I have a confession to make. I used to be a serious skincare junkie. I would spend hours in Sephora testing different products and spending way too much money.

I was a huge sucker for all the “product promises” on the back of the package.

About 10 years ago I was doing a little research and what I found shocked me. I learned that the last time Congress passed a law regulating the cosmetics industry was 1938. That was 81 years ago! Crazy right?

The average American woman applies 12 different products with up to 168 ingredients each day. The US has only banned or restricted 11 ingredients so that leaves a lot of ingredients completely unregulated. Even the European Union has banned close to 1400.

Knowledge is power and once I learned these facts, I realized I needed to take matters into my own hands. Instead of spending time in Sephora, I started to research natural ingredients and their benefits. I began applying what I was learning, and my skin transformed.

As time went on, my dry skin became balanced, smooth, and healthy glowing skin. Just as our bodies prefer food as close to nature as possible, so does our skin!

Below are my favorite skincare ingredients for healthy glowing skin. And, the best part… Most can be found in your kitchen cabinets!

5 NATURAL INGREDIENTS THAT GUARANTEE GLOWING SKIN (AND HOW TO USE THEM)

ALOE VERA

Why I Love It: Aloe Vera gel straight from a fresh aloe plant is exceptional at healing and soothing the skin. It contains antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins A and C and is also anti-inflammatory. This is what makes it amazing for soothing a sunburn.

It is also hydrating so is great for plumping dehydrated or aging skin. You can find large aloe leaves at most grocery stores, but I love having an aloe plant in my home. Not only are aloe plants easy to care for, but having one in your home means you can have fresh aloe gel anytime you want it.

How to Use It: Cut a fresh aloe leaf down the center and scoop out the gel. You can apply the gel directly to your face to use as a mask or add it to other skincare products such as moisturizer. It can also be blended with rose water to make a homemade facial and body mist.

RAW HONEY:

Why I Love It: Raw Honey is packed with antioxidants and not only moisturizes the skin but is naturally antimicrobial so it helps to disinfect and detoxify the skin too – making it perfect for use on all skin types.

Raw honey has a natural grain, so it makes a perfect exfoliant (hello smooth, glowing skin). One note though – it must be raw, unpasteurized honey. Pasteurization kills the beneficial enzymes and probiotics found naturally in its raw state!

How to Use It: Apply it directly to your face as a mask or use it as a scrub by massaging it into the skin in a circular motion. It makes a great lip mask if you can keep yourself from licking your lips long enough.

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL:

Why I Love It: Not only do I love consuming coconut oil for its health benefits, but I am a huge fan of using it on my skin. Coconut oil truly is a miracle oil! It is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. It is also high in fatty acids and lauric acid. It is superior at moisturizing the skin and helping it restore balance.

How to Use It: There are so many ways to use coconut oil in your skincare regime. It removes eye makeup in a jiffy while moisturizing your lashes. It is also great for oil cleansing and makes a great base for a homemade salt or sugar scrub.

And, it may surprise you but one of my favorite ways to use it is as a shaving cream!

TURMERIC:

Why I Love It: Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory which makes it amazing at healing and soothing the skin. It is naturally antiseptic but hydrating at the same time so can be helpful for acne-prone skin. It is highly pigmented so a little goes a long way to avoid temporary staining.

How to Use It: One of the best ways to use turmeric on the skin is as a face mask. I love adding it to a powdered clay mask or making one from scratch by mixing it with yogurt and raw honey.

ROSEHIP OIL:

Why I Love It: Face oils have been all the rage for some time and one of the best oils I have found is rosehip oil. It is full of vitamins, antioxidants, fatty acids, and is high in vitamin C. It is also inexpensive and easy to find making it the perfect addition to your daily skincare routine.

How to Use It: Add rosehip oil to your moisturizer or apply it directly to your skin. It can also be used as a final step and applied on top of your other products.

IN CONCLUSION

I am hopeful one day Congress will pass improved laws regulating ingredients found in cosmetics, but until then, you can take matters into your own hands.

There are so many amazing natural ingredients that are easy to find and incorporate into your skincare routine.

These 5 natural ingredients are a great place to start on your path to glowing skin!

Do you have a favorite natural skincare ingredient you can’t live without? Share it in the comments below. And if you’re curious, ITN founder, Cynthia Garcia shares hers here: 4 Skincare Products I Can’t Live Without!

For more on Katie, head here!