ALOE
WHAT IT IS: A succulent plant grown in desert and tropical climates around the world. Aloe gel is full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids.
WHAT IT DOES: Often listed instead of water, aloe soothes and moisturizes dry, irritated, sunor wind-burned skin.
WHAT TO TRY: Nourish Pure Unscented USDA Organic Body Wash, $9.99, nourishusda.com; Nardo’s Natural Face Cleanser & Exfoliant, $23.99, nardosnatural.com
BEE PROPOLIS AND ROYAL JELLY
WHAT IT IS: Propolis is used by bees to build their hives. Royal jelly is the food bees make for the queen. Rich in vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids.
WHAT IT DOES: An antimicrobial, highly absorbent moisturizer. Helps rejuvenate skin cells and stimulate collagen production
WHAT TO TRY: Medicine Mama’s Sweet Bee Magic All in One Healing Cream, $19.95, medicinemamasapothecary.com; Bee Alive Delicate Royal Jelly Creme, $37.50, beealive.com
BLACK CURRANT
WHAT IT IS: Black currant seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids.
WHAT IT DOES: Helps reduce wrinkles and repair tissue damage, and, an anti-inflammatory useful for treating eczema, acne and dry skin.
WHAT TO TRY: Cecilia Wong Replenishing Face Moisturizer, $68, ceciliawongskincare.com
CHERRY
WHAT IT IS: Native to the Pacific Northwest, a fruit loaded with powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and natural fruit peeling agents.
WHAT IT DOES: The juice can help reduce discoloration and dark spots, soothe irritated skin and destroy acne-causing bacteria.
WHAT TO TRY: Dahlia Naturals Overnight Fruit Lift, $28, dahlia-naturals.com; Ilike Organic Skincare Sour Cherry Gel Mask, $40, dermstore.com
COCONUT
WHAT IT IS: Coconut oil is loaded with lauric acid, which has antibacterial and antiviral properties.
WHAT IT DOES: It’s an ideal moisturizer, because the small molecular structure enables it to easily absorb through the skin.
WHAT TO TRY: One Love Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm, $68, oneloveorganics.com; Osea Anti-Aging Body Balm, $38, oseamalibu.com
NEEM
WHAT IT IS: Extracted from the fruit of the neem tree, an antiseptic widely used in ayurvedic medicine and skin care.
WHAT IT DOES: Antibacterial, antifungal, treats oily or blemished skin, and soothes eczema and psoriasis. Neem has also been shown to help with diabetes-related skin conditions.
WHAT TO TRY: Alaffia Neem Oil, $6.95, alaffia.com
PRICKLY PEAR
WHAT IT IS: A cactus native to the Sonoran Desert and loaded with super-antioxidants, known as betalains, that protect it from the harsh, dry, desert climate.
WHAT IT DOES: It protects your skin from dryness, too. The juice and seed oil also reduce inflammation and speed up cell turnover.
WHAT TO TRY: Sia Botanics Prickly Pear Rescue Cream, $22, siabotanics.com
TURMERIC
WHAT IT IS: The pungent golden spice is a staple of ayurvedic medicine and skin care.
WHAT IT DOES: Turmeric extract is loaded with tetra-hydrocurcuminoids (thC), colorless compounds with antioxidant and skin-lightening properties. Calms irritation, inflammation and rosacea; reduces dryness; and stimulates circulation.
WHAT TO TRY: Pratima Rosacea Therapy Lotion, $32, pratimaskincare.com; Dr. Alkaitis Organic Enzyme exfoliating mask, $55, alkaitis.com