As shoppers grow more aware of ingredient compositions and their ecological footprint, there’s a rising inclination towards natural products, even in beauty sections laden with chemicals. If you’re considering transitioning to organic or merely seeking fewer synthetic lotions, cleansers, and creams, here are some top-notch natural skincare brands on the market.
Clark’s Botanicals
All Clark’s Botanicals products feature the essential oil Jasmine Absolute, which is said to “rebalance” skin. This flower-based oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit a wide range of skin types. Clark’s Intense Radiance Mask was named one of Allure’s Best of Beauty 2012 winners in the natural products category.
Arbonne
Arbonne relies on responsibly harvested botanicals to create lotions, cleansers, and scrubs that are hypoallergenic (meaning no harsh fragrances or dyes) and free of animal products. The FC5 line, which utilizes antioxidant-rich ingredients like kiwi and pumpkin, is especially innovative.
Boscia
You won’t find controversial preservatives like parabens in Boscia products. This company’s Green Tea and Rose Blotting Linens have long been a fave of beauty editors, and its Luminizing Black Mask is a bestseller among Sephora’s natural beauty offerings.
Carol’s Daughter
What began in a New York kitchen quickly developed into a natural beauty line that a variety of celebrities, including Jada Pinkett Smith, Oprah, and even Jay-Z, adored. The Carol’s Daughter line isn’t 100 percent natural; some products contain fragrances and chemical-based preservatives, but others, like the popular Sexy Belly moisturizer, are free of petroleum and fragrance.
Hauschka
If you’re looking for a more holistic approach to skincare, Dr. Hauschka has just the prescription you need. The products are completely natural and comprise organic and sustainably grown ingredients, including botanical-based preservatives.
Galens Way
Galens Way provides what it calls “herbal skin therapy” by way of plant-infused moisturizers, oils, and toners. My coworker and friend, Renae, says that the Riot of Roses Rose Cream is the best moisturizer she’s ever tried.
Josie Maran
Josie Maran was a highly successful model for years before founding her toxin-free cosmetics company. It’s best known for selling Argan Oil, an organic, all-natural “superfood” of sorts that does everything from soften cuticles to repair split ends.
Juice Beauty
Based in San Rafael, California, the Juice Beauty line uses a blend of over thirty different organic juices in lieu of the standard water base found in other brands. What results are products that smell good enough to eat and feel great enough to use every day.
Nude
NUDE sets high sustainability standards for itself (the company is carbon-neutral, refuses to test on animals, and eschews sulfates and mineral oil), and its efforts show in the quality of each of their products. Several NUDE skincare products have been named to “best of” lists by beauty bloggers and magazines such as InStyle and Allure.
Pomega5
What distinguishes Pomega5 from the natural skincare pack is its use of pomegranate essential oil in every product, including its beloved Green Tea Mattifying Moisturizer. The natural beauty website Ecofabulous.com wrote fabulous things about the moisturizer, as well as about the company’s cleansing beauty bars.
Yes To
Carrots, cucumbers, blueberries, tomatoes—whatever your skin type, there’s a corresponding fruit or vegetable to meet its needs. Yes To also adds Dead Sea minerals to its organic fruit and vegetable mix to provide even more of a hydrating, soothing, and revitalizing experience.
Zia Natural
Because it eschews artificial colors and fragrances, Zia Natural is an especially good bet for sensitive skin. Along with offering mineral makeup and sun care, Zia offers a wide array of body-care products that have almond and safflower oils to nourish, vitamins to repair, and soothing aloe and chamomile.
These natural and organic skincare brands are committed to using clean ingredients, sustainable packaging, and ethical sourcing practices to create products that are good for your skin and the environment.
By Vicki Santillano. This story first appeared on Divine Caroline.
