5 of the Best Natural Skincare Ingredients

When it comes to skin care, natural ingredients are often overlooked in favour of chemical-based products. However, nature has a wealth of hidden benefits that have just the same skin-enhancing effect, without the irritation that chemicals can cause. When it comes to natural products, here are 5 of the best ingredients to look out for...

1. Honey
Honey has natural antioxidant and anti-microbial properties, making it perfect for sufferers of acne or spots. It absorbs dirt and impurities, deeply cleaning and purifying the skin in a gentle way that no chemical ingredient can match. Plus, it will leave your skin smelling wonderful too!

2. Jojoba
This botanical oil is made from the seeds of the Jojoba tree, and is packed full of nourishing nutrients such as the skin-smoothing Vitamin E, known to reduce the appearance of scars. Jojoba oil does not clog the pores so is the perfect way to keep your skin moisturised if you suffer from break outs.

3. Cucumber
You know that stereotypical image of a women with a face mask on and cucumber over her eyes? It's not just that way for the looks - cucumber really works to soothe tired eyes and to reduce puffy under-eye bags, and the refreshing scent is wonderfully invigorating.

Thea Skincare Cucumber & Cranberry Eye Makeup Remover, £7.95

4. Olive Oil
This low cost but amazingly effective ingredient is deeply moisturising, not only for the skin but for the hair too. It contains many antioxidants for deeply cleansed skin that is soft, smooth and protected from free radicals. For a budget skin scrub, just mix two parts olive oil with one part sugar and rub gently all over your body - the sugar exfoliates whilst the olive oil cleanses and moisturises, for naturally beautiful skin.

5. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a common ingredient in after-sun lotions as it really soothes irritated or even burnt skin, cooling and calming it down. It is also a  great moisturiser, pumping lost moisture back into dried-out skin. Of course, it's always best to use a good sunscreen and avoid getting burnt, but if you do suffer from sunburn nothing will help more than Aloe Vera juice. It's also great as a year-round moisturiser, not just for summer.