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Like it or not, some of the best wrinkle fighters and collagen boosters come from guys in white coats. But that's not to say you have to smear on unpronounceable synthetic ingredients if you don't want to look like an old hag. In fact, there are all-natural extracts and alternatives that can totally make you look younger, smoother, more glow-y, and a bunch of other good adjectives. Just know what to look for—and where to find it.

If You Want to Fight Wrinkles...

There's nothing better than retinol. Period. Though it is a derivative of vitamin A and is naturally occurring in our skin, the kind used in most—if not all—of our skin care has been synthesized in one way or another, says cosmetic chemist Randy Schueller. Plus, pure vitamin A will make your skin look sort of orange, explains Ava Shamban, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (it's typically derived from beta-carotene, the compound that makes carrots orange). The bottom line: If you want to use retinol and commit to a natural routine, your best bet is to look for a retinol product from companies that frequently use organic, natural, and botanical ingredients.

If You Want to Fight Wrinkles...

For a wrinkle smoother that's only a few small steps away from its days as a plant, try sunflower, pomegranate, or camellia oil. They're antioxidant powerhouses, and they not only protect against future skin damage (when layered over sunscreen) but they also promote collagen production because of their vitamin E content, according to cosmetic chemist Ni'Kita Wilson.

If You Want to Fight Dullness...

There's been a lot of hating on sugar lately, but we have something nice to say: It's actually one of the best exfoliants for sensitive skin. A sugar-based scrub will dissolve as it exfoliates, so it's impossible to overdo it. Use it once a week to gently slough off dead skin cells, which can lead to dullness.

If You Want to Fight Dullness...

You need to exfoliate. Which means you need to try a peel or a mask with alpha and beta hydroxy acids. Right now. Seriously, we'll wait. These fruit-derived acids dissolve the bonds that hold dead skin cells together, so all you're left with is happy, smooth skin. (The king of all AHAs, glycolic acid, is not always naturally derived, though it can be sourced from some sugar crops.)

If You Want to Fight Dark Spots...

Botanical ingredients like soy, peony extract, Viniferine (from vine sap), daisy extract, and licorice root can lighten dark spots by interrupting melanin production, but—and get used to hearing this—they won't be quite as effective as their synthetic counterparts (like hydroquinone). Wear them in serums and creams you apply in the morning; since most are also antioxidants, they'll fight off free radicals that can lead to more skin unpleasantness.