25 Natural Ingredients That Can Supercharge Your Skincare Routine
Last Updated on March 23, 2023
Every now and then, we see various natural skincare ingredients being thrown into the spotlight for their amazing skincare benefits only to be forgotten a while later.
While these marketing fads do help us discover some hidden herbs, there are several natural ingredients that have stood the test of time. These ingredients possess numerous skincare benefits and will fix all your skin troubles to give you healthy skin.
All these natural skincare ingredients are multitaskers so it was hard to categorize them under a single category. But I have tried my best to categorize these 25 ingredients based on their primary benefit to making the sorting easier. So bookmark this post for easy future reference and share them with your friends and family too.
Natural Skincare Ingredients For All Skin Types
1. Gotu Kola
Also known as Centella Asiatica, this ayurvedic herb became a global sensation over the last couple of years thanks to Cica creams by K-beauty brands. Gotu kola has the ability to soothe sensitive skin and preserve its youthful appearance making it a popular choice in skincare.
The phytochemicals and amino acids in Gotu kola fight free radicals, heal wounds, acne, compromised skin barrier, and promotes collagen production too.
It is perfect for you if you have sensitive, acne-prone or aging skin types.
Products To Try:
Earth Rhythm Phyto Clear Moisturizer ( Discount code: DEMURE20)
2. Spirulina
Want to detox and nourish your skin at the same time? Spirulina is the ingredient you need.
It’s bluish-green algae rich in several minerals, vitamins, and chlorophyll which help remove toxins from the skin. Spirulina also contains antioxidants that will protect your skin from damage and soothe inflamed skin.
Spirulina powder and tablets are easily available online and can be mixed with clay/oats to create a detoxifying facemask.
Products To Try:
3. Seabuckthorn Oil
Seabuckthorn berries are small, orange-coloured fruits grown in colder climates. The oil made by cold pressing this fruit is rich in several antioxidants like carotenoids, Vitamin C, flavonoids, and polyphenols making it a wonderful addition to your skincare routine.
Sea Buckthorn oil can reduce sunburns, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and signs of ageing. It will also improve cell regeneration, boost collagen synthesis and protect your skin from UV rays.
Get this if you have uneven skin tone or want to delay wrinkles and fine lines.
Products To Try:
Fiducia Botanicals Antioxidant Night Elixir
4. Turmeric
You may already be aware of turmeric’s ability to give you bright, even-toned skin. But turmeric is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect your skin from free radicals.
It will heal your acne scars and wounds, soothe irritation and fade dark spots without irritating your skin. Just add a pinch of turmeric to all your DIY recipes and you are sorted.
Products To Try:
Shesha Ayurveda Kasturi Manjal Powder
Also Read: 13 Best Ubtans Available in India for Glowing Skin
5. Natural Clays
Mineral-rich, purifying and colourful clays are a must-have in every skincare kit regardless of your skin type. Used since ancient times for their amazing cleansing properties, clays will help keep your skin acne-free, even out your complexion, remove impurities from your pores, and get rid of all excess oil from your face.
And there are plenty of clays to choose from too depending on your concerns. Bentonite is great for detoxifying, kaolin prevents dryness, fuller’s earth removes sun tan while rhassoul clay softens the skin.
6. Moringa
Commonly known in India as Drumstick, moringa is loaded with several skin-loving nutrients that will help nourish your skin. The oil is rich in several vitamins and fatty acids making it a wonderful moisturizer and massage oil too.
Plus, Moringa powder can be used as a facemask to fight acne and blemishes. It is truly a multitasking natural skincare ingredient that deserves the hype. Here’s an article on how to use moringa in your skin routine.
7. Bakuchiol
If retinol irritates your skin or you just want to use something more natural, bakuchiol is a great option. Made from Babachi Oil, it contains antioxidants and helps delay signs of aging by improving cell regeneration while soothing irritated skin at the same time.
Plus, it might also come in handy in treating acne with its antibacterial properties.
Products To Try:
Fiducia Botanicals Antioxidant Elixir
Also Read: Beginners Guide to Anti-Ageing Routine
Natural Skincare Ingredients for Uneven/Pigmented Skin
8. Niacinamide
Niacinamide aka Vitamin B3 has been used in skincare formulas for a long time now but is finally getting its due credit. It reduces oiliness, fades dark spots and gives you a healthy skin barrier.
It also reduces redness, inflammation, acne and protects the skin from environmental damage. What more could we ask for?
Products To Try:
Fiducia Botanicals Daily Brightening Serum
Earth Rhythm Niacinamide Serum (Discount code: DEMURE20)
9. Licorice Root
Need to get rid of dark spots or brighten your skin? Skip the skin-lightening creams and go for licorice root instead. Licorice contains a compound called glabradin that helps prevent suntan and lighten hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production.
When used regularly, it will even out skin tone and reduce inflammation too. Add licorice powder to all your DIY face mask or ubtan recipes.
10. Rose Petals Powder
Rose petals can help you get that rosy-pink glow while keeping your skin happy. It is a gentle exfoliator that keeps your skin calm, glowing and hydrated while refreshing your mood with its floral scent.
It can also help lighten blemishes and scars with regular use. Use it with oatmeal or clay to make a soothing and skin-brightening cleanser cum face mask.
11. Vitamin C
Anyone who has used a well-formulated Vitamin C serum knows how it can transform your skin. Vitamin C is one of the most powerful skincare antioxidants that doesn’t just brighten your skin but also protects it from sun damage.
It can fade your stubborn acne scars, boost collagen synthesis to fight wrinkles and gives you brighter, glowing and healthy skin. I have already done a detailed post on how to use Vitamin C in your skincare routine which you can read here.
Products To Try:
Also Read: Best Vitamin C Serums in India
12. Rosehip Oil
This beautiful orange-hued oil is the safest natural remedy for acne scars and hyperpigmentation. Rosehip oil is made from the seeds of rose bushes and is rich in vitamins A and C.
It works slowly but can even fade old scars while nourishing your skin with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. And the oil is quite lightweight too due to its high linolenic and linoleic acid content making it suitable for oily, acne-prone skin types.
Products to Try:
Juicy Chemistry Cold-Pressed Rosehip Oil (Discount Code: DEMURE10)
Also Read: The Best Facial Oils To Use For Oily Skin
Natural Skincare Ingredients for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin
13. Green Tea
Along with being an antioxidant, green tea can also help treat acne. A catechin present in green tea called EGCG reduces sebum production with its anti-androgenic effect which helps minimize breakouts.
Green tea can also soothe inflamed pimples and fight acne-causing bacteria to clear up your skin. And with its caffeine content, it will help you get rid of puffy eyes too.
This is a wonderful ingredient for oily, acne-prone or sensitive skin.
Products To Try:
Earth Rhythm Green Tea Water (Discount Code: DEMURE20)
14. Tea Tree Oil
If acne is your biggest bane, you already know what this essential oil can do. Thanks to its potent antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil can be your best friend for controlling breakouts and pimples.
It also helps fight body odour and dandruff by fighting bacteria and fungus and yeast infections. But don’t just dab it straight on your skin from the bottle.
Being an essential oil, it needs to be diluted well with a carrier oil to avoid irritating your skin. Or you can simply tea tree hydrosol as a toner as it much less likely to cause irritation.
Products To Try:
Juicy Chemistry Tea Tree And Basil Water Toner
15. Willow Bark Extract
Willow bark extract is an ancient medicinal remedy made from willow trees. It is rich in tannins, polyphenols (antioxidants) and most importantly salicin- the natural form of salicylic acid. So it works as an astringent to tighten your pores and gently exfoliates your skin too.
If you have oily skin, Willow bark extract will be beneficial for you since it can control oil secretion and reduce acne by clearing your pores. It may also help minimize the appearance of large pores in the long term.
Products To Try:
Forever Earth Willow Bark Purifying Facewash
16. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel hydrosol is one of the best natural astringent toners you can use if you have large pores or oily skin. It helps control sebum production by tightening your pores and even hydrates the skin to an extent.
Witch hazel also soothes irritated skin and can help treat minor bug bites. But to make sure it doesn’t end up irritating or drying out the skin, only opt for a witch hazel toner that is alcohol-free.
Products To Try:
Bliss of Earth Witch Hazel Gel
17. Neem
As Indians, we are no strangers to all the medicinal and skincare benefits neem has to offer. It has strong antimicrobial action that can help control acne and fungal infections.
In fact, neem oil even has several fatty acids that help heal wounds and soothe skin inflammation. I have used it as a spot treatment several times and it helps minimize scarring once the acne is healed. And, you can always mix neem powder with hydrosol or aloe gel to create an easy yet effective DIY anti-acne facemask.
Products To Try:
Love Organically Anti-Acne Face Pack
Natural Skincare Ingredients For Soothing Irritated/Sensitive Skin
18. Oatmeal
Got sensitive skin? Oats-based cleansers will be your saviour. Because the avenanthramides in oatmeal have strong anti-inflammatory action making it a really soothing ingredient for your skin.
If you have eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and any other skin condition that causes extreme sensitivity, you really need to include oatmeal in your skincare routine.
Colloidal oatmeal works best but you can use your regular rolled oats too. It is a wonderfully gentle, cleanser for all skin types. (Check out this easiest DIY powder cleanser guide)
Also Read: All the Way to Use Oats for Calm, Happy Skin
19. Calendula
Calendula is a super soothing and healing herb your skin will love if it gets easily irritated. It has a strong anti-inflammatory effect that will help minimize redness, itching, and provide relief from rashes and sunburns.
Calendula even has some acne-fighting properties and will protect your skin from sun rays.
Product to Try:
Fiducia Botanicals Calendula and Goatmilk Exfoliator
Raw Beauty Touch Me Not Cleanser
20. Chamomile
This tiny white flower contains an active ingredient known as bisabolol which has a wonderful soothing effect on the skin. It is also rich in antioxidants and will help you get rid of blemishes.
If you are suffering from eczema, dermatitis or sensitive skin, look for products with chamomile oil or hydrosol.
Also Read: Best Natural Toners for Oily Skin in India
Natural Skincare Ingredients To Moisturize Your Skin
21. Aloe Vera
The one ingredient I always keep in my skincare kit is pure aloe vera gel. It is a versatile ingredient and has several minerals, vitamins, enzymes, sugars, and phenolic compounds. So it is can heal sunburnt skin, wounds, and comprised skin barrier as well.
Aloe vera gel is also extremely soothing and calming on the skin and improves skin elasticity to make it look less wrinkled. It is by far the cheapest moisturizer you can get your hands on in the market.
Just make sure you buy pure aloe vera gel only. Here is a guide to help you pick the right one.
Products To Buy:
22. Glycerin
Glycerin is as good as hyaluronic acid in the hydration department but sadly doesn’t get even half of the hype HA enjoys. Just like HA, it draws moisture to the skin to relieve dryness and keeps it soft.
It is also helpful in treating eczema or psoriasis. You can mix glycerin with a toner to enhance its hydration powers or use it along with facial oil as a moisturizer.
Products to Try:
The Moms. Co Vita Rich Face Wash
23. Hemp Seed Oil
Need a moisturizer that soothes your skin, is rich in antioxidants and is non-greasy too? Hemp seed oil will be a great pick. It’s a lightweight oil that sinks easily into the skin and does not clog the pores.
It also protects your skin from environmental damage and can control oil secretion due to its high linoleic acid content. So it is quite beneficial if you have acne-prone skin.
Product to Try:
Fiducia Botanical Hemp Rose Otto Face Lotion
24. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a wonderful natural moisturizer for your skin since it contains squalene- an oily substance made by our skin to moisturize and protect itself. Apart from squalene, olive oil is also rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids that help improve skin hydration, soothe damaged skin and protect your skin from free radical damage.
Product to Try:
Dr. Sheth’s Pure Olive Squalene (20% Discount Code: DEMURE20)
25. Plant Butters
They are rich. They are nourishing. And they have occlusive properties that can prevent water loss to treat dry, scaly skin. Plant butters will easily replace mineral oil and petroleum jelly from your skincare cabinet.
You can make your own DIY body butter at a fraction of the cost by blending mango, shea or kokum butter with oil of your choice.
Also Read: Where To Buy DIY Ingredients in India
I hope you will incorporate these amazing natural ingredients in your daily regime to supercharge your skincare routine. How many of these natural skincare ingredients have you tried so far?
* This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase using the link, I will earn a small amount (at no extra cost to you!) The amount helps me maintain website costs and bring more and better content to you.
Rutu
Hi, I am a freelance writer and beauty enthusiast from Mumbai. As I navigate the realms of beauty, my mission is to empower you with the right knowledge to nurture yourself and feel confident in your own beautiful skin.
One Comment
Earthy Selections
Thank you. This article was really helpful.