5 Of The Best Natural Ingredients For Gorgeous Skin

How lucky are we that planet earth offers some of the most effective skincare ingredients out there? Very. Read on for five favorites that are having a real moment right now…

Skincare ingredients can be the subject of much debate. Do you go strictly science all the way with only the finest, chemically proven synthetic ingredients around? Or do you stick with Mother Nature and use the greenest, cleanest plant-powered ingredients and nothing else?

Of course, what you put onto (and into) your body is entirely up to you. But if you’re on the fence when it comes to the synthetic ‘vs’ nature debate, the good news is that one doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive of the other. In fact, we’re major fans of combining science-backed ingredients with nature’s finest. Because we truly believe they can all be friends together. What's more important is using ingredients that treat your skin kindly, effectively and with the least amount of environmental impact.

The thing with natural ingredients, however, is knowing the difference between the hots and the not-so-hots. Just because something comes from our fine, green lands, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a) good for your skin (two words: poison ivy) or b) going to be effective.

Want to be in on nature’s latest offerings that are making headlines in the world of skincare for all the right reasons? Then keep scrolling for five of our current picks of the best natural ingredients for your skin…

1. Bakuchiol

If you were asked to name just one ingredient you know to be an effective choice for improving your skin we bet we know what you’d say. Retinol, right? And you’d be in the absolute majority with everyone from derms to beauty editors all over the world in agreement. Retinol is one of the most proven and trusted skincare ingredients we have. And there’s no denying that.

However, the thing with retinol is that it’s not for everyone and can be a tad irritating for some skin types. It’s just too good for people with sensitive or dry skin. This is why excitement reached new levels when a new, natural alternative to retinol entered the beauty scene. Say hello to bakuchiol.

Bakuchiol is extracted from the seeds of the Indian babchi plant and it’s been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for years to help calm and heal the skin. It works in a similar way to retinol, triggering collagen production and encouraging cellular turnover to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while improving things like dark spots and sagging skin. And all this without the dryness, peeling and irritation sometimes experienced with retinol.

Unlike retinol which boasts decades of proven research, studies on bakuchiol’s effectiveness are smaller and more limited. But it shows real promise, which is why our NEW Longevity range is packed with the stuff!

2. Oat Milk

She might have had some questionable ruling techniques, but Cleopatra’s beloved milk baths were something we can definitely get behind. Containing all manner of exfoliating and nourishing compounds, milk is an incredibly soothing skin booster that helps gently remove dead skin cells while caring for and naturally hydrating your beloved complexion.

Cow's milk is not for everyone, however, which is why oat milk (a simple combination of oats and water) is having a real moment – on both your granola and your skincare routine! Just like colloidal oatmeal, which you’ll also find in many fabulous skincare formulations, oat milk has awesome soothing, calming and antioxidant effects. This is great news for dry, dehydrated or sensitive skin types because it not only fights the good fight against free radical damage from things like pollution and the sun, but it simultaneously helps reduce redness, itching and irritation. Winner.

Oat milk is also a humectant which means when you apply it to the skin it draws water to the surface like a sponge, helping to keep it hydrated and healthy. We’re in love. So much so we filled our brand new Soothing Cleansing Milk with a skin-loving combination of both oat and rice milk.

3. Snow Algae

A very special type of algae, snow algae is found in the ice caps and mountain tops of the coldest, most extreme climates in the world – think the Himalayas and Arctic Coast and you’ll be in the right ballpark.

What makes snow algae so special? Well, apart from being hot pink, its living conditions (aka freakin' cold and with extremely high levels of UV radiation) have made it adapt a clever defense mechanism in order to be able to thrive where no other plants are able to even survive.

And when applied topically to your skin this defense mechanism offers all manner of awesome benefits.

Without getting too technical, snow algae improves the health of your skin cells by stimulating certain genes to effectively put those cells on a diet. By restricting the number of calories to your skin this makes them work more efficiently, accelerating healing, detoxification, free radical protection and cell regeneration. Snow algae also works hard to strengthen your skin’s barrier function, helping to prevent transepidermal water loss and improve the visible signs of aging.

Good doesn’t even begin to touch on the powers of this natural wonder-ingredient.

4. Lingonberry

Belonging to the same family as cranberries (and similar in look and taste), lingonberries are native to countries like Finland and Sweden as well as the far northern parts of North America where they thrive in the cold. In order to protect themselves from frigid temperatures, lingonberries are packed with vitamins, minerals and protective phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and other potent antioxidants. In fact, they have more antioxidants than blueberries. And that’s saying something!

As you know, antioxidants are an absolute mainstay for any effective skincare routine. Essential for warding off collagen-destroying free radicals, they’re literally the only compounds that are able to limit their destruction and protect your skin from prematurely aging. Of course, synthetic antioxidants like sodium ascorbyl phosphate (vitamin C) and tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) are the obvious go-tos in skincare, but plants and botanicals are naturally brimming with antioxidant qualities so they’re a fantastic option for shielding your skin from the stressors of everyday life.

Lingonberries are not just one-trick, antioxidant ponies, however. They’re also a great source of fatty acids which strengthen your skin’s barrier function and help your skin stay hydrated and moisturized.

5. Witch Hazel

Witch hazel has been around for, like, ever and, while it never really went away, it's been undeservedly side lined for some years as fancier, trendier ingredients have come… and gone. The good news is witch hazel is still here, going about its business and it seems to be gaining a whole lotta love all over again.

Extracted from the leaves, twigs and bark of the North American and Asian witch hazel plant, this botanical extract is a natural cleanser, toner and works like a dog to promote healing, balance excess sebum, minimize enlarged pores and reduce inflammation. This is mainly thanks to its high content of tannins which have astringent, drying effects on the skin.

Granted, witch hazel often gets some grief for being overly drying but if it’s formulated correctly, and at a safe but effective concentration like in our Ocean Minerals Super Toner or Hyaluronic Acid Facial Serum, it’s a fabulous choice for oily skin or problematic complexions that are prone to breakouts. It also has decent antioxidant properties and can even help soothe sunburn. Not that you EVER get burnt by the sun, right? RIGHT?

Check out more of our favorite natural (and synthetic) ingredients used in your TruSkin formulations right here!