Chemistry 101: 15 Of The Best Natural Skincare Ingredients To Look For

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By Arwa Lodhi

From parabens and sodium laureth sulfate and beyond, many of us are learning which chemicals in cosmetics are the most harmful. And that’s a good thing! These nasty chemicals can cause everything from skin irritation to cancer. Whilst most of us generally look at the ingredients list on our cosmetics and think: ‘if I can’t pronounce it, it’s bad’ – that’s not always the case. Some chemicals are actually good for your skin. Like, seriously good!

The truth is, even water is a chemical (H2O, obvs), and there are plenty of wonderful elements provided by nature that can do everything from exfoliate your skin to protect it from ageing. Here’s a list of some of the best natural skincare ingredients (many of which do in fact have scary sounding chemical names), and where to find them.

1. Apricot Kernels

Try: Bioclarity cleanser

Part of a 3 part system, this is the perfect first step to clearing up your skin naturally. Vegan friendly and perfect for oily skin, the system was especially formulated to make acne prone skin more beautiful, using only all natural ingredients.

2. Sodium Hyaluronate

Try: Madara Night Cream

A richly nutritious, fast-absorbing night-time moisturiser that instantly softens, hydrates and recharges the skin, continuing to work overnight to rebuild dermal collagen and elastin fibres and activate cell processes for smoother, rested and radiant skin. Formulated with rejuvenating Northern Birch juice, amongst other anti-ageing ingredients.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Try: Aromatherapy Associates Shower Collection

Whether you just want a shower oil to perk up your mood in the morning, or are looking for something to smooth your skin after a bath, this collection features tea tree oil, and many other delicious scents.

4. Sulfur

Try: De La Cruz Ointment

All natural and super simple, this pomade is cheap as chips and provides a great solution for acne prone skin.

5. Salicylic Acid

Try: Thalgo Eye Patches

Fragrance free and soothing, these eye patches promise to reduce wrinkles and smooth out puffiness, refreshing the under-eye area immediately.

6. Shea Butter

Try: Aviela Pure Shea Butter

Basic and pure, all natural and really gentle on even the most sensitive of skins. What’s not to love?

7. Hyaluronic Acid

Try: Yverum Eye and Lip Serum

Perfect for the most delicate areas of skin on your face, this natural serum plumps and refines wrinkles at the top of the lip and around the eyes.

8. Oat Kernel Extract

Try: Essentially Nature Night Repair Cream

Rich and luxurious yet with a price that won’t break the bank, this is a great cream for sensitive or mature skins.

9. Green Tea

Try: Saach Organics Green Tea & Aloe Vera Shower Gel

Protective and invigorating, this body wash is hand-crafted with saponified oils and is completely pure, cleansing and hydrating. Specifically formulated to cleanse without stripping the skin of natural oils.

10. Glycerin

Try: Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist

Tone with this refreshing blend of rosehip, ylang ylang, resveratrol-rich grapeseed oil and antioxidant- rich organic botanical juices for a fresh, radiant complexion.

11. Eucalyptus Oil

Try: 100% Pure Seafoam Cleanser

This is a richly foaming, detoxifying blend of seaweeds, invigorating mint essential oils, skin softening rosehip oil, green tea and of course, eucalyptus. It all smells amazing, and washes away all traces of makeup and other impurities.

12. Clay

Try: Rossi Uvema Clay Mask

Moroccan Rhassoul Clay, a lava clay found in the Atlas mountains of Morocco, is the basis for this extraordinary mineral-rich clay mask. Perfect for all kinds of skin, but especially oily and combination.

13. Benzoic Acid

Try: Elemis Advanced Brightening Serum

This unique blend of Daisy Flower, Pea, and Vitamin C alleviates existing pigmentation and helps prevent uneven pigmentation in the future. It has been clinically proven to show significant improvement in skin pigmentation within 28 days of use, and is perfect for dull and pigmented skin.

14. Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA)

Try: MZ Skin Clarifying Mask

Looking to get your skin seriously smooth? This deep but gentle cleanser uncovers remarkably fresh, smooth skin, thanks to a special blend of natural multi-fruit Alpha-Hydroxy Acids that unclog and purify pores, and increase cellular turnover for a more youthfully refined look.