Why I Choose Cold-Pressed Oils Over Synthetic Skincare Ingredients

The Beginning of the Dr Watkins Essentials Journey

When I founded Dr Watkins Essentials, my goal was simple: to remove unnecessary chemicals and potential toxins from my daily life.

As a biochemist, I became increasingly aware that while our skin provides an excellent protective barrier, many substances can still interact with and be absorbed by it. That realisation led me down a path of questioning the ingredients in the products I used every day—not just skincare, but also household cleaners and wellness products.

What started with a simple spray-and-wipe cleaner has since evolved into a complete collection of skincare, cleaning, and wellness solutions inspired by nature.

The Rise of "Natural-Washing"

One of the biggest surprises on this journey was discovering how many products marketed as "natural" or "eco-friendly" still contain highly refined or heavily processed ingredients.

I call this natural-washing.

A product may contain one or two botanical ingredients on the label, yet still rely heavily on synthetic additives, fillers, fragrances, or highly processed compounds.

This is why I always encourage people to read ingredient lists carefully and understand what is actually inside the products they are buying.

Why I Prefer Ingredients Close to Nature

At Dr Watkins Essentials, I aim to use ingredients that remain as close to their natural state as possible.

This doesn't mean every synthetic ingredient is bad, nor does it mean every natural ingredient is automatically superior. Rather, I believe that whole botanical ingredients often provide a complex blend of beneficial compounds that work together naturally.

Let me explain with a few examples.

Rosehip Oil vs Synthetic Retinol

The Benefits of Rosehip Oil

Rosehip Oil is one of my favourite skincare ingredients.

This luxurious, silky oil has long been valued for its ability to support skin renewal, improve the appearance of uneven skin tone, and help maintain healthy-looking skin.

Cold-pressed Rosehip Oil naturally contains:

• Provitamin A carotenoids
• Vitamin C
• Essential fatty acids
• Antioxidants

Together, these compounds help support skin barrier function and maintain a radiant complexion.

What About Retinol?

Retinol is one of the most popular active ingredients in modern skincare.

Commercial retinol is typically manufactured through a multi-step synthesis process and is widely recognised for its ability to improve the appearance of ageing skin.

However, retinol can also cause:

• Redness
• Dryness
• Peeling
• Irritation
• Increased skin sensitivity

particularly when first introduced into a skincare routine.

While retinol certainly has its place in skincare, I personally appreciate that cold-pressed Rosehip Oil provides a naturally nourishing source of vitamin A precursors alongside a wide range of additional beneficial compounds.

Squalane vs Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The "Miracle Molecule"

Squalane has become one of the most sought-after ingredients in premium skincare.

It is highly valued because it mimics components naturally found within the skin barrier and helps support moisture retention.

Nature's Source of Squalene

What many people don't realise is that Extra Virgin Olive Oil naturally contains significant amounts of squalene—the precursor to squalane.

In addition to squalene, olive oil also contains:

• Polyphenols
• Antioxidants
• Vitamin E
• Beneficial fatty acids

When formulated correctly, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be an exceptionally nourishing skincare ingredient in its own right.

Coenzyme Q10 vs Avocado Oil

What Is Coenzyme Q10?

Coenzyme Q10, also known as ubiquinone, is a powerful antioxidant that plays a critical role in cellular energy production.

In skincare, it is often used to:

• Help protect against oxidative stress
• Support collagen production
• Support elastin production
• Improve the appearance of ageing skin

Many commercial forms are produced through fermentation or industrial manufacturing processes.

Avocado Oil: A Natural Source

Interestingly, avocado oil naturally contains Coenzyme Q10 alongside a wealth of other beneficial compounds.

Cold-pressed avocado oil also provides:

• Essential fatty acids
• Vitamin E
• Phytosterols
• Antioxidants

This means you're receiving far more than a single isolated ingredient.

The Power of Whole Botanical Ingredients

These examples highlight one of the reasons I love working with cold-pressed oils.

A single botanical oil often contains dozens—sometimes hundreds—of naturally occurring compounds that work together to support skin health.

Rather than isolating a single molecule, nature provides a complete package of:

• Essential fatty acids
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Antioxidants
• Phytochemicals

all within the same ingredient.

Sustainability Matters Too

There is also an environmental aspect to this philosophy.

Cold pressing an oil from rosehips, olives, avocados, or black cumin seeds generally requires fewer processing steps than isolating, refining, and manufacturing individual active compounds.

While synthetic ingredients are often more economical to produce at scale, I believe there is value in using thoughtfully sourced botanical ingredients whenever possible.

Why I Use Multiple Botanical Oils in My Formulations

This philosophy is reflected throughout the Dr Watkins Essentials range.

My products combine carefully selected cold-pressed oils and butters to harness not only individual active compounds but also the complete nutritional profile of each ingredient.

This allows me to incorporate ingredients such as:

• Rosehip Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Black Cumin Seed Oil
• Shea Butter

while benefiting from their naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and bioactive compounds.

One of my favourite examples is Black Cumin Seed Oil, which contains the remarkable antioxidant compound thymoquinone alongside a host of other naturally occurring skin-supporting nutrients.

Skincare Inspired by Nature

For me, effective skincare isn't about chasing the latest miracle ingredient.

It's about understanding the remarkable chemistry already present in nature and using those ingredients thoughtfully and responsibly.

By combining scientific knowledge with carefully selected botanical ingredients, I create products that nourish the skin while remaining true to the values that inspired Dr Watkins Essentials from the very beginning.

Because sometimes nature has already done much of the hard work for us.