Natural Cosmetic Raw Materials

Natural cosmetics are formulated using ingredients of plant, mineral or naturally derived origin, with the exception of materials obtained from dead vertebrates. These ingredients retain their natural chemical structure throughout processing and are generally considered to be more compatible with the skin's biological functions.Carriers and Solvents

Carriers and solvents enable cosmetic ingredients to be delivered effectively to the skin and hair. Common examples used in natural cosmetics include:

• Vegetable fixed oils

• Glycerine

• Distilled water

• Hydrosols (floral waters)

Vegetable oils are particularly valuable as they dissolve lipid-soluble ingredients while providing nourishment and skin conditioning benefits.

Emollients

Emollients soften and smooth the skin, helping to improve its texture and maintain a healthy skin barrier. Fatty acids naturally present in vegetable oils are widely used as effective emollients.

Humectants

Humectants attract and retain moisture within the skin, helping to improve hydration.

Common natural humectants include:

• Glycerine

• Hyaluronic acid

• Panthenol (Provitamin B5)

These ingredients are frequently incorporated into formulations for their moisturising and skin-conditioning properties.

Occlusive Ingredients

Occlusive ingredients create a protective barrier on the skin, helping to reduce transepidermal water loss. They are particularly beneficial for dry and compromised skin.

Examples include:

• Natural waxes

• Lanolin

• Lecithin

Thickeners

Thickeners increase the viscosity and stability of cosmetic formulations.

Oil-based thickeners:

• Natural waxes

• Stearic acid

• Cetyl alcohol

Water-based thickeners:

• Xanthan gum

• Gum Arabic

• Other natural gums

Surfactants

Surfactants perform several important functions in cosmetic products, including cleansing, emulsifying, foaming, wetting and solubilising.

Naturally derived surfactants are increasingly preferred because they are biodegradable, generally exhibit lower toxicity and have a reduced environmental impact compared with many synthetic alternatives.

Examples include:

• Coco Glucoside

• Hydrogenated Castor Oil derivatives

Emulsifiers

Many cosmetic products contain both oil and water phases, which naturally separate. Emulsifiers allow these phases to remain evenly mixed, creating stable creams and lotions.

Examples of naturally derived emulsifiers include:

• Cetearyl Olivate & Sorbitan Olivate (olive-derived)

• Lecithin

• Sorbitan Olivate

Functional Ingredients

Functional ingredients improve the stability, texture and performance of cosmetic formulations.

Common examples include:

• Cetyl alcohol

• Stearic acid

• Alginates

Active Ingredients

Active ingredients provide the primary functional benefits of a cosmetic product.

Examples include:

• Botanical extracts

• Essential oils

• Fatty acids

• Proteins

• Vitamins

Preservatives

Preservatives protect cosmetic products against contamination by bacteria, mould and yeast, helping to ensure product safety throughout their shelf life.

• Anhydrous (water-free) oil-based products often require little or no preservative.

• Products containing water should always include an appropriate broad-spectrum preservative system.

pH Regulators

Healthy human skin typically has a pH between 4.2 and 6.0.

Maintaining an appropriate pH helps preserve skin barrier function and supports the effectiveness of preservative systems where required.

Suspensions

Suspensions contain insoluble solid particles evenly dispersed throughout a liquid.

Examples include:

• Mineral powders

• Pigments

• Colourants

Pigments and Minerals

Natural pigments and minerals provide colour, opacity and UV protection in cosmetic formulations.

Examples include:

• Zinc Oxide

• Iron Oxides

• Sodium Bicarbonate

Natural Salts

Natural mineral-rich salts are commonly incorporated into exfoliating and skincare products. They help remove dead skin cells while providing essential minerals.

Unrefined natural salts are generally preferred for their mineral content.

Clays

Natural clays are widely used in facial masks, scrubs and cleansing treatments.

Different clay colours reflect their mineral composition, and they are valued for helping to:

• Absorb excess oil

• Cleanse pores

• Remove impurities

• Gently exfoliate dead skin cells

• Improve the appearance of oily and blemish-prone skin

Many clays possess a natural negative surface charge, enabling them to adsorb positively charged impurities and certain heavy metals from the skin surface. Their absorbent properties make them a valuable ingredient in natural skincare formulations.