Natural skincare is getting more and more popular nowadays. Using ingredients that are found in nature minimizes the interaction with any harmful or harsh compounds that could irritate the skin. Plus, it can be a more eco-friendly and affordable choice compared to some synthetic products. But the fact that something is natural, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good for you. You won’t go around in a forest eating random mushrooms that might as well be poisonous by all you know, right? It works the same way with using natural ingredients in your skincare routine, you should know what to look for to actually achieve the expected results. We collected some of the top natural ingredients down below that you could safely apply even in their natural forms or found in natural cosmetics. Some might already be in your house somewhere, while some of these you might actually have to look for in your new skincare products, but they will all have a great benefit for healthy and clear skin.
Skin Care Products & Their Benefits
- Green Tea Extract
Green tea has been around for centuries and is well known for its health benefits. It almost works like a magical elixir for both inner and outer beauty. Green tea contains high levels of antioxidants, making it a great anti-inflammatory beverage. These same chemicals also make it a great nourishing, soothing, and rejuvenating ingredient in your skincare routine. It can reduce topical oxidative stress—just like it calms you down after a busy day—, and slow down the signs of aging by inhibiting enzymes that cause skin degradation. So in conclusion, this common and affordable natural ingredient will contribute to a rejuvenated and clean skin both through your diet and through your wisely chosen skincare products.
- Healing Bark
Healing bark, also known as thanaka, is still a well-kept secret of the beauty community and probably the best natural ingredient we’ve ever tested. It is a yellow powder finely ground from a tree that is native to Burma. The locals originally used it to cool the skin, but soon proved to become a solution for many skin concerns like acne, aging, and uneven skin tone. It is actually highly anti-inflammatory and works as an antioxidant, while even absorbing UV rays due to its marmesin contents which makes it perfect to prevent and repair stress caused by sun exposure. Its anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties also make it great for fighting pimples without drying out the skin. Using it in your natural skincare routine will result in bright, clean, rejuvenated, and smooth skin.
- Colloidal oatmeal
Oat is not only part of a healthy breakfast but could be part of your new natural skincare routine as well. It contains proteins that help strengthen the skin barrier and chemicals that will keep your skin clean with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. If you have sensitive skin, oats might become your new skincare bestie due to their high amount of fiber and cellulose that will soothe and nourish irritated and dry skin. It works as a gentle exfoliator, or a calming bath soaks as well.
- Vitamin C
You hear the term “Vitamin C”, and you already know it’s something good. Vitamin C is actually a weak acid that works as a strong antioxidant and anti-aging nutrient. It promotes collagen production that is essential to keep the skin’s firmness and elasticity. It helps fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation, evening out the skin tone. And above all of these, Vitamin C also has sebum-controlling properties, so it’s a great ingredient to fight acne to keep the skin clean. There are many natural cosmetics out there that use Vitamin C as their main ingredient, but it’s probably the easiest to incorporate it into your skincare routine as a clean serum. But since it’s an acid that reacts to air and light, make sure to apply sun protection after—and to keep your product in an appropriate place according to its directions.
- Aloe Vera
Have you ever found yourself quickly looking for aloe vera gel right after a crazy sunburn? The cute little succulent is full of beneficial compounds that do way more to your skin than just cool it down after a warm day. It is actually highly antibacterial and anti-inflammatory that will heal your skin, including pimples, and help keep your complexion clear. It works well against acne and dry skin straight from the plant or in natural cleansing, hydrating skincare products as well. So you don’t have to keep aloe vera strictly for the summer holidays.
- Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a very versatile and popular natural ingredient—both in the kitchen and in the bathroom. It is a hypoallergenic oil that contains fatty acids, and vitamin E. Using coconut oil in your skincare routine will improve the barrier and help your skin maintain its hydration even after the product is absorbed. It also has excellent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that can help fight some skin diseases like eczema or dermatitis. Coconut oil also works as a great natural alternative for cleansing balms.
- Bakuchiol
Bakuchiol might not sound so familiar at first, but if we say retinol, you probably know we talk about anti-aging and healing skincare. Retinol is a very popular vitamin A compound that works magic in this area, but it can be harsh on the skin. You have to understand both your skin and the product that you are using very well to make sure to actually benefit from the product and cause any harm. Here comes bakuchiol in the picture that is a great natural and gentle alternative to retinol. It’s an antioxidant plant extract that has very similar healing and anti-aging properties without any irritation—resulting in clean and rejuvenated skin.