Natural Ingredients in Skincare Products

Generally, ingredients derived from natural resources and obtained through physical extraction or simple chemical processing are referred to as “natural ingredients.”

1. Herbal Extracts

Herbal extracts are common natural ingredients in cosmetics. For example, centella asiatica extract has repairing and anti-inflammatory effects. It is rich in triterpenoids, which promote collagen synthesis, speed up skin healing, and reduce inflammation, making it particularly beneficial for acne-prone and sensitive skin.

Chamomile extract is rich in flavonoids, which soothe the skin, reduce redness and itching, and provide antioxidant benefits, helping to relieve skin stress.

2. Natural Oils

Natural oils are moisturizing and nourishing ingredients in skincare products. For example, shea butter is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, which repair dry skin, enhance skin elasticity, and form a moisture-locking barrier on the skin surface.

Coconut oil has excellent penetrative properties, deeply moisturizing the skin. Its natural antibacterial properties help relieve inflammation, making it suitable for dry and sensitive skin.

3. Natural Polysaccharides and Proteins

Natural polysaccharides and proteins are important active ingredients in skincare products. For example, hyaluronic acid has exceptional hydrating properties. It can attract moisture and form a hydrating film on the skin surface, improving dryness and increasing elasticity.

Collagen is a natural protein that fills the gaps between skin cells, improving skin firmness and softness. Elastin is particularly effective in enhancing skin elasticity, suitable for anti-aging skincare needs.

4. Natural Acids

Natural acids are often used for exfoliation and brightening. For example, AHA (alpha-hydroxy acids), derived from fruit extracts, gently removes dead skin cells, improves dullness, and refines skin texture.

BHA (beta-hydroxy acids), derived from willow bark, penetrates pores to dissolve oil, reducing blackheads and acne. Lactic acid is known for its gentle exfoliation, making it suitable for sensitive skin.

5. Natural Minerals

Natural minerals are mainly used for sun protection and oil control. For example, titanium dioxide is a natural mineral sunscreen that reflects UV rays, protecting the skin from photoaging.

Kaolin clay is an absorbent mineral that effectively removes excess oil and impurities, purifies pores, and is often used in skin-cleansing products.

6. Other Natural Active Substances

Other natural active substances also play important roles in cosmetics. For instance, honey is a natural humectant rich in various sugars and minerals that deeply hydrate the skin and improve its barrier function.

Pearl powder is popular for its rich calcium and amino acid content, which not only whitens the skin but also reduces fine lines and dullness. Algae extracts contain a variety of minerals and polysaccharides, providing hydration, antioxidation, and enhanced skin repair. Spirulina, rich in proteins and vitamins, is one of the best ingredients for anti-aging skincare.

Chemical Ingredients in Skincare Products

Some ingredients, such as niacinamide (Vitamin B3), are naturally present in many foods, but extracting them directly from these sources is not economical. Their natural content is low, and the extraction cost is high, making it difficult to meet large-scale, high-purity demands. In such cases, synthetic production becomes a more reasonable choice.

Main Chemical Ingredients Overview

Which Is Safer

Natural ingredients come from nature, retaining the diversity and potential synergistic effects found in their natural state. For example, chamomile extract offers both anti-inflammatory and soothing properties for the skin. In contrast, chemically synthesized ingredients lack these characteristics and primarily serve a single function.

However, despite the many advantages of natural ingredients in cosmetics, there are challenges and considerations to keep in mind. First, natural ingredients may be less stable than synthetic ones and can be easily affected by environmental factors such as temperature and light. Second, the extraction and processing of natural ingredients require strict controls to ensure their quality and safety. Additionally, even natural ingredients can sometimes cause allergic reactions, particularly for individuals with sensitive skin.

Of course, some chemical ingredients (such as high-concentration salicylic acid and paraben preservatives) can also cause irritation or even raise health concerns. Moreover, it is worth noting that certain chemical ingredients, such as silicones, may pose potential environmental risks.

Market Trends: Natural Ingredients Replacing Synthetic Ones

As health and environmental awareness grow, consumers are more inclined to choose cosmetics containing natural ingredients. This trend is driving companies to make changes.

Firstly, companies are focusing on selecting environmentally and socially friendly alternatives that do not compromise product efficacy, safety, or shelf life. Advances in green chemistry and biotechnology have provided solutions, such as replacing petroleum-derived emollients with plant-based oils or squalane from sustainable sources.

Replacing synthetic preservatives with natural ones is another significant shift. Plant extracts and essential oils, such as tea tree, cinnamon, and thyme extracts, are leading this change by offering effective antibacterial protection and enhancing the sensory properties of products.

Stanford Chemicals Company (SCC) has over 16 years of experience in the manufacture and sale of skin care and personal care ingredients. We offer skin care ingredient raw materials to meet a variety of skin care needs.

Reference:

Common Skin Care Ingredients You Need to Know

Acids in Skincare: What Are the Different Uses and Precautions

Hyaluronic Acid vs. Retinol vs. Vitamin C: Which Is Best for Skincare?

The post Natural Ingredients vs. Chemical Ingredients in Skincare Products: Which Is Safer appeared first on Stanford Chemicals.

1. Hydration and Moisture Retention

Whether your skin is dry, oily, or a mix of both, moisturizing has proven to be an unavoidable routine in skincare. Hydration is also essential for skin barrier integrity. Below are some of the most popular common moisturizing ingredients available in the market.

Fig 1. Moisturizing is the first step in skin care

（1）Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid has been basking in skincare fame for over 30 years because of the mighty skincare benefits it possesses. Being an excellent humectant, it can absorb and retain many times-more than 1,000 times its weight in water. Besides that, it forms a defensive layer on the skin surface which protects water from evaporating too fast.

（2）Polyglutamic Acid

For those looking for an alternative to hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid is an excellent choice. It can capture more moisture than hyaluronic acid, twice as much. It penetrates deeper into the skin, stimulating natural moisturizing factors. Another big plus is that this product has low viscosity, contributing to less stickiness and freshness in the skin.

（3）Glycerin

Glycerin is an active humectant that attracts moisture from the surroundings and locks it in the skin to help maintain the moisture balance of the skin. This prevents dryness and dehydration, hence it maintains soft and smooth skin. It also enhances the absorption of active skincare ingredients.

（4）Panthenol

Also known as vitamin B5, panthenol is an active moisturizer that attracts and retains water in the skin and forms a protective layer on the skin’s surface to prevent water loss.

2. Anti-Aging and Anti-Wrinkle

With growing age, skin slowly starts to lose its elasticity and firmness. Collagen and elastin production decelerates, which eventually leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, UV rays, pollution, and stress accelerate the aging process of the skin. Anti-aging and anti-wrinkle ingredients improve not only one’s appearance but also care for the health of the skin by minimizing possible external damage.

Fig 2. Anti-wrinkle makes us look younger

（1）Retinol

Retinol is probably the star of the anti-aging world. Such an ingredient increases the production of collagen within the skin, which will help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Moreover, such a vitamin accelerates cell turnover, promoting new skin cell generation. The process will improve the skin texture and tone by getting rid of dark blemishes.

（2）Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant with great power that neutralizes free radicals, protecting the skin from environmental damage such as UV rays. It enhances the production of collagen, which in turn gives skin elasticity, hence reducing fine lines. Vitamin C further brightens the skin, reducing pigmentation and helping the skin have a more youthful look.

（3）Peptides

Peptides are small protein fragments that easily penetrate the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. The peptides will strengthen the structure of the skin; fine lines and wrinkles are reduced effectively, and firmness and elasticity are enhanced. Besides, it enhances the skin barrier function and generally increases the health of the skin while making it fuller.

（4）Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that shields skin cells from free radical damage, thereby providing a considerable reduction in the appearance of environmental stressors that contribute to aging. It boosts the energy at a cellular level by increasing the manufacture of ATP, enhancing the repair and regeneration of cells, thereby reducing fine lines and wrinkles, or at least diminishing their appearance. The skin turgor will also be much improved.

（5）Resveratrol

Resveratrol is an antioxidant plant extract that has an excellent anti-aging effect. It scavenges the free radicals, thus avoiding skin damage from oxidative stress and inflammation, which contributes to early aging. Continuous use of resveratrol diminishes the appearance of fine lines while improving skin smoothness and firmness.

（6）Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is an astoundingly strong natural antioxidant, way more powerful than vitamin C and vitamin E. It significantly reduces UV damage, preventing photoaging. By improving skin hydration, it improves elasticity and reduces wrinkles, thus leaving the skin smoother.

（7）Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha lipoic acid is an effective antioxidant; besides neutralizing free radicals, it regenerates other antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, hence enhancing the anti-aging effect by increasing the density. It minimizes inflammation, fine lines, and wrinkles, hence enhancing skin tone and brightness.

（8）Vitamin E

It is a classic antioxidant that helps protect the skin from oxidative stress while delaying the aging process. Vitamin E helps to repair broken skin cells and firm up the skin barrier, reducing occurrences of fine lines and wrinkles.

Read more: Hyaluronic Acid vs. Retinol vs. Vitamin C: Which Is Best for Skincare?

3. Skin Repair

When the skin barrier is compromised, it will release moisture more easily and become exposed to more external irritants. This generally means more inflammation and dry sensitivity. Hence, skin repair is another important step of skin care.

Fig 3. Repair skin damage and make skin healthier

（1）Centella Asiatica Extract

Centella Asiatica is one of the major ingredients in skin repair. It contains various components like asiaticoside-the major phenolic compound responsible for scar healing. Centella Asiatica enhances the production of collagen and reduces inflammation by regenerating and improving skin elasticity of the destroyed skin barrier.

（2）Ceramides

Ceramides are natural constituents of the skin barrier. They repair damaged lipid barriers, reducing skin irritations due to dryness. The ceramides help your skin protect against external irritants and pollutants-softening the skin and making it supple.

（3）Allantoin

Allantoin is an active repairing ingredient well known for its soothing action, as well as cell regeneration. It soothes itching, redness, and roughness occurring due to dryness while allowing the stimulation of the healing process and thus leaving the skin smooth and soft.

（4）Squalane

It is an emollient agent, just like the skin’s natural oils. Squalane improves the barrier integrity of skin, restores dry and injured skin, and exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thus decreasing skin irritation.

Among the above ingredients, hyaluronic acid and panthenol have prominent skin-repairing properties. Hyaluronic acid especially accelerates wound healing.

4. Acne Treatment

Acne is one of the fundamental skin problems brought about by blockage of pores, production of excess oil, and infection. Treatment of acne also enables you to maintain healthy skin.

Fig 4. Causes of acne: clogged pores, excess oil production, and infection

（1）Salicylic Acid

Salicylic acid is a beta hydroxy acid; it is also lipid-soluble, which allows it to penetrate into the pores and dissolve excess oil and dead skin cells that block pores in the first instance. This helps reduce and prevent acne, while it also gently exfoliates the surface of the skin to improve the rough texture associated with acne. Its anti-inflammatory properties further help reduce redness and swelling associated with acne.

（2）Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is an AHA, which accelerates cell turnover, removing the superficial layer of dead skin cells, thus avoiding clogged pores and acne breakouts. It also improves post-acne pigmentation and scarring by improving skin texture and evening out the skin.

（3）Benzoyl Peroxide

The active ingredient benzoyl peroxide is a very potent anti-acne ingredient that truly delivers deep into the pores and kills acne-causing bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes. It also exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and oil within the pores, which helps them not to get blocked and, therefore, prevents new acne.

（4）Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a natural ingredient incorporating antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties into its effectiveness in battling acne-causing bacteria and reducing inflammation and redness. Gentle on the skin, it provides antibacterial action that helps purify the skin and decreases bacterial build-up inside the pores.

Conclusion

Being aware of the various benefits of different skincare ingredients will enable you to know exactly which products to choose based on specific needs. Understanding what ingredients suit your skin type and needs better enables you to tailor an effective skincare routine that resolves any hydration concerns, anti-aging, repair, or treatment of acne for healthier and more radiant-looking skin.

Stanford Chemicals Company (SCC) has over 16 years of experience in the manufacture and sale of skin care and personal care ingredients. We offer skin care ingredient raw materials to meet a variety of skin care needs.

Table 1. List of Common Skincare Ingredients

The post Common Skin Care Ingredients You Need to Know appeared first on Stanford Chemicals.