Characteristics: You have shiny skin, large pores and find yourself trying to squeeze those black heads out. The occasional pimple leaves a scar that takes forever to go.

Although this is counterintuitive, drying skin and cleaning with harsh cleansers will not solve this problem. Your skin will try to overcompensate for the loss of sebum by producing more oil that can get trapped in pores leading to more blackheads. So avoid harsh detergents. Start by using gentle cleansers that remove excess dirt and oils without drying skin.
To get clear skin without blackheads, you need to dissolve existing blackheads, exfoliate skin surface to prevent sebum from becoming trapped and allowing skin oils to flow for healthy, balanced skin. Look for light, non-comedogenic ingredients like Shea butter, Ricebran, Calendula, Sunflower and Grapeseed oils. Fractionated coconut oil is an extremely light version of coconut oil that is easily absorbed to provide moisture without blocking pores. Jojoba oil is actually a wax with the same consistency of skin’s natural sebum and can slowly unblock clogged pores. Avoid rich oils like Almond, Olive, virgin coconut and Avocado.
Look for citrus essential oils (like Lemon, Orange and Grapefruit) and essences of Lavender, Lemongrass, Tea tree, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus and Ylang Ylang.  Ylang ylang is known to reduce the over production of sebum and balance skin’s oils. Rosehip seed oil is high in vitamin A and great for slowly and gently resurfacing skin’s surface. Licorice root brightens skin along with Orange essential oil.

Quick Summary

Characteristics: The aging process manifests as wrinkles, sagging skin or dull, rough skin. As skin is more delicate with age, always use gentle, non-drying cleansers and exfoliants to prevent skin breakage or damage.

To rebuild collagen and elastin for firmer skin, look for compounds with vitamin C and E. Pomegranate seed oil, Cranberry seed oil, Sea buckthorn berry and Pumpkin seed oil contain vitamin C. Citrus essential oils (especially lemon and orange) are filled with vitamin C. Look for Argan oil, Almond oil, Sunflower oil, Shea butter, Seabuckthorn berry and Ricebran oil that are good sources of vitamin E. Almond oil also contains vitamin K. Essential oils of Lavender, Rose, Neroli and Frankincense that promote circulation and regeneration of skin tissue. Fight free radical damage with anti-oxidants like vitamins A, C and E found in the oils mentioned above and botanical extracts like Hibiscus, White/green tea, all berry. Many essential oils are excellent sources of anti-oxidants. Always use a great sun screen to protect from UV damage.

Plump up with moisture with fatty acids and humectants (compounds that attract water to skin and help retain water). Look for Squalene in Macadamia nut oil and Ricebran oil. Evening primrose oil, Pomegranate seed oil, Cranberry seed oil, Argan and Sunflower oil are wonderful sources of fatty acids. Look for Almond, Avocado, Sesame, Olive oil and Wheat germ oils that reduce water loss. Examples of humectants are Hyaluronic acid, honey and vegetal glycerine. Honey with royal jelly is an enhanced compound that also has vitamins and minerals to provide all round anti-aging benefit. Jasmine essential oil is intensely hydrating. Exfoliation is key to remove dull skin and reveal brighter, softer. Apricot shells, fine walnut shells and jojoba beads might be great if used in gentle cleansers. Look for Rosehip seed oil with large quantities of vitamin A that helps shed old skin and bring newer, younger skin to the surface.

For the body, moisturize intensely with healthy, rich moisturizers that contain Shea, Cocoa, Mango, Aloe, Avocado, Almond or Cupuacu butters.

Quick Summary

For a more detailed guide describing all the factors that affect aging and natural ingredients to combat these factors, visit our anti-aging skincare guide.

Characteristics: Your skin appears dull and sallow. To treat this, exfoliation and hydration are very important.

To exfoliate, use very gentle exfoliants that do not tear or rupture skin tissue. Examples of natural exfoliants include finely ground apricot shells, walnut shells and jojoba beats. Lactic acid found in milk is a great exfoliator as are Citric acids found in the fruit extracts of lemon, grapefruit and orange and Glycolic acid found in sugar extracts like sugar maple. Citrus essential oils like Lemon, orange and grapefruit are also good for exfoliating skin.
For that well-nourished, plump skin select ingredients that are emollient and humectant. Emollients are compounds that restore the natural barrier function of the skin. They hydrate and protect skin cells by forming a protective layer to prevent water loss. Look for emollients that have Squalene like Macadamia nut oil and Ricebran oil. Other wonderful emollients include Evening primrose oil, Pomegranate seed oil, Cranberry seed oil, Argan and Sunflower oil are which have copious amounts of fatty acids. Look for Almond, Avocado, Sesame, Olive oil and Wheat germ oils that contain proteins to reduce transdermal water loss. If you have sensitive skin or have a tendency to breakout, avoid evening primrose oils and rich oils like Almond, Avocado, Olive or Wheatgerm.

Humectants attract water to the skin and retain the water. Examples of humectants are Hyaluronic acid, honey and vegetal glycerine. Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) also assist with this function. Not only does honey hold water to skin but it is an anti-bacterial and anti-biotic with properties to regenerate skin to bring a healthier glow. Honey with royal jelly is an enhanced compound that also has vitamins and minerals to provide all round anti-aging benefit. Jasmine essential oil is intensely hydrating. Tahitian Monoi oil is an expensive yet highly moisturizing, gentle oil made by infusing Tahitian gardenia in young coconut oil.
For glowing skin on your body, look for healthy butters in your cream like Shea, Mango, Cocoa, Olive, Almond, Avocado and Cupuacu butters.

Quick Summary