These Are the Natural Ingredients Every Skin Type Needs, According to an Expert
The natural beauty revolution is here! But with the staggering number of products hitting the shelves every month, determining which ones are right for you can be difficult. We sat down with Megan Schwarz of Missouri-based beauty e-tailer Seed to Serum to get to the bottom of which natural ingredients are a must to achieve the healthiest skin this time of year. Simply because you can navigate the ingredient list — like jojoba, argan and rosehip oils — doesn’t mean you know whether something will work for your skin type. However, there are a number of ingredients that benefit all skin types and address our universal skin concerns. In fact, Megan’s favorite feature of plant-based ingredients is that they are rarely one-note, meaning a single ingredient can tackle everything from acne to dry skin. Win-win!
VITAMIN C
1.Elizabeth Dehn for One Love Organics Vitamin C Body Polish ($48): “I could write an essay on the benefits of vitamin C. Vitamin C promotes collagen synthesis, provides protection from UV rays, lightens dark spots and fights inflammation. It’s a genuine multi-tasker and wunderkind for all skin types.” proclaims Schwarz. “And while it’s important to include plenty of vitamin C in your diet, topical application is even more beneficial. While conventional beauty products typically rely on ascorbic acid, which is quickly oxidized and rendered virtually useless once it is put into a liquid, natural beauty products are incorporating pricier, oil soluble versions of vitamin C that maintain their effectiveness (even more of a reason to jump on the green beauty bandwagon — you get what you pay for!)”
ROSE
2. Jacqueline Evans Damask Rose Hydrating Mist ($19): “This gorgeous ingredient addresses everything from inflammation to flaky skin, and smells fantastic while doing it! It takes tens of thousands of rose blossoms to yield a single ounce of rose essential oil, so it’s truly a luxury. If a pricey rose-rich face oil is out of the question, get your hands on some rose water. Use it to mist your skin throughout the day to reduce dehydration or even as a cleanser in the morning if your skin is extremely sensitive.”
ALOE
3. MOSS Healing Dew Anti-Inflammatory Repairing Serum ($68): This skin-soothing ingredient not only tackles inflammation and redness with ease, but it’s also easy to find! “Look for aloe in face mists, serums and cleansers. Remember that if a product is touting the benefits of aloe, it should be near the top of the ingredient list. Don’t be fooled by packaging! Aloe also works wonders on the digestive system, so try incorporating it into your daily smoothie for additional skin-boosting benefits.”
SEA BUCKTHORN
4. Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum ($185): This serum is loaded with 22 of the world’s most active anti-inflammatory ingredients, making it especially adept at treating conditions like eczema and acne. Additionally, it is incredibly nourishing and works wonders on irritated, sensitive skin. “This serum is meant to help fight signs of aging, stimulate cellular turnover, maintain skin elasticity, strengthen capillaries, inhibit melanin production and prevent wrinkles.” So clearly, we will take three.
PROBIOTICS
5. Ultimate Flora Women’s Daily Probiotic ($17): By now, you’ve heard the numerous benefits of incorporating probiotics into your diet to achieve a healthy gut. “A healthy gut means increased energy, reduced bloating and radiant skin! And probiotics have been shown to help when taken internally and through external application. It’s no surprise that probiotics are starting to pop up in skin care products now too. Why? Because probiotics reduce inflammation, and topical application may help with skin conditions like acne, rosacea and eczema. So drink your kombucha and slather on a probiotic-rich moisturizer!”
Thanks to Megan, natural beauty doesn’t have to be overwhelming. “The more you familiarize yourself with the ingredients in your products, the easier it will be to determine if they are actually benefitting your skin,” she advises. “Figure out the ingredients that your skin craves and seek those out, regardless of the hype surrounding trendy products.”
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.