When it comes to skincare, you can't always trust fancy packaging or flashy marketing language that promises "radiant, youthful, flawless skin”.
Frankly, brands can say pretty much whatever they want, which is why it’s soooooo important to know your ingredients. However, becoming an ingredient scholar is easier said than done.
Flip over any bottle of lotion or potion, and it can feel like reading a foreign language. All that gobbledygook can be intimidating, as are the exhaustive skincare glossaries you can find online.
To help you weed through the confusion, we’ve compiled a list of the best superfood ingredients to look out for in your natural skincare. You’ll want to use these nutrient-rich superheroes in heavy rotation to keep your skin clear, calm, and perfectly balanced.
Superfood: Moth Bean Extract
Why We Love It: This nifty legume is incredibly cool, as it’s basically a natural alternative to retinol. How can this be, you gasp! Like retinol, moth bean extract encourages skin cell turnover and can reduce the appearance of fine lines. Those aren’t its only superpowers – it helps fade pigmentation and dark spots, regulates oily skin and its antioxidant properties can help repair damaged skin. Moth bean extract can also brighten your complexion, which is another perk of using retinol. Not bad for an odd sounding ingredient, eh?
Find It In: 1. Butterfly Kisses Probiotic Gel Cream, 2. Sweet Dreams Ultra Rich Night Cream
Superfood: Dilo Oil
Why We Love It: Dilo (also know as Tamanu Oil) has natural moisturising and healing properties. The silky elixir comes from pristine Fiji and deserves its moniker for the simple reason that it really is the hero for aggravated and scarred skin. A bit of an overachiever, we haven’t come across any other oil that helps problem skin like this little beauty does. It’s so good for your skin because it’s a natural anti-inflammatory and has the ability to help form new skin tissue. No wonder it's known as "nature's first aid kit"!
Find It In: 1. Dilo Oil, 2. 'TLC' Intensive Repair Oil
Superfood: Kakadu Plum
Why We Love It: A native botanical superstar, Kakadu Plum is high in linoleic acid and antioxidants, and just so happens to be pretty darn powerful. It repairs, nourishes and protects the skin, and is said to rival traditional vitamin C products in terms of brightening capabilities. Word on the natural beauty street is that it’s the most concentrated natural source of vitamin C on earth, helping to reduce hyperpigmentation, and protect from harsh environmental aggressors, such as pollution.
Find It In: 1. Raindrops Hydrating Tonic, 2. Over the Moon Rich Repair Cream, 3. Perfectly Happy Light Vitamin C Cream, 4. Happily Ever After Vitamin C Eye Serum, 5. Fairy Godmother Serum #1 (Brighten and Boost), 6. All Things Nice Multipurpose Balm
Superfood: Tasman Pepper Berry
Why We Love It: It’s likely that the name ‘Tasman Pepper Berry’ makes you think of a fancy-sounding garnish that’s sprinkled all over an exotic fine dining dish. But brace yourself: this plant is just as great in natural skincare and has been around since the days of the dinosaurs. As its name implies, the prehistoric native Australian shrub grows in the alpine regions of Tasmania. Its powers are varied and vast. It’s able to turn a lacklustre complexion into a bright, smooth canvas thanks to potent antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory, acne-fighting and skin conditioning properties. It also supports Vitamin C and collagen production, making it a complete game-changer when it comes to reviving dull and dreary complexions.
Find It In:1. 'Sweet Dreams' Ultra-Rich Beauty Cream, 2. Fairy Godmother Serum #3 (Calm and Protect), 3. Serenity Hyaluronic Gel
Superfood: Turmeric Oil
Why We Love It: All hail turmeric oil, the golden child of the beauty and wellness world (and the bright yellow spice that's all over your Instagram feed and local coffee shop). This nourishing superfood has been around for eons, commonly used in Ayurveda for all types of ailments. Not just fabulous in golden milk lattes, Turmeric Oil is pretty snazzy in natural skincare too. Its active component - curcumin - has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers that can cleanse, clarify, smooth, calm, invigorate, and brighten your skin. It also helps reduce the appearance of oil and diminishes the appearance of blemishes (Acne? What acne?).
Find It In: 'Sunrise Over C' Mattifying Facial Oil
Superfood: Sea Buckthorn Oil
Why We Love It: Great for pro-ageing, this exceptional oil is derived from the pulp of the Sea-Buckthorn berry. Not another berry, we hear you say! But hear us out – these clever anti-inflammatory berries are fabulous at assisting cellular regeneration and improving skin suppleness, as well as reducing the appearance of redness. It’s all thanks to high amounts of Linoleic, Linolenic and Oleic fatty acids, which help maintain the skin’s natural barrier function. Many people with difficult skin conditions love to use this soothing oil to calm inflammation.
Find It In: ‘Good Vibes’ Brightening Facial Oil
Superfood: Old Man Saltbush
Why We Love It: Though Old Man Saltbush sounds like a wise old wanderer who likes to tell yarns about the olden days, it’s actually a native Australian plant. Traditionally, some Indigenous Aboriginal groups used the saltbush (“Purngep” or “Binga”) seeds in baking, where they were grounded and added to dampers. They also used it as bush medicine to treat stings, bites and wounds, so it was only fitting to make it available for everyone in one of our extra special formulas - All Things Nice! We feel honoured and so lucky to give back to the Indigenous farmers who ethically harvest this special ingredient.
Find It In: All Things Nice Multipurpose Balm
Superfood: Avocado Oil
Why We Love It: Holy Moly, not just great in guacamole! Whether you eat the creamy green goodness on toast or pop it in a smoothie, the uses of avocado are far from limited. As it turns out, avocado oil is just as impressive when applied topically. The nourishing plant oil is rich in essential fatty acids, and contains high levels of vitamins A, B, D and E to moisturise and soften skin. It really is a top-notch ingredient for glowing, hydrated skin (and tastes delicious!).
Find It In: 'TLC' Intensive Repair Oil
Superfood: Green Tea Extract
Why We Love It: You might kickstart your mornings with a warm cup of green tea or rely on a midday matcha for a quick pick-me-up, but if you're not already applying the natural ingredient topically, it's time you make some changes to your skin routine! A rich source of antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E, Green Tea Extra can help repair the aging effects from environmental factors. The active components of green tea are polyphenols (also called catechins) that are believed to benefit the skin due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Find It In: ‘Pig In Mud’ Mineral Mask
Superfood: Calendula
Why We Love It: Calendula is an oldy but a goody. It’s a known super-herb (if that is such a thing!). Used for many centuries, it has anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is a bit of a go-to item in a Mum’s ‘make you feel better’ bag. In the short term, the nourishing benefits of calendula help to plump the surface of your skin to give you tighter, more supple skin almost instantly. In the long term, both the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help to protect your precious collagen and elastin supply which is great for pro-ageing.
Find It In: 1. 'Pig-In-Mud' Mineral Mask,2.All Things Nice Multipurpose Balm
