The best things in life are free, and the best skincare ingredients can be found in nature. Ancient beauties keep their skin looking flawless by tapping on the goodness of natural ingredients. Egyptian queen Cleopatra, for instance, has been known to have used milk, honey, and even crocodile dung in her beauty regime.
If you want to take a leaf out of the beauty book of ancient beauties and embrace ingredients found in nature, here are a few to start you off with. Don’t worry, nothing we’re recommending contain crocodile dung.
1. Sea buckthorn and renshi mushroom
What: Origins Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion
Powered by the sea buckthorn, which is an antioxidant and anti-irritant berry, and reishi mushroom (more commonly known as lingzhi in TCM terms), this lotion helps to hydrate, soothe and boost skin’s radiance. The vitamin-packed lotion is lightweight and can be used even by those with sensitive skin. This year, the Mega-Mushroom Skin Relief Soothing Treatment Lotion receives a new dress – a limited edition bottle design featuring its star ingredient, the sea buckthorn, has been launched. This retails at SGD62 (200ml) and SGD99 (400ml), available at #B3-55 ION Orchard, and all Origins stores.
2. Broccoli, asparagus, royal jelly, propolis, pollen, and honey
What: Bskin Enriched Brightening Serum
Bskin is a newly launched brand skincare brand, and if you take a look at its ingredient list, it’s not hard to notice that they have used some of the finest ingredients found in nature in their products. Besides ingredients like broccoli extract and asparagus extract, bee-based ingredients such as royal jelly, propolis, pollen, and honey are also at the heart of its formulation. Of all the products it offers, we are particularly intrigued by the Enriched Brightening Serum, which is designed to inhibit melanin production so that the appearance of pigmentation is reduced and skin looks dewy and radiant. This retails at SGD135 and retails at its online store.
3. Goat’s milk and oat kernel
What: Crabtree & Evelyn Goatmilk Comforting Body Milk
Crabtree & Evelyn has launched the new Goatmilk Bodycare Collection, featuring free-range goat’s milk, as well as naturally nourishing ingredients like oat kernel. While this body milk contains the soothing goodness of goat’s milk, its smell doesn’t remind us of dairy. Instead, it has a fresh aroma that’s citrus-floral. The body milk comes with a pump for easy dispensing, and is suitable even for sensitive skin. The Comforting Body Milk retails at SGD35. The range also consists of a hand wash, shower milk, body milk, and body cream.
4. Ginseng
What: Sulwhasoo Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX
Sulwhasoo is a pioneer in using ginseng in skincare products, and the very first Sulwhasoo ginseng cream was launched 50 years ago. Today, the cream has been improved further to become what is the Concentrated Ginseng Renewing Cream EX. Ginseng is known for its anti-ageing properties and its ability to deliver vitality to the skin, and this is exactly what this cream is promising. The cream has an invigorating ginseng scent that is said to also stimulate positive energy from within. You can choose between the regular and light version, depending on your preference for texture. It retails at SGD298 and is available at the Sulwhasoo Boutique (Capitol Piazza) and all Sulwhasoo counters.
5. Rose hip oil, blueberry extract, and white tea
What: Estelle & Thild Biodefense Multi-Action Youth Serum and Multi-Nutrient Youth Oil
This duo works together to reduce oxidative damage on skin so it looks more youthful, radiant, and less fatigued. The secret to its efficacies? Certified organic natural ingredients including rose hip oil, blueberry extract, and white tea, which are rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Both the serum and oil retail at SGD81 each, and is available at all Sephora stores.
6. Life plankton
What: Biotherm Homme Force Supreme Life Essence
You might have already heard of Biotherm’s best-selling Life Plankton Essence, which is infused with high concentration of life plankton, a naturally occurring botanical ingredient from the sea. This ingredient is known to be resilient to environmental changes and is used in the product as a powerful anti-ageing booster. Now it has launched the Force Supreme Life Essence for men, which retains the effectiveness of the life plankton, and a modified formula to suit men’s skin better.