16 Best Natural Skincare Ingredients You Should Have in Your Routine
Recently, there has been a growing trend towards using natural ingredients in skincare products. People are becoming more conscious of what they put on their skin and turning to nature for effective solutions.
Natural skincare ingredients are gentle on the skin and often packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds. Here, we will explore the sixteen best natural skincare ingredients to incorporate into your daily skincare routine for healthier, more radiant skin.
What Are Natural Skincare Ingredients?
Natural skincare ingredients are ingredients derived naturally from plant-based sources or natural substances found in nature. These ingredients are used in skincare products to promote healthy skin and are often chosen for their gentle yet effective properties.
Natural skin care products and ingredients are considered by many to be a more eco-friendly and skin-friendly alternative to synthetic or chemically derived components.
It’s important to note that the term “natural” can vary in meaning and interpretation, and not all products labeled as “natural” are created equal. Some supposedly natural skin care products may contain synthetic and harmful chemicals added with a few natural ingredients.
It’s essential to read ingredient lists of “natural skincare products” and research to ensure that the item you choose aligns with your skincare goals and values.
What Are the Best Natural Ingredients For Your Skin?
Here are 16 of the best natural skincare ingredients:
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a time-tested natural ingredient known for its soothing and moisturizing properties. It helps calm skin irritation, reduces redness, and promotes healing. It’s an excellent choice for those with sensitive and dry skin.
Aloe vera can also help the healing process of skin diseases and skin injuries like burns, ulcers, and even sun-damaged skin. It also reinforces the skin barrier and lowers the chances of dermatitis caused by contact with irritants or allergens.
Aloe vera is a versatile skincare ingredient as it can work for all skin types, even combination skin, can help with itchy skin, reduce inflammation, and help with other skin concerns. Lastly, it reduces skin oxidation stress and promotes collagen and elastin production.
Hyaluronic Acid
While not directly extracted from plants, hyaluronic acid is typically found in our eyes, joints, and skin. It has the incredible ability to hold onto water, making it a superstar for hydration.
Studies suggest hyaluronic acid helps soft tissue growth, promoting elastin and collagen synthesis. Natural skincare products with hyaluronic acid have multiple skin benefits; they can reduce scarring, improve elasticity, and promote moisture, leaving you with a firm, plump, and healthy skin barrier.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is a lightweight natural oil derived from the kernels of the argan tree. It’s rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, making it great for nourishing the skin and hair.
This seed oil from argan trees can reduce swelling and nourish the skin, thanks to vitamin E. Essential oils like argan oil can provide hydration and improve skin elasticity. It’s commonly used as a facial oil and hair treatment.
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant, drawing and preserving moisture within the skin. Moreover, it possesses antimicrobial characteristics that can benefit individuals with acne-prone skin by combating bacterial presence.
Raw honey, mainly, is rich in enzymes and antioxidants that nourish and rejuvenate the skin. It’s often used in masks, cleansers, and spot treatments.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil, derived from tea tree leaves, is a potent natural ingredient with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s particularly effective in treating acne and blemishes and can help regulate sebum production.
One lesser-known fact about tea tree oil is that it can significantly help wound healing. Tea tree oil can address conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot, contact dermatitis, or head lice. However, it should be used in diluted form to avoid skin irritation.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil resembles our skin’s natural oils, making it an ideal moisturizer. It’s non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, making it suitable for all skin types, even extremely sensitive skin.
Jojoba oil also helps regulate oil and sebum production and keeps the skin supple.
Shea Butter
Shea butter, found in a shea tree, is a luxurious emollient, delivering profound moisture and nourishment to the skin. Abundant in vitamins and fatty acids, it calms and rejuvenates dry or compromised skin.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea is highly esteemed for its abundant antioxidants, mainly catechins, vital in shielding the skin from free radical damage caused by UV radiation and environmental pollutants.
Additionally, its anti-inflammatory properties make it particularly advantageous for diminishing redness and inflammation. Green tea is often incorporated into serums, eye creams, and sunscreen formulations.
Skincare products with green tea are an excellent choice for sun protection, as they reduce skin cancer risk. It also combats signs of skin aging and harnesses its antioxidant properties to maintain skin health.
Rosehip Oil
Rosehip seed oil, made from wild rose bush, is rich in vitamins A, C, and E and essential fatty acids. This skin care combination makes it effective for skin repair, reducing scars, and improving overall skin texture.
It’s often used to address hyperpigmentation, fine lines, and dryness. It can be applied as a facial oil or incorporated into moisturizers.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, promotes collagen production and anti-oxidant protection and encourages more radiant skin. Skin care products containing rosehip oil are perfect to lighten and moisturize skin.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, obtained from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel plant, is like nature’s magic potion. It’s famed for its knack for firming up and giving your skin a little pep talk, which can make those pesky large pores look less prominent.
And it’s not just about the tightening — witch hazel also knows how to soothe the skin, making redness and irritation pack their bags. You’ll often spot it in toners, facial cleansers, and those handy astringent solutions.
Calendula
Calendula extract, found in marigold flowers, has anti-inflammatory and healing properties. It’s beneficial for calming irritated or damaged skin.
Calendula is commonly used in creams, ointments, and salves designed to soothe skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and minor burns.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a soothing and anti-inflammatory herb. It’s perfect for calming irritated skin and reducing redness. Chamomile extracts or chamomile-infused products can help those with sensitive or reactive skin.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties, particularly for irritated or sensitive skin. It contains beta-glucans that can calm redness and linoleic acid that can reduce acne. Oatmeal is often used in skincare products like oatmeal baths, face masks, and gentle cleansers, making it an excellent choice for eczema-prone or sensitive skin.
It is known that oatmeal contains natural exfoliating properties and anti-inflammatory ingredients. It can remove dead skin cells, making you look fresh without irritation. It removes excess oil without repercussion, unlike other skin care exfoliants that leave you with bumpy and red skin.
If you want to remove your dead skin cells without extreme irritation, look for skin care products containing colloidal oatmeal for the best results.
Turmeric
Turmeric, a potent spice bursting with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, can work wonders for your skin.
When applied directly, it has the potential to illuminate your complexion, calm down any redness, and create a more uniform skin tone. Remember, it has a bit of a colorful personality, so tread lightly to avoid any staining mishaps.
Licorice Root Extract
Licorice root extract suits oily skin prone to blemishes and uneven skin tone. This essential oil can reduce inflammation and help with your overall complexion.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil, rich in vitamin C and essential fatty acids, is a nourishing powerhouse for dry skin. A skin care product that contains a high amount of vitamin C can hydrate and lighten your skin.
Avocado oil provides deep hydration, soothing irritation and leaving the skin soft and supple.
What Is the Best Ingredient for Good Skin?
The “best” skincare with natural ingredients can vary from person to person, depending on their skin type, concerns, and goals. However, if we were to pick one versatile and widely beneficial ingredient, it would be hyaluronic acid.
Compared to other natural skin care products, hyaluronic acid’s chemical structure makes it possible to help dry and chapped skin quickly and without repercussions. Its ability to hold moisture makes it invaluable for hydration, which is fundamental to good skin health.
Natural skin care ingredients like coconut oil can keep the skin hydrated; however, coconut oil is less efficient and cannot treat acne-prone skin. In fact, coconut oil is highly comedogenic, making it unsuitable to use with oily skin.
What is the Most Natural Skin Care?
The concept of “the most natural skincare” emphasizes using minimally processed and chemical-free products. Here are some tips for achieving the most natural skincare routine:
Cleanse with Natural Ingredients
Choose gentle cleansers with natural ingredients like aloe vera, or chamomile to cleanse the skin without harsh chemicals.
Use Plant-Based Oils for Acne-prone skin.
Incorporate plant-based oils like jojoba, argan, or rosehip oil for moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliate your skin using oatmeal. You can use vitamin C serums after exfoliating.
Herbal Infusions
Consider herbal infusions and teas as toners or soothing treatments. Ingredients like green tea, chamomile, and calendula have skin-loving properties.
DIY Masks
Create DIY face masks using ingredients from your kitchen, such as honey, yogurt, or avocado. These are free from synthetic additives and can provide various benefits.
Minimalist Approach
Use fewer products with simpler ingredient lists to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 is a skincare product that has gained popularity for its hydrating properties. It contains hyaluronic acid, a natural substance in the body known for its moisture-retaining abilities.
Vitamin B5 enhances the formula’s ability to promote skin hydration and repair. Users often praise this product’s lightweight texture and ability to leave the skin plump and moisturized.
Natural skin care ingredients in your routine can lead to healthier and more radiant skin. Whether you have sensitive skin, acne-prone skin, or are looking for anti-aging benefits, many natural products can address your specific needs.
Remember, one person’s skin differs from another, so patch-test any new product and consult a dermatologist if you have any concerns or skin conditions. You can take one step closer to achieving the glowing complexion you’ve always desired by choosing natural skincare ingredients.
Meet Alex, a finance grad with a makeup palette as diverse as her investment portfolio. When she’s not crunching financial data, you’ll find Alex reading about beauty and makeup, proving that numbers and glamour can coexist in one fabulous package.
