That means not only do you need products that are ingredient-first and high quality, but you also need to make sure the products in your routine are right for your skin type.
In this post, we’ll cover what product standards to look for and what should be in your routine, whether you:
They also feel good on your skin—hence our name. We work hard to provide you with what we call “the Feel standard”. This means we abide by EU regulations to ensure the safety of all our raw materials and ingredients; in short, we only use the safest, most efficacious ingredients.
We also ensure all of our ingredients are formulated with optimal concentrations and combinations to make the most effective product, one that dives deep into your pores and leaves your skin feeling refreshed and with a natural glow.
So now that you know a little bit about our rigorous standards and ethics, what is the best Feel Beauty skincare routine for you?
Have you ever tried a skincare routine customized to what time of day you use it? Our Everyday Essentials - AM kit is your all-in-one morning skincare routine. Designed to maintain healthy skin while making it optimal for makeup application, the AM kit includes:
Ready for more? Our Everyday Essentials - PM kit helps you wind down at the end of the day. This kit is designed to remove all the dirt and makeup accumulated over the course of the day while infusing the skin with ingredients that reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. PM products that hydrate, firm, and brighten skin while you sleep include our:
If you’re ready for skincare products that penetrate deep into the pores to target your skin care concerns at a cellular level, then look no further than our AM and PM kits.
Are you ready to take the very best care of your neutral skin? Then our Neutral Skin Type Kit is what you’ve been looking for. Our Neutral Skin Type Kit includes the:
Ready to give some TLC to stressed-out skin, bring out that glow and perfect your everyday skincare routine? This kit will nourish skin, improving its brightness and shine.
Oily skin can be super frustrating—we get it. That’s why we specially created our Oily Skin Type Kit. This selection of products gives skin the specific care it needs to avoid a greasy complexion, while still nourishing skin with deep moisturizers. Products in this kit include our:
If you're ready to deeply hydrate and nourish your skin without a heavy or greasy feel, this is the kit for you.
Our Dry Skin Type Kit is designed specifically for dry skin. Follow this routine and you’ll notice these products will give your skin exactly what it needs to develop—and keep—higher moisture content.
Dry skin can be a pain. Thankfully, this kit helps combat the skin’s response to stress, which can make it appear dull and tired. In fact, these products can help you reduce under-eye circles over 20% in as little as 28 days.
This one-stop kit will refresh your skin and give it a new glow—an absolute no-brainer if you’ve had skin problems in the past. Our Renew Kit is the ideal choice to completely revitalize your skin, helping skin regenerate while deep moisturizing and strengthening your skin. Products in this kit include:
This kit is the perfect choice if you just need to give your skin a boost! Count on these products to protect the moisture barrier so skin stays hydrated and looks refreshed longer.
So, which skincare routine will you choose? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions on which kit is right for you.
]]>You like to take care of yourself.
You’re all about skincare products that feel good on your skin, soak in perfectly, and leave your skin—and you—feeling refreshed and not weighed down. The right skincare product should not only leave you feeling more comfortable in your skin, but more confident too.
In other words, you like skincare products that work, and work well.
So what happens when you buy a skincare product that doesn’t work?
When a skincare product simply doesn’t work, you may wonder why. After all, you spent all of this money on a product that isn’t providing the value it promised and has fallen WAY short of your expectations.
The answer to why it isn’t working can be more complex than you might think. Let’s break it down:
If you can’t find this information, it’s probably a red flag, and you’ve most likely discovered why the product isn’t effective.
Healthy, glowy skin doesn’t happen by accident. Here’s what you should be looking for in skincare products when it comes to the four points above.
The ingredients a product contains are essential in order to dive deep into the pores. The company’s approach to skincare should be ingredient-first and only use ingredients that have a purpose. Natural and vegan ingredients are your best bet for an effective product that helps you maintain smooth, healthy-looking skin.
Unfortunately, a lot of brands don’t focus on the concentration of their products, making them essentially useless. Choose a skincare company that uses optimal concentrations of each key ingredient (like vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acid) in order to be highly effective.
Look for a brand that follows EU regulations, or other similar standards set by a governing body. This will ensure the bar is set very high in terms of manufacturing practices, supervision of cosmetics, and the safety of raw materials and ingredients.
The product in question should be manufactured by a company that is cruelty-free (doesn’t use animal testing when developing products), environmentally-friendly (uses sustainable packaging), and vegan (products aren’t produced from any animal or animal byproduct).
Taking care of ourselves should feel good, which is why we should also feel good about the products we use.
If you're looking for skincare products that actually give you the transformation you want, and that you can feel good about using - following the four points above will take you a long way and save you from the hassle of dealing with ineffective skincare products.
One of the few brands that has worked hard to uphold these high standards is Feel Beauty. An ingredients first skincare brand that has a product line made on the foundation of transparency: Which not only means more safety for you, but also a very high chance that it actually works and keeps its promises for you, and your skin.
The best makeup for sensitive skin neither irritates nor overwhelms it with fragrances or pore-clogging ingredients. But it also needs to offer good coverage that can stand up to the demands of your day.
After all, having sensitive skin doesn't rule out other concerns you might have for your skincare and makeup products. You might have sensitive dry skin, sensitive acne-prone skin, sensitive oily skin, sensitive mature skin, or some combination of these.
Ideally, you'll find the right combination of products and ingredients to help even skin tone, conceal dark spots or circles, reduce skin irritation, and leave you looking radiant. Whether you're on the hunt for the most natural brands on the market or just looking for a dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic product that’s unlikely to cause a reaction, we've got a brand for you.
We've created the ultimate guide to the best natural makeup for sensitive skin. Below is a selection of natural brands — many of which have been clinically tested — that avoid common irritants and may help soothe your sensitivities.
The best natural brands not only use non-irritating ingredients that don't clog pores, they also prioritize natural, organic, and often vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. These products aren't always on the top shelf (or any shelf) at Sephora or Ulta, but they are available online and sometimes in natural and health food stores as well.
Dermstore.com is a great place to find an array of natural products and makeup for sensitive skin. We’ve curated our favorite brands and even made a few product suggestions along the way.
Alima Pure believes in "minimal ingredients for maximum impact.” They boast long-wear makeup that lasts all day without irritating the skin or clogging pores. Gentle ingredients like carnauba and beeswax, plant-based oils, mineral pigments, and essential oil fragrances earn this brand an A+ for sensitive skin.
Vapour Organic Beauty is all about clean and safe. Their ingredients are 70 percent organic, and Vapour Organic Beauty boasts "Champion Safety Status" from the Environmental Working Group. Their products are gentle, plant-based, and 100 percent gluten-free.
Hynt Beauty features natural and organic ingredients that are mostly vegan. Their makeup line is formulated for coverage, color, and skincare, and it’s produced in small batches for freshness, which also helps them avoid using harsh chemical preservatives that could irritate sensitive skin.
Couleur Caramel Natural Make Up is a global company committed to organic and natural excellence. They believe that what's best for the planet is what's best for humans as well.
Featuring organic plant-based and mineral pigments, Couleur Caramel Natural Make Up boasts salon-quality, eco-friendly products. They’re also certified by seven different national and international organizations for their quality, cleanliness, and cruelty-free standards.
Pure Anada is a Canadian company dedicated to truth in labeling. They own their own production facilities and make every effort to use organic ingredients in their formulas. Free of common allergens, like gluten, tree nuts, and bismuth oxychloride, these products are as clean and gentle as they come.
Jane Iredale offers long-lasting makeup that ranges from sheer to full coverage. Their BB creams offer full coverage and mineral-based, broad-spectrum SPF. This product, in addition to their full line of skincare and mineral makeup, can often be found in aesthetician offices, so this brand has earned a lot of confidence within the industry.
Juice Beauty pops up on nearly all of our favorite natural makeup lists. They're a top quality, clinically validated brand that's managed to get some reach in larger makeup chains like Ulta and Sephora, while still remaining true to their clean and gentle ingredient values.
Their makeup and skincare line uses an organic juice and botanical base, giving your skin an antioxidant boost with every application. They boast “farm to beauty” quality, sourcing their ingredients from organic farms in California.
Burt's Bees has a nationwide reputation for being a clean and natural line of personal care. Their makeup is no exception. Beeswax — one of their key ingredients — is a gentle, breathable base for a number of face and beauty products in their line. Burt's Bees products are always free of parabens, phthalates, SLS, petrolatum, talc, synthetic fragrances, and silicone.
Colorscience is a top quality mineral makeup company focused on gentle sun protection. Most skin experts agree that mineral makeup products are the best option for acne-prone and sensitive skin because minerals are gentle and non-irritating.
Because Colorscience’s mineral particles are large (meaning they won’t clog pores), this line is non-comedogenic. You can find mineral foundations, color correctors, eyeshadow palettes, lip glosses, and more.
Glo Skin Beauty is another salon quality mineral makeup line. Their top priority is to offer makeup that provides not only excellent, lasting coverage, but also nourishment and protection for every skin type — even those with the most sensitive skin.
Their liquid and powder foundations are among the best foundations for sensitive skin. They nourish the skin with antioxidants like green tea, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The Pressed Base is a full coverage foundation while the Luminous Liquid gives a sheer, dewy look.
Tarte is another natural brand that has found a way to be front and center at the larger chains. Their tagline is "high-performance naturals," and they describe their brand as "eco-chic, cruelty-free cosmetics, and hypoallergenic, vegan skincare."
These descriptors ring true when you see their plant- and mineral-based ingredients. Their Amazonian clay line — featuring loose powder, cream foundation, stick foundation, bronzer, eye shadow, and more — is ideal for sensitive skin. It features mineral pigments to soothe and soften skin, along with anti-inflammatory vitamin E.
Dermablend Professional products are made without parabens, SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), phthalates, and sulfates. They offer oil-free foundations that include a mineral-based SPF, and they have a full line of products geared specifically towards dry and sensitive skin. Because they’re oil-free, Dermablend Professional foundations are perfect for sensitive, oily skin and sensitive, acne-prone skin.
Neutrogena is the brand we saved for last because they aren't typically hailed for their natural attributes. While not every product they make is totally natural, they do have a line of mineral-based makeup that's geared specifically towards those with sensitive skin.
They offer mineral pressed and loose powder foundations, an eye palette, and concealers in their sensitive skin category. They've been around since 1930, and they've remained the number one dermatologist-recommended skincare brand on the market for decades.
While your true beauty lies within, we want you to feel good in your skin. We've laid out a guide to the best makeup for sensitive skin in order to help ensure that you have all the tools you need to look and feel your best.
We want your makeup to provide the lasting coverage you'd expect from any of the top professional makeup lines without irritating your skin or causing problems down the line.
This list prioritizes non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic lines from (mostly) natural brands to help you jump-start your search for your perfect makeup products. If you're on the hunt for other skincare products for sensitive skin, check out our post outlining our favorite moisturizers for sensitive skin.
]]>Many face toners are alcohol free, but that doesn't mean they are good for you. The good news is that there are also plenty of natural toners that are both gentle and effective at doing what they should be doing in the first place.
]]>The truth is, there was a time when most toners were harsh astringents loaded with alcohol to "tighten" skin, remove excess oil, and supposedly minimize large pores and clear breakouts. But we now know that alcohol — namely isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, and benzyl alcohol — can wreak havoc on the skin by stripping it of its natural moisture, causing irritation, and throwing off natural pH levels.
Today, many face toners are alcohol free, but that doesn't mean they are good for you. Unfortunately, chemical ingredients and unnatural preservatives such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes are very common in skincare products, including skin toners, which can lead to dry and irritated skin.
The good news is that there are also plenty of natural toners that are both gentle and effective at doing what they should have been doing in the first place: Toning skin's pH levels back to a natural state (slightly acidic at about 5.5), clearing away impurities that might be left behind after washing your face, and prepping pores to absorb moisturizers, serums, and other hydrating skincare products.
Just remember: Reading product labels is essential not only to avoid potentially harmful chemicals, but also to ensure you are getting ingredients that are best suited for your skin's needs.
To help you shop smart and find the best natural toner for your skin type, take a look at this handy checklist, which also includes a curated selection of Feel Beauty skincare products. After all, adding the right natural toner to your complete beauty routine is a surefire way to keep your skin feeling and looking fresh, balanced, and squeaky clean.
If you have normal skin that doesn't give you many problems, well, we won't blame you if you gloat — or glow. To keep your skin in perfect harmony, try a natural rosewater toner such as Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel. The pure witch hazel base helps tone, cleanse, and moisturize skin naturally while the distilled water (rosewater) and certified organic aloe vera offer soothing hydration.
Use with: Feel's Probiotic Moisturizer.
If you have combination skin that can't seem to make up its mind (one area is a little of this, another spot is a little of that), it can be more than a little frustrating. To help balance out skin tone and soothe your entire face, look for a toner with calming natural ingredients such as aloe vera, lavender, and clary sage, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Try an organic hydrosol (also known as a water toner or floral water) such as the clary sage version from Mountain Rose Herbs.
Use with: Our Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser, which gently exfoliates dead skin cells (dry patches) while offering a rich lather that gently cleanses and balances any areas with excess oil (T-zone, we're talking about you).
To help combat acne and the bacteria that causes it, look for a face toner that has willow bark (nature's salicylic acid) to clean pores and remove dead skin cells as well as antibacterial ingredients such as rosehip oil and tea tree oil. A good choice is the Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent from 100% Pure. You can also try products with citrus extracts such as lemon or grapefruit, which can help lighten dark spots.
Use with: Our Squalane Facial Oil, a powerful silky-smooth serum loaded with acne-fighting rosehip and avocado oils, plus white grapefruit essential oil that gently brightens and tightens skin. You also can't go wrong with Feel's Rose Extract Mask, an ultra-concentrated toning gel.
Dry and mature skin types will want a moisturizing facial toner that forgoes astringents like witch hazel in favor of deeply hydrating ingredients including hyaluronic acid, aloe vera gel, honey, vegetable glycerin, and algae such as seaweed. 100% Pure's Restorative Sea Culture Hydrating Toner is a solid choice with skin-firming chia, ultra-moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and seaweed grown in unpolluted water.
Sensitive Skin
If you have sensitive skin, less is more. Opt for a spray toner, which you can spritz on your face rather than applying with a cotton ball. You'll also want to look for calming botanical ingredients such as aloe vera gel, chamomile, cucumber, and lavender. Instead of a witch hazel based toner, try a hydrosol such as Tata Harper’s Hydrating Floral Essence, which is an ultra-delicate but still effective method to tone skin.
Use with: Our gentle Vitamin E Balm soothes chapped lips and can even be swiped on as a blush or eyeshadow for the perfect finish to your look.
It's pretty clear that a natural skin toner can be a valuable part of your daily skincare ritual no matter what skin type or challenging skin condition you have. While you could also consider a homemade toner (such as those created with raw apple cider vinegar), the main priority is to choose a natural toner free from harmful chemicals and loaded with pure ingredients that address your specific skin needs. Cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and treating yourself to regular masks is just what you need to look and feel beautiful inside and out.
]]>A large number of conventional moisturizers use oils and other products from animals.
Some common animal-based ingredients, according to The Ethical Elephant, are:
It's difficult to imagine using something for which an animal had to be exploited or killed, but it has happened for many years. And it is still happening today.
Thankfully, there are numerous brands currently creating vegan and cruelty-free products. What do those terms mean? What is the difference between vegan and vegetarian products? And what are the best vegan moisturizers for your dry skin?
Let's answer all of those questions so you can find a moisturizer that you can love while taking care of animals at the same time.
Finding the perfect moisturizer is about finding something that will nourish your skin, is perfect for your exact skin type, and uses natural ingredients. There is something else that matters too — how does it affect animals?
Vegan is almost a trendy term nowadays. Lots of people claim they "went vegan" or only eat vegan. What does vegan mean? And what does it have to do with moisturizers?
According to ReciPal, a food-label software company, vegan is a term many understand, but it isn't regulated by the American government. "It does not have a formal definition from the FDA, USDA, or FTC for the purposes of labeling," ReciPal says.
If the government doesn't regulate it, what is the term vegan understood to mean?
The term is generally understood to mean the product does not contain any animal products or by-products. This means it doesn't use eggs, milk, meat, animal oils, or source anything else from animals.
You will find the use of plant-based ingredients like olive oil or sunflower seed oil in vegan moisturizers instead of animal squalene.
What about honey and beeswax? Is honey vegan? That is a hot debate in the vegan community. According to the Vegan Society, using honey exploits the bees and it shouldn't be included in something claiming to be vegan. But Lovely Greens says using honey actually helps bees as a by-product of pollinating organic crops.
Whether you use honey or not is a completely personal decision and one the vegan community cannot decide entirely on. What they can decide on is the difference between vegan and vegetarian.
The claim "vegetarian" means the product doesn't use anything that was a part of an animal — such as meat, hooves, or oils. However, the term vegan is more restricting. According to the Ethical Elephant, "vegan cosmetics do not contain anything and everything that was obtained or produced from living or killed animals."
Vegetarian products might contain egg whites or secondary animal byproducts. But vegan products don't contain any animal products in any form.
Cruelty-free is another term you might see on beauty labels. It's an important one — especially if you have a heart for animals.
The FDA stated that there are no legal definitions for this term. Just like vegan, it's a term that is understood by the community but not legally regulated.
In general, cruelty-free means the product was not tested on animals. According to the FDA, many companies that use this term will "rely on combinations of scientific literature, non-animal testing, raw material safety testing, or controlled human-use testing to substantiate their product safety."
If you care about animals and want to avoid anything that harms or exploits them, you should check out the following vegan moisturizers.
Now that you understand what vegan means and why it is so important, let's look at the moisturizers that are best for your skin type.
All of the products in this list work perfectly as a daily moisturizer. It is important to choose one that meets your exact needs — sensitive skin, dry skin, anti-aging, or oily skin.
If you need a facial-cleansing routine, check out the Feel line of skin care. When you care for your skin with proper cleansing, toning, and moisturizing, you will see and feel a difference. You'll have softer skin with fewer blemishes and breakouts with a smoother skin tone.
The 100% Pure moisturizer is made with argan oil. This is perfect for combination skin because it uses a plant-based source of squalene. Squalene effectively balances oil production, preventing your skin from over-producing oil and creating blemishes.
This one is best to use at night because it has such a high level of hydrating ingredients that it will renew your skin as you sleep. You can even use it on your hair for those days when it is especially dry or brittle and just needs a little extra moisture.
The Acure line has a variety of vegan products that are made for your specific issues. They have facial moisturizer with rose argan oil, a face cream for extra dry skin, and a night cream with ferulic acid and vitamin C.
All of their products are vegan, so you can browse and find the exact thing you need.
Their most popular product is the whipped night cream because it goes on lightly and doesn't feel the least bit greasy. It features plant peptides and turmeric, which both dig deep down to the cellular level to make your skin glow.
The Nourish Lightweight Moisturizing Organic Face Lotion gives your skin deep hydration when you need. it. The Moroccan argan oil replenishes moisture while the rosewater improves your skin tone and elasticity.
This one also has shea butter to lock in the moisture and repair skin.
The First Aid Beauty (FAB) Ultra Repair Cream is perfect for acne-prone skin and helping to heal other skin conditions like eczema. It does all of this with plant-based ingredients that are completely vegan.
It uses colloidal oatmeal and shea butter to repair damaged skin. According to Oat Cosmetics, colloidal oatmeal is made up of "whole oat kernels that have been finely milled and processed in order to be used as a skin protectant." Keeping the oat kernels in the process means it maintains all the lipids and antioxidants that are so important for skin health.
If you have sensitive or irritated skin, look for a moisturizer like FAB that contains colloidal oatmeal in it.
The Mad Hippie Face Cream will hydrate your skin and fight common signs of aging. It uses aloe leaf juice for skin healing, coconut oil for a lipid barrier, and green tea extract as a powerful antioxidant.
It also has a surprising ingredient — acai berry extract. Acai berries are known for being a super antioxidant from Brazil with high levels of hydroxyproline, a vital amino acid. Amino acids are the cellular building blocks of proteins. Using them in your skin care routine will help your skin look and feel healthy and strong.
If you need something that will give you a refreshing feeling, try Origins Ginzing Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer. It is the only one on this list that is oil-free, too. It is made with a surprising ingredient — coffee. It can actually help your skin wake up and feel energized.
This gel moisturizer does have cruelty-free honey and beeswax in it, so if you prefer no honey in your vegan products, this one is not for you.
The Feel Squalene Facial Oil is perfect for all skin types. It is a hydrating moisturizer that uses two essential oils — rosehip and avocado oils -— to hydrate thirsty skin.
Rosehip oil is packed with vitamin C, so it has anti-aging benefits. The avocado oil has vitamin E which fights breakouts and blemishes. It's a powerhouse moisturizer that does more than simply soften skin.
Use plant-based ingredients in your face moisturizer to infuse it with hydration that comes from the earth. When you choose a vegan moisturizer, you are caring for the animals, protecting them from unnecessary testing. You can have amazing skin and feel good about standing up for vulnerable animals, too.
To complete your routine, check out Feel's line of vegan products. They all use ingredients sourced from the earth, not animals. When you choose a vegan product, you are choosing to invigorate your skin with plant oils and extracts that will give you soft skin, without using any animal ingredients at all.
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Let’s start with what to look for when you buy a new brand. You will learn which ingredients to avoid, and which 12 brands are our favorite for natural, moisturizing body wash.
What makes one body wash better than another? You already know that you want something that is simple and will avoid harsh chemicals that might cause a negative reaction.
Unfortunately, even the most natural body washes might have confusing labels. What is a vegan product — and is it better than something that is just organic? If it is “all natural,” why are the ingredients still difficult to understand? And which ingredients are best for your skin?
All of these thoughts might be running through your head as you look at all the different brands and products out there.
So, let’s break this down simply. Look for these five things on the bottle of your next body wash to make sure you’re treating your skin and the environment well.
When you want something natural, look for a seal saying it is certified organic.
The difference between organic and conventional ingredients is the use of chemical pesticides. Organic farmers use only organic weed and pest control, whereas conventional farmers will use chemical ones.
When you pick a body wash that is certified organic, you know it won’t have any chemical pesticide or herbicide residue in it.
How can you tell if something is organic? Look for the organic seal on the back, near the ingredients.
What does cruelty-free mean? According to the FDA, this term is used synonymously with the term “not tested on animals.” However, they also say that there are no legal definitions for these terms.
In fact, many brands and products use the term cruelty-free to say that their finished product was never tested on animals, but they can still legally source their raw materials from companies that might test on animals.
Yes, this is a very confusing term. So to avoid supporting a company that tests on animals, do a little research on them. The more transparent the company is about their products, the better you will feel about buying from them.
Buy a body wash that has ingredients you can understand. You want natural oils and plant-based ingredients in your skincare routine.
According to the Environmental Working Group, these are the ingredients you want to avoid:
When a product has a vegan claim, that means it doesn't use any animal products at all. So you won't find any animal butter, eggs, or secondary animal products.
It's important to note that vegetarian products are not always vegan. A vegetarian product might use a secondary animal product like eggs or butter.
Finally, you want to specifically look for products that use natural oils from the earth. Whether you choose an organic body wash or conventional, you definitely want the ingredients to be as close to the earth as possible.
According to Everyday Health, some ingredients to look for include:
There are a lot more oils that you'll find in body washes than we have room to list. If it’s in plain language you can understand, you’re probably good to go.
One note: Companies sometimes use the scientific name of a plant oil on a label, like “Helianthus annuus” for sunflower seed oil. Don't be scared off from these lists. Some brands are starting to make their list as easy to understand as possible, but complex industry standards for ingredient lists are still king.
With this information in mind, what is the best natural body wash out there? Every single one is different, so you have to find one that works for your unique skin. This list will cover the best of the popular brands on the market. All of them have natural ingredients that you can trust.
While you are shopping for body wash, keep in mind that even the most moisturizing body washes won't work all day long. Use a product like Vitamin E Balm for the times when you need a little extra moisture.
This body wash is formulated for sensitive skin, so it doesn't have any harsh chemicals. It was created to help pregnant women with morning sickness.
The ingredient list includes:
Since it was made for use during pregnancy, you know it is a really gentle option.
This is a gentle body wash that uses shea butter to combat dry skin. The best thing about this product is that it uses raw shea butter. Shea butter has a high concentration of fatty acids and natural vitamins that heal extra dry skin effectively.
It also has two powerhouse essential oils in it — frankincense and myrrh. According to Dr. Axe, both of these oils are incredibly effective at fighting bacteria, fungus, and viruses.
If you want a fragrance-free option, check out the Seaweed Bath Company. It uses coconut oil, Hawaiian kukui oil, and aloe vera to nourish your skin.
This body wash uses sustainably harvested bladderwrack seaweed, combined with the other minerals and vitamins, to cleanse your skin. View their entire line on their website.
Belli Pure & Pampered is a great option for oily skin because it is formulated for daily use. It cleanses without stripping your skin of natural oils. When you use a body wash full of harsh ingredients, your body will produce even more oil to try and combat it.
This has the relaxing scent of lavender essential oil — which is also fantastic at soothing irritated skin.
Nourish Organic’s body wash has ingredients that all come from the earth. Sunflower seed oil is the standout ingredient here. The vitamin E injects the nutrients your skin needs to stay soft and smooth.
It smells amazing, too. Look at this list of ingredients. When combined, you feel like you are on a beach somewhere:
Earth Tu Face is a pure and gentle soap made with food-grade oils. It has bergamot and aloe that help your skin heal from the effects of the day.
Plus, it has a really relaxing scent of earl grey tea.
What is bergamot good for? According to Mercola, it is known to reduce anxiety, so this body wash relieves stress while the oil fights fungus and bacteria on your skin.
The Alba Botanica shower gel is hypo-allergenic and pH balanced to invigorate your skin and fight dryness.
If you love sweet and fruity scents, you will love this one. It has mango, honey, and pure vanilla — all to remind you of an island getaway.
When your skin is feeling particularly thirsty, give it something to drink. Carina makes a line of body washes that use certified organic plant, vegetable, and fruit extracts.
It washes away dirt and sweat while infusing your skin with coconut and pumpkin seed oil. Pumpkin seed oil is an individually unique ingredient that you'll fall in love with. Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, explained to Harper’s Bazaar that it has high levels of vitamin E, zinc, omega–3 and omega–6 fatty acids as well as antioxidants — so it helps combat the signs of aging by fighting free radicals.
If you want a body wash that is unique and makes you feel like a queen, try the Rahua Body shower gel.
It uses rainforest-grown sacha inchi and rahua oils.
Sacha inchi is a climbing shrub plant that grows in Peru. According to Amazing Wellness, the high vitamin A and E levels heal skin from sun damage and the high omega–3, –6, and –9 fat levels have anti-inflammatory benefits.
Nature's Gate has an entire line of body washes with a variety of different scents. The most outstanding pick is the hemp variety.
It combines hemp seed oil, milk thistle, and dandelion to calm your skin and leave it feeling clean.
The Acure Organics natural body wash works at the cellular level to feed and restore your skin. It can be purchased in two different varieties: Argan Oil and Pumpkin or Lemongrass and Argan.
If you suffer from dry skin, choose something with argan oil — it’s much more moisturizing than cocoa butter or shea butter.
Dr. Bronner is synonymous with organic all-natural soaps. Their line of body washes doubles as liquid soap. They have a variety of scents including lavender, peppermint, and tea tree.
For even more environmental points, Dr. Bronner’s packages their body wash in a 100% post-consumer recycled bottle.
Be mindful of the ingredients you put on your skin. You deserve the very best, and that comes directly from the earth.
If you use a natural body wash and still fight dryness, check out the Probiotic Moisturizer — you can buy it as a part of the Everyday Essentials AM Kit.
With these tips, you have what you need to choose the best soaps and cleansers. You can be kind to the environment and kind to your skin, all in one bottle.
Interestingly, even for the oiliest of skin, drying things out often makes the problem worse. In fact, facial oils can sometimes be the solution to oily skin – it's just a matter of finding the right one. The first and most important qualification for choosing an oil is that it’s non-comedogenic. Believe it or not, there's a comedogenic rating system that can help you understand which oils are more or less likely to clog your pores.
Non-comedogenic oils moisturize and nourish without clogging pores (the best ones even help unclog them!) and are an essential ingredient in skincare for all skin types. We highlighted acne-prone skin above because clogged pores are more likely to concern those with acne-prone skin, but no one wants to use skincare products that could create comedones (blackheads and whiteheads).
After understanding the comedogenic scale and the types of fatty acids that are best for each skin type, we'll share the non-comedogenic oils that are easiest to find at your local beauty supply or health foods store.
Put simply, the comedogenic scale is a rating system that roughly indicates how likely an oil is to clog pores. While everyone is different, this rating system is a great reference point to help you read your product labels and avoid accidentally causing a problem on your skin. The scores ranges from 0 to 5:
For our purposes, we'll focus on oils that have a rating of 2 or lower. This scale is based on research from the late 1970s that was initially done on rabbits, and as with almost everything these days, there's a bit of controversy in the skincare community as to how relevant this scale actually is.
That's why, in addition to using the comedogenic scale, we've further honed our list by using fatty acid categories — linoleic and oleic fatty acids — as good indicators of a non-comedogenic oil.
Your individual experience with the oils we list will vary. Our goal is to give you the science and information available to help you choose what's right for you.
There are two main fatty acid categories to think about when it comes to skincare: linoleic and oleic acids. While there are a number of other important fatty acids in topical oils, these two types are most relevant when it comes to skincare. Most vegetable and seed oils contain both types, but are categorized by which type they are highest in. These broader categories can also help you determine which oils are best for your skin type.
Generally speaking, oils that have a higher percentage of linoleic acid are lower on the comedogenic scale than those with higher oleic acid. While most products that contain various ingredients won't describe their oily components in these terms, single oil products often do. So it's good to know the two categories of fatty acids as a form of shorthand.
Linoleic acid is the oil most recommended for acne-prone skin. This is because research has shown that acne sufferers have a lower concentration of linoleic acid on their skin's surface, which could be contributing to their clogged pores.
Linoleic acid is an omega–6 fatty acid and is considered an essential fatty acid, which means the body cannot make it on its own. It must be consumed to get those nutrients into the body, but in this case, we're talking about the skin's surface.
There's no evidence that low linoleic acid on the skin's surface is correlated to levels in the whole body, so supplementing orally doesn't seem to make a difference. Linoleic acids have a shorter shelf life, but when combined with high antioxidant essential oils (many of which are also great for addressing acne), they can last on the shelves as carrier oils for much longer.
The most recognizable oils that are high in linoleic acids are:
Less well-known oils high in linoleic acid are:
Many of these oils are also high in oleic acid, so finding the right balance of the two types of fatty acids for your skin type will help you discover which natural oils are best for you.
The best-known oil high in oleic acid is olive oil. Rich in omega–9s (which are non-essential because the body can make them), oleic acids are best known for their hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, but they can be pore clogging for those with oily, acne-prone, or even combination skin. These effects can be beneficial for acne-prone skin but are more likely to clog pores if your skin tends in that direction. Oleic acid is more ideal for dry skin but can benefit sensitive or irritated skin as well.
While having some percentage of oleic acid is good (or at least not harmful), the non-comedogenic oils have a higher ratio of linoleic to oleic acid. High oleic acid oils have a longer shelf life and are more stable.
High oleic acid oils include:
Some of the oils on this list could be good for treating acne for other reasons even if they are higher in oleic acid. For example, neem, tamanu, and coconut oil are all potent antimicrobials, and we know that acne is at least partially due to an overgrowth of microbes on the skin.
This nuance might mean you should try products that have a high linoleic acid oil base with a touch of one of these antimicrobial oils. For example, you might try using or creating an oil blend with safflower oil as the carrier oil base and a small amount of neem oil to help control bacteria.
Feel offers a daily Squalane Facial Oil Blend, which features rosehip seed oil (high linoleic), squalane (high oleic), grape seed oil (high linoleic), cucumber oil (high linoleic), rice bran oil (about evenly split), and avocado oil (high oleic) for a great mix of oils to both neutralize breakouts, and prevent future clogs and infection.
Now that we've laid out the list of various high linoleic and oleic acid oils, let's look closer at those that most skincare experts agree are best for acne-prone skin.
Sunflower oil is a gentle oil that many of the sources we consulted suggest starting with first. This is because it has a comedogenic rating of 0, absorbs into the skin quickly, and is incredibly gentle, making it suitable for all skin types. Studies show that sunflower oil can help improve the skin barrier, which is important if your skin is prone to breakouts. If you're new to using oils on your face, this one is a safe bet. Look for cold-pressed, unrefined, organic sunflower oil if you want to avoid GMOs or other harsh extraction chemicals.
Safflower oil has a comedogenic rating of 0. It goes on very light, works for all skin types, including sensitive skin, and absorbs into the skin quickly. Its thin consistency makes it a great candidate for oil cleansing, especially for those with oily skin. To find the highest quality oil, look for cold-pressed, unrefined, organic safflower oil.
Grapeseed oil is not only low on the comedogenic scale — with a rating of 1 — it also helps improve the skin barrier and reduce the appearance of acne scars and hyperpigmentation. All of these qualities make it a stellar facial oil for all skin conditions.
Also with a rating of 1 on the comedogenic scale, rosehip seed oil is a wonderful carrier oil in natural skincare products. Rich in vitamin C, it works well as an anti-inflammatory oil that helps reduce redness, calm rosacea, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also has antimicrobial properties, making it a great candidate for acne-prone skin. It's among the best oils for anti-aging and acne simultaneously. Try Feel's AM Essentials Kit for a taste of what a combination of rosehip oil and walnut can do for your skin.
While there might be some controversy around the comedogenic scale, it remains a good jumping off point — when it’s combined with prioritizing high linoleic acids — to help you find the facial oil that's best for you. The four oils we highlighted are by no means the only non-comedogenic oils out there, but they're some of the easiest to find in skincare, and the sunflower seed oil and safflower oil are some of the least expensive. Give them a try before splurging on the rare and high-priced varieties.
]]>Is mineral makeup really better for your skin and safer for your health? Does it work as sun protection with its zinc and titanium dioxide content? We're here to share the facts and introduce the best mineral makeup companies on the market.
]]>While this category of makeup has been around for a long time (actually, since the ancient Egyptians!) there have been some major improvements over the last 10 years, allowing for a more diverse array of colors and types of products.
Initially, mineral makeup was only available in loose powders (remember the bareMinerals infomercials from the 1990s?), but as the movement toward safer, cleaner cosmetics has grown, so too have the options in the mineral makeup category. Today, you can find just about anything, from pressed powders and liquid foundations to loose and pressed eye shadows to mascaras and eyeliners.
The supposed benefits of mineral makeup are that it's better for your skin, safer for your health, and even works as sun protection due to its zinc and titanium dioxide content. But how true are those claims? Are some brands better than others? We've done the research to unpack the truth and share the best mineral makeup companies on the market.
Most of the marketing around mineral makeup is actually more about what's not in the box or bottle than what's in it. There are also SPF claims, in addition to claims that it could help clear up your problem skin. So what's true?
This claim is true! Authentic mineral makeup is simply a combination of natural mineral substances broken down into tiny particles and mixed in various proportions to create differences in shade and consistency. Therefore, most pure mineral makeup comes in powder form.
Anything that isn't a powder requires a bit more digging if you're looking for chemical-free, clean makeup. That doesn't mean that liquid mineral products are bad, just that you need to do your homework on their ingredients.
Pure powdered mineral makeup products have nothing extra in the INCI to clog your pores, irritate, or damage your skin. You won’t see any synthetics or animal products. Some companies even advertise that it's so clean, you can sleep in it.
The idea behind this claim is that the particles are too big to clog your pores, and are therefore safe. This claim has never been backed up by science, so we don't recommend going to sleep before washing the makeup off your face, especially if you have acne-prone skin.
This is not true for powders, but may be true for liquids.
A quick walk through the aisle of Sephora or Ulta will reveal that not very many mineral powder foundations make a specific SPF claim on the box or compress, even if the marketing says otherwise.
The FDA regulates SPF claims, and these powders don't quite make the cut. For the most part, truly pure mineral powders offer light coverage and don't provide a solid barrier between the sun and your skin. Liquid mineral foundations, however, might offer a real sunscreen solution. If you choose a full-coverage liquid mineral foundation that skips other harmful additives, then you could be having your cake and eating it too.
Zinc oxide, a common ingredient in mineral sunscreens, is the same protective ingredient in the tube of thick, white paste you see on the cheeks of lifeguards at the beach. But who wants white makeup? Full-coverage mineral foundations combine the protection of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (both recognized as broad spectrum SPF by the FDA) with other mineral pigments like iron dioxide to give you a shade much closer to your natural skin tone.
The final claim is that, due to mineral makeup's zinc content, it can double as makeup and an acne treatment ingredient at the same time.
This is false.
Zinc is a naturally anti-inflammatory ingredient, and while it's true that some topical anti-inflammatory creams do contain zinc (think diaper cream and calamine lotion), there's no evidence that wearing mineral makeup will treat your acne. At best, mineral makeup is a neutral solution that won't irritate the skin, and therefore won't make matters worse.
The best mineral makeup brands are talc-free, use nontoxic additives (if any), and go on smoothly. A major complaint about some of the first brands that hit the market is that they're not great for dry skin, as the powdery finish can really settle into the cracks. Those with oily skin might find the loose powders to be perfect for them, giving them a matte finish that will cover up the shine.
Coverage (or lack thereof) is another concern with minerals. Depending on your skin type, you might seek out products marketed as buildable, which means you can layer it to improve coverage in problem areas. We've chosen brands that offer a variety of coverage options, solutions for various skin types, and use the cleanest ingredients.
This is the brand that's marketed as so clean you can sleep in it. Again, we don't recommend this as a daily practice, but bareMinerals has been around since the 1970s and truly pioneered beautiful, clean mineral makeup.
They've expanded their line from strictly loose powders into more versatile products, including Complexion Rescue Hydrating Foundation Sticks (SPF 25), which are a lot less messy at your vanity table or bathroom sink than their original line of loose powders.
That being said, their loose powder original foundations offer incredible, talc-free coverage. Start with a moisturizer if you tend toward drier skin.
Jane Iredale offers high-end, clean makeup and skincare products featuring mineral pigments that go on smooth with a natural finish. Vegan and cruelty free, these products offer makeup options for every skin type, including sensitive skin. They have a variety of coverage options and a number of SPF options as well.
Jane Iredale Liquid Minerals, a serum-like foundation, comes in 13 different shades. It moisturizes and soothes with anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera, willow bark, calendula, and white tea. All products are talc free, gluten free, hypoallergenic, and won't clog pores.
Pür's tagline is "The Complexion Authority," and that's because they offer unique solutions to common problems. They feature primers that address various skin tone challenges, including redness, dry patches, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation, each with its own formula to go under the perfect pressed powder foundation. Compacts are a great solution for on-the-go touch ups and buildable coverage.
All Pür ingredients are gluten free, paraben free, talc free, vegan, and cruelty free. Some even feature a Farm to Jar™ label, and every product is formulated to improve the condition of your skin over time.
Cover FX is dedicated to quality, featuring their values on the bottom of every page of their website: vegan, cruelty free, gluten free, paraben free, phthalate free, mineral oil free, talc free, and fragrance free.
They offer 40 shades in their signature Cover FX Pressed Mineral Foundation, along with six different primer options so you can get an exact match to your skin tone that will last all day and night. You can shop by category, skin type, or collection, to get a tailored experience as you peruse their website.
No matter your skin type, the right skincare regimen will make all the difference. Just like in the makeup you choose, your face wash, toner, and moisturizers should fit your values for clean beauty.
Feel offers a variety of clean, nourishing skincare products for every skin type, including a number of facial masks that will leave your skin at its best before you begin applying your favorite mineral makeup.
]]>Paraben-free personal care products are in higher demand than ever, and makeup is no exception. Whether you’re worried about paraben exposure or have found that they don’t work for your skin type, you have a lot of paraben-free options.
]]>The catch is often knowing what cosmetic companies use in place of parabens. Parabens are a type of preservative meant to extend the shelf life of your makeup and beauty products (and household cleaners and laundry detergents), preventing potentially dangerous bacterial growth. If you opt for paraben-free, it’s important to choose products that employ healthy, yet effective alternatives. After all, you don’t keep your makeup in the refrigerator, so it needs to have some sort of preservative in it if you want it to last.
Parabens are chemical preservatives used in a variety of personal and household products. They can be labeled as butylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparaben, but are also sometimes listed as alkyl parahydroxy benzoates.
Preliminary research has shown that parabens not only mimic the hormone estrogen, but they also deeply penetrate deep into the skin’s matrix and can build up over time. While both of these elements individually are known cancer and skin toxicity risks, there’s no research directly linking parabens to an increase in cancer risk. More work still needs to be done to properly assess the total risk of using parabens, but officially, they’re listed as safe by the FDA.
That being said, the loose links to breast cancer in particular (especially highlighted in studies on paraben-containing deodorants) have proven to be enough for a big shift toward paraben-free cosmetics, especially for companies in the natural beauty industry. Natural and organic beauty brands are already leaning toward cleaner, more natural ingredients that are kinder to Mother Earth, gluten-free, sulfate-free, and phthalate-free, and increasingly cruelty-free as well.
There are both natural and synthetic alternatives to parabens that are considered safe. Safety is a consideration both in the effects the alternatives might have on the human body, but also in its efficacy as a preservative. Parabens are often used in combination with other preservatives to cover a wide range of antibacterial protection, so the alternatives you choose should be just as effective.
Choosing paraben-free makeup with natural preservatives is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re avoiding harmful chemicals in your cosmetics. Natural preservatives include essential oils and botanicals, vitamins, sodium benzoate, and vegetable-derived glycerin.
Essential oils like rosemary and lemon have natural antibacterial properties, as do tocopherols (vitamin E). While these products are safe and effective alternatives to parabens, they do have a bit of a shorter shelf life. And the addition of an effective enough quantity of essential oils into your makeup products could end up hiking up the price. Ideally, products preserved with these ingredients will be used up within a year in order to assure that there’s no bacterial infiltration.
Sodium benzoate naturally occurs in a number of fruits, barks, and herbs, and is considered a 100 percent natural preservative. It’s also less expensive to produce than essential oils and has a longer shelf life. It’s generally regarded as safe and is often used in combination with potassium sorbate for further antimicrobial protection.
Vegetable-derived glycerin is also called ethylhexylglycerin. While technically this product is made in a lab, it’s derived from grains and other plants, so we’re considering it a natural product for our purposes. It’s an inexpensive alternative to parabens while still remaining effective as a preservative. Studies have shown it to be a skin irritant to some, so if you try makeup containing it, you might want to start with an inconspicuous area first, just to make sure you don’t react to it.
While consumers looking for natural products tend to shy away from the word “synthetic,” the word itself doesn’t inherently mean anything particularly negative. Water-soluble synthetic preservatives that don’t remain in your bloodstream or accumulate over time can be just as safe as their natural counterparts.
A combination of caprylyl glycol and phenethyl alcohol is approved in both the U.S. and Europe as a safe and effective alternative to parabens. Both of these ingredients are alcohol-based and flush from the system easily.
The best paraben-free cosmetics and makeup brands focus on natural ingredients and are gentle on a variety of skin types, even sensitive skin. Whether you’re shopping for a lipliner, a liquid foundation, or searching for pre- or post-makeup skin care products like face masks or makeup remover, the best natural beauty brands have your well-being in mind.
100% Pure provides an extensive “no list” on their about page, explaining their philosophy on natural skincare and offering their natural alternatives. Their makeup features natural pigments derived from fruit dyes and boasts pure, purposeful ingredients with no fillers – not even water – making them one of the most ideal paraben-free makeup brands on the market.
Afterglow Cosmetics is among the cleanest makeup brands on the market, featuring an entire catalog of not only paraben-free products, but gluten-free, soy-free, fragrance-free, bismuth-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. They also feature a number of organic ingredients in their mineral makeup line.
Juice Beauty focuses not only on natural and organic ingredients, but plant-derived pigments in their extensive makeup line. They offer paraben-free, gluten-free, vegan, and cruelty-free makeup and skincare products featuring plant extracts, juices, and waxes.
Burt’s Bees offers a wide range of personal care products, beyond the products they’re best known for (lip balm, lip gloss, and lip tint). They also make a full suite of paraben-free body care and makeup products.
Ilia Beauty features USDA certified organic, certified gluten-free, and certified cruelty-free ingredients. They use only natural preservatives like essential oils and tocopherols and offer an extensive list of options for lip color in addition to other creative beauty care. They also sell high quality vegan makeup brushes.
RMS Beauty not only offers clean, paraben-free makeup, they also offer clean nail polish, something that can be challenging to find in high-quality formulations. Their makeup is mineral-based and promise no nanoparticles (which can penetrate the skin and cause health problems), in addition to holding extremely high ingredients standards. You can view their whole makeup line here and their extensive explanation of ingredients here.
If you’re on the hunt for paraben-free makeup, you’re likely looking to overhaul your entire face and body care regimen with cleaner products. Feel offers an array of natural beauty products for all skin types – all paraben-free, cruelty-free, and often vegan as well.
If you’re looking to round out your collection of paraben-free natural skincare, start with Feel’s PM Essentials Kit, featuring three of their best products. Enzymatic Exfoliating Cleanser offers a gentle but powerful exfoliation to buff your skin silky smooth, while Squalene Facial Oil provides deep, penetrating moisture.
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