7 great natural ingredients for your skin

Most of us think that “natural” instantly translates to “better” but unfortunately it doesn’t quite work like that. Just as there are good and bad synthetic ingredients, there are natural ones which may not work so well for you. To help you with your selection, we have summarised a short selection of natural ingredients that have been proven to be the most effective. These natural wonders can help battle breakouts, soothe irritation, treat uneven pigmentation, and even prevent sun damage, in some cases.

This healthy drink contains high levels of antioxidant chemicals — including catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate, and flavonoids, such as kaempferol and theaflavin — to help prevent and reverse UV damage to the skin, explains Neal Schultz, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and creator of BeautyRx Skincare. These same chemicals make green tea an excellent natural anti-inflammatory and skin soothing ingredient in skin care.

Look for green tea in Innisfree Green Tea Balancing Cream ($18.49) and St. Ives Blemish Control Gel Cleanser, Green Tea ($13.61).

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Licorice Extract Helps Treat Redness and Rosacea

The anti-inflammatory properties of licorice extract make this one of the best natural ingredients to treat redness and rosacea. And the plant has also been shown to reduce uneven pigmentation by blocking the production of melanin. Dr. Wu suggests looking for licorice extract in eye treatments because one study found that a cream containing the ingredient helped lighten dark under eye circles.

Oats Soothe Eczema and Other Skin Irritation

Colloidal oatmeal is one of the few natural ingredients that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat skin irritations, such as eczema, dry skin, poison ivy, poison oak, and insect bites. Oat lipids and proteins help replenish and maintain the skin barrier and oats contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant chemicals.

Soy Helps Brighten Dull Skin and Is a Good Alternative to Stronger Prescription Products

“Look for this ingredient if you’d like your skin to look brighter and more even-toned,” Wu says. “Topical soy has been shown to lighten discoloration due to melasma and sun damage by inhibiting skin’s overproduction of melanin skin pigment.”

Soy-based products are also a good option for those looking for an alternative to prescription-strength ingredients, like retinoids and hydroquinone.

Vitamin C Helps Battle Aging and Sagging Skin

You may think of vitamin C as an essential defense against the common cold, but the nutrient also battles the common signs of ageing skin: sagging and dullness. Vitamin C aids in collagen synthesis, which is essential for firmness and smoothness, Wu explains. Plus, it has antioxidant benefits to help fight free-radical damage, and lightens dark spots. As if this little vitamin didn’t already work hard enough, C can also regulate sebum production to prevent acne and decrease inflammation.

Not only should you eat plenty of citrus fruits to ensure your skin benefits from vitamin C, look for it in serums and cleansers.

Willow Herb Has Anti-Microbial and Antiseptic Properties

Willow herb, a wildflower, is a unique anti-microbial, anti-irritant, and natural antiseptic that has long been used to sooth common skin irritations, including rosacea and eczema.

One of the little flower’s benefits includes the ability to kill Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, the nasty microbes that cause acne, which makes the natural ingredient a great option for treating breakouts, says

7 great natural ingredients for your skin

Beta Carotene Helps Protects Against Sun Damage

Licorice Extract Helps Treat Redness and Rosacea

Oats Soothe Eczema and Other Skin Irritation

Soy Helps Brighten Dull Skin and Is a Good Alternative to Stronger Prescription Products

Vitamin C Helps Battle Aging and Sagging Skin

Willow Herb Has Anti-Microbial and Antiseptic Properties

Witch Hazel Helps Control Oil, but Hydrates, Too

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