In the world of natural beauty, there’s a seemingly endless array of skincare ingredients. But some rise up – the cream of the crop – as skincare superstars. They may even serve double (or triple) duty. Many make their way into skincare products, and some you can use straight out of your kitchen. Did your favorite make the list? Check out our top XX skincare ingredient picks.
- Jojoba oil – It’s often listed just as a carrier oil, but jojoba is so much more than that. It’s a highly moisturizing oil that treats a number of skin conditions including acne, psoriasis, burns, and chapping. It’s also great for reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving skin hydration.
- Aloe vera – The gel of the aloe leaf may be best known for treating sunburn, but it’s also a skin savior in reducing inflammation, itching, and redness. Yes it speeds up wound healing, but not just bug bites or burns. Say goodbye to acne scars, dry, flaky skin, and infections. Aloe is loaded with anti-inflammatories, vitamins, minerals, saccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, enzymes, lignin, and salicylic acids, making it about as multi-purpose as it gets.
- Apple cider vinegar – While you may not see this skin superstar listed on a lot of packaged skincare products, we do recommend you keep a bottle in your bathroom at all times. ACV is an excellent skin cleanser and toner. It can help to heal and prevent breakouts and can keep skin balanced (it’s also amazing on your hair, too). Plus, some research shows that regular consumption of ACV can help to improve gut health, which may lead to healthier skin as well.
- Coconut oil – It’s the yin to ACV’s yang—a deeply moisturizing and hydrating oil that can serve as a base for DIY cosmetics, but it also works wonders all on its own, too. Coconut oil is rich in healthy fats that skin (and scalp) love to soak up. Its antimicrobial properties may also make it an excellent aid in reducing acne breakouts. Like apple cider vinegar, consumption of coconut oil has also been linked to improved gut health, which is good news for your skin, too. And trust: there never has been and never will be a better shaving oil than coconut.
- Tea tree oil – For those who simply think of tea tree as a spot treatment for acne breakouts, you’re only harnessing a fraction of its potency. Tea tree oil is rich in volatile plant compounds including terpene hydrocarbons, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. This makes it excellent at refining the skin, helping it to maintain a youthful and healthy glow.
- Argan oil – This multipurpose oil has been quite popular in recent years and for good reason. Native to Morocco, argan oil has been prized for generations for its high levels of vitamins A and E, antioxidants, omega fats, and linoleic acid, a known skin booster. It’s a jack of all trades from healing acne and bug bites to relieving itching and appearance of dry skin conditions.
- Shea Butter – Up the lux and creaminess of skincare products with shea butter and you’ll be thankful for this African gem. A truly multipurpose healer, shea works wonders for all skin types all on its own, or it’s fabulous as a base for lotions, skin cremes, and more.
Photo by Lex Phil on Unsplash
