Can Your Skin Really Absorb What You Put On It?
Your skin absorbs more than you think. Many skincare ingredients reach deeper layers, where they can nourish - or disrupt - your skin’s microbiome and health. That’s why using non-toxic, food-safe, plant-based ingredients matters. Anatomy Naturals formulates with skin-compatible oils and time-tested botanicals, avoiding synthetic additives that don’t belong on your body’s largest organ.
You’ve heard the phrase “what goes on your body goes in your body,” but is it actually true? And if so, does that mean your face oil is basically a smoothie for your skin? (Short answer: not exactly - but also, kind of.) While we’re not suggesting you start drinking your moisturizer, it turns out there’s good reason to treat what you apply topically with the same care as what’s on your dinner plate. Let’s break down the science behind skin absorption - and why natural, food-safe ingredients matter more than ever.
How Skin Absorbs Ingredients: What You Need to Know
Your skin is more than a barrier. It’s an active, living organ capable of absorbing small molecules, especially those found in skincare products. This process, known as percutaneous absorption, has been studied for decades. According to a landmark review in Pharmaceutical Research, absorption depends on molecular size, structure, lipid solubility, and the health of your skin’s outermost layer, the stratum corneum (Bronaugh & Maibach, 1999).
In other words, yes, certain ingredients can and do penetrate the skin. Not everything ends up in your bloodstream, but many compounds reach the deeper layers of the skin where they can interact with cells and systems below the surface. That’s great news when you’re feeding your skin antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and plant compounds it recognizes and loves. Not so great if your skincare contains synthetic preservatives or harsh chemical additives.
When nature touches your skin, your skin remembers.
How Synthetic Ingredients Affect the Skin Microbiome
Just like your gut, your skin hosts a delicate community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes that play a major role in its health. According to a study published in Nature Reviews Microbiology, this skin microbiome protects against pathogens, regulates inflammation, and helps maintain hydration. But when exposed to synthetic ingredients like artificial fragrance, petrochemicals, or certain preservatives, this ecosystem can be thrown off balance, leading to irritation or even chronic inflammation.
Natural ingredients, by contrast, tend to support your skin’s microbiome rather than disrupt it. Plant oils, for example, contain not only lipids your skin recognizes, but also naturally occurring compounds like polyphenols, flavonoids, and sterols that nourish and soothe without overloading your system.
Why Skincare Ingredients Matter for Your Health
It means that what you put on your skin matters. Not just for the way you look, but for your overall well-being. Harsh preservatives like parabens and phthalates have been linked in studies to hormone disruption (Journal of Applied Toxicology, 2005), and certain synthetic or so-called “natural” fragrances (see our blog post on the dangers of natural fragrance oils) can trigger allergic responses or sensitization, even at low concentrations (Contact Dermatitis, 2018).
That’s why we choose to work with natural, minimally processed ingredients that the body can recognize, metabolize, and benefit from. Our oils are carefully sourced and formulated to feed the skin, not fight with it.
We're not into scare tactics. But we are into common sense. When your body’s largest organ is soaking up what you slather on daily, wouldn’t you rather it be something safe, gentle, and beautiful?
Our Commitment to Safe, Natural Skincare
At Anatomy Naturals, we believe skincare should feel like care, not chemistry. That’s why we formulate with plant-based ingredients that support your skin’s natural barrier, not strip it. No gimmicks, no endocrine disruptors, no laundry list of things to avoid - just ingredients that make sense for your skin and your body.
And because we like to keep things practical and luxurious, we don’t chase trends. We choose ingredients with a track record, like jojoba oil, whose structure closely resembles your skin’s natural sebum, and vitamin E, which not only nourishes but also stabilizes sensitive plant oils. These aren’t just "clean beauty" buzzwords, they're the foundation of safe, effective skin nutrition.
New to Natural Skincare?
You don’t have to switch everything overnight. But the next time you're choosing a body oil, a face serum, or a moisturizer, take a closer look at the label. Is it full of words you recognize or a glossary of question marks? Your skin can tell the difference, even if you can’t just yet.
And if you’re curious what truly nourishing, beautifully formulated, skin-safe products feel like, we’ve got something exciting to introduce you to.
Meet the Plant Poetry Face Oil Collection
These botanical face oils are formulated to support hydration, calm visible irritation, and bring back your natural glow - without synthetics, fillers or fads. With ingredients like cranberry seed, borage, meadowfoam, and our hero jojoba, this is skincare your skin will say “yes” to, every single time.
Curious which blend is right for you? Explore the collection and find your perfect match.
You Asked, We Answered: Skincare & Absorption FAQs
-
Q: Does your skin actually absorb skincare ingredients?
A: Yes - certain small, lipid-soluble molecules in skincare can penetrate the skin barrier and reach deeper layers. While not everything enters the bloodstream, many ingredients interact with your skin’s systems below the surface.
Q: Can synthetic skincare ingredients affect your health?
A: Some synthetic compounds, like parabens and phthalates, have been linked to hormone disruption and skin sensitivity. Others may disturb your skin’s microbiome, which plays a vital role in skin health. Choosing gentle, well-studied ingredients matters.
Q: What does 'food-safe skincare' actually mean?
A: It refers to skincare made with ingredients that are safe enough to be found in food - like plant oils, natural antioxidants, and minimally processed botanicals. While you wouldn’t eat your moisturizer, your skin often responds better to ingredients it recognizes.
Q: Why does the skin’s microbiome matter in skincare?
A: Your skin hosts beneficial bacteria that help regulate inflammation, protect against pathogens, and support hydration. Harsh preservatives, fragrances, and synthetic additives can disrupt this balance, leading to irritation or breakouts.