Natural face cream: benefits, composition, storage and recipes for care products for dry and combination skin

Our skin needs constant care to keep it in bloom. And here you can’t do without a basic product - an organic face cream.

Now we are increasingly trying to use natural products in everyday life. And cosmetics are no exception. A homemade cream with natural ingredients that are suitable for your skin will bring more benefits than store-bought cream. Plus, it will cost you much less.

Of course, homemade cream has its strengths and weaknesses.

Features of natural face creams

As for cosmetics, the term “natural” is not regulated in Russia, and there is no official definition for it. This means that everyone can define it differently.

A natural product may contain only unprocessed ingredients found in nature or processed ingredients derived from natural products (such as synthetic ingredients). A natural ingredient such as aloe vera extract can be obtained from nature, but can also be synthesized in a laboratory. The label will have the same name, but the source will not be the same.”

Generally speaking, natural products like these have a more refined composition that is mostly found in nature (aloe vera, coconut oil, honey) with as few additives as possible (preservatives, flavorings, colors).

Natural doesn't always mean better because people can be allergic to natural ingredients just as easily as they can be allergic to synthetic or other chemicals, such as those based on plants. The source of an ingredient does not necessarily determine how safe it is for your skin.

Plus, all skin care products must be processed in some way (there's no such thing as a moisturizing tree, for example), and those that are less processed may not feel luxurious.

Take skin care products that are made entirely from unaltered oils: “The problem with some of them is that they often don't feel as good as products that were specifically formulated for the skin. You can use olive oil as a moisturizer, and many people do, but I would rather use something with natural and organic ingredients that can smell better and not be greasy on the skin.

Storage conditions

The product prepared at home should be transferred to a clean glass jar with a tight lid and stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2-5 days.

The shelf life of the cream can be extended if you follow some rules

Try to avoid recipes that contain water - it spoils very quickly
Check the expiration date of cosmetic oils
Add essential oils of tea tree, walnut, chamomile or propolis to the long-lasting cream. These substances are preservatives created by nature.

How to choose the best natural face cream

Determine what natural face cream means to you

The best place to start is to decide what natural means to you—some people simply want a product that is free of potential endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, such as parabens and unprocessed or mildly processed mineral oils. Accordingly, while others define natural as products that are not formulated or combined in a laboratory.

Because natural certification is not needed and the definition of natural is what a particular brand wants. With your own definition in mind, you can decide whether the product's composition meets your personal criteria. Brands may also have information on their website about their philosophy regarding natural products, and this can help in making an informed decision.

And when you decide to try a natural cream, consider applying it to a small test area first—say, your wrist or the crook of your elbow—to make sure you're not allergic.

Check for certificates

It is not mandatory for companies to have their products certified as natural, but some may do so to help build consumer trust.

Each association has its own definition for natural, so consumers can look up those definitions and see if it's what they're looking for too. If they like the criteria, they can look for these logos on products.

Depending on your personal definition of a natal face cream, other certifications to look for may include

Organic: These products meet the required organic standards. Maintenance of certification requires annual testing and inspection every year.
Eco: This independent network is recognized as a leader in natural and organic cosmetics certification, evaluating every aspect of a product needed to earn the desired label, from fair trade logos to certified organic labels.
Cruelty-free: Look for the jumping bunny logo to ensure the company does not test the creams on animals.
Natural Ingredients: The certified label guarantees that the product does not contain any animal ingredients or by-products in the manufacturing process and is not tested on animals.

Watch out for known irritants

Make sure the product does not contain dyes, perfumes or fragrances. Unscented means no odor, while unscented means there is an odor, but it's disguised so you can't detect it. Alcohol can also cause allergic contact dermatitis (which can cause redness and itching), and you should check for any herbal ingredients to which you may be sensitive.

Types of natural face creams

Natural ointments, creams and lotions

Your needs and skin concerns should be taken into account when choosing the right moisturizer. Moisturizers are classified based on how much oil and water they contain. Ointments contain the most oil, which means they are great at sealing in moisture—ideal for those with skin conditions like eczema.

Next come creams. They don't contain as much oil as ointments, but are great at retaining moisture and are a close call for those who don't like the greasy vibe of ointments or whose skin doesn't necessarily need them.

Lotions contain more water than oil and, depending on the formulation, may not be the best choice for super dry or sensitive skin as they evaporate quickly and do not have the staying power of ointments or creams.

Hypoallergenic natural face creams

If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, make sure your moisturizer is hypoallergenic to minimize the possibility of allergic reactions or further irritation, and that it is non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic means the product will not clog pores or cause breakouts.

Another way to make sure your natural moisturizer is the right one is to choose products for different parts of your body. Dry hands may require a different moisturizer than normal skin.

What composition should be in natural face creams?

If your eyes get a little blurry when you try to decipher the ingredients on a face cream label, you're not alone.

Most creams contain so many ingredients with complicated names that it is impossible to understand what they are.

But focusing on the first five to seven is most important. This is because they are usually listed in order of concentration.

Break it down into which ingredients are healthy and which are harmful. If you find harmful ingredients in the top five, then this is a cause for alarm. Products that work to increase skin moisture, such as glycerin, should be in the first three or four ingredients.

You can also expect to see water, glycerin, PEG (polyethylene glycol) and natural oils in the highest concentrations.

The only way to hydrate skin is to maintain water—glycerin, for example, does this.

I know those long chemical names can be intimidating, but in today's world there's hardly any information you can't find on Google.”

Irritants and allergic reactions

Test products on the back of your hand.

People with sensitive skin or allergies should pay special attention to the ingredients.

If you have sensitive or allergic skin, then look for products that are specifically formulated for this.

In general, they will have much shorter ingredient lists. In particular, they must be free of paraben preservatives and fragrances.

But be aware: Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic products are marketed as the best for sensitive skin, but many of these products actually contain all of these things. And not every irritation means you need to stop using the product.

Some irritation is expected in medical grade products in the early stages. But the results will come if you move forward slowly.

Mild tingling that goes away after a few minutes, mild redness, a tight feeling and/or “very mild” peeling is common as the skin adapts to the new active ingredients.

If irritation worsens or is characterized by significant itching or severe redness, the drug should be discontinued completely.

Don't fall for marketing tricks

Skin care buzzwords like “anti-aging” and “new and improved” can be tempting, but don't believe everything you read.

The beauty industry is drowning in empty promises and misleading marketing, but these home truths can help you avoid the pitfalls.

The world of face creams is a minefield. This is especially difficult when it comes to anti-aging creams.

Tretinoin is the only chemical scientifically proven to increase collagen in the skin - and is a classified drug, not a cosmetic.

Tretinoin is the best chemical in anti-aging products and requires a prescription. Many products contain retinol, which is not the same thing. Retinol is found in many over-the-counter products and is much weaker than tretinoin.

Retinol is less effective because it must be converted by enzymes in the skin into retinoic acid.

Niacinamide has also been shown to provide a wide range of improvements in the appearance of aging facial skin.

Even when these ingredients are included in creams, they are not in “active concentrations or formulations.

They must be the right ingredient, in the right concentration, to be delivered to the right place in the skin. So most of the actual products out there have little proven benefit.

Most of the ingredients in the cream do not penetrate the skin and therefore have no real anti-aging activity.

Tips for choosing

As when choosing any cosmetic product, the cream is selected based on a number of factors. Skin type, condition, desired effect, etc. To do this, you should carefully study the composition of the product when purchasing it.

Based on the type of dermis, the composition should contain:

For oily skin

Sophora extract;
Calendula;
Ginseng;
Chamomile;
Elastin;
Fruit acid;
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Composition of cream for oily skin

For dry skin

Water (thermal and distilled);
Medicinal extracts from herbs;
Vegetable oils;
Esters;
Hyaluronic acid;
Vitamins;
Oxygen bases.

Composition of cream for dry skin

For sensitive skin

Rhodiola rosea;
Aminosaccharides;
Panthenol;
Allantoin;
Rutin (vitamin P);
Oils.

In addition to these substances, the composition may contain additional ingredients:

Vitamins A, P, C, E (have antioxidant properties);
Ginseng;
Aloe;
Esters;
Collagen and elastin;
Vegetable oils;
Lanolin;
Hyaluronic acid;
Lactic acid;
Stearic acid.

Composition of face creams

The packaging of a cream with collagen and elastin should contain the word “hydrolyzate”. Only in this form will these components “work”. But this rule does not apply to hyaluronic acid.

If you want to purchase a truly natural face cream, you should look for these ingredients on the packaging. The rest are usually made synthetically.

There are a few more rules that should not be neglected when choosing a cream. Natural creams are best purchased in pharmacies. Such products have a guaranteed quality certificate and can provide a healing effect. You should carefully study the packaging and instructions. There should not be anything that could harm your skin - composition, functionality, application time, age restrictions.

Example of a certificate of conformity

How much does a natural face cream cost?

Most moisturizers contain a high percentage of water, and you're “often just paying for the perfume and the packaging.

Expensive products aren't necessarily better for you, and cheap moisturizers will do the same for your skin.

Advertising products that are world firsts or “new and improved” are not necessarily good.

Trends and “what's popular on Instagram” can also often lead people to buy the wrong products for their skin type. Always do a patch test to make sure the cream works for you. It is recommended to use testing products on the neck or back of the arm.

Keep an eye out for “natural” and “organic.”

The biggest misconception about face creams is that natural or organic products are better.

Unfortunately, these are usually just marketing terms and mean nothing in terms of reducing risk or improving benefits.

The best natural face creams

Natural face cream Zeitun Face Cream Day

This soothing cream helps reduce the appearance of dark spots for normal, dry, combination and oily skin types.

Fun fact: this is a pure product made from over 50 ingredients.

Contains hyaluronic acid, squalane oil, plant extracts, shea butter, vitamin E and glycolic acid
Free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates and mineral oils

Natural face cream Bio2You Anti-Ageing Day with hyaluronic acid

Users said: “I have never had such a product! I saw a difference overnight! It helped with reducing wrinkles. This thing could be the fountain of youth!”

What it does: Using a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells infused into a vitamin C and grape seed-based formula, this moisturizer works to reduce the appearance of fine lines with maximum hydration and improved elasticity. Consider the best natural eye creams

Rich in vitamin C, resveratrol-rich grape seed formula contains a proprietary blend of fruit stem cells
Organic

Natural face cream Sostar Natural Cosmetics

Love it for: Light consistency, moisturizing ingredients and fresh finish

Fun fact: This product is 100% natural and uses cold-pressed extracts sourced in the USA.

Enriched with the antioxidant power of green tea
Without cruelty
Natcral composition

Natural face cream from Korean cosmetics Mi and Ko SPF10

Users said: “This is the best moisturizer I have ever used! My skin has changed dramatically since I started using this. I have been dealing with dehydrated skin for years and this is the first time it has been hydrated. And it smells incredible!” Consider the best Korean face creams.

Top tip: This smoothing and hydrating rose water cream can be worn alone or under makeup for a dewy glow.

Contains rose water, aloe water and white tea extract
Natural composition
Made in Korea

Consider the best natural face foundations.

Consider the best natural face serums.

Consider the best natural face scrubs.

Natural face cream Secret Nature From Jeju Cream

What it does: This lush, aqueous cream is infused with willow to increase moisture and minimize pores. Its natural finish leaves skin fresh, bright and irresistibly soft.

Best for: This product is most suitable for those with normal, dry, combination and oily skin.

Infused with pink rock rose & willow
Free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates

Natural face cream WELEDA

Why you need it: Affordably priced, this skin-loving product uses a rich plant-based blend formula to reveal more radiant skin.

Fun fact: This versatile product can be used as a face mask, over makeup, to hydrate curly/curly hair, as a cuticle moisturizer, and as an alternative to four other beauty solutions.

Free from parabens, phthalates and mineral oils
Contains Vitamin E, Organic Calendula Flower Extract and Organic Pansy
Dermatologically tested

Natural face cream from Korean cosmetics Biomax Snail Anti Wrinkle Cream with snail mucus extract against wrinkles

This moisturizer has the “Clean” seal of approval, which means you can rest assured that it doesn't have a long list of harmful ingredients.

Best for: The protein formula targets firmness and dryness, making it beneficial for all skin types. Consider the best Korean face creams with snails.

Free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates
Formulated at pH level four
Without cruelty

Natural face cream Resibo Natural Lifting Cream

Users said: “I have very oily skin and find it difficult to find a decent moisturizer. This product is amazing and I saw results within 3 days. I use it primarily as a night cream, but I'm sure it would be great as a morning moisturizer. It's a little pricey but definitely worth the money.”

Best for: This anti-aging water cream is ideal for those with oily and sensitive skin.

Low-fat
Formulated with Green Tea, Rice & Seaweed
Without rigidity

Consider the best natural mascaras.

Consider the best natural face washes.

Natural Korean face cream Elizavecca Moisture Hyaluronic Acid Memory

Love it for: Soothing colloidal oatmeal, instant hydration, and versatility for a variety of skin types.

Fun fact: it is natural and gluten-free.

Free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates
Without cruelty

Consider the best natural cosmetics brands.

Consider the best natural face masks.

DIY cooking

Before starting the creative process, prepare: a thermometer, a whisk or mixer, special dishes that should only be used for preparing the cream, a syringe, a clean tablespoon, a pipette, a small measuring cup, a stirring spatula

Important:

Cooking utensils should not be metal; they oxidize the prepared product, worsening its properties. It is better to use enamel bowls or heat-resistant glass containers.
It is better to use a wooden spoon or spatula for stirring.
The thick cream base indicated in the recipe cannot be replaced; it may not mix with other components.
You can vary oils, vitamins or herbal decoctions
Prepare a small portion at a time - approximately 15-20 ml, so that the product does not have time to deteriorate
Use only fresh products

Cooking process:

Heat the base in a water bath to 60 degrees
Pour in the emulsifier and heat until it is completely dissolved.
Pour in the water base, continuing to heat everything in a water bath
Heat until creamy, then remove from heat
Stirring constantly, cool to 35 degrees
Add active substances to the cooled mass.

You can use recipes where you just need to mix all the ingredients, but the effectiveness of such remedies will be much lower

Attention : Before using the prepared cream, you must check it for an allergic reaction. To do this, apply a small amount to your wrist and wait 5-10 minutes. If the skin is red, the product should not be used.

First, prepare a small portion of the composition - after using store-bought creams for a long time, the skin should get used to the natural ingredients.