Late last year I decided that I wanted to move towards more natural skincare products as a part of my beauty routine. I’ve always leaned that way, but honestly didn’t know where to start. I had a few favorites, but really wanted to get into some and test them out. Between new brands reaching out, and my own shopping habit I discovered some products I haven’t heard of before, and rediscovered some old favorites. I’ve compiled all of them into a big list (grouped by type) and shared my thoughts with you below.
Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash $26
Vegan friendly, gluten free. 99.5% natural, 51% organic. Sulfate-free.
This facewash lathers well and smells strongly of aloe and green tea. It rinses easily and leaves your skin feeling cleansed but not dry.
Skinfix Foaming Oil Cleanser* $15
97.5% Natural. Allergy tested & pH balanced. Free of parabens, phthalates, silicones, dairy, gluten, synthetic fragrances or dyes. Cruelty free.
This foaming cleanser dispenses easily and foams up with lather. The gentle scent is very calming and leaves my skin feeling clean and fresh.
Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Soap Bar $14 (fav!)
100% natural and vegan. Formulated without parabens, sulfates , synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, animal testing, and GMOs
Gentle and effective, this soap reminds me of my favorite Lush soap, without the added sulfates, and it works just as well.
Context Daily Facial Cleanser* $30
Paraben, Sulfate & Pthalate-Free. Fragrance-free. Animal friendly.
This facial cleanser doesn’t have a strong scent, and left my face feeling firm but not dry afterward. Beautiful and minimal packaging.
Lush Coalface Cleansing Bar $14
Vegan friendly, cruelty free. Freshly made using a mixture of natural ingredients and safe synthetics.
This was my holy grail of facial soaps up until recently. All 3 of the face-washing aged people in our household use it. It has been the only soap so far to clear up any hormonal acne I had from PCOS, so it’s a must-use in my book. Unfortunately I discovered it has sulfates in it, so it has been replaced with the Herbivore soap above.
Lush Eau Roma Water $11 (fav!)
Vegan and cruelty free. Made fresh from natural ingredients and safe synthetics.
This toner spray feels and smells so relaxing on my face. I use it to remove an leftover oils and to tone my face in general.
Context Hydrating Toner* $35
Paraben, Sulfate and Pthalate-Free. Animal friendly.
Toners are usually a favorite of mine, and this is no different. My skin feels so fresh and calm after using this. It doesn’t have alcohol and includes witch hazel, a favorite of mine to calm redness (my skin can be pinkish sometimes).
Herbivore Pink Clay Moisture Mask $48 (fav!)
No Artificial Ingredients, Fillers, Parabens, Alcohol, Animal Ingredients, Fragrances, Sulfates, Artificial Colors, Or Unnatural Preservatives.
This is one of my favorite masks, not only does it smell amazing (seriously, so so good!), it leaves my skin feeling so soft and full of life afterward.
Lush Mask of Magnaminty $14 (fav!)
Made from fresh, natural ingredients and self-preserving. Cruelty free. Recycled and returnable packaging.
This makes my skin feel so nice after I use it. I wish it were a little less minty, but it doesn’t disturb my skin otherwise.
Skinfix Moisture Boost Serum* $30
97.5% natural. Allergy tested & pH balanced. Free of parabens, phthalates, silicones, dairy, gluten, synthetic fragrances or dyes. Cruelty free.
Smells very subtly like cucumber, this light serum feels wonderful on. Used after the foaming cleanser and before the hydrating lotion, it doesn’t feel heavy at all.
Aēsop Sage & Zinc Facial Hydrating Cream $40 (fav!)
Contains no sulfates, colourants, mineral oils, silicones, parabens or pearlising agents. Most ingredients plant-derived. Vegan-friendly.
This mildly scented moisturizer goes on easy and lasts quite awhile. The SPF 15 is enough to cover minimal sun exposure, but I’d add sunscreen if I were doing anything significant outdoors.
Block Island Organics Revitalizing Night Cream* $30
Vegan, cruelty free. No parabens, sulfates, petrochemicals, phthalates, dyes or artificial fragrances. Recycle and reef friendly.
Thick and unscented, this night cream glides on smoothly and doesn’t feel greasy or gross in the morning. It’s the perfect size for travel, too!
Skinfix Hydrating Lotion* $20
95% natural. Free of parabens, phthalates, silicones, dairy, gluten, synthetic fragrances or dyes. Cruelty free.
Lightweight and very lightly scented, this lotion goes on light and doesn’t leave a greasy residue. For use on face and neck, morning and night.
Lush Imperialis Facial Moisturizer $26 (fav!)
Vegan friendly. Cruelty free. Made from mostly natural ingredients. Recyclable and returnable packaging.
My main facial (and neck, don’t forget your neck!) moisturizer. The scent is light, and so is the product. It spreads very easily, especially after using a toner. I love it for night time use.
Context Vitamin C All Day Eye Cream* $35
Paraben, Sulfate & Pthalate-Free. Animal friendly.
Lightweight and soothing formula seems to brighten area and feels fresh all day. I tested it in the morning and evening with noticeable results, and it’s the perfect travel size!
Skinfix Brightening Eye Cream* $25
96.5% natural. Allergy tested & pH Balanced. Free of parabens, phthalates, silicone, dairy, gluten, synthetic fragrance or dyes. Cruelty free.
Another gentle scent from skinfix, this eye cream felt like it started to work after only the first use. I like how it didn’t seem to ‘crawl’ at night.
Lush Enchanted Eye Cream $28 (fav!)
Made fresh using natural ingredients and safe synthetics. Cruelty free.
This is a definite favorite for me. It feels thick and rich once it’s applied, and dries quickly. I use it after I apply my Imperialis moisturizer.
Kopari Coconut Sheer Oil* $38
Vegan friendly. No silicones. No sulfates. No parabens. No GMOs. Made in San Diego, California.
A wonderful multi-tasker, from your face to your hair. This oil comes in a smaller container but feels hefty to hold and will go far with regular use.
Buckler’s Chapped Skin Remedy No. 001 $19 (fav!)
Fragrance-free, contains no parabens, harsh chemicals, perfumes, or colorants.
I came across this while shopping at Lou & Grey. It feels creamy and thick. I use this unscented lotion as a hand cream and keep it near my desk.
Herbivore Botanicals Jasmine Body Oil $30 (fav!)
100% natural & vegan. Sustainably handcrafted. Formulated without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances or dyes, petrochemicals, animal testing, or GMOs.
I was a Skin Trip Coconut lotion girl until I came across this. Just a few pumps are almost enough for my entire body and it’s one of the few oils to work on stubborn dry skin around my elbows. Plus, the scent is dreamy.
Kopari Coconut Balm* $28
Made with sustainably sourced organic coconut oil. No sulfates, no silicones, no parabens, no phlatates, no GMOs, no toxins. Solar-powered lab.
I have to admit that I am not a big coconut oil user. The balm was a little stiff at first, but loosened up with a good squeeze. Smells great, melts into skin easily, and can be used as a skincare multi-tasker from after-sun care to cracked heels.
*Product received complimentary for review.
Shop the list:
Moving forward, I would love to try more Herbivore Botanicals products, and check out Juice Beauty (my friend Reichel swears by it!). bare Minerals (love their makeup!) has a new skincare line called Sensorials that is derived from natural ingredients, but I haven’t had a chance to test it out yet. Have you? I am currently working on a natural hair care post, and will share my results next week.
Do you have any favorite natural skincare products? Have you tried any of these that are listed? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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