Top 5 Skincare Ingredients Every Beginner Should Try
When you’re new to natural skincare, the sheer number of oils, butters, and extracts can feel overwhelming. Which ones actually make a difference? Which are the easiest to work with?
Don’t worry, every experienced formulator started with a few simple, dependable ingredients. This list will introduce you to five must-haves that are gentle, versatile, and easy to blend into your first creations.
1. Jojoba Oil — The Balancing Base
If there’s one ingredient every beginner should meet first, it’s jojoba oil. Technically a liquid wax, it closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum, which makes it perfect for almost every skin type.
Why you’ll love it: Non-greasy, deeply nourishing, and incredibly stable.
Use it in: Serums, balms, facial oils, and even hair products.
Fun fact: Because of its long shelf life, jojoba can help extend the freshness of your blends.
Think of jojoba as your foundation, it’s the canvas that lets your other ingredients shine.
2. Shea Butter — Nature’s Moisture Blanket
Rich, creamy, and deeply soothing, shea butter brings instant comfort to dry or irritated skin. It melts at body temperature, leaving behind a soft, velvety finish.
Why you’ll love it: It’s high in vitamins A and E and adds luxurious texture to any formula.
Use it in: Body butters, lip balms, and hand creams.
Pro tip: Blend it with lighter oils like rosehip or jojoba to make it smoother and easier to spread.
3. Rosehip Oil — The Glow Giver
If your skin ever feels dull or tired, rosehip oil is your remedy. Packed with natural vitamin A and essential fatty acids, it encourages renewal and radiance.
Why you’ll love it: It absorbs quickly and helps improve texture and tone.
Use it in: Facial oils, night serums, and lightweight moisturizers.
Note: Keep it in a dark bottle and away from heat, rosehip is a little sensitive to light but worth the care.
4. Aloe Vera Extract — The Soother
Aloe is one of nature’s most trusted healers. In formulation, it adds lightweight hydration and a refreshing feel, making it ideal for sensitive or sun-kissed skin.
Why you’ll love it: Calms redness, hydrates instantly, and blends easily into gels or lotions.
Use it in: Mists, toners, after-sun care, and soothing masks.
Pro tip: Pair with panthenol or green tea extract for the ultimate skin-soothing blend.
5. Vitamin E — The Protector
Every beginner should know Vitamin E, the quiet hero that keeps your oils fresh and your skin soft. It’s both a skin conditioner and a natural antioxidant.
Why you’ll love it: Helps extend shelf life while protecting your skin from free radicals.
Use it in: Any oil-based product (serums, balms, body oils).
Tip: A little goes a long way, most formulations only need 0.5–2 %.
Bringing It All Together
These five ingredients can form the foundation of dozens of natural skincare recipes, from simple facial oils to luxurious whipped butters. Start with what inspires you most, take notes as you go, and give yourself permission to learn through the process.
Every formulator starts somewhere. With just a few natural ingredients, you can begin creating products that feel good, smell wonderful, and truly work.
Ready to try your first blend?
Subscribe now to receive our free Beginner’s Guide to Natural Skincare or visit the shop to find these ingredients and more.