Your skin is your body’s largest organ. It acts as a protective barrier. Unfortunately, your skin is still penetrable and pervious and slathering toxic ingredients onto it can interrupt its ability to regenerate and keep the body safe from environmental toxins.

Think about the number of chemicals you have used in care products alone since the start of your day. Fortunately, you can give your skin and hair the TLC they deserve, even after clearing out all chemical-laden products from your life.

The solution: Minimalistic, eco-friendly, natural and organic skincare products.

Natural products with ingredients that focus solely on treating your type of skin, minus the chemical filler and preservatives, can be incredibly effectively in supporting your skin barrier. Since they use little to no chemicals, they have minimal impact on our environment too.

Some of our favorite Italian skincare ingredients come straight from Mother Nature but before we dive deep into their benefits, let’s understand why standard skincare products are harmful for your skin.

The real concern with standard skincare

For several decades, the process of developing and placing a standard skincare product on the market has been pretty unclear.

It’s tempting to believe that any care product that makes its way to a store has to pass stringent regulations so that it is safe for consumers, but this is not always the case [1], [2].

Most chemicals that are deemed “safe” in standard care products often contain ingredients disruptive to your endocrine system, such as parabens and phthalates. These chemicals tamper with your reproductive system and may increase your risk of cancer [3].

These chemicals often don’t have a way out of your body. Therefore, the more your body is exposed to them, the more concentrated they become in the body [4].

5 Ingredients that nourish the skin

An easy and inexpensive way of supporting your skin with natural ingredients is to make care products yourself. If you are looking for natural skincare products, choose an item that is not tested on animals, GMO-free, vegetarian, non-allergenic and is free of irritants, synthetic chemicals, synthetic preservatives, artificial color and fragrance.

Keep reading to find out what ingredients make a foundation for a fabulous skincare routine and why you should use them.

1.       Vitamin C: Think oranges, lemons and tomatoes

Not only is Vitamin C a vital defense against the common cold, but it is also an essential nutrient that fights signs of aging skin, such as dullness and sagging.

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for collagen synthesis, which helps your skin appear supple and firm. It also has antioxidant properties, which help fight free radical damage and reduce discolorations and dark spots.

Vitamin C isn’t just for maturing skin, however. Vitamin C also moderates sebum production in the skin, banishing inflammation and acne.

Apply it topically using vitamin C-rich foods such as tomatoes, organs, lemons and other citrus fruits, while consuming them on a regular basis to boost your skin and maximize vitamin C’s antioxidant powers in the body.

2.       Almond oil

Almond oil is a light, naturally fragrant oil that has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antiseptic properties. It can be used to treat acne, dryness, scars and skin rashes.

Since it is lightweight and has a mild scent, it makes an excellent carrier oil for essential oils and can be incorporated into natural lotions, masks and washes.

3.       Lemon peel

Lemon peel possesses potent antibacterial compounds, making it a great choice for acne-prone skin as acne is mainly caused by bacteria being trapped in pores.

Lemon peel is rich in citric acid and plant acids and can be added to an exfoliating scrub, cleanser or mask. It can be used to tone down oily skin, reduce wrinkles, lighten discolored skin, treat dullness and naturally brighten your skin [5]. In addition, it can help reduce age spots and scarring. Simply grate some lemon peel and add it to any care treatment.

4.       Tomatoes

With a longstanding history as a nutritional powerhouse, tomatoes have been a staple in one of the most effective and thoroughly studied diets, namely the Mediterranean diet.  

For the skin, tomatoes are an incredibly potent antioxidant source. Tomatoes are loaded with four major powerful carotenoids, lutein, lycopene, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene. They have uncommonly high levels of lycopene, with an exceptionally high antioxidant power compared to other carotenoids. Tomatoes also contain high levels of vitamin E and C, along with flavonols, which are also great for the skin.

Lycopene plays a major role in reducing the skin’s inflammatory response to UV damage from the sun. It neutralizes free radicals, thereby reducing signs of premature aging. Tomato juice can also be used as a cleanser to brighten the skin and reduce acne.

5.       Olive oil

Olive oil contains vitamin E, phytosterols and polyphenols – three major antioxidants that can protect the skin from environmental damage.

Vitamin E, a staple in most skincare products, is essential for restoring the skin’s smoothness and suppleness. It also protects the skin against ultraviolet light [6].

Moreover, a rare compound called hydroxytyrosol found in olive oil can also help reduce free radical damage to our skin barrier [7].

Takeaway

Remember that achieving glowing, smooth skin using natural skincare is not a short-term goal, it’s an ongoing process that requires your continual care and attention. Like with any other product, be sure to study what ingredients work best for your skin type and test each ingredient for any reactions!

 

References

1.       Innovations in natural ingredients and their use in skin care. J Drugs Dermatol. 2010 Jun;9(6 Suppl):S72-81; quiz s82-3.

2.       Cosmetic benefits of natural ingredients. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014 Sep;13(9):1021-5; quiz 26-7.

3.       Endocrine Disruptors and Asthma-Associated Chemicals in Consumer Products. Environ Health Perspect. 2012 Jul; 120(7): 935–943.

4.       Personal care product use and urinary phthalate metabolite and paraben concentrations during pregnancy among women from a fertility clinic. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (2014) 24, 459–466

5.       The effect of lemon, orange and bergamot essential oils and their components on the survival of Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in food systems. J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Dec;101(6):1232-40.

6.       Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinol. 2012 Jul 1; 4(3): 308–319.

7.       Hydroxytyrosol, a natural antioxidant from olive oil, prevents protein damage induced by long-wave ultraviolet radiation in melanoma cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2005 Apr 1;38(7):908-19.