Body & beauty

7 Natural Skincare Ingredients That Work

From acacia gum to ojon oil, cosmetics companies are tapping into the beauty benefits of nature’s latest bounty. Amanda Bown investigates the natural skincare ingredients to have on your radar.

Natural ingredients in skincare products are not what they were five years ago, or even last year for that matter. Science-driven natural brands no longer rely on nice-sounding marketable exotic oils and extracts, but highly scientific and clinically-proven botanical actives that actually deliver real results. So, women don’t have to turn to synthetic brands once they reach a certain age, where fine lines and wrinkles appear, and they need results. “Technological advancement, manufacturing, extraction and utilisation of certain compounds within whole plant actives means we’re now able to target exact anti-age concerns and skin conditions with amazing results,” says Georgie Cleeve, the founder of hot new brand Oskia. Here are just some of the skin superheroes to watch out for…

Acacia Gum

This gum, which comes from the acacia tree, has a super-firming action on the skin, according to Simon Ford of the natural skincare company Melvita. “The natural gum provides an instant lifting effect and improves texture, plumping up any fine lines and wrinkles, leaving skin smooth and supple. It also supports the skin’s natural collagen and elastin fibres.”

We love: Melvita Regenerating Serum, £32

Results were ‘astonishing’, according to our tester, who had very dehydrated skin around the eye and cheek areas; after just 24 hours of using this product, skin looked supple and hydrated. Fine lines and wrinkles were ‘blurred’ too!

Swiss Apple Stem Cells

“Swiss Apple Stem Cells protect our own skin stem cells from further and premature degradation, and increase our skin cells’ resistance to stress,” explains Georgie. “They also help to promote skin regeneration, help delay the appearance and signs of skin ageing, and help to repair our skin’s own DNA,” Cleeve explains. Its remarkable properties were highlighted by scientists who discovered that, unlike other varieties, the apples could be stored for long periods without any sign of skin shrivelling or degenerating.

We love: OSKIA Eye Wonder, £58

A super-hydrating eye serum, rich in youth-boosting nutrients, peptides and antioxidants! Swiss Apple Stem Cells promote healthy skin cells. Plant bio-actives brighten dark circles, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and our tester was very impressed!

Immortelle

A wild flower grown in the Corsica region, this yields a precious essential oil which delays signs of ageing by boosting the skin’s collagen production and combating free radical damage. “The Immortelle flower is also known as the everlasting flower,” explains Susan Smith-Jones, PHD, author of The Healing Power of Nature Foods (£9.99, Hay House). “It defies ageing as it never wilts or withers, even after being picked, and the papery flowers retain their form and golden-yellow colour, even when it’s been dried!”

We love: L’Occitane Immortelle Precious Protection SPF 20, £35

Concentrated in time-released micro-capsules, this is a fondant-style formula that sinks into skin fast and is particularly suited for fair or sensitive skin types.

Lime

Limes are a rich source of natural antioxidants and vitamin C. They can be used as a natural mild astringent as they have the perfect pH to maintain healthy skin surfaces. Susan explains: “Lime can remove any harmful oils from the skin’s surface without causing any redness or irritation, and it’s often found in antiacne style products.”

We love: Lush Ocean Salt Scrub, £6.10

This fresh organic lime, coconut and sea salt scrub is ideal for oily, blackhead-prone skin. Our tester was impressed as it reduced blackheads around the nose and forehead areas and overall oiliness.

Safflower Oil

“This is a rich source of omega 6 fatty acid in the form of linoleic acid, which can be converted into the powerful anti-inflammatory chemical known as prostaglandin series 1,” explains Shabir Daya, pharmacist at Victoria Health. “Studies show skin conditions such as eczema and dry skin have responded well to additional linoleic acid intake. This anti-inflammatory effect helps relieve itching and reduces any redness of skin conditions. It is beneficial for tissue growth, as it keeps them youthful and supple via its lubricating capacity.”

We love: WEI Tibetan Safflower age defying face cream, £44

Tibetan Safflower nourishes blood and enhances blood circulation, working hard to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improves overall hydration, colour and clarity of skin.

Squalane

Found naturally in olive, palm and wheat germ oils, this oxygen-carrying substance plays a key role in cellular renewal and helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. “Interestingly, our own skin naturally produces squalane, which protects and lubricates our skin; however, production peaks around the age of 25 years,” says Susan.

We love: ESPA Super Active Skin Brightening Complex, £41

Provides skin cells with a boost and improves skin luminosity; contains Squalane from wheat germ oil to ensure efficacious and visible results.

Ojon Oil

Ojon oil, which is derived from the nut of the Ojon tree of the Mosquitia region in the tropical rainforests of Central America, has been used by the native Miskito Indians for centuries to improve their hair. “The oil is capable of penetrating deep into the hair shaft, hydrating and improving the condition of dry, damaged or processed hair without weighting it down,” explains Susan. “It is a wonderfully nourishing, rebuilding, fortifying treatment for hair, leaving it soft, silky and super shiny!”

We love: Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment, £39

This contains high concentrations of pure Ojon oil, with 64 per cent of people inclinical tests seeing improvements in shininess and texture of very dry and damaged hair after just one use.