8 Of The Best Natural, Anti-Ageing Ingredients In Skincare

It’s time to stop believing that the only effective age-defying skincare ingredients are produced in a lab and have impossible-to-pronounce names. Because some of the best ingredients for fighting the signs of ageing are actually born from nature. Here are eight of the best – and by the way, our HIGHBORNS contain them all!

Read on to discover the naturally super-powered age-defying ingredients in your HIGHBORNs...

1. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera (aka aloe barbadensis) is almost a given for soothing red, sun-scorched skin, but did you know, this cactus-like plant has so much more to offer your skin than a post-sun cool-down? 

Found in the wild across the dry habitats of North Africa, aloe vera is a short-stemmed succulent whose leaves contain a water-rich, medicinal gel. This gel has been used for centuries in everything from food and drinks through to herbal remedies and skincare.

So, why do we believe in it so much and formulate it in some of our favourite HIGHBORNs including Pre-Eminent Beauty Serum and Imperial Eye Gel? Well, aloe vera contains all manner of skin-loving properties including anti-inflammatory polysaccharides, phytosterols, antioxidants, enzymes, active minerals and vitamins. Together, these work to heal, hydrate and fight damaging free radicals which is super important if you care anything about keeping fine lines and wrinkles at bay. 

2. Argan Oil

Made from the kernels of the Moroccan argania spinosa tree, this super-powered plant oil is packed with vitamin E , linoleic acid and omega fatty acids making it one of nature’s finest superfoods for moisturising your skin. That being said, argan oil is relatively lightweight and fast-absorbing so it’s suitable for all skin types. Neither too thin, nor too rich, we like to think of it as the darling of facial oils. 

Argan oil also boasts strong antioxidant properties, so it’s ideal for protecting as well as moisturising your skin and is a great shout for acne-prone skin. Oil for acne? Yes, truly. Vitamin E helps reduce redness and works hard to control oil production, thus reducing breakouts and irritation. 

You’ll find argan oil in two of our best-selling moisturisers, Night Elixir and Organic Tinted Moisturiser with SPF 25, and because it’s so great for the delicate skin around your eyes, it’s also in Imperial Eye Gel.

3. Marine Collagen

Collagen is vital for the health, strength and structure of your skin. But unfortunately, as with a lot of good stuff in your skin, collagen production decreases as you age and continually expose it to environmental nasties such as light, heat, smoking and pollution. In fact, during the first five years of the menopause, your skin loses about 30 percent of its natural collagen levels and around 2 percent every year after that. Crumbs.

There are many ways to help boost this important protein and fight the signs of skin ageing, but one of our favourites is to harness the powers of guilt-free marine collagen. And when we say ‘guilt-free,’ we really mean it because the marine collagen we use in our Imperial Eye Gel and Moisturiser, is not extracted from fish, but from seaweed. 

Unlike animal-derived collagen which is quite different to your own, seaweed collagen has a very similar molecular structure to human collagen. Why is that so important? Because your body can absorb it better, making it much more effective at maintaining soft, supple, radiant skin with fewer lines, wrinkles and sagging. Finally, as a side note, seaweed collagen also contains hyaluronic acid to help keep your skin plump and hydrated. Win win!

4. Oat Silk

Oat silk is a finely milled flour that’s extracted from oat kernels and often used in cosmetics for its smooth, silky feel. But oak silk is so much more than a pretty face. And it’s all thanks to its high percentage of natural oils which contain phospholipids and antioxidants to moisturise, repair and protect your skin without leaving it greasy or overloaded. 

Oat silk has also been said to have brightening and mattifying benefits which is just another great reason we use it in our Natural Luminosity Scrub. You’re welcome!

5. Olive Oil

When you conjure up visions of Cleopatra and her well documented beauty habits, the first thing that springs to mind is milk, right? Well, did you know she was also a fan of using olive oil to moisturise her skin? 

Olive oil is derived from pressing oil from the whole fruit of the olive tree. Great on salads, but even better on your skin, it’s fantastic for locking in moisture to improve your barrier function and keep your skin healthy and strong. It also contains free radical-fighting antioxidants to minimise damage caused by environmental stressors such as pollution and UV radiation.

All this coupled with its anti-inflammatory properties and high vitamin content make it a real wonder oil. We couldn’t resist formulating it in Night Elixir, Imperial Moisturiser and our deliciously rich Natural Luminosity Body Butter.

6. Pomegranate Seed Oil

A real antioxidant powerhouse, pomegranate seed oil helps boost collagen and elastin production and protects your skin from sun damage. It should be noted, however, that you must never replace any type of antioxidant for sunscreen. Truly effective skincare routines should always include a combination of both antioxidants and broad-spectrum SPF. End of.

We think pomegranate seed oil is a pretty big deal and use it in our Organic Age-Defying Facial Oil. Not only is it packed with omega-5 fatty acids to hydrate your skin and help prevent moisture loss, but it contains a whole host of plant polyphenols like ellagic acid and anthocyains. These are active ingredients that have detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and reparative properties.

Studies have shown that applying polyphenols to your skin can help protect it from sun damage and help reverse age-related skin concerns like lines, wrinkles and dark spots. 

7. Rosehip Oil

Pressed from the seeds of the small fruit that sits underneath a rose, rosehip oil contains an array of vitamins and essential omega acids, making it extremely beneficial for improving your skin’s barrier function. 

Without a strong barrier, your skin can become sensitive, irritated, dry and dehydrated. This is because it works like a shield to protect your skin from the slings and arrows of the outside world. Not only does it keep the bad guys out, however, but it also keeps the good guys (ie: water, essential proteins, fatty acids) in. 

Rosehip oil is a great way to keep your skin’s barrier strong and healthy without blocking your pores. It also contains high levels of vitamin C to help brighten and protect your skin (bye-bye dark spots) and has even been shown to accelerate healing and soothe irritation.

We combine it with seaweed collagen and olive oil in our Imperial Moisturiser for an amazing hit of moisture and protection for all skin types. You’ll also find this beauty in Organic Age-Defying Facial Oil and Organic Tinted Moisturiser.

8. Safflower Seed Oil

We believe safflower oil is one of the most impressive botanicals for your skin. It’s extracted from the seeds of the safflower plant, indigenous to hot dry climates in Asia, Africa, Australia and North America and, like argan oil, is just the right weight to benefit your skin without overloading it.

It’s so good that safflower oil is the main ingredient in our Organic Age-Defying Facial Oil. Of course, it’s super effective at locking moisture into your skin, but it’s also chock full of free radical-fighting vitamin E to help protect your skin from oxidative stress.

Furthermore, safflower oil contains high levels of linoleic acid, an omega fatty acid known to help treat acne and promote healing. Research also shows that safflower oil contains serotonin derivates and acacetin which work to inhibit melanin formation and help improve dark spots.  

So, there you have it: proof that nature’s finest ingredients offer just as remarkable anti-ageing benefits for your skin as some of the more well-known synthetic ingredients out there. What’s more, these are totally guilt-free!