Oats, mushrooms, and lemons… today, the botanical beauty industry is growing with many companies claiming their naturally derived products can deliver safer results than their synthetic creams counterparts. But what does it all really mean? 

What Does It Really Mean
Mona Syed-Mirza, Licensed Medical Aesthetician (UK), and Clinic Director of Biolite Skin explains that according to the definitions and guidelines set forth by the USDA, a certified organic product must be comprised of at least 95 percent organic ingredients and to receive a ‘made with organic ingredients’ label, the product must be made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients. But generally, a cosmetic product being sold as natural skin care is free of common chemicals such as fragrances, colorants, preservatives, and other synthetic additives. To be certain of a product’s degree of naturalness, it’s best to check the label, especially if you’re allergic to commonly used synthetic ingredients.  

The top natural skin boosting ingredients

Low fat yogurt 
Low fat dairy products are full of vitamin A. This essential vitamin does wonders for our skin. Make sure it’s low-fat organic and simply slather it on for 20-minutes for a refreshing face mask or add honey for a mini-treatment and watch your skin glow. 

Fresh Fruit 
Plums, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries also work as anti-oxidants and they are rich in vitamin C. Applying them as a mask helps to protect skin from sun and environmental damage and these also keep the pores clean and firm and work as anti-ageing treatments.  

Milk
Cleopatra bathed in milk and similarly, we can also get glowing skin using milk. A mask mixed with milk and oats is a powerful skin booster. Milk has lactic acid which helps lift dead cell and brightening the skin and oats works as a skin scrub which this softens the skin.  

Salmon 
In order to maintain plump, moist and dewy skin, our skin needs essential fatty acids. If fish isn’t your thing, try walnuts, flax seeds or canola oil. All of these will give you amazing results and Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are a must for a beautiful, well moisturized skin.  

Green tea
Green tea contains tannin, which is soothing to the skin. Also green tea has been shown to have protective effects against UV radiation damage.  

Avocados
Avocado is rich in B-complex vitamins and essential oils and works like an anti-inflammatory agent. It also soothes skin that is red, irritated or blotchy. Mash some up and apply like a mask to give your skin an instant boost of moisture.  

Honey
Honey is also a great natural moisturizer for dry and parched skin—as a humectant, it is able to attract and retain moisture, and rebuild the moisture level in the skin without making it oily,” explains Mirza and honey provides a calming effect without irritating the skin, and helps replenish necessary skin moisture, especially during the winter months.