Natural Ingredients for Skincare: A Beginner's Guide

Natural Ingredients now top several skincare labels, but are they helpful? What do they do, what makes them special, and are they worth the hype?

These are important questions because there’s more to know than ticking off listed trending ingredients.

In this post, we will reveal groups of common natural skincare ingredients to help you make informed decisions.

Read on to learn the benefits of skin care using natural ingredients, from hydration to exfoliation.

Some Categories of Natural Ingredients for Skincare

Here are common natural ingredients you will find on several skincare product lists.






1. Oils & Butters

Plant and animal oils and butters are natural skincare classics that have been used for ages. 

They work well with our skin because they are made up of several fatty acids similar to our natural skin oils.

Oils and butters are rich in fatty acids (up to 95%), and they act as occlusives (moisture sealing) or emollients (skin softening and smoothing). 

Some also help replenish our skin’s natural oils, thereby protecting, nourishing, and repairing the skin barrier.

Examples

  • Jojoba oil

  • Rosehip oil

  • Shea butter

  • Argan oil

  • Ghee and Tallow (animal-based)

Oils and butter differ in function, feel, and best uses. And so, some can clog oily or acne-prone skin, while some people might have an allergy to nut oils.






2. Botanical Extracts & Waters

These ingredients contain compounds extracted from various parts of plants, including seeds, roots, and flowers.

They are rich in antioxidants, offer anti-inflammatory benefits, and help in balancing skin tone.

Botanical extracts and waters are soothing and lightly hydrating. They are commonly used in masks, toners, serums, and mists due to their numerous benefits.

Examples

  • Green tea extract

  • Chamomile extract

  • Aloe vera

  • Rose water

  • Licorice root extract






3. Natural Actives & Acids

Natural actives and acids are concentrated constituents from plants, minerals, or through fermentation.

These natural skincare ingredients are biologically active and are used to target specific skin concerns.

Natural actives and acids are often used for exfoliation, brightening, and clearing pores.

Examples

  • Fermented rice extract

  • Willow bark extract

  • Lactic acid

  • Glycolic Acid 

  • Hyaluronic Acid

These natural ingredients are potent and may not be suitable for daily use.

Moreover, overuse can compromise the skin barrier, and some acids, such as lactic and glycolic, can increase sensitivity to the sun.






4. Humectants & Traditional Raw Materials

Humectants hydrate the skin by pulling and retaining moisture, thereby reducing dryness. They are mostly traditional remedies that we commonly have at home, such as honey. 

These moisture magnets have barrier-repairing and soothing properties, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).

Examples

  • Glycerin

  • Honey

  • Oats

  • Sorbitol

  • Arrowroot Powder

Although they attract moisture, they need a combination with other ingredients to lock in the moisture. This is critical, especially in low-humidity environments.

5.      Clays & Minerals

Clays and minerals are ancient, fine-grained materials obtained from the earth.

These natural ingredients offer soothing, purifying, and protective benefits. They absorb excess oil and impurities from the skin and pores.

Additionally, they gently exfoliate and provide trace nutrients, and are commonly used in both DIY and store-bought masks.

Examples

  • Bentonite clay

  • Kaolin clay

  • Dead Sea mud

  • Rhassoul Clay (Moroccan lava clay)

  • Mica

Too much use of clay and minerals can strip your skin of its natural oils or cause irritation. It's also vital to use cosmetic-grade clays and minerals that are free of heavy metals.

Parting Words

For centuries, natural ingredients for skincare have been in use, and the desire for them has been reawakened.

These are only a few of the thousands of naturally occurring ingredients out there, and the list is never-ending.

Ditch the buzz and be sure of what those fancy natural ingredients can do for you when you add them to your cart.

 

FAQs

  1. What are natural ingredients in skincare?
     These are ingredients derived from plants, including oils, butters, botanical extracts/ actives, humectants, and others such as clays.

  2. Are natural ingredients always safe?
     No. The potency, concentration, risk of allergy, and formulation determine its safety, not origin alone.

  3. How can I determine if a natural ingredient is truly beneficial and not just marketing hype?
     Avoid buzzwords and trends. Instead, examine the ingredient concentration, evidence, and understand how it works.

  4. Do natural products need patch testing?

Yes, they do. They can cause allergy, irritation and breakouts.  Always test a new product on a small area before using it.


 

 

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