The demand for natural beauty products has never been higher than it is right now. We’ve all become more aware of how harsh chemicals can harm not only our skin but our bodies, too, which has compelled us to seek safer options.
Part of our jobs now as consumers is to avoid those ingredients we know aren’t good for us, including things like parabens, phthalates, and formaldehyde, which have all been linked to health problems.
But on the other side of the coin, we need to look for those natural ingredients that have been shown in studies to be good for the skin. To help you out with that, we have five natural ingredients you may want to try this year.
1. Turmeric
This one has been out for a few years, but if you haven’t tried it, now is the time. Study after study shows this little yellow-orange spice is good for us, inside and out. Due to a component called “curcumin,” it can tame inflammation and boost antioxidant protection, both of which can result in healthier, younger-looking skin.
What we like:
- Fights acne: Because of its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, it can help limit bacteria and reduce acne breakouts.
- Reduces the appearance of wrinkles: Research shows that turmeric can improve the appearance of fine lines and brown spots caused by sun damage.
- Hydrates: Turmeric helps deeply hydrate the skin, alleviating dryness.
- Heals: The curcumin in turmeric reduces inflammation, which can help wounds to heal faster and more efficiently.
- Brightens: A recent study showed that turmeric essential oil helped brighten skin within three weeks, creating a healthier glow.
- Soothes psoriasis: Research shows that curcumin can help improve symptoms of psoriasis in 9-12 weeks.
2. Calendula
This natural ingredient comes from marigold flowers and has antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. It has several benefits for the skin, and it’s a true multi-tasker when it comes to promoting skin health and well-being.
What we like:
- Protects from the sun: Calendula has a natural ability to protect the skin from harmful UV rays, and can even act similarly to a sunscreen. In a 2012 study, researchers found it acted like an SPF 15 sunscreen, and they suggested it could be used to protect the sun from UV radiation.
- Heals: Like turmeric, calendula can accelerate wound healing. In one study, women who used calendula every eight hours for five days saw improvements in redness, swelling, and bruising.
- Soothes rash: A small 2012 study found that calendula outperformed aloe vera when treating diaper rash.
- Hydrates: Calendula is moisturizing, and can help the skin to combat dry skin. It can also soothe symptoms of eczema and dermatitis.
3. Ganoderma Lucidum Extract (Mushroom)
This is a particular species of mushroom also known as the Reishi mushroom. Research has found that when applied to the skin, it can interrupt the action of the enzyme tyrosinase, which can help reduce discoloration and hyperpigmentation.
But this ingredient does much more than that.
What we like:
- Powerful antioxidant: Protects the skin from oxidative damage that can lead to the appearance of aging. That makes this a great anti-aging ingredient.
- Hydrates: This ingredient contains a high level of polysaccharides, which help the skin retain water, and are also active in skin repair processes.
- Reduces inflammation: This is a great ingredient for sensitive skin because it naturally reduces inflammation, which can help tame redness and reduce acne breakouts.
- Fades redness: Reishi contains beta-glucans, which are a type of sugar that can help reduce itch and redness while also helping with collagen regeneration.
- Heals: Like the other ingredients mentioned here, Reishi can help heal wounds, sunburns, and insect bites.
- Anti-allergy: If you have allergies and your skin reacts because of them, you need Reishi in your skincare. It has natural anti-histaminic properties, which means it can keep histamines from getting out of control and causing allergic symptoms. It’s so effective that it’s often suggested in herbal circles as a remedy for allergies when taken internally.
4. Water Lily
This delicate flower is more powerful than it looks. Also known as the white water rose, it grows in large ponds and lakes with roots in the mud. It’s long been used in traditional medicine to help control blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as to treat digestive ailments.
What we like:
- Soothes rashes: Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, water lily can ease the heat and irritation of a skin rash, wound, or burn, while encouraging skin repair. It’s wonderful for sensitive skin.
- Moisturizes without oiliness: If you have acne-prone skin, you need this ingredient, as it helps moisturize without being greasy and can help balance oily skin to prevent acne breakouts.
- Brightens: A unique combination of compounds in water lily can help even skin tone and maximize brightness for a radiant appearance.
- Calms: Irritated and sensitive skin thrives with water lily, as it’s an overall calming and soothing ingredient that has long been used to heal wounds, soothe irritations, and calm inflammation.
5. Bisabolol
This is another word for chamomile. Bisabolol is the main component of chamomile essential oil, so when you see this word on the ingredient list, it means that’s it’s a more concentrated form of chamomile.
This ingredient has been used for centuries in personal care because of its powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
What we like:
- Soothes inflammation: This is another good ingredient for sensitive skin types. Its powerful anti-inflammatory action can help reduce symptoms of acne, rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema, and provide an overall relief of skin irritation. It’s also great after a sunburn.
- Stimulates healing: Chamomile has long been used to help heal skin wounds, and bisabolol can work even better, speeding up the process and helping you to better deal with minor scars and blemishes.
- Moisturizes: Bisabolol is a good source of panthenol, and panthenol is a natural humectant, which means it draws moisture from the air onto the skin. Bisabolol penetrates deeply into the skin, then helps pull in moisture, resulting in a much more hydrated and youthful look.
- Protects collagen: Collagen breakdown is largely responsible for fine lines, wrinkles, and saggy skin. Bisabolol helps prevent this breakdown, inhibiting enzymes in the skin that cause it, while simultaneously promoting collagen production. This can help keep skin looking young and firm.
*Note: You’ll find all of these amazing ingredients in our CV Skinlabs products!
What skincare ingredients are you going to look for this year?
Source
Eghdampour, F. “The Impact of Aloe vera and Calendula on Perineal Healing after Episiotomy in Primiparous Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” J Caring Sci 2, no. 4 (November 2013), 279-86. doi:10.5681/jcs.2013.033.
Kim, Ji-Woong, Hong-Il Kim, Jong-Hyeon Kim, O-Chul Kwon, Eun-Suk Son, Chang-Soo Lee, and Young-Jin Park. “Effects of Ganodermanondiol, a New Melanogenesis Inhibitor from the Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 17, no. 11 (2016), 1798. doi:10.3390/ijms17111798.
Mishra, A.K., A. Mishra, and P. Chattopadhyay. “Assessment of In Vitro Sun Protection Factor of Calendula Officinalis L. (Asteraceae) Essential Oil Formulation.” Journal of Young Pharmacists 4, no. 1 (2012), 17-21. doi:10.4103/0975-1483.93575.
Panahi, Yunes, Mohamad R. Sharif, Alireza Sharif, Fatemeh Beiraghdar, Zahra Zahiri, Golnoush Amirchoopani, Eisa T. Marzony, and Amirhossein Sahebkar. “A Randomized Comparative Trial on the Therapeutic Efficacy of Topical Aloe vera and Calendula officinalis on Diaper Dermatitis in Children.” The Scientific World Journal 2012 (2012), 1-5. doi:10.1100/2012/810234.
Sarafian, Golnaz. “Topical Turmeric Microemulgel in the Management of Plaque Psoriasis; A Clinical Evaluation.” Iran J Pharm Res. 14, no. 3 (Summer 2015), 865–876.
Srivilai, Jukkarin, Preeyawass Phimnuan, Jiraporn Jaisabai, Nantakarn Luangtoomma, Neti Waranuch, Nantaka Khorana, Wudtichai Wisuitiprot, C. N. Scholfield, Katechan Champachaisri, and Kornkanok Ingkaninan. “Curcuma aeruginosa Roxb. essential oil slows hair-growth and lightens skin in axillae; a randomised, double-blinded trial.” Phytomedicine 25 (2017), 29-38. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.12.007.
