Natural Beauty
The pandemic put a spotlight on so many things; the need to slow down, the beauty of doing things yourself, the simple life. Between the bread baking and our sudden ‘cottage core’ inspired interest in crocheting, we did stop on more than one occasion, to think: wow, it’s 2021 and I have become my Grandmother. And, ya know what, we’re cool with that, because, more and more, it’s seeming like she may have had lots of things right, beauty included.
Granny cooked with whole foods, which gave her that glow from within that processed foods just can’t. Granny also made her own skincare using home ingredients. We’re here for it. Making your own skincare from scratch may be one of the best way to avoid chemicals and unnatural additives, not to mention reduce your use of single use plastics and other disposable packaging. And, hey, you’ve spent the past year at home channeling your DIY, breadmaking, gardening self, so this seems like a natural (yikes, pun unintended) next step. But where to begin? Here are a few of the key important skincare ingredients you should know about. So whether you’re up for a little DIY skincare or you just want to know which natural ingredients to look for in your beauty products. Here’s a list of some of the top natural ingredients to use in skincare.
8 Natural ingredients to use in skincare
Avocado
Avocado is an excellent moisturizer for the skin because it penetrates deeply, is a fruit rich in vitamins A, D, E and K and has minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, potassium and phosphorus, which stimulate collagen production and combat the first signs of aging. When avocado is applied to the skin, it reduces water loss and increases hydration, thus removing the pores and leaving the skin cleaner, smoother and with a natural glow.
5 Ways to use avocado on your skin
1- Moisturizing facial mask
2- Anti aging facial mask
3- Cream for dark circles
4- To alleviate acne
5- As a rejuvenating cream
Oat
With anti inflammatory and antioxidant substances, oats are a very suitable ingredient for dry and sensitive skin, because it helps to restore the skin barrier and makes dryness more difficult, leaving it more hydrated. It is an ingredient rich in fiber, contains vitamins B1 and B2, amino acids, salicylic acid and silica, in addition to its moisturizing function, oats can also function as an exfoliator, as it removes dead cells, helps eliminate blackheads and acne, increases the production of collagen and elastin and leaves the skin firmer and smoother.
5 Ways to use oat on your skin
1- Facial scrub
2- Whitening mask
3- Drying for acne
4- Facial moisturizer and illuminator
5- To reduce oiliness
Chamomile
The use of chamomile can be topical or ingested through tea, this plant is rich in flavonoids and coumarin, contains vitamin B1, B2, minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium and iron and zinc. It contains soothing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used on irritated skin as a tonic, or to soften and lighten dark circles, chamomile removes impurities, controls excess shine and will leave the skin looking smooth and hydrated.
5 Ways to use chamomile on your skin
1- Soothing facial tonic
2- Pre-make up
3- Brighten and diminish dark circles
4- Compresses to reduce inflamed acne
5- Remove impurities and control oiliness
Green tea
Another tea that has guaranteed space in natural skincare, is green tea, the plant has a lot of vitamins B, E, C, amino acids, calcium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, iron and flavonoids, the flavonoids that exist in the composition of green tea protect the skin from premature aging, relieve redness caused by the sun, protect against skin cancer and the damage caused by exposure to UV rays, in addition to improving blood flow and increasing elasticity and decreasing wrinkles, leaving the skin more hydrated and smooth.
5 Ways to use green tea on your skin
1- Exfoliating
2- Face mask for oily skin
3- Rejuvenating facial mask
4- For skin cleansing
5- Astringent facial tonic
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is not produced naturally by the body, so it is necessary to ingest through food or use cosmetics with this vitamin to keep the skin young and bright for longer, it has antioxidant action, enhances the effects of sunscreen, protecting the skin from UVA and UVB rays. Vitamin C is excellent for fighting acne and sun spots, decreasing skin oiliness and producing collagen, which fights the first signs of aging, leaving the skin looking healthy and beautiful.
*But be careful with vitamin C, it oxidizes easily if it is in contact with water or air, if your vitamin C oxidizes, don’t use it on your skin.
5 Ways to use vitamin C on your skin
1- To decrease melasma blemishes and acne marks
2- Increase collagen production
3- Before sunscreen to enhance the effects
4- Control skin oiliness
5- Brighten the skin
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is one of the most efficient natural ingredients with great nutrients from natural cosmetology, has vitamins B, C and E, is rich in calcium, iron, zinc, selenium, manganese and magnesium, the gel that exists inside the aloe vera is the most used part of the plant and has therapeutic assets. On the skin, it has the effect of keeping the skin more elastic, decreasing the depth of wrinkles and expression lines, and can be used for acne treatments.
5 Ways to use aloe vera on your skin
1- Facial scrub
2- Skin moisturizer
3- Eliminate acne stains
4- Skin cleansing
5- To prevent or decrease the appearance of wrinkles and expression lines
Coconut oil
The fruit is rich in fibers, minerals, potassium, phosphorus, B and C complexes, in the beauty industry it is found most often in the form of coconut oil and this is the type of oil that has many uses, mainly for the skin, because it has an emollient consistency, it acts as a strong moisturizer mainly for dry skin and even helps to remove dark spots and dark circles. However, this is a somewhat comedogenic ingredient, so when using it, wash your face completely and if you suffer from acne, use it in a reduced way.
5 Ways to use coconut on your skin
1- Facial moisturizer
2- Make-up remover to remove makeup and other impurities
3- Moisturizing and soothing face mask
4- Exfoliating skin and lips
5- To relieve sunburn
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is a plant widely used in natural cosmetics, contains tannins and gallic acid that makes it work with astringent, anti-greasy and drying action, it is highly recommended for oily and acne-prone skin, because it makes the skin drier by acting as a natural tonic, it can also be used to relieve sunburn, insect bites and injuries.
5 Ways to use witch hazel on your skin
1- Reduce skin irritation
2- Fight acne
3- Decrease skin greasiness
4- Makeup remover
5- To treat blackheads
Nature is rich and it is possible to make good use of everything it provides, whether consuming it orally or topically, whenever you buy a cosmetic, choose those that have natural ingredients, because they do not harm the skin and bring many benefits to different regions. If you are going to make a recipe at home, follow the method of preparation correctly so as not to cause damage to your skin, and if you think it is necessary, consult a dermatologist for him to indicate a suitable ingredient for your skin type.