It's no news that natural ingredients have been a recent popular inclusion in personal care products - market researcher Kline found the natural personal care market has increased at a compound annual growth rate of over 13 per cent since 2006. To help navigate the vast landscape that spans from locally sourced ingredients to those found in exotic locations, we've tracked down the new, unique and hero natural ingredients currently being found in beauty products.
Acerola Cherry - Containing 32 times more vitamin C than oranges, acerola cherry helps the skin naturally repair itself, detoxify and fight free radical damage. This ingredient is also a powerful antioxidant that works to help energise skin. Find it in products.
Alpine Rose - Grown at high altitudes in the Swiss alps, alpine rose has developed impressive strategies to protect itself against dehydration and the attack of radicals and pathogens. It is a potent antioxidant with anti-viral properties, helps reduce cold sores and inhibits the adherence of the herpes virus, protects against skin oxidation, and combats ageing by protecting skin protein. Find it in (ASAP New Zealand) products.
Amla Berry - The most revered medicinal berry in India, amla berry has been called sarvadosha hara - remover of all diseases. Not only does amla berry have potent antioxidant benefits, but it has unique healing properties that work to speed up wound healing. Studies found amla berry extract also protects against the damaging impact of ultraviolet-B radiation Find it in River Veda (River Veda New Zealand) and The Organic Skin Co (The Organic Skin Co New Zealand) products.
Argyle Yellow Clay - Known as the miracle clay”, argyle yellow clay works to absorb excess oil, draw out toxins, bacteria and impurities, and relieve skin irritations. Containing revitalising mineral content, the clay helps in the recovery of dry, scaly and irritated scalps. It is rich in magnesium, silica and iron oxide, which aids the healing process and restores a healthy scalp. Find it in Spilt Milk products.
Buchu Plant - The oils from the South African Buchu plant smell incredibly similar to blackcurrant, meaning it is able to naturally deliver the deep blackcurrant scent to products. Find it in Neom Organics products.
Canadian Willowherb - A plant-derived ingredient that contains anti-inflammatory properties, Canadian willowherb acts as a cleanser, freshener and soother for irritated areas of the skin. Find it in products.
Carica Papaya - Also known as paw paw, carica papaya is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and peptides. It also has nourishing and healing potentials and can be used to soothe and restore damaged, dry or irritated skin - including wounds, cracked lips, minor rashes, insect stings and nappy rash. Find it in products.
Clary Sage - Surviving and thriving in the harsh environment of the windswept hills deep in the Mediterranean, Clary Sage’s fierce will and exceptional ability to trap and maintain moisture makes it the perfect skincare ingredient. Increasing the skin’s ability to retain moisture helps with weathered, dry and ageing skin. Find it in Burt's Bees products.
Coffee Berry - Derived from the whole coffee cherry which is picked at a time when the antioxidant benefits are at their most potent, this ingredient has superior abilities to defend and protect cells against oxidative stress and free radicals. Coffee berry helps prevent visible signs of premature skin ageing. Find it in (PRIORI New Zealand) products.
Colloidal Oat - A finely milled oatmeal, colloidal oat moisturises, provides temporary skin protection and can relieve minor itching and irritation due to rashes, poison ivy/oak/sumac and insect bites. Oat proteins leave a protective barrier on the skin, which prevents water loss to help maintain moisture. Find it in Aveeno Active Naturals (Aveeno New Zealand) products.
Colostrum - The foremilk secreted by mammals, colostrum is a powerful cell-building, rebuilding and nourishing natural food. It contains vitamins A, C, D, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, 22 amino acids and trace minerals. Colostrum has been described by doctors and researchers as the ‘forgotten miracle’. Find it in theCream (New Zealand).
Coriander - With anti-microbial effects and strong antioxidant properties, coriander is also used as a disinfectant and antibacterial in wound healing medicines. Find it in Florame products.
Daisy Flower Extract - Used as a pigmentation lightening ingredient, an extract from daisy flowers works on both the melanin production as well as the precursor to effectively and cumulatively lighten spots. Find it in products.
Dulemin Sweet Almond Protein - The repairing and protecting properties found in Dulemin Sweet Almond Protein provide immediate and long lasting moisture for both skin and hair. Find it in Dr. LeWinn's products.
Emu Oil - With anti-inflammatory, skin-healing and moisturising qualities, emu oil has demonstrated scar reduction, speeds up the healing process from surgery and burns, reduces eczema irritation, and stimulates hair and skin re-growth. It is also able to penetrate the skin barrier. Find it in products.
Fennel - Regarded by ancient Greeks and Romans as having magical powers, fennel is rich in free-radical fighting antioxidants and contains beneficial antibacterial properties. In skincare, fennel helps to rejuvenate the skin and assist in reducing excess production of sebum. Find it in Natio (Natio New Zealand) products.
Fine Green Marine Clay - Rich in many minerals including silica, magnesium, calcium and iron, fine green marine clay is unique due to its marine origins deep within the unpolluted earth of Sicily in the Mediterranean. With strong anti-ageing and detoxifying properties, fine green marine clay is versatile and a powerful healer. Find it in Argital Australia products.
Geothermal Silica - With a high mineral content, NZ geothermal silica helps support healthy muscles, bones, hair, nails and skin. It works to improve the tone of connective tissues and thicken the dermis, as well as avoiding wrinkles and protecting the skin from UV rays. Other benefits of geothermal silica include softening the skin, improving hydration, increasing blood circulation and metabolic stimulation, and having relaxing properties. Find it in geoskincare (New Zealand) products.
Golden Jojoba - Pure Australian cold pressed golden jojoba is naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, is rich in powerful antioxidants, has Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, and vitamins A, D and E. It is ideal for healing the skin and scalp. Jojoba produces wax esters similar to those in our skin, with application thus providing the same nurturing and moisturising properties as our own sebum. Find it in products.
Hemp - Often confused with marijuana, hemp is in fact cultivated so that it is free from the narcotic properties of marijuana. Naturally high in Omega 3, hemp is one of the richest plant sources of essential fatty acids and is used to help smooth and restore dry skin, leaving it feeling softer and moisturised. Find it in (The Body Shop New Zealand) products.
Kakadu Plum - A homegrown hero, kakadu plum offers the highest known source of vitamin C from any plant. This ingredient helps to brighten and plump the skin for a youthful appearance, plus aids in stimulating collagen for skin elasticity and suppleness to help reduce visible signs of ageing. - Find it in products.
Kawakawa - Widely known in traditional Maori medicine for its soothing and healing properties, kawakawa is an extract taken from the leaves and bark of the New Zealand pepper tree. With natural filming, protecting and moisturising actions, kawakawa is used as a treatment for wounds, skin inflammation and sensitivities. Find it in products.
Kukui Nut Oil - An excellent penetrating oil, kukui nut oil is an effective treatment for superficial burns, chapped skin and other mild skin ailments. It also helps reduce trans-epidermal water loss, improves skin elasticity, and enhances the formation of anti-inflammatory metabolites. Find it in Bomb Cosmetics products.
Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil - This oil helps mature skin retain its suppleness and replaces naturally occurring cell lipids to create younger and fresher-looking skin. Macadamia ternifolia seed oil helps keep skin soft, supple and plump. Find it in Sans (New Zealand) products.
Mallow - Mallow is a derivative of the hibiscus family and has soothing, anti-inflammatory and very emollient properties due to its content of flavonoids and anthocyanidins. Mallow provides soothing, softening and hydrating benefits to the skin. Find it in products.
Mamey Oil - Pressed from the seeds of the Mamey fruit in Mexico, mamey oil is very high in vitamins A, C and calcium and is known to help nourish both hair and skin. Find it in Ere Perez products.
Moringa Oil - Produced from the seeds of the moringa oleifera tree found native to the Himalayas, moringa oil boasts 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory compounds. It is rich in oleic and other fatty acids, resulting in a powerful combination for moisturising and rehabilitating skin and hair. Moringa oil has natural healing benefits and soothing properties. Find it in David Babaii products.
Moroccan Argan Oil - Moroccan argan oil is a rich source of vitamin E and essential fatty acids, which work to retain and restore moisture. Find it in Made4Baby (New Zealand) products.
Noni Fruit - Native to the Pacific Islands and Tahiti, noni fruit contains more than 170 vitamins and minerals. It is a powerful antioxidant with healing properties and can help boost immune function, lift energy, minimise free radical damage and improve skin condition. Find it in products.
Orchid - Renowned as the world’s oldest flower, orchids have robust vitality and can survive harsh environments including snow and rock. Orchids have five anti-ageing functions when it comes to hair, including activating cells, promoting strength, protecting DNA, reducing scalp inflammation and inhibiting inflammation phenomenon. Find it in products.
Pineapple leaves - Fruit enzymes dissolve (rather than scrape” away) numerous forms of cellular debris and protein build-up, so there is no abrasion. This way to exfoliate skin leaves it clearer, softer and more receptive to additional treatments and products. Pineapple leaves also help reduce pigmentation, inflammation and boosts moisture retention. Find it in products.
Pomegranate Oil - With anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties, pomegranate oil works to help with dry skin, age spots, hyper-pigmentation, acne flare-ups and acne scars. It delivers smooth, firm skin by promoting collagen and elastin production. It contains punicic acid, which is an omega 5 fatty acid that hydrates and prevents moisture loss. Pomegranate oil helps to prevent breakouts, reduce scarring, sooth irritations and soften skin. Find it in products.
Replicine Functional Keratin - Derived from the wool of NZ sheep, functional keratin is almost identical to that of the keratin which we have in our skin, hair and nails. Functional keratin is successful in repairing and rebuilding skin which has been badly burned and to help repair, restore and rejuvenate hair. Find it in products.
Rosapene - Offering high-performance antioxidant nourishment and hydration benefits, Rosapene 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 to moisturise and repair, and mineral- and vitamin-rich oat extract for a soothing, luxurious feel on the skin. Find it in products.
Russian Black Carrot - Due to its high nutrient value, black carrot juice offers powerful protection while optimising regeneration and repair. It increases the rate of cell turnover and promotes smoother, firmer skin. Find it in products.
Sea Kelp - Sea kelp has cleansing, moisturising and revitalising properties. It normalises the skin's moisture content, while also being effective in treating acne due to its antibiotic properties. Find it in products.
Soy Wax - Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans. As well as being sustainable, the benefit of soy candles is that they burn cleanly and slowly. Find it in CIRCA (Circa Home New Zealand) products.
Thermal Spring Water - With soothing and non-irritating properties, thermal spring water helps to reduce discomfort, dryness and skin tightness while calming red, irritated and inflamed skin. Rich in silica and with low mineral content, thermal spring water respects the natural balance of the skin without causing dehydration or irritation. Find it in Eau Thermale Avène (Avéne New Zealand) products.
Vitamin B5 - Used internally, vitamin B5 helps to reduce and balance skin oil products - leading to less clogged pores and less acne. It also works to reduce stress and help boost the immune system. Used topically, vitamin B5 helps soothe and purify the skin. Find it in SkinB5 Natural Acne Treatment products.
Vitamin E - A potent antioxidant, vitamin E helps skin retain its natural moisturisers to ease dryness. Find it in products.
White Tea Extract - With studies showing that white tea has three times the concentration of antioxidants than green tea, white tea is effective in destroying the free radicals that cause signs of ageing. Free-radical damage destroys collagen and other skin components. Find it in Franc Essential products.
Willow Bark - Used for centuries by Greek, Chinese and Egyptian civilizations to treat a range of ailments, willowbark is rich in bio-nutrients such as vitamins C, B and E. Willowbark also contains a beta hydroxy acid cultivated today for its detoxifying properties. Find it in Neutrogena (Neutrogena New Zealand) products.
Zirhafirm - The careful combination of two Chinese herbs, wild jujube and maral root, Zirhafirm is a powerful anti-ageing botanical. The two Chinese herbs work together to help firm the junction where the dermis and epidermis meet. When this junction is tight, it helps to support the collagen and elastin fibres that keep the skin firm and plumped. Skin appears smooth, firm and younger. Find it in products.