purely Natural, Naturally Derived, and Nature Identical options step-by-step.

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