Glow Get 'Em: Native Australian Ingredients to Look for in Your Skincare

Living in Australia comes with a multitude of benefits - the sun, the sea, the meat pies, the lamingtons... We could go on and on. But beyond our pristine beaches and delectable cuisine is, of course, our incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the sacred native ingredients they have been embracing and using in everything, from food and medicine to cooking, for thousands of years. 

Now more than ever before, native Australian skincare ingredients are popping up in a whole lot of your skincare products and boast endless skin-boosting benefits. So, which ones should you be keeping an eye out for and what exactly do they do? From Kakadu plum and macadamia oil to kangaroo paw flower, keep reading as we round up the best native Australian ingredients to look for in your skincare. Your skin will thank you!

Kakadu Plum

Let’s start with one of the most popular ingredients on the scene right now - Kakadu plum. Kakadu plum in skincare is having a major moment and is an ingredient that is rich in vitamin C and works as an effective antioxidant addition to your routine. And what do antioxidants do? Well, they fight free radical damage and radical damage is what can contribute to things like premature ageing.

Try: The Balancing Daily Foaming Cleanser from Quite Frankly Natural is formulated with both Kakadu plum extract, lactic acid, pomegranate extract and cucumber extract to form a cleanser that is rich in antioxidants. Designed to cater to all skin-type, you can expect a gentle yet active cleanse. 

Kangaroo Paw Flower

While you might be used to picking Kangaroo Paw Flowers over the summer seasons and using them for your floral arrangements, this beautiful native flower can also help your skin regenerate and glow. The native bloom is rich in ferulic acid, which is a strong antioxidant, and linoleic acid, an amazing source of omega-6 fatty acids - aka your skin's best friend. 

Try: Habitual Beauty's Hydrating Serum. A concentrated, lightweight serum that hydrates, smoothes and visibly improves skin tone and texture, nourishes and replenishes skin for a radiant complexion.

White Australian Clay 

White Australian clay has long been used to detoxify and soothe skin. Being such a gentle ingredient, the clay is ideal for all skin types. Its fine texture also enables light exfoliation and polishing leaving skin firm and moisturised. 

Try: Body Blendz Booty Clay Mask will detoxify and soothe your hardworking booty. Body Blendz have also added vitamin E, she butter, macadamia oil and hyaluronic acid into the mix for maximum hydration. 

Australian Caviar Lime

Caviar lime is often used in skincare to gently improve skin tone and help with dullness and the appearance of uneven skin. Rich in vitamins C and E, the small but mighty citrus fruit extract packs a serious punch to give skin a healthy, gorgeous glow. 

Try: Raww Caviar Lime AHA Resurfacing Serum. A gentle exfoliating serum, full of chemical exfoliants such as lactic and glycolic acid but also caviar lime, which is another gentle way to exfoliate your skin. Use in the evening after cleansing and before your moisturiser. Indie Lee Gentle Daily Peel is also formulated with caviar lime in peel pad form and is easy to swipe across the skin.

Macadamia Oil

Macadamia oil is another popular native skincare ingredient designed to nourish and moisturise the skin. It can be found in everything from body moisturisers to cleansers and is actually an oil that sits quite low on the comedogenic scale, so it won’t break out the skin!

Try: Go-To's Face Hero, a lightweight face oil that not only contains macadamia oil but at least nine other plant and nut oils, making it a super nourishing oil for dry and dehydrated skin. This cult favourite can be found in almost every vanity around the country. 

Tea Tree

Most people have heard of tea tree (commonly the oil) as it has been around for years. It has both anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties so can help treat acne breakouts by helping to prevent the infection and bacteria from these breakouts spread to other areas.

Try: Alpha-H Clear Skin Blemish Control Gel. Use this as a spot treatment for random pesky breakouts. It also contains salicylic acid to help clear out the pores and keep your skin clear.

Davidson Plum

There are many different forms of Davidson plum however, one thing is for certain, this is an ingredient that is not only extremely high in antioxidants but is also rich in vitamins and fruit acids as it contains anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is an ingredient that acts like a mild alpha-hydroxy acid on the skin, meaning it has very gentle exfoliating properties.

Try: Biologi Luminosity Face Serum. Designed to brighten dull skin and revive lacklustre texture, this serum is best incorporated into a skincare routine slowly.

Loving our round-up of the best native Australian skincare ingredients? Why not take a look at our 2023 beauty trends forecast and while you're there, have a read of our deep dive on the most helpful skincare products to use if you have oily skin. 

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