Body & beauty

The best natural skincare and beauty products

Want to ditch the parabens from your beauty routine? Here’s how different skin types can benefit from organic and natural skincare.

Finding natural skincare products can be a real struggle, especially if you have sensitive skin. So we’ve chosen our pick of the best natural anti-aging skincare products and remedies – all without parabens, chemicals or other nasties (and trust us, they really work).

Natural skin care: key natural ingredients

Having a totally natural skincare routine is easy when you know how, as holistic skin therapist Jess Arnaudin reveals the top 10 ingredients you should look out for when filling up your natural beauty box.

These are the tried-and-true ingredients I love and depend on the most. Thanks to our global marketplace, we now have access to thousands of natural raw materials, such as plant oils, extracts, essential oils and vitamins. It’s empowering to have the know-how to create your own customised skincare, based on what your complexion needs the most.

Best for sensitive skin: white kaolin clay powder

This detoxifies and draws impurities from the pores while also soothing inflammation and calming hyperreactive skin. I often use it with clients after a peel or steam; it soothes and nourishes like magic. Keep a mask damp by using a wet cloth as a facial compress. You never want the clay to fully dry and crack on the skin.

Coconut oil

The fact is, coconut oil is pretty good for your health. After all, people that eat a lot of coconut are some of the healthiest on the planet. The amazing thing about coconut is that we can eat the meat, drink the water, turn it into milk and squeeze out the oil.

Every part of the fruit is a great source of nutrition, but that’s not the only benefit. Coconut oil is also anti-fungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Used as a moisturiser, plain coconut oil is great for the skin. It is said to lighten dark spots and help prevent stretch marks. It’s a great make-up remover and can get rid of everything, including your stubborn mascara. Coconut oil is also good for your hair; simply rub it in to dry ends and leave it on for a few hours. You can use it as a toothpaste by simply adding a few drops to essential flavours like peppermint, tea tree oil or oregano oil, or you can put a tablespoon or so of coconut oil into your mouth and swish for about 15 minutes – this is a natural way of improving oral health.

You could even use coconut oil as a replacement for shaving cream or a natural deodorant. If you’re suffering from any kind of nail fungus, add a few drops of tea tree oil to one teaspoon of coconut oil and rub into the nails. It does not disrupt the skin’s natural balance and can be used as a lubricant for cracked heels, too. Coconut oil is also a natural lip balm; it’s an instant moisturiser and it tastes good.

It really is the pinnacle of organic beauty!

Best for oily skin: jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is a go-to multipurpose oil because it closely mimics your skin’s own natural sebum production. Even though it’s referred to as an oil, it’s actually more of a liquid wax (it’s extracted from a desert shrub), and is absorbed quickly without feeling greasy or clogging skin.

Pumpkin seed oil

Densely packed with phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals that seal in hydration, this oil leaves skin feeling plump, radiant and buttery-soft. All skin types, even breakout-prone, can use it generously: it contains zinc, which can soothe irritation and keep skin looking clear and healthy.

Rosehip oil

The soothing effect of rosehip oil is well-known, but this plant also features in many skincare products owing to its anti-inflammatory, hypoallergenic properties and antioxidants. These substances are particularly suited for use on aggravated skin, helping to soothe and improve its appearance.

How to avoid harsh chemicals: try these natural skincare saviours

Winter can turn the mildest skin problem into a major annoyance, so our favourite industry experts explain how these six natural beauty active ingredients can soothe bad skin, eczema and even psoriasis.

Argan oil

Sarah Jagger, beauty expert and celebrity makeup artist, swears by argan oil for dry skin and flaky scalps. “It’s so fantastic for both hair and skin,” she says. “Everyone can use it as a moisturiser for the face and body. It’s great as an intensive pre-shampoo treatment, nourishing really dry hair and flaky, dry scalps. Opt for a cosmetic-grade pure virgin argan oil, which although expensive, goes a really long way as you only need a small amount.”

World-renowned make-up artist Ruby Hammer adds, “The nice thing about argan oil is that it naturally sinks right into the skin or you can take a spoonful of food-grade argan oil and mix it into your yoghurt, salad or porridge. Argan oil rubbed into the skin or incorporated into your diet can really help relieve eczema and dermatitis.”

Jo Fairley, the co-founder of Green & Black’s chocolate and co-author of The Anti-Ageing Beauty Bible, says her husband finds argan oil really effective for his own psoriasis. “Fatty acids and carotenoids in the oil work to balance the skin’s natural moisture levels, which is important because dry skin often makes psoriasis worse,” she says. “It also features vitamin E; a powerful antioxidant, which helps to reduce the inflammation caused by psoriasis.”

Aloe vera

Charlotte Vohtz, founder of natural skincare brand Green People says, “Recent research shows that aloe vera juice contains high levels of polysaccharides that have protective properties on the skin’s surface. It also increases the hydration of the skin and encourages cell replication and regeneration.”

Jo also points out that it is particularly good for eczema, hives and anything where skin feels heated. “The tough-looking spikes slice surprisingly easily, revealing a soft, shiny, cooling, gel-like sap,” she says. “To harness its healing power, cut off two inches of leaf, slice in half and apply the cut side to the area that hurts; it seals the skin with a protective, healing covering as the gel dries. Alternatively, peel the aloe and crush it into the skin. Avoid the green-ish/brown juice of the rind, though, because paradoxically this part can actually irritate.”

Yarrow

According to Ruby, yarrow has a reputation for speeding up the recovery of inflamed wounds and damaged skin. “Yarrow oil has a sweet, spicy smell,” she says. “It can help to improve skin conditions from rashes, cuts and eczema to inflamed skin, scars and burns. Its extract helps to balance skin functions, making it great for acne or oily skin. It can relieve minor skin irritations, and it stimulates regeneration of new skin cells, improving its overall appearance.”

Sarah agrees, “If you’re looking for a natural, anti-ageing moisturiser, opt for one containing yarrow. Research suggests that yarrow is an ideal ingredient to reduce the appearance of fine lines. Its antioxidant properties make it a potent protector against skin cell-damaging free radicals.”

Marigold

Marigold is one of nature’s most healing, skin-soothing plants, according to Jo. She uses it to treat her own eczema. “Calendula cream is so gentle it can be used for babies’ skincare. Marigolds are rich in betacarotene, antioxidants and salicylic acid. Hands, in particular, respond to the plant’s TLC. Very occasional adverse reactions have been reported though – so remember your patch test, as always.”

“Calendula has long been believed to have healing and protective properties across the world and in India it’s often used in Ayurvedic medicine,” adds Ruby.

Your new skincare routine for glowing skin

End your quest for the ultimate natural skincare brands to help you achieve a beautiful complexion, with our guide to hyaluronic acid. You’ll want to add these face oils and moisturisers to your shopping cart immediately!

The best natural moisturiser

Moisturiser is the basis for any beauty routine, and with this in mind, it’s worth checking out our guide to seven of the best natural day moisturisers on the market.

Essential oils: the right products to suit your skin type

A fabulous facial oil made from organic ingredients can make a huge difference to your skin. These natural skincare products have been put to the test by a natural beauty expert.

“I am a self confessed facial oil fanatic,” says Sarah Jagger. “Moisturisers and masks have their place but these concentrated botanical blends penetrate more deeply into the dermis to tackle skin concerns swiftly. Try using them in a number of ways to suit your skin: beneath moisturiser, instead of moisturiser, mixed with cleanser, or applied once or twice a day.”

Plus, oils can also winter-proof your skin for when the frost bites. “Having an oil in your regime will make it more resistant to environmental changes,” advises skincare expert Corrine Morley. Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + is a great option. “The oil combines potent antioxidants, lycopene from tomato, and phytosterol from acai to help protect against environmental free-radical damage. Nourishing essential fatty acids from cranberry and rosehip moisturise and repair, and a vitamin-rich oat extract gives a soothing, luxurious feel on the skin.”

Best for fine lines and wrinkles

When the creators of Själ set about to create a natural skincare line, their mission was to find the most cutting-edge and progressive anti-aging formulas at the same time as staying true to their holistic principles. They’ve spared no expense with this product – a potent blend of precious ingredients such as plant retinol to smooth the skin’s surface, bio marine algae to fill fine lines and Himalayan blue sapphires for radiance.

Best for sensitive skin and redness

Many models and actors suffer with red, reactive complexions from having so much makeup applied and reapplied throughout the day. Sarah Jagger says “Darphin Organic Chamomile Aromatic Care is the one face oil I would never be without. An absolute essential for sensitive complexions.”

Best for summer skin

In Decleor Aromessence Solaire Face Tan Activator Serum, a blend of chamomile and geranium help to boost the skin’s natural defences against the sun while argan oil prevents skin from ageing. Start using this daily, one week before sun exposure and also apply beneath sunscreen. The carrot oil will help to promote an even and longer lasting tan.

Best for dry skin

Drier complexions and those with skin suffering from the harshness of winter should look no further than the super-moisturising formula of Anne Semonin Intensive Complex Moisturising Essential Oils, containing botanical castor oil, lavandin, mandarin zest and healing Egyptian basil. These oils can be used alone, beneath moisturiser or even mixed together with your regular shampoo to treat dry hair.