What I love:

• The Poutlove Peptide Lip Balm is first and foremost a treatment, and it feels just as nourishing and rich as the highest-end versions on the market.
• Free from artificial flavors and scents, the product is easy to apply and glides on smoothly without a sticky or gooey feeling. (And the applicator itself is clear, so you can see how much pressure is needed to get the amount you want, without surprise explosions that those of us who came of age in the lip-gloss-crazed-early-aughts might remember.)
• The hue is a gentle wash, but definitely tints your lips enough for just a kiss of color.
• Well People’s products are EWG-verified, vegan and cruelty-free, dermatologist-developed, and Fair Trade certified.

Things to consider:

• Each treatment costs $14, which might strike you as steep or quite the steal, depending on where you’re typically buying your lip products.
• It will definitely be tricky to get the last bits of the treatment out of the squeezable applicator, though it’s a breeze to use when it’s full.
• The formula is thick, though not sticky. That said, windswept hair will attach to your mouth while wearing it.
• The color is subtle, a true wash that still largely shows the hue of your natural lips.

In the best of times, my lips are what we might describe as adequate: My lips aren’t thin, but I wouldn’t describe them as full, either. They can get a bit dry and peel if I ignore them for too long, and they err on the side of “ghostly pale” without lipstick. They aren’t something to write home about, but they don’t keep me up at night. In a performance review, I’d give my lips a solid “Meets Expectations.” They might not get a merit-based raise, but I’d give them a cost-of-living adjustment. They are lips being lips — nothing more, nothing less.

“They aren’t something to write home about, but they don’t keep me up at night. In a performance review, I’d give my lips a solid ‘Meets Expectations.'”

If we were doing that same performance review in the winter, it’d be a different story. In the cold, my lips chap easily and sometimes even crack. What little color they had leaches into the ether, leaving me with the bluish tint favored by the makeup artists of the Titanic.

Attempting a bright holiday lip is a fool’s errand. My usual slightly lazy routine of rubbing a sugar scrub, a lemon peel, or just my toothbrush over the skin from time to time just won’t cut it — exfoliate as I might, my skin barrier is parchment-dry in the winter, and every crack and peel pops like bad papier mache under lipstick. My lips are in desperate need of nourishment and hydration, and Well People sent me a product that promised to provide exactly that.

“My skin barrier is parchment-dry in the winter, and every crack and peel pops like bad papier mache under lipstick.”

Well People’s Poutlove Peptide Lip Balm comes in a familiar squeezable applicator in four tints: Coconut (clear), Pink Grapefruit (coral-pink), Dragonfruit (fuchsia), and Honey Plum (burgundy). The product glides on in a rich, gel-like texture that instantly absorbs into the lips, leaving them visibly plumper with a soft shine. The nourishing formula is made up of plant-derived active ingredients, including a 1% Plumping Peptide Complex, 2% Smoothing Sesame Seed Complex, and Murumuru Butter, which work together to improve the feel and appearance of your lips in both the short and long term.

I tried all four hues to see if these vegan, cruelty-free, EWG-verified, and Fair Trade certified products are up to meeting my wintertime skin needs.

Poutlove Peptide Lip Balm, $14

The first thing I noticed about this product was the packaging — it’s minimal, sophisticated, and functional, with a clear tube and an applicator tip to take all the guesswork out of squeezing the product. It’s one of the age-old challenges of the squeeze tube, which can harbor little air bubbles and clumps of product that, if hidden by the packaging, might result in a mild explosion by the unsuspecting user. IYKYK!

The product itself has a lovely texture, not too thick and not gluey — it’s not as thick as honey, but maybe closer to agave nectar. The hue looks quite vibrant in the tube, but comes out sheer and buildable. There is no scent or flavor at all, which I prefer.

My lips are color-challenged (unless the color is “just-pulled-from-a-frozen-lake blue), and I wasn’t really expecting them to change much with a sheer gloss. But not only were the various hues slightly more noticeable than I expected, but my lips just looked better on the very first application. Even Coconut, the clear treatment, seemed to coax my lips into a soft, healthy pink. The texture is pleasant and a little thicker than I am used to, but it’s nothing like the gloppy tubes of my teenage years, which felt like what I’d imagine using epoxy or maybe old, hardening molasses might be like. This product is very comfortable and feels like it is both absorbed into my skin right away while also creating a healthy, nourishing shine that feels almost like a very pretty protective barrier over the surface of my lips.

“Not only were the various hues slightly more noticeable than I expected, but my lips just looked better on the very first application.”

It doesn’t last for hours — I’d say I could still feel it somewhere between 1–2 hours, depending on whether I’m eating or drinking. It feels so nice, however, I don’t mind applying it multiple times throughout the day. The size of the product is ideal, and it fits easily in the tiny pockets of my leggings that I think were originally designed for a single key.

If I had to choose a favorite color, it might be a tie between Pink Grapefruit and Coconut. Both left me with a pretty, gentle pink hue of a natural, healthy lip less prone to winter drama than mine.

The bottom line: Is winter saved?

I am so happy with the results of wearing the Poutlove Peptide Lip Balm for the last week. I took the product on a flight from the East Coast to California and back, and these convenient little cuties saved me during 9 hours of airplane and airport air. Even the sleep deprivation and dehydration of two full and grueling days of travel were not too much for this product. My lips felt nourished and looked plump the whole time, with a lovely pink sheen reminiscent of a healthy human’s. I love that it gives my lips a soft shine without giving me flashbacks to my middle school days of glittery lip glue that smelled like fruity sugar.

“I took the product on a flight from the East Coast to California and back, and these convenient little cuties saved me during 9 hours of airplane and airport air.”

Each tube is $14, a steal when compared to some of the top-shelf treatments I’ve tried after desperate, fever-dream shopping splurges at Sephora. Even better? These babies are sold at Target and often go on sale — which means that every lady on my list is getting one in their stocking. (You’re welcome!!)

This year, I’m going into the holiday season ready to don whatever festive lip calls to me, without worrying about cracked skin or chapped and peeling skin ruining the effect. Not only does the Poutlove Peptide Lip Balm nourish my lips in the long run, but the peptide complex creates a plump, hydrated, rosy lip you can instantly see. And that is nothing short of a winter miracle.

This story is in partnership with our friends at Well People

Stephanie H. Fallon is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a writer originally from Houston, Texas and holds an MFA from the Jackson Center of Creative Writing at Hollins University. She lives with her family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and she is the author of Finishing Lines, where she writes about her fear of finishing, living a creative life, and (medical) motherhood. Since 2022, she has been reviewing sustainable home and lifestyle brands, fact-checking sustainability claims, and bringing her sharp editorial skills to every product review. Say hi on Instagram or on her website.

The post We Review Well People’s Poutlove Peptide Lip Balm (2025) appeared first on The Good Trade.

I’ve personally tested the best natural and organic shampoos and conditioners on the market — these are my top 10 picks with clean, organic ingredients.

Soft and clean hair is one of my favorite feelings, right up there with clean sheets day and that first breath of fresh mountain air. And when it comes to personal care products, I feel even cleaner when I avoid shampoos and conditioners with sulfates or other harsh chemicals. But, with my oily hair, it isn’t easy to strike the right balance. I want something that isn’t stripping but still gets my hair clean enough to not necessitate another way on day two. So, I tested these shampoos and conditioners with natural and organic ingredients to make sure they’re gentle yet powerful for any hair type. ✨

What are the benefits of nontoxic shampoos and conditioners?

Nontoxic shampoos and conditioners are great because they leave out harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, making them gentle on your scalp and hair (while reducing the risk of irritation or allergic reactions). They’re often packed with natural, nourishing ingredients like plant-based oils, botanical extracts, and vitamins that help strengthen and hydrate your hair, leaving it softer, shinier, and healthier over time. Plus, they’re eco-friendly, often coming in biodegradable packaging and made without harmful toxins that can negatively impact the environment. Many nontoxic formulas are also cruelty-free, so you can feel good knowing your hair care routine aligns with ethical and sustainable values.

What ingredients should you avoid in your haircare?

Our editors are big fans of shampoos that are free of harmful sulfates — sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), to be precise. These harsh surfactants can strip color from color-treated hair, along with your hair’s natural moisture, leaving it drier and more prone to breakage. Sulfates also have the potential to disrupt our hormones, too.

We also like to avoid parabens and endocrine-disrupting phthalates, which none of the products on this list have. In general, we like to look for formulations with simple, natural ingredients and no synthetic fragrances. A brand’s ethos and sustainability practices are incredibly important to us, too, which is why you’ll find B-Corps throughout this list, along with brands that are plastic-free or even certified climate-neutral.

How to choose the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair:

Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner comes down to understanding your hair type and its specific needs. If you have dry or damaged hair, look for hydrating formulas with ingredients like argan oil or shea butter to restore moisture and strengthen strands. For oily hair, a lightweight, clarifying shampoo with tea tree oil or charcoal can help balance excess oil without stripping your scalp. Curly, textured, or dyed hair thrives with sulfate-free, deeply nourishing formulas that enhance definition, fight frizz, and keep your locks vibrant. And if you have a sensitive scalp, a gentle, fragrance-free option with soothing ingredients like aloe vera or chamomile is a great choice. Ultimately, picking the right shampoo and conditioner is all about listening to your hair and giving it the care it needs!

To that end, here are a few of our favorite natural shampoos without toxic chemicals on the market right now, each of which has been editor-tested and approved. Read on for more details about these natural shampoos and their conditioner counterparts, and find out which one might be right for you.

Our criteria and methodology:

Our team drew on a decade of experience researching, testing, and corresponding with organic haircare brands to select which were tested for this guide. Our editors have also scoured thousands of online reviews for different hair types to ensure there’s something for everyone on this list.

I have thin, fine, shoulder-length straight hair that gets super greasy. [UPDATE: I have a lot of hair, but I also have breakage from years of bleaching that I’m currently reversing — I’m growing out my natural color so my hair is dyed brown on the ends and natural brown at the roots.] So when I reviewed the below nontoxic shampoos, each was tested with a double shampoo, because that’s always what my oily hair needs! I’ve noted brands that are geared to different textures and types.

The criteria for our selections fall into the below categories, and we regularly update this list with emerging favorites.

• NATURAL/ORGANIC | Each shampoo is free of sodium lauryl sulfate and other harsh ingredients, many with certifications to back them up like B-Corp or EWG verified.
• EFFICACY | I personally tested each product for efficacy, and you’ll find more details about exactly how each one left my hair feeling.
• AFFORDABLE | Cost is a number-one factor for a lot of folks, so we’ve included a range of price points here. They go for over $4 per ounce at the high end to less than $1 per ounce at the low end.
• SCENT | I’m a sucker for a good scent! I’ve described the scent of each shampoo below, and noted which ones might be a bit too strong for folks who are sensitive to smell. We’ve only chosen brands that can ensure their fragrance compositions are also nontoxic.

To learn more about natural, clean beauty, check out our lists of natural skincare, aluminum-free natural deodorants, and plastic-free shampoo bars.

*Please note that the prices of these shampoos may vary depending on location, sale events, or availability.

Table of Contents:

• Best Overall: Prose ($34)
• Most Affordable: Attitude ($13)
• Best Scent: Ceremonia ($22)
• Best For Textured Hair: Sienna Naturals ($28)
• Most Natural Ingredients: Ethique ($47)
• Best For All Hair Types: Ursa Major ($26)
• Best For Hair Growth: Vegamour ($38)
• Best For Dry Hair: Alaffia ($16)
• Best For Sensitive/Oily Scalps: SEEN ($29)
• Best Plant-Based Formula: 100% PURE ($24)

1. Sienna Naturals

American made

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Textured hair
Natural & Organic | Vegan, no sulfates, silicone, parabens, fillers, or synthetic fragrance
Price Range* | $28 (discounted subscriptions available); $2.80/ounce

Vegan hair care line Sienna Naturals made waves when it relaunched in 2020 with a new co-owner, Issa Rae. The brand creates products for textured and curly hair that focus on hair and scalp health and that don’t include harsh chemicals. Their H.A.P.I. Shampoo is a foaming cleanser that deeply cleans while delivering moisture that helps detangle and restore natural curl patterns. The product wins award after award, including a Byrdie 2022 Eco Award and a Cosmopolitan 2023 Holy Grail Beauty Award. The brand’s matching Untangled Conditioner helps with hydration and easy detangling.

My Review | They weren’t lying when they called this a “moisture-rich foaming cleanser.” It produces a beautiful thick, rich, silky lather that feels cleansing but not at all stripping. While my hair is pretty much the opposite of this product’s target hair type, it still worked beautifully on my thin, straight locks — but its rich, velvety lather would be especially great for someone with thick, curly, or coily hair. Its spa-like lavender and geranium scent was subtle and calming.

What I Like:

• The rich, moisturizing lather offered the perfect combination of hydrating and cleansing properties.
• The all-natural fragrance made my shower feel like a spa!

What I Didn’t Like:

• While I don’t consider this a con, this shampoo would best suit someone with thick, textured hair. It still however worked wonderfully on mine!

Shop Sienna Naturals’ shampoo, $28

2. Prose

American made

B corp

Climate neutral

Cruelty free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Personalized formulations
Natural & Organic | Natural ingredients, no parabens, sulfates, or GMOs
Price Range* | $34 (discounted subscriptions available); $4/ounce

Since everyone’s hair is different, Prose believes everyone’s shampoo should be, too. The hair care brand crafts custom formulations depending on your hair type, hair concerns, and even the environmental factors where you live, like UV exposure and humidity. The result is a formula that’s 100% yours, with your name on the label. You can opt for individual shampoos or conditioners, or invest in the complete systems, which also come with a treatment mask and oral supplements. Prose is a certified B Corp and Climate Neutral, they formulate with no harsh chemicals, and they bottle everything in their Brooklyn factory.

My Review | After I took Prose’s test, my hair care system came beautifully packaged, with literature that told me about my customized products. Based on my test results, the shampoo they sent me focuses on volumizing, fiber repair, and color protection. I chose the scent Aura, a limited edition summer 2023 fragrance that I’ve unfortunately fallen in love with for its breezy, gender-neutral scent with notes of musk and florals. The shampoo lathered well and left my hair feeling freshly clean just like Ceremonia below, but its formulation was a bit thicker. And in the days after, I definitely noticed my hair looking more voluminous than usual! The brand isn’t cheap by any means, but it’s so worth it — I love how elevated it feels while still staying moderately priced.

What I Like:

• Volume galore! I loved seeing the results of this shampoo after only using it for a few days — my thin, straight hair looked and felt more voluminous.
• The ability to customize your shampoo formula makes Prose a great choice for all hair types.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Keeping up with the subscription can be more on the costly side.

Shop Prose’s shampoo, $34

3. Ceremonia

1% for the planet

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Plant-based ingredients sourced from Latin America
Natural & Organic | Natural ingredients, no parabens, sulfates, or silicones
Price Range* | $22 (discounted subscriptions available); $2.60/ounce

Discounts Available | Buy more, save more at Ceremonia now through December 1st — save 20% when you buy two items, 25% when you buy three or four items, and save 30% when you buy five or more

“Growing up as a Latin American immigrant in a homogenous country like Sweden, I never found myself represented in mainstream media and the products I consumed,” says Ceremonia founder Babba Riviera on their website, so she set out to make a hair care brand that focuses on Latinx heritage. They source ingredients from Central and South America, and the brand offers three different shampoo/conditioner sets for different hair types — one for thick and dry hair, one for fine and thin hair, and one for damage repair and color protection. All products come in beautifully chic packaging with pumps. 

My Review | I opted for the Champú de Yucca for Fine/Thin Hair. The formula was surprisingly runny compared to other shampoos I’ve used, but it lathered up well. And despite not having the most intense lather ever, it made my hair feel super clean, literally — as I washed out my second shampoo, my fingers could feel how clean my strands were, leaving my hair feeling super lightweight. I especially loved the scent on this one: Citrusy, musky, floral, and expensive-smelling, with a touch of eucalyptus. This is the brand I’ve stuck with for the long haul. I love their fine hair product, and it’s one of the most affordable on the list. Plus, it’s easily available at Sephora.

What I Like:

• This product smells luxurious! I also love how it doesn’t weigh down my hair and truly makes my scalp feel clean.
• For the features, addictive smell, and chic packaging, I find this shampoo comes in at a great price.
• There’s a shampoo option for every hair type.

What I Didn’t Like:

• If you’re sensitive to scent, this product can come off as a bit too strong.

Shop Ceremonia’s shampoo, $22

4. Ursa Major

American made

B corp

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | A shampoo for the whole family
Natural & Organic | Vegan, certified plastic-negative
Price Range* | $26 (discounted subscriptions available); $3.25/ounce

Discounts Available | Save up to 25% off everything at Ursa Major — from haircare to skincare! — now through December 1st

A Good Trade fave, Ursa Major is a B-Corp based in Vermont that specializes in no-frills skincare. They have a tight lineup of bodycare products, too, including deodorant, soap, shampoo, and conditioner. The brand calls its products, infused with natural ingredients, “super refreshing,” and “wildly effective.” They’re super transparent about sustainability, too — they’re certified plastic negative, they use FSC-certified paper for most of their secondary packaging, and they produce 90% of their cartons at a carbon neutral facility. 

My Review | Another beautifully scented product, Ursa Major’s shampoo smells like Christmas trees. It worked into a fairly rich lather that didn’t feel too stripping — lots of shampoos make this claim, but I think this “Go Easy” shampoo is truly designed for all hair types. It was lathery enough to remove product buildup, yet gentle enough on my fine hair, leaving it feeling bouncy and hydrated. The balsam scent was the cherry on top, making this stuff a shower staple for everyone in the family, no matter their hair type.

What I Like:

• I love the clean, all-natural ingredients and eco-conscious packaging of this shampoo.
• The gender-neutral scent and gentle, yet hardworking formula makes this a great shampoo for the whole family.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Due to its clarifying properties, I can see this shampoo potentially being too drying if you wash your hair daily/have a dry scalp.

Shop Ursa Major’s shampoo, $26

5. Attitude

Cruelty free

Plant trees

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Best For | Most affordable
Natural & Organic | Vegan, EWG-verified 
Price Range* | $13; $0.81/ounce

Discounts Available | During Attitude’s Black Friday sale, you can save up to 30% off your purchase depending on how much you spend — so stock up! No code needed

Known for their EWG-verified laundry detergents, Attitude has ventured into the space of cleaning your hair, too. The brand creates high-performance cleaning products and personal care products that run the gamut from air purifiers to toothpaste to face serums, and much of their packaging is designed to reduce plastic. The most affordable products on this list (by far!), their shampoos are still made with 98% naturally sourced ingredients, and you can usually find their products at places like Whole Foods and Walmart.

My Review | This is pretty much your standard drugstore shampoo, but with a fresh, invigorating orange scent and 98% natural ingredients for peace of mind. It has a thick formula that was easy to apply (unlike those runnier ones) and it foamed up a ton. Note that it’s not sulfate-free — it uses sodium coco-sulfate, which is a milder alternative to the common sodium lauryl sulfate, but it’s still not a product I would use on my hair every day. This is a great affordable, basic option, as long as you don’t use it every day or have super dry or damaged hair.

What I Like:

• The price makes this shampoo a wonderful nontoxic choice on the accessible side!
• It leaves a clean feeling and long lasting scent in my hair.

What I Didn’t Like:

• The ingredients include a mild sulfate, which may not be ideal if you’e trying to avoid them.

Shop Attitude’s shampoo, $13

6. Ethique

B corp

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Plant trees

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Best For | Shampoo bar, minimal packaging
Natural & Organic | B-Corp certified, plastic-free, cruelty-free, palm oil-free
Price Range* | $47 (shampoo & conditioner bundle)

New Zealand-based B-Corp Ethique is revolutionizing the haircare space with a full lineup of plastic-free bar shampoos and conditioners, and their sustainability initiatives don’t stop there — they plant a tree for every online order, and they donate 2% of their sales to charity. They offer shampoo bars for all sorts of concerns, from frizz to oil to curls, and they carry some face and body products, too, like deodorant, body wash, moisturizers, and lip balm.

My Review | This was my first-ever shampoo bar experience, and it didn’t disappoint. I’ve always been worried a shampoo bar wouldn’t give me enough lather to thoroughly cleanse my oily hair, but this one absolutely did. It took a minute or two of rubbing between my hands, but it was all worth it when it worked up a rich, citrus-smelling lather that fully refreshed my hair — a little too well, actually, since it left that extremely clean feeling some hard bar soaps leave on your body. A little goes a long way with this one, and note that it also has sodium coco-sulfate. But some of their other bars don’t have sulfates, giving you a more balanced, moisturizing cleanse at a super affordable price and with no plastic.

What I Like:

• The innovative shampoo bar is something I didn’t expect to be as effective as it was! It left my hair feeling squeaky, clean.
• I’ve had this shampoo bar for a while now — a little goes a long way.

What I Didn’t Like:

• The shampoo bar contains sodium coco-sulfate.
• The squeaky clean feeling may not be preferable for some.

Shop Ethique’s shampoo bundle, $47

7. 100% PURE

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

Recycled materials

Vegan

Best For | Plant-forward formulations 
Natural & Organic | Certified organic ingredients, no chemical preservatives, artificial colors, or fragrances
Price Range* | $24; $3/ounce

Discounts Available | Through November 30th, add $45 of regular priced products to your cart at 100% PURE to unlock your “Beauty Deals,” starting at $5

California-based 100% Pure is cruelty-free and uses all-natural ingredients in their hair care formulations. They offer a range of different shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments targeting different hair types and concerns, all with botanical-forward ingredients like a “restorative” system with honey and a “healthy scalp” set with neem. The company is Green Business Certified and offers skincare, body care, and makeup products, too.

My Review | I tested the Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo, a hydrating, gently purifying formula. I loved its fresh, minty scent, and its ingredient list is super clean — it’s made almost exclusively of plant extracts and oils. It didn’t foam up as much as most cleansers, so while that made it super gentle on my hair and dye job, it might not be the best option when your hair has a ton of product in it. But I loved how invigorating its scent was in the morning, and it comes in huge, cost-effective sizes.

What I Like:

• The formula is very lightweight and left my hair feeling clean without much stripping.
• This shampoo perked up my senses! It’s perfect for an invigorating morning shower.

What I Didn’t Like:

• This shampoo is the mildest one of them all! It may not offer as deep of a clean, but can be great for daily use.

Shop 100% Pure’s shampoo, $24

8. SEEN

Cruelty free

Gives back

Gluten free

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Sensitive skin types
Natural & Organic | Fragrance-free, vegan, cruelty-free, no pore-clogging oils, free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, dyes, and parabens
Price Range* | $29 (discounted subscriptions available); starting at $3.09/ounce

Discounts Available | Use code CYBER25 at checkout to get 25% off orders of $75+ at SEEN (plus get free continental US shipping on orders over $50, no code needed)

Created by a dermatologist, SEEN targets their products to folks with sensitive or acne-prone skin, treating hair care like part of your skincare (because shampoo can kind of get everywhere). They carry two shampoos — one with scent and one without — both of which were clinically proven to be non-comedogenic. In a study, 70% of participants with acne saw an improvement in body acne and 52% saw a reduction of face acne, while 93% of participants with flaky scalps saw improvement. Combine those stats with a formulation that’s designed to reduce frizz and deeply clean without stripping, and you’re left with both healthier hair and skin. Their fragrance-free option is even backed by the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

My Review | This one lathered up just as well as a clarifying shampoo — perfect for my fine, oily hair — leaving my hair feeling clean but not dry or brittle. I loved it! I tested out the fragrance-free version, and while I’ll admit I am prone to the occasional eczema flare-up along with acne on my face and body, I did miss the scent. The scented version is supposed to be just as effective for treating acne, so I think it’d be a perfect shampoo for me. And the next time I have an eczema flare-up, I’ll reach for my unscented sample!

What I Like:

• This shampoo works wonderfully — it deeply clarified my oily strands, left my scalp feeling clean, and my hair looking luscious.
• The unscented formula is perfect for sensitive scalps.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Though many may prefer an unscented formula, I do miss having a nice smelling shampoo. Thankfully, SEEN has scented shampoo options!

SHOP SEEN’s shampoo, $29

9. Alaffia

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Fair trade

Gives back

Woman owned

Best For | Dry hair types
Natural & Organic | Fragrance-free, Fair Trade, cruelty-free, free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, dyes, and parabens
Price Range* | $16 (discounted subscriptions available); starting at $2.01/ounce

Discounts Available | Purchase two individual Alaffia products and get 20% off — buy three or more, and get 35% off!

Another unscented option, Alaffia’s EveryDay Shea shampoo is handcrafted with Fair Trade, unrefined shea butter. Formulated for dry hair types, the shampoo also has shea leaf and virgin coconut oil, and it comes in a few different scent options, too, including lavender and vanilla mint. And Alaffia has some impressive ethical specs, believing that it’s their “moral responsibility to ensure African resources empower African communities.” They use exclusively fairly traded shea and coconut products to ensure trade partners are paid equitably, and they’re partnered with the Global Alliance for Community Empowerment to execute projects in West Africa aimed at women and the environment. Their shampoos are some of the most affordable on this list, made with a small list of simple ingredients. The brand also makes goods like cleansers, balms, and curl products.

My Review | While the price point and company ethics of this brand make it a fantastic product in my opinion, my hair is just too fine and straight! The shampoo had a subtle lather — great for folks with super dry hair, but not cleansing enough for mine. While it’s not the right fit for my hair, especially in comparison with other products on this list, it still left my hair clean, soft, and silky.

What I Like:

• This shampoo is a great value for its pure formula. 32 fl oz. for just under $16 is a steal!
• I love the ethics behind the brand. Alaffia supports and empowers their trade partners and African communities.

What I Didn’t Like:

• Though I loved the price and ethics of the brand, this shampoo did not work for my fine, straight hair. If you have dry hair, this one is a winner.

Also available at: Thrive Market

SHOP Alaffia’s shampoo, $16

10. Vegamour

Cruelty free

Natural materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Stimulating hair growth
Natural & Organic | Vegan
Price Range* | $38 (discounted subscriptions available); $4.75/ounce

Discounts Available | Save up to 35% sitewide during Vegamour’s holiday sale — no code needed

A holistic haircare brand, Vegamour uses only the highest quality ingredients in their shampoos, conditioners, and serums. Their products are not cheap, but they formulate with a science-driven approach, using ingredients that can be effectively absorbed and synthesized by the body. The products are 100% vegan, and they often use Karmatin, a vegan alternative to keratin. All products are clinically tested, so you know they really work, and they target different concerns like hair growth, hair damage, and dandruff. Don’t just take my word for it — our other editor also reviewed and loved Vegamour for hair regrowth.

My Review | I was pleasantly shocked at how much this one lathered up! The bubbles were silky and smooth, and it has a gorgeous floral scent that’s powdery and jasmine-y — not everyone will love it, but I definitely do. It had a funky screw cap that did make dispensing a tiny bit difficult, but they’ve updated that in more recent versions. It also gave a little too much lather for comfort, which checked out when I realized it uses the same cleansing agent as the clarifying shampoo I use every few weeks to reduce buildup. As much as I loved this one, it’ll be a special occasion-only product for when I want a luxurious scent and clean-feeling locks — or to treat specific concerns around hair loss.

What I Like:

• This product is vegan! Using vegan ingredients in a shampoo that promotes hair growth is a game changer IMO.
• It has a beautiful, floral scent that lingers long after my hair dries.

What I Didn’t Like:

• This shampoo offers a deep cleanse and has tons of lather. These elements may make this a shampoo one that you only use as needed.

Shop Vegamour’s shampoo, $38

Are organic haircare products worth the price?

Organic haircare products can be worth the price — especially if you’re someone who values ingredient transparency and scalp health. While they might cost a bit more upfront, organic shampoos, conditioners, and treatments often skip the harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances that can dry out your hair or irritate sensitive skin. Instead, they’re packed with nourishing plant-based oils, extracts, and gentle cleansers that work with your hair’s natural biology. Many people find that over time, their hair becomes more balanced, shiny, and easier to manage. So if you’re looking to simplify your routine and minimize exposure to questionable ingredients, investing in organic haircare can definitely be worth it.

In addition to the long-term benefits for your hair and scalp, there’s also a “less is more” mindset with many organic formulations. Because the ingredients tend to be concentrated and free from unnecessary fillers, you might find that you need less product per use — which means it can last longer than conventional options. (Shampoo bars are a great example of this!) And if you’ve struggled with scalp sensitivity, flaking, or buildup from synthetic ingredients, switching to organic might be a game changer. There’s peace of mind in knowing what’s going onto your body is as safe and nourishing as possible.

Is organic haircare better for the environment?

Organic haircare is generally better for the environment. These products are often made with sustainably sourced ingredients, biodegradable formulas, and eco-conscious packaging, which means less pollution and waste throughout the product’s life cycle. What sets organic brands apart is their commitment to sustainability throughout the supply chain. From farming without synthetic pesticides to using recyclable or refillable packaging, many of the companies producing organic haircare are mindful of their environmental impact. Some even partner with carbon offset programs or regenerative farming initiatives that help rebuild healthy soil and capture atmospheric carbon.

Plus, avoiding synthetic chemicals reduces the risk of toxic runoff entering waterways during rinsing, which helps protect aquatic ecosystems. Many organic brands also prioritize cruelty-free practices and work with ethical farms or cooperatives to support a more regenerative approach to agriculture. While not all organic brands are created equal, supporting those that are truly invested in sustainability can amplify the positive effects of your purchase far beyond your bathroom shelf!

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. Since 2022, she has been reviewing the top sustainable home, wellness, fashion, and beauty products, sharing her honest opinion on the best finds. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

Psst! Google launched a new feature that lets you choose “Preferred Sources” — so your searches highlight trusted, values-driven outlets instead of clickbait. To add The Good Trade, tick the box beside our name. That’s it — our stories will be waiting whenever you search. Read more about it here.

The post 10 Best Nontoxic Shampoos Without Harmful Chemicals (2025) appeared first on The Good Trade.

Make bath time a better ritual with these natural, organic, and vegan soap bars!

These bars use responsibly sourced and naturally occurring ingredients — like organic oils and plant extracts — for the deepest clean. Plus, most come without plastic packaging for a low-waste clean. Use them to wash your hands or in the bath and shower. Scrub-a-dub-dub! 🛀

For a fully zero-waste lather, pair your soap bar with a plastic-free shampoo bar.

1. WATO

BIPOC Owned

Handcrafted

Small business

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Ingredients | Natural oils, Indigo, bamboo, hemp charcoal, rice bran, turmeric, sake
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $10 – $20 for 5 oz bar; mini options available

WATO is a Black- and Japanese-owned brand inspired by the founder’s mother, Noriko. She taught herself how to make soap using traditional techniques and now the brand does the same. WATO’s bar soap is made with natural oils — like sunflower and rice bran — and plant-based dyes, formulating colors from scratch. Needless to say, we’re big fans of these intentional, natural soaps.

2. Meow Meow Tweet

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Fair trade

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Ingredients | Natural oils, shea butter, essential oils, plant extracts
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $12 for 4.5 oz bar

Embrace one of life’s simplest pleasures with a good natural soap. Meow Meow Tweet offers four highly aromatic soap bars: Coconut cacao, Hinoki cypress clove, lavender lemon, and grapefruit mint. These vegan bars are Leaping Bunny certified, palm oil-free, and sent in paper packaging. Psst… did we mention almost all the ingredients are organic and fair trade?

3. Binu Binu

BIPOC Owned

Handcrafted

Vegan

Woman owned

Ingredients | Natural oils, shea & cocoa butters, coconut milk, kaolin clay, tea extracts, essential oils
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $22 for 4 oz bar

Binu Binu is inspired by Korean bath rituals and the popular scrub treatment “Seshin.” These soap bars have a “boricha” base, a cultural staple and household tea. Paired with botanical ingredients and essential oils, there are eight thoughtfully made options. And if you’re a fan, you’d be in good company; this WOC-owned brand has been featured in New York Times, Vogue, and Kinfolk.

4. Wary Meyers

American made

Cruelty free

Family owned

Handcrafted

Small business

Ingredients | 100 percent vegetable glycerine base
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $14 for 5.5 oz bar

Wary Meyers is a husband-and-wife team handcrafting soaps and candles in Maine. These 100 percent glycerine soaps are made in small batches, all without detergents, alcohol, or parabens. We love how playful these designs are, intimately inspired by John and Linda’s personality and styles. These are delightful soap bars to display in your bathroom or to give as a housewarming gift!

5. Herbivore Botanicals

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Vegan

Woman owned

Ingredients | Natural oils, charcoal powder, essential oils, kaolin clay
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $14 for 4 oz bar

Herbivore Botanicals already knows how to take care of our skin — that’s why we trust this team’s soap bars, too. As always, these effective formulas are made with only natural and certified organic ingredients so you’ll have clean, soft skin in no time. Choose from pink clay or bamboo charcoal. You can’t go wrong either way considering the 100+ positive reviews.

6. Among the Flowers

American made

Handcrafted

Small business

Woman owned

Ingredients | Natural oils, shea butter, essential oils, clay
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $10 for 5 oz bar

Made in small batches in the Sierra Nevadas, Among the Flowers is a women-run team crafting soaps, candles, and cleaners. These bar soaps are cold processed so they’re better for the environment and for your skin, retaining the ingredients’ natural properties. Try the blood orange and rose blend for a nourishing scent, or detox with activated charcoal and antimicrobial essential oils.

7. Eusi Bathtime

American made

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Family owned

Gives back

Handcrafted

Small business

Vegan

Ingredients | Natural & organic oils, kaolin clay, essential oils
Ships To | USA
Price | $5 – $8 for 6.25 oz bar

For affordable soap bars that look and smell delicious, check out Eusi Bathtime. This proudly Black family-owned brand sources ingredients native to the African continent, like bamboo charcoal, African spices, and Kenyan turmeric. The result? Vegan soap bars with nearly 14,000 glowing reviews. Eusi also gives back on a monthly basis to the World Wildlife Fund.

8. Upcircle Beauty

B corp

Cruelty free

Gives back

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Ingredients | Glycerine, coconut acid, shea butter, natural oils, plant extracts
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $10 for 3.5 oz bar

Upcircle Beauty is a UK brand leveraging leftover ingredients for skincare — like chai syrup for its chai soap bars. These upcycled leftovers are then blended with naturally found ingredients for a moisturizing, hydrating formula. Not in the UK? Not an issue; Upcircle Beauty has regional websites as well so you can grab these vegan soap bars wherever you are.

9. Biome

B corp

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Handcrafted

Ingredients | Varies
Ships To | Worldwide
Price | $5 – $16; sizes vary

Biome is a sustainable marketplace based in Australia, with hundreds of organic and ethical brands in stock, including Dindi Naturals. This certified B Corp prioritizes locally made soap bars free from palm oil, animal testing, and harmful chemicals. Filter by your values or look up a scent. Best of all, you can find soap trays and exfoliating cloths here, too!

10. Marius Fabre

Biodegradable

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Family owned

Handcrafted

Natural materials

Ingredients | Olive oil, coconut oil, glycerin
Ships To | USA, Canada, EU
Price | 38€

Marius Fabre has been cooking up authentic Marseille soap since 1900. Crafted through the traditional method of fabrication, each batch is produced in a large cauldrons using only pure vegetable oils and is cut and stamped by hand (see the process here). Completely free from animal fats, petroleum-based ingredients, colors, fragrance, and synthetics, this biodegradable soap is living heritage and helps cleanse even the most delicate skin while maintaining a natural moisture balance. We love that you have the option to buy this soap in a variety of sizes so you can cut and cleanse based on your needs. P.S. Don’t miss out on their free guided tours of the soap factory in Salon-de-Provence!

Featured image from WATO

The post 10 Natural Soap Bars For A Waste-Free Wash appeared first on The Good Trade.

Red light therapy offers noninvasive healing for everything from muscle recovery to mental health. These are the 10 best at-home red light therapy devices, safe, easy to use, and affordable. 

For many years, red light therapy treatments have been available only at dermatologists’ offices or medical day spas. Today, though, portable red light devices are making this wellness practice more readily available, so you can do it from the comfort of your own home! But what exactly is red light therapy? And what are the benefits of this increasingly popular wellness trend?

What is red light therapy good for?

For starters, red light therapy is an easy, painless, and non-invasive way to treat common aches and pain conditions (athletes love it). It’s also a therapy often touted by beauty experts for smooth skin, especially for treating scarring. Red light therapy devices use low-level wavelengths of “red” light to treat skin conditions, including acne, but they can also help heal wounds, aid muscle recovery, boost mental health, and improve sleep. 

How does red light therapy work?

The red lights in these at-home devices generally operate on wavelengths between 620 and 750 nanometers (nm). Compared with blue light, such as that emitted by phones and tablets, red light has a lower frequency and carries less energy. When used regularly (generally for 10 to 20 minutes a day), red light can stimulate cells, allowing them to rejuvenate, repair damage, and function more efficiently as a whole, making it effective at repairing tissues in the skin and other parts of the body.

Ready to try it out? Us too! These red light therapy devices now come in small handheld models (or as larger appliances, if you prefer) that you can use at home daily. Many brands also offer eye goggles that can protect your eyes and vision—just make sure to read the safety and instruction manuals for any device you buy!

Our criteria:

Our team has personally used, researched, and reviewed numerous cutting-edge wellness products over the past five years. These are our top picks for at-home red light therapy that are effective, safe, and easy to use — we’ve even included some more affordable options for smaller budgets. We regularly update this list with new favorites that meet the following criteria.

• EFFECTIVE | These devices are all proven effective, even in their at-home version. We’ve reviewed each brand’s customer reviews to ensure users are happy across the board.
• SAFE | These devices are all safe for at-home use, and we’ve included any specific instructions you need to heed for regular use.
• EASY TO USE | It doesn’t take a professional to operate these devices, and they’re simple to incorporate into your daily routine so you can get the most benefit.  
• AFFORDABLE| At-home red light therapy can be an investment; we’ve included smaller and portable options at a lower price point.

Looking for more wellness essentials? Check out our guide to the best massage guns and compact treadmills.

Best Overall | Best Red Light Mask | Most Therapeutic

Use code GOODTRADE for 12% off your purchase.

2. HigherDOSE

Best For | Red light mats
Features | One-year limited warranty, 120-day money-back guarantee, FSA/HSA eligible, non-VOC
Price | $1,199 (red light mat)

Black Friday Sale: Take 20% off sitewide (excluding Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna), and 25% off bundles. Free shipping on orders over $200. And GWP cryo cubes and ayurvedic tongue scraper with purchase over $400 starting 11/26. CODE: BFCM

The HigherDOSE Full Body Red Light Mat brings a studio-level light therapy ritual into our homes as it’s compact, hangable, and easy to weave into our day. With dual wavelengths (660nm red + 850nm near-infrared) and a gentle 40Hz pulse, it supports brighter skin, steadier mood, muscle recovery, and circadian balance in one calming, customizable session. What’s better, you can use it on your couch or bed for a restorative recharge, or hang it vertically to create a warm, meditative glow for breathwork or winding down at night. It’s also FSA/HSA eligible and backed by a 120-day money-back guarantee. Oh, and for more HigherDose products, check out our editor’s full review of the HigherDose sauna blanket!

Customer Review | “Great large size! I can wrap it around me while I read or watch TV. I lay underneath while on my PEMF mat, I love it. I also hang on the door while I workout in my home gym. Very happy with all my HigherDose products.” – Pamela R. (Read all reviews)

3. Therabody

Best For | Clinically proven LED light mask
Features | FDA-Cleared Type II Medical Device, FSA/HSA eligible
Price | $379 (mask)

For percussive massage and multi-LED light therapy, Therabody has the perfect multi-tasking skincare device that is sure to impress. Their clinical trial says it all: 94% reported an overall healthier appearance in their skin, with similarly high percentages reporting decreases in visible wrinkles and eye puffiness, as well as increases in the definition of their faces and necks. We especially love the new Glo LED face mask, which combines 504 red, infrared and blue LED lights with a gentle scalp massage to increase circulation and relieve tension in just 12 minutes a day. A perfect self-care essential.

Customer Review | “This is such a cool LED face mask! I absolutely love the benefits for red light therapy and this has different light modes and it also vibrates too! It has 3 different vibration modes (you can turn it off if you don’t want it) which is so relaxing. It feels really well made and is lightweight.” – Anonymous (Read all reviews.)

5. Sun Home Saunas Radiant Mask

Best For | Red and blue light face mask
Features | 1-year warranty and 45-day risk-free return policy, five beneficial wavelengths
Price | $499 (mask)

Sun Home Saunas makes a dermatologist-recommended red light face mask for anyone looking to improve their complexion, reduce pigmentation, or amplify collagen production. The cutting-edge technology can transform skin in just a handful of relaxing 10-minute sessions per week, with its patented five wavelengths, including red, deep-red, amber, near-infrared, and blue lights. Flexible, portable, and powerful, this face mask has an over 100,000-hour lifespan, making it the kind of investment that you know will last.

Customer Review | “I had been debating purchasing a red light mask for a while. I wanted to wait to see if it was just trendy or if the results were legit. When I finally decided to go with one I chose Sun Homes because of their excellent customer service and how impressive their other products I have used are. I am so glad I did! The mask is incredibly comfortable to wear, easy to adjust, and the remote makes customizing the time usage a breeze! So glad I went with it!” – Bridgett B. (Read all reviews.)

6. DNA Vibe

Best For | Wearable red light device
Features | Made in the USA, Veteran-founded company, mobile app for easy control, one-year warranty, 60-day money-back guarantee
Price | $159+

For aches and pains, common sports injuries, and muscle stiffness and inflammation, we love the moldable red light device from DNA Vibe. The patent-pending wellness wearable features four complementary modes—red, near-infrared, magnetic, and micro-vibration—to support recovery from injury, surgery, or the daily grind. Our editors love using the Jazz Band Live for travel or while working at home (it’s easy to wear while multitasking). Best of all, DNA Vibe is made in Colorado by a Veteran-founded company. And you know how much we love supporting small biz!

Customer Review | “I love the Jazz Band. It has added great relief to my knee recovery post running and other workouts”. – Stephanie A. (Read all reviews.)

Shop DNA Vibe red light

The post 7 Best Red Light Therapy Lamps And Devices (Reviewed) appeared first on The Good Trade.

Summary: After initially testing Jones Road makeup for a laid-back, natural look for my low-maintenance lifestyle (and dry skin!) in 2023, I was excited to test out additional products for a more comprehensive sense of the brand’s current offerings. I am personally a big fan of the performance, formulas, and versatility of the products — though I don’t think that this is a line for everyone! Jones Road makeup is ideal for more mature or extremely dry skin since these products are first and foremost richly moisturizing.

Pros

• A little goes a very long way, so these products will last a long time.
• All Jones Road products are cruelty-free. The mascara, most of the skincare, and tools are vegan. 
• These products are nontoxic too and formulated without phthalates, sulfates, petrolatum, PEGs, cyclic silicones, EDTA, or BPA, and more. 
• Packaging is made from 100% recyclable Forest Stewardship Council-certified post-consumer fiber.
• Both the eyeliner pencil and gel are *chef’s kiss* sheer perfection for creating crisp, highly pigmented lines for perfect cat eye or winged looks.
• Every single lip product is a star, with beautiful, buildable pigment and natural moisture that feels as good as it looks.
• The mascara is a truly showstopping product that gives you instantly dramatic lashes without clumping, and it lasts all day long.
• The Hippie Balm is the real miracle: for spot-moisture needs all over the face and body that works like a lotion but feels like the lightest, silkiest dream, it’s quickly become my all-in-one winter survival kit.

Cons

• Do you have combination, youthful, or oily skin? Pass on the foundation and Miracle Balm, which might feel greasy and sticky to you.
• The foundation has a kind of department-store-skincare scent that I didn’t particularly love.
• It’s expensive, though again, the amount of product is substantial, so it will maybe even out cost-per-use. With the quantity of product in The Miracle Balm, it actually feels like there’s slight too much product so I’m racing to use it before it gets grimy and goes bad.

Here’s my makeup origin story: At a crucial point in my youth, I discovered that I had acne, rosacea, and a seasonal complexion that sits on the “washed out” side of the spectrum (soft summer, if you must know). As a thirteenth birthday present, my mom took me to an Aveda concept salon where a woman named Angela taught me how to use foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara. I went home with a bag of products in “my colors,” and a basic template I followed nearly every day for the next twenty years.

It took a pandemic and becoming a new mother to break me of my daily makeup habit. Spending months at home changed my relationship with what it means to “get ready.” More concerned with face masks and hand sanitizers, not to mention diaper bags and bottles, putting on foundation seemed bananas — it was just going to smear onto my mask, and no one could tell anyway. So without even noticing it, I just stopped.

“Going months without doing my usual makeup routine changed everything for me — especially the desire to change my face so much.”

And then a funny thing happened. Preparing for a Zoom one day, I put on what I used to wear to the office (did I mention my daily smoky eye look and winged liner?) and I saw myself in my computer screen and flinched. It looked like stage makeup, clownishly over-the-top. What I had thought was a “natural look” (again — liquid. black. winged. liner. 😅) seemed suddenly garish and excessive. So I washed it all off. It turns out, there wasn’t anything wrong with my face — I just wasn’t used to seeing it bare. Going months without doing my usual makeup routine changed everything for me — especially the desire to change my face so much.

So began a hunt for clean, subtle beauty products that could give me a little polish here and there without warping what I look like. Anything promising to be a “no-makeup makeup” caught my eye. It wasn’t long before Jones Road Beauty got on my radar, specifically the Miracle Balm. Instagram ads that showed creator Bobbi Brown calling this the ultimate product that could replace everything from your moisturizer to your hair cream piqued my curiosity in a major way. Couple that with the killer reviews and the fact that their extremely curated selection of products are all clean and high performing had me hook, line, and sinker. When the opportunity came to review their goods, I jumped.

What I was not expecting was the incredible polarization of reader comments about these products. Turns out, a lot of you found the formulas to be greasy and heavy. The foundation in particular, which sometimes separates and needs to be stirred, is not exactly a crowd favorite. And after years of use, I can totally understand why! It works for me for extremely specific reasons (and under particular circumstances!), and this context is key to understanding any review.

Makeup is such a personal thing — how we want to look and feel, how the product works with our own skin and lifestyle, and how much money or time we are able to spend all factor in to what ends up in our bag. It’s rarely as simple as typing “clean mascara” or “cruelty-free foundation” into a search engine before we buy! Reviews and recommendations are where so many of us start if we aren’t able to test the products for ourselves. And it’s even more essential to feel like whatever investment we make has a better chance of being a good fit when the price tag is on the higher end.

“How we want to look and feel, how the product works with our own skin and lifestyle, and how much money or time we are able to spend all factor in to what ends up in our bag.”

I was excited for another opportunity to test even more of the products from this brand, and to update my first impressions on the makeup from my original review after almost two years of use. My goal is to give you all a more comprehensive review of what Jones Road has to offer — and for whom, exactly, I think each product might work.

Here is my honest review:

The face makeup

What The Foundation (a tinted moisture balm) | $44

What I’m looking for in a foundation is even, natural coverage — I want my skin to look like skin, but I also want my coloring and texture to appear even, smooth, and just shy of dewy — and a super easy, foolproof application. I’m always drawn to the products that show models just smearing it all over their faces with their hands (I am not the target audience for a contouring tutorial lol). Though this foundation does require some tools, the product itself has become a must-have for me.

First: this foundation is thick. This is a little off-putting when you imagine it as a makeup product only, but it is actually skincare — it’s technically a tinted moisture balm. Packed with nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil and sodium hyaluronate, it feels rich and luxurious on my skin. I only used the tiniest amount (what was on the protective lid, actually) for the first time and it gave me complete coverage. It has a lightly tacky texture that my hair kept catching in at first, but by the end of my routine it wasn’t a problem. The hue, (which I matched using their online quiz), wasn’t what I would have chosen for myself, but it definitely works! The coverage is subtle but buildable, and the feel is really nice. There is a scent (what I would call “fancy department store makeup”), but it’s fairly light and I didn’t notice it after a few minutes. 

My biggest concern about this foundation is how to keep it from getting contaminated with bacteria from my fingers since it’s in a little pot. You can buy a special spatula from Jones Road, but I am just using a face mask applicator that I already had — I simply wash it along with my hands when I’m done. I alternate between using a foundation brush and my fingers, depending on how lazy I’m feeling, and I’m happy with results either way.

2025 update

Yes, this is the same pot. It is technically only supposed to be used for 12 months after opening, but I am very frugal about expensive products and since I didn’t notice any issues, I am still using it. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I still have a lot left, and I even gave away about a tablespoon to my MIL in a little pot! So my initial impression that this stuff was going to last forever was dead on.

It does separate a bit, as you can see. It’s kind of like natural nut butter — just give it a good stir and it’s usually fine. I do occasionally see some small harder bits now that won’t mix in, but that could be just because of my utter disregard for its shelf life. I just pick them out and move on.

I still love this foundation, though I never use it once the weather warms up. Even if I skip my moisturizer, trying to wear this in the summer in the South produces a look that flies right past “dewy” and lands squarely in “sweaty.” In the dry winter air, however, it is a dream. Between the biting winds and the arid heat inside my radiator-heated house, my little pot of What The Foundation is the only thing preventing my face from looking like a red, flaky raisin.

The Neutralizer Pencil and The Face Pencil | $25 each

I was a little reluctant to try these because I’m more of an all-over coverage person over the spot-concealer type. These not only seemed too small to meet my needs but also look like colored pencils, which are not exactly known for being rich and hydrating. But the moment I uncapped these babies I knew that there was more to them than what meets the eye. A quick swatch on the back of my hand revealed a buttery texture that glided smoothly and easily across my skin.

The Neutralizer Pencil is specifically formulated for the dark circles and discoloration of the undereye skin. Used on top of an eye cream or just after moisturizing, it’s easy to dab and gently blend into the skin. I was astonished when I noticed an almost instant difference! Using the color match quiz, I chose the shades recommended to me, and they were exactly right: light peachy pink for my particular skin tone’s purple tendencies, and then two concealer shades from the lighter and darker ends of my skin tone spectrum.

Here’s what I appreciate about this system: Skin is not a single color. Most noticeable with the wrong color match, we’ve all probably had an experience of applying an all over foundation to our face only to realize that it looks like a strange, pancake mask. The skin texture and quality changes all over our faces, from the thin, delicate areas beneath our eyes to the thicker cartilege of our noses. To achieve a truly natural look, it makes sense that you would need to blend a few different shades to create dimension while still evening out the sun spots, dark circles, redness, and the like. This trio worked together perfectly to create a harmonious, balanced coverage that still looked like real skin, only a little bit more even. It was very easy to work with my fingers, and as long as I used the pencils right after moisturizing, blending was smooth sailing.

The Miracle Balm | $38

If you’re on Instagram you’ve probably seen the ads for this stuff, and if I’m honest it was the product I was most looking forward to. In my opinion, it is a game-changer — though there are some things you should know! 

The balm is an all-over, versatile product that can be used to moisturize and blur, or to add some color to your skin. Depending on the color and your skin type, it can replace your moisturizer, foundation, blush, and bronzer. (Founder and creator Bobbi Brown even says she uses any leftover product to smooth flyaway hairs!) It comes in several shades, with recommendations for both the desired effect and for skin hues. I went with “Flushed,” which is meant to provide exactly that — a light, naturally flushed, and subtle sheen for all skin tones. 

“Depending on the color and your skin type, it can replace your moisturizer, foundation, blush, and bronzer.”

It comes in a wide, shallow tub that I think is going to last me for the rest of my life. It looks like a giant lip balm, but you can’t simply swipe a little bit and go. You *must* break the surface. The pigment will not be activated if it isn’t broken and rubbed into your fingers first. The texture is like hardened coconut oil, so be ready to apply a gentle pressure to really get in there, though it will quickly soften in your hands. There is a very faint, pleasantly citrusy scent. After rubbing it between the pads of your fingers, apply it to your skin in a gentle smoothing and patting motion (the brand provides a ton of videos demoing this). I saw that some people use brushes, but I wouldn’t unless it’s after everything is already on your face and you felt you needed to blend it further. 

It is not, in my opinion, shimmery (whew!). There is a kind of glowy quality to it and the overall effect is a very healthy flush, just as promised. It feels sublime, and I love how it looks on my lips. I’m planning on purchasing it in both Au Natural and Magic Hour and then I think I will be set for life, because like the foundation, a little of this stuff goes a very long way. 

TL;DR — this stuff is phenomenal, but definitely watch an application video.

2025 update

I was so excited to try the Miracle Balm in new shades, because despite loving Flushed, I really only use it as a blush and sometimes lip color. I felt like I was missing out on the “superproduct” part that is such a big part of its online presence. Could it be the IRL filter for my skin that Instagram claims?

I ordered Au Natural and opted to try Golden Hour over Magic Hour because it’s designed for all skin tones (which I thought would be better for our readers!). Now, having tried a blush, bronzer, and “colorless” balm, I feel like I finally *get* it.

This product is the secret weapon for taking any makeup look and giving it a “dew” effect. Meant to go on last, it’s the finishing touch to unify a look with a glowy tint. In other words, it acts exactly like a filter: It softens or enhances existing features by washing the whole thing in subtle color. Or in the case of Au Natural, more of a very dewy, almost pearlescent sheen.

Like Flushed, the Golden Hour shade produces a look that is exactly what it sounds like: It takes the entire finished makeup look and casts it in a subtle, golden light. I actually didn’t even appreciate how effective this product was at being an IRL filter until looking at these photos side by side. Not quite a tanned look, there’s a gentle sunkissed glow that Golden Hour adds, perfect for pale winter skin or more mature skin that’s lost some of its natural pigment.

The Bronzer | $35

As a Very Pale Person with rosacea, bronzer has always been one of those products that has completely eluded me. I just… I can’t figure it out. Am I trying to fake a tan? Or am I trying to change the shapes of my face? Contouring videos are my nightmare. I’ve tried a handful of powders and one or two sticks, but I always lack the confidence to use them and so after a few lackluster tries, they end up just gathering dust in my bathroom. 

I was excited but skeptical to try the Jones Road bronzer, which is called The Bronzer. It is a translucent, buildable powder that is super forgiving for this less-than-confident user. In the past, I have gone to dust my brow bones and ended up with a terrifying copper streak that could not be blended or budged, but The Bronzer was subtle and chill. It’s not a hyperpigmented, aggressive product. It is easy to apply and blend, adding a light but noticeable touch of color. I actually ended up using it as a finishing powder, which helped to remove the tacky feeling of the foundation and stop my hair from sticking to my face. I was really happy with the final look of my skin!

2025 update

This hasn’t been my most used product, though I suspect that’s got more to do with my general ambivalence about bronzer rather than the product itself. Because it’s so light, I have used it the handful of times I’ve needed to mattify my skin.

The eye products

The Best Pencil | $22

Can I tell you something that blew my mind? Eyeliner is one of the best ways to fake fuller lashes. I learned this from a friend who was born with alopecia. She didn’t have any hair at all, but it wasn’t immediately evident to almost everyone who knew her because not only did she have a great wig and a set of tattooed brows that were gorgeous, but she was a wizard with eyeliner. Even without lashes, she could create the appearance of them just with a pencil.

Those of us with eyelashes (even tiny ones like mine!) have a major advantage. Done correctly, a good eyeliner can act sort of like how extensions work in your hair: The line you draw along your lashline can enhance your lashes, and depending on how thick the line is, you can even create the appearance of fullness and volume.

The Best Pencil is a highly pigmented product designed after the 70’s eyeliners famous for making bold cat eyes and dramatic looks that made everyone look like they were born with Elizabeth Taylor’s eyes. The pencil is made with much cleaner ingredients, and infused with vitamin E, which is ideal for the delicate, dry skin on your eyelids. It makes a crisp line that looks incredible on its own or stunning layered with shadows. Despite its knack for being able to create a sooty, smoky look effortlessly, the lines stay where you put them after a few minutes. I love this pencil — it’s the only pencil liner I’ll ever use again!

Gel Liner | $30

Hooded or heavy eyelids benefit from specific kinds of definition, and this gel liner is ideal! Richly pigmented but also water- and transfer-resistant, the creamy formula goes on like paint but then stays perfectly in place. For a winged liner, I would definitely be turning to this stuff.

Also, in a not-so-surprising turn of events, this is another Jones Road product where a teeny bit goes a long way. This might actually be the last gel liner I’ll ever need to buy — like this actual pot. There’s that much in there!

The Mascara | $26

This! Product! I used to love the Bobbi Brown mascara, but I felt like if I wanted really built-up dramatic lashes then the cost was some clumping. But the Jones Road mascara is it. With a couple of coats, I got a nicely defined lash line that instantly woke up my eyes, but I could also build up a very glamorous, sooty-looking lash without a clump in sight. And the real sell for me was after putting it through the wear-test ringer: I not only napped, but I ran in the stuff, and there was nary a streak nor smear! There wasn’t even that fine dust of crumbling that sometimes happens with clean mascaras by the end of the day. It was, dear reader, exactly as I’d left it. A clean, buildable mascara that looks the same from application to removal? (And is fairly easy to remove with a simple double cleanse?) Where’s the lifelong subscription button because I am in! 

2025 update

Listen, I hear you: This mascara is extra. It can easily clump, and no way is it going to pass as “natural.” But here is where the personal bias of your reviewer is so important to take into account: I am not looking for dainty lashes. I have dainty lashes. You could even argue that what I have is somewhere less substantial than dainty — wispy, maybe. Or just the faintest echo of the memory of lashes. What I’m saying is that if I am going to go through the trouble of coating ten invisible strands of lash hair into the impression of lush, full, dare-I-say sooty lashes, I am going for a product that’s packing a punch.

“Volume” in mascara speak means “the appearance of volume.” As much as I would welcome a mascara that could make my dinky eyelashes look thick and full forever, the truth is that mascara is just a goop that we coat the hairs with until they are thick and full … of product. The key? Lots and lots of light layers. It takes patience and practice to get it right, otherwise you can very easily end up with someone resembling the heavy-handed drama of an old-timey circus clown.

Yes, you have to paint this stuff with care. It is a rich formula, and it only comes in bold, make-an-entrance black. But if you are willing to take the time to layer it properly and with care, this mascara can lure even the most reluctant eyelashes into the spotlight — no falsies necessary.

The lip products

The Lip Tint |$26

I am a tinted lip balm fanatic. My lips are constantly dry but I look like a dead person without some color (it is truly astounding how colorless my lips can get; I look like I have a Victorian illness). But lipstick devotees know that if you aren’t careful you can end up in an endless cycle of products that dry your lips out further, until you have crusty, chapped lips that look and feel terrible — with or without color. 

This is the no-lipstick-lipstick I’ve been looking for. It goes on smooth with a nourishing, soft slickness that settles beautifully into my skin. Rich in castor oil and vitamin E, you can feel the nourishing, clean ingredients soaking into your lips. The colors are sheer and buildable, so you can go for a more vibrant look (like with pink rose) or a more subtle color (I tried nude rose) just to bring some life to your face. If you don’t exfoliate your lips already, definitely do so to get the best experience from this product. My extremely lazy advice is to get in the habit of brushing your lips after brushing your teeth with your toothbrush. *shrug* Sure, you can do a lip mask or a coffee/sugar scrub, or you can save your lemon peels and rub those across your mouth. Do you. Just do something — your lips will thank you. 

2025 update

The lip tints were the only products from the original review that I actually finished. I used them every day until I was having to dig with my pinky nail into the product container to get every last bit of product out. It’s a true balm, not a lipstick, so the pigment fades after a few hours (faster if you’re eating or drinking). I definitely recommend this one as an option for anyone who wants a little color from a nourishing, clean formula that comes in a sleek applicator but isn’t quite a lipstick.

The Lippie Stick | $22

My drugstore staple of the Burt’s Bees tinted lip balm got a serious big girl upgrade with the Jones Road Lippie Stick. In fact, the pink nude shade is nearly identical to the Burt’s hibiscus shade! But while the Burt’s product is slightly silkier in texture, it is also less pigmented, and does have a tendency to drift a little bit outside of my lip lines.

The Lippie stick has a slightly denser texture — some reviews called it a little bit “gritty.” I wouldn’t describe it that way but I know what they mean! You have to put a little more pressure when applying, like there is the most subtle resistance or drag as it goes on. I think this has to do with the jojoba seed oil, which is also the key ingredient in the Miracle Balm. It has a similar feel, though the color is more opaque.

I also love that even though it looks like a chapstick, it comes in a chic metal tube. Even the feel in my hand makes it clear that this is a substantial product!

Lip and Cheek Stick | $34

I’m a real sucker for a multipurpose makeup in a convenient, easy-to-use form. This stick is perfect for adding quick dabs of color to your cheeks and lips — I’ve even used it on my eyelids when I wanted a rosy, monochrome look. With castor oil as its key ingredient, the feel is silky and smooth, providing the perfect texture for blending in or building up. I erred on the side of natural when I chose rosy brown, but I think the formula is sheer enough that a bolder hue like royal plum could help a natural look go from day to night.

The Lip Pencil | $22

Ten years ago, I had a since-discontinued lip pencil from Sonia Kashuk that I still have dreams about. If I ever wanted to bring out my lips without shine, it was the matte, velvety hero. I sharpened it down to a nub, until the entire thing got lodged into the sharpener and I had to say goodbye. I’ve been on a hunt ever since for a good dupe, and the closest I’ve ever come is this pencil.

A true lip liner, it is a smooth, fine implement that is made for defining the fine edges of your lips. The color is a little more brown than I had expected, but it wears beautifully and doesn’t smudge at all. To be a true replacement for my white whale lip pencil it would need to be a little fatter for easier filling, but I’ve used it to fill in my lips anyway and it looks very even and sophisticated. But where it really shines is as a foundation for the Lippie stick or the Lip and Cheek Stick. It gives a gorgeous ground for the silky, sheer formulas to sit on, blending into a versatile lip that would be appropriate in the office or out to dinner.

The Skincare

The Cleansing Stick |$34

I looooooove a stick: Stick face masks are my absolute go-to, so I couldn’t wait to get my paws on this cleanser. 

It is beautiful to look at when you first open it: a totally clear, gel-like dome that you just know you’re going to ruin with makeup. I used it in the shower, which did cause the consistency to soften and melt, so I wouldn’t necessarily recommend keeping it in there. The website says to rub it directly over your made-up face, then add water to create a lather with your hands, and then wash everything away. The product smells like fresh limes. It has a surprisingly oily texture from key ingredient sunflower seed oil that didn’t immediately rinse off — if you have very dry skin you might choose to leave it on your skin. The site says to “continue with your skincare routine,” after rinsing, which I took to mean as using my usual cleanser, and that washed away the oily-feeling residue. The most important thing was that every stitch of makeup — including the perfect, immovable mascara — was absolutely gone. I moved the stick into my medicine cabinet and now use it exclusively as a pre-cleansing makeup remover, though I do sometimes apply it to my hands instead of the makeup first, just to keep the stick clean. They note that you should be careful around your eyes, and I did accidentally rub some directly into my eyes which did not feel great, though it rinsed out quickly. 

2025 update

This didn’t end up being a perfect match for my skin for daily use — while it is a great makeup remover, I didn’t like that I would always have to use a cleanser after, just to get the oil off. However, I did find one specific circumstance under which it’s been a great fit: my pool bag! Every Saturday, my family and I swim at our local Y. Pool water sucks every last drop of moisture out of my skin, especially my face, and the Jones Road cleansing stick is the perfect solution! Travel-friendly, it’s easy to toss into my gym bag, and the sunflower seed oil is the ideal antidote to the chlorine as I’m rinsing off in the locker room.

Hippie Stick | $32

This powerhouse, on-the-go moisturizing stick is sold out, and I’m not remotely surprised. It’s the ideal, lightweight balm for all the little rough spots and patches you might have in drier seasons. I use it on my lips, my heels, my cuticles, and even on the little eczema outbreaks that crop up on my hands. I recently had a cold and used it on my nostrils after they got raw from all the tissues. It feels so light it’s almost as if nothing is going on to your skin at all — the only telltale sign is the nourished, soft feeling it leaves behind.

Pro tip: If you have a little one who hates the feel of lotion (or if you find lotions and creams to be too wet and sticky) get your name on the waitlist for this stuff ASAP.

Bonus:

The Nail Polish Kit | $48

Classics only, please! For the understated touch that instantly gives any look some sophistication and, ahem, polish, you can’t go wrong with a manicure. And this set is the capsule wardrobe of home manicure kits: a 2-in-1 clear top and base coat, a classic sheer soft pink, and a bright poppy red for a cheery pop of color that never goes out of style. The kit also includes a mini nail file so you can keep your nails in whatever shape you prefer.

Made from nontoxic ingredients, these polishes have a strong, lovely varnish that the brand says can last up to a week, though mine lasted ten days! They also dry quickly, between 1-5 minutes per polish, meaning you could knock out a quick mani in ten minutes flat. My review? *chef’s kiss* Sheer perfection!

So: Is this the no-makeup makeup of my dreams? Yes, I think so. I was looking for high-performing, clean products that work with my dry skin and uneven texture. For me? Jones Road nails it.

The products all feel fantastic and wear well throughout the day, and my skin has felt and looked great even if I wear a full face of product several days in a row. I love that a little goes a long way, making the price tag feel completely worth it.

For a nontoxic, minimal, skincare-based makeup, Jones Road delivers. 

Stephanie H. Fallon is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade. She is a writer originally from Houston, Texas and holds an MFA from the Jackson Center of Creative Writing at Hollins University. She lives with her family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, and she is the author of Finishing Lines, where she writes about her fear of finishing, living a creative life, and (medical) motherhood. Since 2022, she has been reviewing sustainable home and lifestyle brands, fact-checking sustainability claims, and bringing her sharp editorial skills to every product review. Say hi on Instagram or on her website.

Psst! Google launched a new feature that lets you choose “Preferred Sources” — so your searches highlight trusted, values-driven outlets instead of clickbait. To add The Good Trade, tick the box beside our name. That’s it — our stories will be waiting whenever you search. Read more about it here.

The post Jones Road Beauty: Is It Worth The Hype (2026 Review) appeared first on The Good Trade.

For dry or cracked lips, keeping natural lip balm in our pockets and purses is a must at all times. You never know when you’ll need it — for chapped lip relief, a pop of color, kisses, or more! We’ve rounded up the best natural lip balms below, both for their natural and yummy-tasting ingredients and because they leave our lips feeling supple and soft.

Ready to moisturize, soothe, and heal your own lips? The brands included on this list prioritize natural and organic ingredients, mindful brand ethics, and are affordable, too. Grab one of these organic lip balms, and you’ll be ready to take on any weather (or kisses!) that come your way. 😘

And while your lips are living in luxury, treat the rest of your face with these organic eye creams and face masks.

1. Meow Meow Tweet

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Fair trade

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Natural Ingredients | Certified organic and fair trade ingredients, olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa seed butter
Price | $10

Meow Meow Tweet’s vegan lip balms are the multipurpose moisture sticks we keep on us at all times. The blend of olive, coconut, rosemary, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils in each formula means it’s not just good for your lips — it’s also a savior for dry hands, elbows, or anywhere else that needs a little loving. The ingredients aren’t just organic but fair trade, as well! Nourish those dry lips knowing you’re looking and doing good.

2. Well People

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

FSC

Fair trade

Vegan

Natural Ingredients | EWG-verified ingredients, 1% plumping peptide complex, 2% smoothing sesame seed complex, murumuru butter
Price | $14

For a pregnancy friendly lip treatment that reveals pouty, plump lips, Well People‘s new Peptide Lip Balm is a must-have. This EWG-verified gloss is made without toxic ingredients like phthalates, parabens and triclosan and is dermatologist-developed, ensuring it’s formula is one that truly delivers results and peace of mind for your skin health. The combination of Well People’s plumping peptide complex, smoothing sesame seed complex, and murumuru butter all work in conjunction to repair and rescue parched lips, while adding a tinge of juicy color. For a lip treatment that blends nontoxic skincare and makeup — look no further than this all in one simple, easy-to-squeeze tube.

3. Juice Beauty

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Natural Ingredients | Chemical-free zinc oxide SPF, candelilla wax, sustainably sourced organic cocoa butter
Price | $12 for three lip balms

Juice Beauty doesn’t just want to keep your lips soft — they want to keep your lips safe. These SPF 8 lip moisturizers in particular, are the perfect option for chemical-free sun protection. They’re made with organic sunflower and coconut to hydrate, vitamin E to nourish, and mineral zinc oxide to protect. Since it comes in three tints, you can add a little color to your cheeks or eyes, too. Effective and protective!

4. cocokind

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Gives back

Vegan

Woman owned

Natural Ingredients | Certified organic ingredients, organic coconut oil, organic matcha tea powder, organic shea butter
Price | $9

Did you know that matcha has antioxidant properties that can keep your skin nourished when facing the elements? That’s why we love cocokind’s mymatcha stick (available online or at Target) for all-over moisture. With a new vegan formula, this stick is crafted with quality natural ingredients including organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, and organic matcha tea powder sourced from Japan. Use it on your lips, cheeks, or under your eyes for ultimate hydration. Apply liberally!

5. Poppy & Pout

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Recycled materials

Natural Ingredients | Eco-friendly & natural ingredients, coconut oil, beeswax, essential oils
Price | Starting at $15

Poppy & Pout natural lip balms look great on your shelf and feel even better on your lips. This Idaho Falls-based lip balm brand has been hand making their all-natural lip care products since 2014, meaning they know a thing or two about good lip balm! Available in singles and sets, there are a variety of flavors to pick from (with some sets even featured on Oprah’s favorite things!). We love that these moisture-filled balms not only look adorable, but also come in cardboard tubes making them easy to recycle when finished. Be kind to your lips and the planet!   

6. ILIA

1% for the planet

Cruelty free

Gluten free

Subscriptions available

Woman owned

Natural Ingredients | Cruelty-free ingredients, salicornia (sea succulent), rosehip seed oil, shea butter
Price | $28

If you’re looking for a lip balm that not only conditions your lips but delivers a beautiful natural looking color, ILIA has your answer. Its Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm provides smooth cushioning on your lips, with buildable rich color that intensifies with each swipe. Made with nourishing natural ingredients like salicornia which is great for boosting hydration, this lip balm will smooth out any fine lines for that perfect pout. ILIA’s Balmy Tint works great for that no-makeup makeup look. It’s no wonder it’s a cult-classic!

7. Burt’s Bees

Cruelty free

Gives back

Recycled materials

Natural Ingredients | 100 percent natural & paraben-free ingredients, responsibly sourced beeswax, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil
Price | $20

Burt’s Bees is changing the lip balm game with its Refillable Beeswax Lip Balm. The OG beeswax lip balm formula can now be purchased in a refillable lip balm case that’s recyclable and made to be reused over and over again! Crafted from upcycled wood, Burt’s Bees clean formula and eco-friendly packaging will nurture your lips while reducing waste in our landfills. Each product comes with an extra refillable lip balm so you’re stocked ahead — and when you’ve run through both, simply purchase a balm refill and you’re ready to go. Keep it sustainable!

8. Primally Pure

American made

Eco friendly packaging

Woman owned

Natural Ingredients | Organic & fair trade ingredients, coconut oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, mango seed butter, grass-fed tallow
Price | Starting at $6

Primally Pure makes nutrient-rich lip balms that offer long-lasting hydration in five natural, delicious scents — cocoa, creamsicle, grapefruit, lavender, and peppermint. Each balm is formulated with a few key ingredients like coconut oil for its anti-inflammatory benefits, beeswax for moisture retention, cocoa and mango butters for antioxidant protection, and grass-fed beef tallow for an extra nutrient-packed boost. Though designed to repair dry, chapped lips, this nontoxic balm’s versatile formula is also ideal for use around the eyes, cuticles, or any dry areas in need of hydration.

9. Dr. Bronner’s

B corp

Budget friendly

Fair trade

Gluten free

USDA organic

Natural Ingredients | USDA certified organic & non-GMO ingredients, avocado oil, beeswax, jojoba seed oil, hemp seed oil
Price | $4

Heal dry lips — or dry skin — with Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balms. The formula for this all-in-one chapstick includes fair trade avocado oil, organic beeswax, and jojoba & hemp oils to provide relief to even the driest, most chapped lips. You can even use it on dry hands and feet, chapped chins and cheeks, or to keep your brow hairs in place! Available in four different flavors, it’s affordable at just under $4. Dry weather has met its match.

Featured image includes model Shelly Cochrane wearing shirt by Comme Des Garcons (vintage); headband by Hair of the Dog; jewelry by Apse.

The post 9 Best Natural And Organic Lip Balms For Winter appeared first on The Good Trade.

Acne can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime—from mask acne on our chin to chest acne in warmer seasons. While completely normal, acne can also be irritating, painful, or damaging to our skin.

If you’re hoping to care for your skin naturally, we’ve found some of the best brands using organic and sustainable ingredients instead of harsh chemicals. These products are also packaged in recyclable packaging, give back, or are made locally. 🙌

Build up your natural skincare routine with organic face masks, body masks, and face washes!

1. Bubble

American made

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Vegan

Best For | Teen skin
Ingredients | Rosewater, aloe vera, willow bark extract, hyaluronic acid
Price | $10–$19

Bubble crafts skincare that teens will actually want to use. The brand uses plant-based and nontoxic ingredients for research-driven formulas that work even on the most hormonal and acne-prone skin. Every product is fragrance-, cruelty-, and paraben-free, and we admire Bubble’s ethos—inclusive, affordable, and supportive of what real skin looks like. Check out the individual products and bundles to build your skincare routine!

2. ACURE

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Vegan

Best For | Acne spot treatment
Ingredients | Salicylic & glycolic acids, white willow bark, aloe vera
Price | $12.99 for 0.5 fl oz

Dealing with maskne or ongoing blemishes? ACURE’s Incredibly Clear Acne Spot is a team favorite, using the maximum strength salicylic acid to get rid of pimples fast. This spot treatment is fully vegan, cruelty-free, and free of the sulfates, parabens, or petrolatum that you’ll often see in other formulas. ACURE also gives back to charitable partners including Unite For Her and Turning Green. It’s a triple win in our book!

3. ROSEN

Cruelty free

Natural materials

Best For | Large & inflamed bumps
Ingredients | Zinc oxide, apple cider vinegar, peppermint oil
Price | $12

ROSEN founder Jamika Martin didn’t want to use questionable ingredients to fight acne but couldn’t find what she needed on the market—so she built her own product. This Black woman-owned brand uses clean ingredients for effective results, and we’re big fans of the paste-like Break-Out. The antibacterial ingredients get to work immediately, and a dab goes a long way! 

4. Herbivore Botanicals

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Natural materials

USDA organic

Best For | Oily skin
Ingredients | Blue tansy, kukui nut, jojoba, & jasmine oils, squalane
Price | $72 for 1.7 oz

If you have oily skin, you’ll love Herbivore Botanicals’ Lapis Blue Tansy Face Oil. In fact, it’s so popular that it has more than 400 glowing reviews (see what we did there?) and won a 2020 Glamour Readers’ Choice Beauty Award! That’s because it uses Blue Tansy oil composed of Azulene to soothe irritated skin and balance hydration. Use a few drops twice a day and get ready for smooth, clear skin.

5. Kinship

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Recycled materials

Vegan

Best For | Masks
Ingredients | Bentonite & kaolin clay, moringa oil, lactic acid
Price | $24 for 2 oz

Not into spot treatments or oils? Check out Kinship’s Deep Pore Detox Mask instead! This Oprah Magazine 2020 Beauty Award winner improves the appearance of blemishes almost overnight, according to users and reviewers. The mask is made with only Earth-friendly and dermatologist-tested ingredients, including Kinbiome, a plant-based probiotic! And once you’re done, you can reuse or recycle this upcycled plastic container.

6. Aesop

B corp

Cruelty free

Gives back

Best For | Blemishes
Ingredients | Bentonite & kaolin clays, chamomile bud, tea tree leaf
Price | $45 for 2.1 oz

Aesop is a certified B Corp that’s universally beloved for its clean and cruelty-free products. Its Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque helps calm and cleanse the skin with key ingredients like clay, tea tree leaf, and evening primrose. You only need one to two teaspoons each time you use it (recommended twice a week), so this jar will last for months to come. 

7. Rael

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Vegan

Best For | Surfaced acne & whiteheads
Ingredients | Hydrocolloid, hyaluronic acid, white willow bark extract, tea tree oil
Price | $12

Acne stickers?! We’re listening! Rael’s acne treatments include patches and covers designed for particular uses like surfaced whiteheads versus early stage acne. Simply press one onto your skin and expect changes in as little as four hours! Choose the acne stickers or sets that work best for you; packs range from six to 52. Don’t let zits get under your skin any more than they need to.

8. Blume

American made

BIPOC Owned

Climate neutral

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Vegan

Best For | Face & body
Ingredients | Rosehip, black cumin seed, & tamanu oils, olive leaf extract, blue tansy
Price | $28 for 0.5 oz

Blume is setting a newer, better standard when it comes to skin, body, and period care. Its community favorite, Meltdown Acne Oil, has over 4,000+ positive reviews, and one pump is all you need. As an added bonus, you can use this nourishing oil all over your body, so you can tackle butt acne to back acne. This proudly WOC-owned brand wants us to focus on healthy skin rather than perfect skin, and we agree.

9. Pixi

Cruelty free

Best For | Multipurpose toner
Ingredients | Glycolic acid, ginseng, aloe vera, fruit sugars
Price | £10–£18 or $29, up to 250ml

Pixi’s Glow Tonic is a bestseller around the entire world. This UK-based brand (with a US branch and flat-rate international shipping!) uses super strength glycolic acid mixed with plant-based ingredients for a gentle-yet-effective clean. Say goodbye to excess oil, acne, and blemishes, and hello to your new glowing skin!

The post The Best Natural Skincare Products For Acne-Prone Skin appeared first on The Good Trade.

We all need a good wash now and then — but it doesn’t always have to be from shampoo in a bottle. More and more, brands are releasing plastic-free alternatives that are as eco-friendly as they are effective at giving us shiny and smooth hair.

We’ve found these shampoo bars that tackle problems from waxy residue to dry scalp, and best of all, they’re all perfect at home or for travel. They’ll make your beauty routine easier (and more sustainable) than ever! For this list, we’ve compiled our favorite plastic-free shampoo bars that use low-waste packaging, prioritize natural and organic ingredients, and are affordable too — sometimes even more affordable than those in plastic packaging!

For more nontoxic hair products, check out our guide to natural hair care here. And to complete your low-waste lather, take a look at our favorite natural bar soaps.

1. Package Free Shop

Biodegradable

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Best For | Specific hair care needs (detoxing, hydrating, etc.
Price | $19 for 3.5 oz

Package Free Shop works with brands like Unwrapped Life which prioritize low-waste practices. These round shampoo bars make it easy to make the switch because they offer five options based on your needs. Itchy scalp? Color-treated? Thinning hair? You can find the natural alternatives you need here, as well as coordinated condition bars. (Set up a recurring subscription to receive 10 percent off every time!)

2. byHumankind

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Subscription shampoo
Price | $15 for 4 oz

Want a shampoo bar to share? byHumankind crafts gender-neutral shampoo bars in scents like peppermint and lemongrass. Made ethically using organic and all-natural oils, each bar is cured for five weeks for the most effective wash. Your roots will thank you, once you’ve made the switch to this sulfate- and plastic-free alternative. Plus, they also offer subscriptions so you’ll never run out!

3. Meow Meow Tweet

B corp

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Gives back

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Hair and body
Price | $14 for 4.5 oz

Hello, multipurpose shampoo bars! Meow Meow Tweet’s Rosemary Avocado bar isn’t just for washing hair, you can also lather it up on your body, too. This Leaping Bunny certified bar comes in an eco-friendly box, making it easier to repurpose or recycle than regular plastic. Plus, we’re pretty sure you won’t want to leave the shower anyway, with its herbal scent and aromatic rosemary and floral goodness.

4. HiBAR

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Variety of haircare needs
Price | Starting at $14 for 3.2 oz

Meet HiBAR’s extensive solid shampoo bar collection! Each soap-free, surfactant-based bar is packed with ingredients like nourishing Vitamin B5, hydrating kukui nut oil, and softening cocoa butter, while leaving out sulfates, parabens, and silicones. Available in fragrance-free, volumizing, soothing, maintenance, repair, and curly hair options, these bars are pH-balanced, color-safe, and provide haircare that suits your exact needs. With a unique ergonomic design and a commitment to sustainability, every bar lasts as long as two bottles of liquid shampoo, helping eliminate plastic waste one wash at a time.

5. Bask & Bloom

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Plastic/Pfas free

Science backed

Subscriptions available

Woman owned

Best For | Natural curly hair
Price | $18 for 4 oz

Bask & Bloom’s Shampoo Bar has been named a best-of winner by Cosmpolitan and Byrdie, and for good reason. Perfect for natural curly hair and locs (as well as for your face!), this spa-like bar mixes together mineral-rich clay, powder, honey, and nourishing oils for a deep clean. Each formula is cured for four to six weeks for maximum effectiveness! Bask & Bloom offers recurring subscriptions for 10 percent off.

6. Chagrin Valley

American made

Biodegradable

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Best For | Stimulating hair growth
Price | $11 for 5.6 oz; smaller samples available

Chagrin Valley is taking notes from women in India who’ve long used coconut oil for their hair. This organic bar provides moisture, deep conditioning, and plenty of nourishment for dry, suffering scalps. Best of all, it’s a natural way to detangle hair, too. (Can you imagine its milky coconut and almond scent!?) Longer, healthier hair — here we come.

7. Nopalera

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Naturally exfoliating & anti-inflammatory shampoo
Price | $37 for 3.65 oz

Nopalera shampoo bars harness the ancient power of Mexico’s resilient Nopal cactus, carefully using all parts of the plant to infuse each bar with rich moisture and antioxidants. Their Moisturize + Shine shampoo bar, ideal for textured or dry hair, combines prickly pear oil, blue agave extract, and aloe vera to deeply hydrate, strengthen, and add shine to your hair. For oily hair, their Balance + Repair shampoo bar soothes the scalp and reinforces hair bonds, leaving your strands clean, soft, and strong. Each bar is color-safe, pH balanced, free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones, and comes with an optional custom holder and travel case for a sustainable and travel-ready experience.

8. Ethique

B corp

Biodegradable

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Plant trees

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Removing build up & clarifying
Price | $16 for 3.88 oz; smaller samples available

Ethique’s shampoo bars offer a powerful, eco-friendly alternative to liquid shampoos, with each bar lasting up to 80 washes — equivalent to three bottles! Their bestselling Heali Kiwi bar made with soothing oatmeal and Ayurvedic oils, targets dry scalps and balances oil production, while their St Clements bar clarifies and removes buildup for fresh and bouncy hair. If you’re in the need of frizz control, their Frizz Wrangler bar is enriched with organic cocoa butter and coconut oil to smooth and nourish your hair without leaving residue. And as a unique all-in-one solution, try their Tip-to-Toe bar, which serves as both a shampoo and shave bar! Check out Ethique’s hair quiz to help you find the perfect shampoo bar for you.

9. Sunniemade

1% for the planet

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Plastic/Pfas free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Moisturizing, smoothing & strengthening hair
Price | $14

Sunniemade‘s shampoo bars deliver rich hydration and shine with powerhouse ingredients like mango butter, rosehip oil, and chia seed oil — all while cutting out plastic waste. Each bar offers a unique benefit: Mango butter adds deep moisture and a tropical scent, rosehip oil strengthens and rejuvenates, and chia seed oil tames frizz and smoothes flyaways. They’re color-safe, free of SLS, parabens, and animal products, and each bar can replace up to three bottles of liquid shampoo. With recyclable, compostable packaging, these cleansing bars are as kind to the planet as they are to your hair!

The post The 9 Best Plastic-Free Shampoo Bars (2025) appeared first on The Good Trade.

I’ve personally tested and researched the top clean beauty brands — these are my picks for the best natural, nontoxic foundations.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — I don’t love foundation. I’ve found it can cause more problems than it conceals, making me too dry, or too oily, or emphasizing texture and flakes. But testing out some of the best clean foundations on the market might have made me a convert!

I have combination, acne-prone skin and, thanks to retinoids, a dry complexion except for my oily T-zone. I look for foundations that provide a natural-looking coverage, and, most importantly, don’t get cakey. (I shudder to remember the mid-2000s dry, matte foundation looks I grew up on. And not a single decent moisturizer in sight.) It’s always a plus when a formulation has beneficial ingredients like niacinamide or squalane — and many of the below clean formulations do.

Why wear nontoxic foundations with natural or organic ingredients?

Cosmetic products don’t need FDA approval to go on the market, and cosmetic companies aren’t required to share their safety information with the FDA. So while most cosmetic ingredients are perfectly safe, others have been linked to health issues. Certain preservatives contain formaldehyde, which can be carcinogenic, and phthalates are potential endocrine disruptors.

The following brands create makeup that puts your skin first, the way it should have always been. They emphasize ingredients you’ll find in your favorite skincare products for skin that looks better when you take off your makeup, not worse. Natural and organic ingredients, along with safe synthetics, reduce the risk of irritation and make these foundations ideal for anyone with sensitive skin or whose skin is prone to inflammation-based conditions like acne, rosacea, or eczema. And every brand prioritizes sustainability, with measures like minimal packaging, recycled plastic, and ethical sourcing.

What should you look for in a nontoxic foundation?

When shopping for a nontoxic foundation, the goal is to find a product that’s both safe for your skin and effective in performance. Start your search by looking for foundations with clean, transparent ingredient lists — bonus points if they’re certified by reputable third-party organizations. Certifications like EWG Verified, Made Safe, USDA Organic, or Ecocert can help you identify products that meet strict health and safety standards. These labels aren’t just marketing fluff — they indicate that a product has gone through extra scrutiny for ingredient safety and sourcing.

It’s also a good idea to check resources like INCIDecoder, which lets you upload a photo or paste in an ingredient list to break down what each component does and how safe it is. Another favorite is CosDNA, which analyzes product formulas to show their potential for clogging pores, causing irritation, or raising any safety concerns. If you’re looking for an official source, CosIng is a database from the European Commission that helps clarify which ingredients are commonly used in cosmetics and which are flagged as potentially harmful substances. And for those who love learning through conversation, The Beauty Brains podcast is a super informative (and entertaining) resource where cosmetic scientists dive into trending topics, myths, and ingredient deep-dives to help make sense of the beauty world.

At the end of the day, a truly nontoxic foundation balances safety, performance, and transparency. And remember — foundation is not one size fits all. Depending on your skin type, sensitivity, and product ingredient list, different foundations will suit different skin types. I’ve tried plenty of options below to help you figure out which natural foundation will likely work best for your skin needs!

Our methodology & criteria:

The Good Trade was sent these 10 foundations for review, and I personally tested them all. To test each foundation, I applied one pump (when applicable) all over with my fingers, then blended it in with a damp makeup sponge. I wore each foundation for two full days to see how it looked in different lighting and how it wore throughout the day. For reference, my skin is combo and acne-prone, with a slightly oily T-zone and dryness everywhere else. After personally testing, combing through customer reviews, and doing research including corresponding with brands, these are our top picks for the cleanest foundations. We regularly update this list when emerging products meet the following criteria.

NONTOXIC | Each brand below demonstrates a level of commitment to sourcing clean ingredients only. Many also use plastic-free packaging and/or have third-party sustainability certifications.
SHADE MATCHING | I used each website’s photos to determine my shade — you’ll see that some were easier to figure out than others! Also, the lighter the coverage, the easier the shade matching (because you have more wiggle room).
AFFORDABLE | You’ll find foundations at various price points on this list, so there’s something for every budget.

Read on for my honest thoughts and tips on the following clean foundations. And if you’re looking for more clean makeup reviews, check out our guides on lipsticks and mascaras.

Table of Contents

• Best For Dewy, Hydrated Skin: ILIA ($54)
• Most Lightweight Coverage Foundation: Juice Beauty ($45)
• Best Skincare-First Foundation: Saie ($40)
• Best High-Coverage Foundation: RMS Beauty ($45+)
• Most Convenient For On-the-Go Touch-Ups: MERIT ($38)
• Best For Oily Skin & Sustainable Packaging: ATTITUDE ($35)
• Best For Sheer, Buildable Coverage: Jones Road ($46)
• Best Powder Foundation: Well People ($27)
• Best Medium Coverage Foundation: Kosas ($42)
• Most Travel-Friendly Packaging: 100% Pure ($48)

1. ILIA

1% for the planet

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gluten free

Plant trees

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Dewy, hydrated skin
Natural Ingredients | Aloe juice, niacinamide, squalane
Coverage Level | Light
Shades Available | 30
My Shade | Salina SF5
Price Range | $54

Ilia’s True Skin Serum Foundation is a step up from their Skin Tint in terms of coverage — it provides light coverage but can be built up to medium. The foundation blends in easily and leaves a dewy finish, so I might prefer it more in the winter when my skin is drier. Ilia’s added some skincare ingredients into the product, too — it has niacinamide, allantoin, and aloe, all at levels shown to benefit the skin. Ilia is committed to 1% for the Planet, and they back all of their makeup with skincare ingredients, creating clean products that prioritize the health of your skin and the planet.

2. Juice Beauty

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Gives back

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

USDA organic

Vegan

Vegetarian

Woman owned

Best For | Lightweight coverage foundation
Natural Ingredients | Champagne grape seed oil, coconut alkanes, rose powder pigments
Coverage Level | Light/medium
Shades Available | 13
My Shade | Naked Beige
Price Range | $45

Juice Beauty’s Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation has my ideal light/medium coverage and a skin-like, not too dewy finish — this one might be my personal favorite. It’s full of skincare ingredients like antioxidant-rich grape seed oil and aloe juice, and it has a liquidy texture that substitutes silicones with coconut alkanes for a smooth finish. Plus, it looked exactly the same at the end of the day as it did at the beginning. Naked Beige was a perfect match for my summer tan, but I’d need something lighter in the winter — note that the shade matching was pretty difficult online, and the shade range isn’t phenomenal. Juice Beauty’s products are clean without sacrificing function, combining organic ingredients with clinically proven formulas for a foundation that works.

3. Saie

1% for the planet

Climate neutral

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Gives back

Subscriptions available

Woman owned

Best For | Skincare-first foundation
Natural Ingredients | Squalane, hyaluronic acid, marshmallow root extract, rice bran peptides
Coverage Level | Light/medium
Shades Available | 36
My Shade | 6
Price Range | $40

Saie is a buzzy, new-ish brand known for its skincare-first formulations. I’ve called them Glossier for adults in the past, reviewing some of their other products. Their Glowy Super Skin Tint Foundation fits their you-but-better model, giving you what is, in my opinion, a perfect amount of coverage — something between light and medium. It has a dewy but skin-like finish that also fits my preference, looking natural but still blurring imperfections really well. The brand calls the product 85% skincare and 15% weightless pigment, packing it with skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, which draw in moisture, and rice bran peptides, which reduce the appearance of fine lines and hyperpigmentation. Maybe I’ll see an improvement in skin texture if I start wearing it every day!

4. RMS Beauty

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gluten free

Natural materials

Subscriptions available

Woman owned

Best For | High-coverage foundation
Natural Ingredients | Squalane, glycerin, jojoba oil, aloe
Coverage Level | Medium/full
Shades Available | 16
My Shade | 11.5
Price Range | $55; $45 per refill

Providing the most coverage of all the options I tried, RMS’s ReEvolve Natural Finish Foundation gives medium to full coverage in a formula that’s still packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and squalane. The refillable packaging reduces plastic, and the formula instantly evens skin tone and gets rid of redness without getting cakey. While its finish is a little more matte than my preferred dewy looks, I have to admit this will probably be my new go-to for formal events — especially weddings when I’m getting sweaty on the dance floor. To me, you can kind of feel this foundation sitting on the face, so while it’s not an everyday option for me, the finish is pretty darn flawless for special occasions. And that’s pretty much what RMS Beauty excels at — clean formulations that feel elevated and perform super well.

Shop RMS Beauty’s foundation, $45+

5. MERIT

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Gives back

Recycled materials

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | On-the-go touch-ups
Natural Ingredients | Sea daffodil extract, mica, glycerin
Coverage Level | Light/medium
Shades Available | 20
My Shade | Bisque
Price Range | $38

MERIT’s Minimalist Perfecting Complexion Stick gives you as much or as little coverage as you want, anywhere you need it—and nowhere you don’t. It applies like a buttery concealer but blends out to a light/medium coverage foundation. I applied small strokes of Bisque where I most needed it — chin, forehead, nasolabial folds, and acne scars — and the lighter shade Ecru under my eyes, and buffed it all out with a makeup sponge (although the brand recs a makeup brush), leaving a surprisingly natural, glowy finish with just the right about of coverage. While the foundation was much easier to blend with a spritz of water or setting spray, it’s still such a convenient product for slipping in your bag for easy breezy coverage when you’re on the go. Merit prides itself on its minimalistic beauty products that eliminate any potentially harmful or irritating ingredients.

Shop Merit’s Foundation, $38

6. ATTITUDE

Cruelty free

Plant trees

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Best For | Oily skin & sustainable packaging
Natural Ingredients | Algae extract, sunflower seed oil, plankton extract
Coverage Level | Light/medium
Shades Available | 6
My Shade | Nude
Price Range | $35

ATTITUDE’s Light Coverage Foundation Stick has some great stuff going for it — it’s packaged completely in cardboard, it swipes directly onto the skin for easy application, and it’s only $35. While it glided smoothly over my skin on application, it had a drier finish than I was hoping for, taking a couple of extra spritzes of water on my sponge to fully blend out and emphasizing my flakiness a tiny bit. Once blended, it had a nice natural finish with a light to medium coverage, which I love, and it looked great an hour later. It’s just that I prefer something dewier. This one would be great for oily folks who don’t struggle with any dryness! I could also see the formula drying out over the course of a few months since it’s packaged in cardboard. Attitude does more than just makeup, making clean skincare, body care, and even home goods with some impressive sustainability practices like using minimal plastic.

7. Jones Road

Cruelty free

FSC

Gluten free

Woman owned

Best For | Sheer, buildable coverage
Natural Ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil, olive oil
Coverage Level | Light, can be built up to medium
Shades Available | 12
My Shade | Fair
Price Range | $46

I really liked this one — What the Foundation has light coverage reads more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation, but it’s easy to apply more layers and build up the coverage closer to medium. It comes in a beautiful glass pot that’s recyclable but not ideal for traveling, and it has a nice herbal scent from the ginger root oil. It has the consistency of a thick day cream, making it easy to pick up just the right amount, and left a dewy finish that I love but wouldn’t be ideal for oily skin types or hot summer days. I love how it evened out my tone, reducing redness, while still letting the skin’s natural texture show through — if I had cute freckles it wouldn’t cover them up. Founded by makeup artist Bobbi Brown, Jones Road specializes in clean formulations that are easy to use, and this product fits that description — it applied easily with my fingers, but blended out seamlessly with the sponge. One note: Some folks complain about separation, and of my two samples, one came emulsified and silky and the other was separated and needed a mix. It doesn’t seem to affect performance, though.

Shop Jones Road foundation, $46

8. Well People

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

FSC

Fair trade

Vegan

Best For | Powder foundation
Natural Ingredients | Corn starch, squalane, niacinamide
Coverage Level | Light
Shades Available | 12
My Shade | 4N
Price Range | $27

Well People’s Bio Powder Foundation might be my favorite powder I’ve ever tried. Instead of making my skin feel dry and cakey, it adds a luminous glow with the addition of light-reflecting mica and hydrating squalane, and it uses cornstarch instead of talc to absorb excess shine. It has light but buildable coverage, subtly blurring imperfections and making your skin a bit more radiant. Since I’m combo, I still prefer to use it only on my t-zone over a tinted moisturizer, but the powder is great for shine-reducing touch-ups on any skin type, dry to oily, and leaves skin with a lightweight, natural finish. Well People exclusively uses clean, ethically sourced ingredients for its dermatologist-developed formulas.

Shop Well People’s FOundation, $27

9. Kosas

Cruelty free

Gluten free

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Medium coverage foundation
Natural Ingredients | Caffeine, squalane, peptides, niacinamide, artemisia flower extract
Coverage Level | Medium
Shades Available | 36
My Shade | 190
Price Range | $42

While Kosas’ Revealer Skin-Improving Foundation had the most coverage of any foundation I tested, it still lets skin show through with a medium coverage. It’s packed with beneficial ingredients — niacinamide and caffeine for brightening, peptides and hyaluronic acid for plumping, and zinc oxide for SPF 25 sun protection. It had a nice skin-like finish that did dry down and become slightly cakey by the end of the day, so I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who’s super dry. I’d also recommend a setting spray, as it definitely isn’t transfer-proof! Kosas specializes in skin-first makeup, making products clinically proven to improve your complexion — so their foundation is a great open for someone who’s conscious about the health of their skin and the planet, but wants a boost in coverage.

10. 100% Pure

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

Recycled materials

Vegan

Best For | Travel-friendly packaging
Natural Ingredients | Avocado oil, aloe, rice powder, pomegranate seed oil
Coverage Level | Medium
Shades Available | 7
My Shade | White Peach
Price Range | $48

100% Pure’s Fruit Pigmented Cream Foundation is the first foundation I’ve ever used that comes in a tin, meaning it’s super lightweight and easy to travel with — plus it’s easily recyclable, too. Pigmented naturally with fruit and cocoa beans, the solid-form foundation still has lots of slip — its number one ingredient is avocado oil. In fact, take a look at its ingredient list and you’ll see it’s made of nothing but different plant extracts, like pretty much everything else at the small company. It blended out easier that I thought it would with the damp sponge, giving a pretty medium coverage. Its finish is more satin than dewy and by the end of the day it was settling into my smile lines a tiny bit — so it’s probably unforgiving on super dry skin types. My shade, “white peach,” seemed a little orange at first (“creme” might have been a better shade match) but blended in well — note that the brand only has seven shades, so not a great shade range.

What are the most common ingredients to avoid in foundation?

When it comes to picking the right foundation, it’s not just about finding your perfect shade or finish — it’s also about knowing what’s actually in the product. Foundation sits on your skin all day, so the ingredients matter, especially if you’re dealing with sensitive skin, acne, or conditions like rosacea or eczema. Some ingredients can be irritating, pore-clogging, or just unnecessary. Let’s break down the most common ones to watch out for, why they might be problematic, and how to navigate the sometimes murky world of product labels — especially when it comes to fragrance.

Fragrance

Let’s start with fragrance, since it’s one of the most talked-about (and confusing) ingredients in skincare and makeup. “Fragrance” or “parfum” often shows up in foundation ingredient lists, but here’s the issue: Brands aren’t required to disclose what goes into that single word. A product might list “fragrance,” but that could mean a mix of dozens of chemical compounds — and the specific blend is often considered a “trade secret.” That’s where the lack of transparency comes in.

Now, not all fragrances are inherently bad. Some are derived from natural sources and are perfectly safe for most people. Others are synthetic but created to be non-irritating. The problem is, unless a brand clearly discloses what’s used, it’s hard to know what you’re putting on your face. If you have sensitive skin, allergies, or react to certain scents, you might experience redness, breakouts, itching, or even dermatitis from fragranced products — without being able to pinpoint the cause.

So, should you avoid all fragrance in foundation? Not necessarily. If you don’t have sensitivities and enjoy the sensory experience of scented products, you’re probably fine. But if your skin is reactive or you’re trying to simplify your routine, it’s worth looking for fragrance-free formulas (ideally labeled “no added fragrance” or “unscented” — though even those terms can be misleading). Some brands will be fully transparent and list essential oils or botanical extracts used as fragrance alternatives, which is a good sign they’re being upfront.

Alcohol Denat (Denatured Alcohol)

This is a common one in foundations, especially long-wear or matte formulas. Alcohol denat is used to help the product dry quickly and feel lightweight, but it can be super drying and irritating, especially for sensitive or dry skin types. Over time, high concentrations can strip the skin’s natural barrier, leading to more oil production (ironic, right?), inflammation, and even breakouts. If alcohol denat is one of the first ingredients listed, and you’re struggling with dryness or sensitivity, you may want to skip that formula.

Parabens

Parabens are preservatives used to extend the shelf life of cosmetics by preventing the growth of bacteria and mold. You’ll often see them listed as methylparaben, butylparaben, propylparaben, or ethylparaben. They’ve been controversial due to concerns about their potential to mimic estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system. While the scientific consensus is still evolving, many people prefer to err on the side of caution and go for paraben-free formulas. Luckily, more and more brands are phasing out parabens, so they’re easier to avoid now than ever before.

Silicones (like Dimethicone)

Silicones are used in foundation to give that silky, smooth glide and to help blur imperfections. Dimethicone is the most common one. For many people, silicones are totally fine and can even help lock in moisture and give a flawless finish. But some folks — especially those with acne-prone or congested skin — find that silicones can trap oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells, potentially worsening breakouts. If you’ve noticed more clogged pores or breakouts after switching to a certain foundation, and it contains dimethicone, that could be the culprit.

That said, not all silicones are bad, and they don’t “suffocate” your skin the way myths often suggest. It really depends on your skin type and how diligent you are with cleansing at the end of the day. If you like the texture silicones provide but want a lighter option, look for water-based or silicone-free foundations that still deliver a smooth finish.

Mineral Oil and Petroleum Derivatives

Mineral oil and other petroleum-based ingredients are often used in foundations to create a smooth, moisturizing feel. But they can also be comedogenic, especially for those with oily or acne-prone skin. These ingredients form a film on the skin, which can trap dirt and bacteria if your pores are already clogged. Petroleum-based ingredients also derived from fossil fuels which wreak havoc on our environment, making it ideal to avoid in your cosmetics.

What makes a foundation the right match for someone’s skin and lifestyle?

Some foundations just hit differently depending on your skin type, preferences, and lifestyle — and there’s a good reason for that. The truth is, no one-size-fits-all formula exists when it comes to makeup, especially with foundation. What works beautifully on one person might be a total disaster for someone else, and that usually comes down to a mix of skin chemistry, ingredients, application technique, and even what you’re doing that day. (Think: Lounging at home vs. dancing at a wedding.)

First, let’s talk about ingredients. Foundations made with more natural or plant-based ingredients tend to appeal to people with sensitive or reactive skin because they’re often gentler and free from common irritants. Ingredients like aloe vera, jojoba oil, green tea extract, or chamomile can actually soothe the skin while you wear them. But the tradeoff is that these formulas often don’t have the same shelf life as synthetic ones. Without strong preservatives, natural foundations can spoil faster or separate if not stored properly — especially if they’re clean, vegan, or “green beauty” focused. They might also wear off more quickly throughout the day, which can be frustrating if you’re looking for all-day coverage. However, for someone whose skin gets itchy or breaks out easily, this kind of formula might be totally worth the extra TLC it requires.

On the flip side, foundations with more lab-created, non-toxic synthetic ingredients often bring better performance to the table. These formulas tend to last longer on the skin, resist sweat and oil, and hold up better under heat or humidity. That’s why a lot of full-coverage, long-wear, or matte foundations lean into science-backed ingredients that help them stay put. Plus, these products often have a more consistent texture and longer shelf life. Just because something is “synthetic” doesn’t mean it’s bad — in fact, many synthetic ingredients have been developed specifically to be safer and more stable than some of their natural counterparts.

At the end of the day, a foundation that works “better” for someone comes down to a combo of what their skin needs and what kind of experience they want from the product. Some people prioritize clean ingredients and skin benefits, while others just want coverage that doesn’t budge. And there are plenty of formulas out there trying to meet both those goals — which is great news, but also why it can take a little trial and error to find your perfect match. Whether you’re chasing longevity, glow, comfort, or clean ingredients, the best foundation is the one that ultimately, makes you feel confident in your skin.

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!

Psst! Google launched a new feature that lets you choose “Preferred Sources” — so your searches highlight trusted, values-driven outlets instead of clickbait. To add The Good Trade, tick the box beside our name. That’s it — our stories will be waiting whenever you search. Read more about it here.

The post 10 Best Natural Foundations With Non Toxic Ingredients appeared first on The Good Trade.

We’ve personally used and researched clean skincare brands for years — these are our top picks with natural, organic, and nontoxic ingredients at a range of price points.

A daily skincare regimen is one of the easiest ways to ensure both long-term skin health and a glowing complexion. Natural and organic skincare products, in particular, combine essential vitamins, botanicals, and minerals that heal and restore our skin — without harming our bodies or the earth. They are our favorite accessible types of products we turn to when we’re looking to improve and care for our skin.

Why choose clean skincare products?

Natural skincare products are great if you’re looking to boost your skin’s health with fewer artificial ingredients, chemicals, and fragrances. Unfortunately many skincare products include harmful chemicals which can compromise our skin and our health (like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances, which can mess with your skin’s natural balance or cause irritation). Rather, natural skincare harnesses the power of ingredients like plant extracts and oils that are typically gentler on the skin, with fewer chances of adverse effects. These ingredients also tend to be richer in absorbable vitamins and nutrients that help support your skin barrier. 

Natural skincare brands also lean towards sourcing their ingredients sustainability, and minimizing their impact on the environment through organic farming and eco-friendly packaging. If you’re looking to lessen your exposure to synthetics, opting for clean skincare can expose you to less potential harmful ingredients, while helping better our planet!

What ingredients should you look out for?

When choosing skincare, it’s just as important to know what to avoid as it is to know what to look for. Steer clear of harsh ingredients like parabens, which are preservatives that can disrupt hormones, and phthalates, often used in fragrances, as they may harm your health. Synthetic fragrances and artificial dyes can irritate sensitive skin and trigger allergies, so opt for products with natural scents or no added fragrance. Avoid sulfates (like SLS and SLES), which are harsh cleansing agents that can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Ingredients like formaldehyde and its releasers (such as DMDM hydantoin) are a no-go, as they are potential carcinogens. Lastly, avoid triclosan, an antibacterial agent linked to hormone disruption and environmental harm. By skipping these ingredients, your skin and health will thank you in the long run!

It’s important to look for ingredients that are gentle, effective, and naturally derived. Below we’ve listed a couple of ingredients that we love seeing in our clean skincare products!

• Hyaluronic acid: A must-have for hydration, as it helps your skin retain moisture and keeps it looking plump and healthy.
• Vitamin C: A beneficial ingredient, known for brightening the skin, reducing dark spots, and protecting against environmental damage caused by free radicals.
• Collagen & vegan collagen: For a boost in skin elasticity, look for collagen, which helps maintain a firm complexion. Vegan collagen is also a great way to boost your skins own natural collagen without relying on animal-derived sources.
• Plant-based oils: Jojoba, argan, and, rosehip oils are fantastic for deeply moisturizing the skin without clogging pores or causing breakouts.
• Gentle exfoliants: Natural options like fruit enzymes from papaya or pineapple can smooth your skin while being kinder than harsh scrubs.
• Soothing ingredients: To calm irritation or redness, ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, and green tea extract work wonders.
• Niacinamide (vitamin B3): A powerhouse ingredient for balancing oil production, reducing the appearance of pores, and improving overall skin texture.
• Squalane: A lightweight yet highly effective hydrater that mimics your skin’s natural oils. Plant-based squalane is a great cruelty-free alternative, too!

One of our favorite one-stop shops that offers all things natural skincare is our go-to clean beauty marketplace Credo. All skincare products on the website must meet the ‘The Credo Clean Standard’ which ensures only the safest and most sustainable products that support our communities and the planet can be sold. (Meaning your dollar supports only the best of the best).

Unsure if an ingredient in a skincare brand is clean? Use EWG’s Skin Deep search engine to find out if an ingredient, brand, or product is safe for you.

Our criteria:

Our editors have tested, researched, and read through thousands of customer reviews to determine the very best clean skincare brands that are safe, use thoughtful ingredients, and are accessible for different types of skin and budgets. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet the below criteria.

• ORGANIC & NONTOXIC | Each of these skincare products is made with natural, organic, and nontoxic ingredients that are safe and nourishing for your skin.
• EFFICACY | We’ve tested and researched these skincare brands to ensure their formulas are effective and will support your skin’s needs with consistent use.
• AFFORDABILITY | Natural beauty can be expensive! We’ve included brands that are easy on the wallet so we can all benefit from incorporating a little more clean skincare into our routines.

If you love natural skincare products, check out our favorite natural and organic makeup brands and our guide to all-natural moisturizers. And, if you’re looking for clean and organic cleansers that’ll purify your hair and skin without the added toxins, our toxin-free hair products guide and natural face wash guide cover all the bases.

Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best Luxury | Most Hydrating

1. cocokind

BIPOC Owned

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Budget-friendly skincare
Natural & Organic | Certified organic & natural ingredients, cruelty-free, gluten-free
Price Range | Cleanser ($15), Moisturizer ($23)

When you want your skin to feel catered to, check out the ultra-affordable cocokind. Whether you’re looking for cleansers and creams or exfoliators and essences, you can shop the brand’s offerings based on your skin type. All of cocokind’s products are cruelty-free, sustainably made, and thoughtfully packaged in recyclable materials. (And most of its formulas feature certified organic ingredients!) Look at the label on each product to learn more about its sustainability and ethics. This is our go-to option for affordable organic SPF that you can snag while at Target!

Our Editor’s Review | “Since beginning to use cocokind’s serums, I feel younger. My skin feels well-hydrated and happy, and so does my spirit. I don’t know how much better my skin might look if I had been using serum (I choose not to dwell on the past), but I can say the first night I used cocokind, my skin honestly tightened and plumped and I woke up the next morning looking TAUT…which is different than HOT…but still awesome.” – Trinity Wilbourn, Contributing Editor [Read the full review.]

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
TARGET
THRIVE MARKET

2. Ursa Major

B corp

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Family owned

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Gender & skin inclusive skincare
Natural & Organic | Natural, plant-based ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free
Price Range | Cleanser ($32), Moisturizer ($54)

The team behind Ursa Major understands the power of nature, which is why these products are plant-powered and formulated only with clean ingredients — you won’t find petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances in this collection. Instead, enjoy products made with sea fennel, shea butter, and sustainably certified palm oil, just to name a few. The brand is also certified plastic-negative, has a carbon-neutral office, and uses recyclable packaging. If you were once a fan of the Clean & Clear Morning Burst cleanser (ahhh, we were!), Ursa Major’s face wash gives us all the energizing fragrance and exfoliation we love, without the microbeads or sulfates. (It’s a mood booster every morning!) Whether you’re after serums, tonics, balms, or washes, this certified B Corp has your skin covered. 

Customer Review | “I love Golden Hour Recovery Cream! After 1 day of using it I noticed improvements in the way my skin feels. After a few days, I noticed my irritated skin was calmed. I am now on my second jar of Golden Hour, and I am sticking with it!! It feels light and fresh but is so nourishing.” – Devon S. (Read more reviews.)

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
CREDO
THRIVE MARKET
THE DETOX MARKET

3. Annmarie Skin Care

American made

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Family owned

Gluten free

Made safe

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Best For | Activated skincare with wildcrafted ingredients
Natural & Organic | MADE SAFE certified ingredients, cruelty-free, non-GMO, gluten-free & vegan options
Price Range | Cleanser ($62), Moisturizer ($148)

Annmarie Skin Care goes above and beyond in crafting its specialized botanical-infused skincare. Founded by Annmarie and Kevin Gianni, the brand’s been all about conscious and nontoxic formulas that truly work, since day one. Each product undergoes a three-step proprietary process: Organic and wildcrafted herbs and plant extracts are hand-selected for their quality and efficacy, infused into aloe vera and oils at low heat, and combined with skin-enriching oils and plant stem cells to deliver nourishing ingredients directly to your skin. Instead of using water as a base like many other skin care formulations, their formulas begin with this herb-infused blend of aloe vera and oils — so every drop is packed with purpose for results you can feel. What’s most impressive is that their products are MADE SAFE certified, meaning your skincare is completely free from 5,000+ toxic chemicals (including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, heavy metals, and more) that can harm your health. A game changer!

Customer Review | “I love this cream! It gives my skin a nice glow and makes lines less noticeable. It also seems to be slowly working on small bumps that I think are milia. They are getting smaller, and I haven’t done anything else different!” – Kay R. (Read more reviews.)

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The Good Trade Partner

4. True Botanicals

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Made safe

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Anti-aging oils & serums
Natural & Organic | Organic & wildcrafted ingredients, MADE SAFE certified, sustainably sourced, Leaping Bunny certified, vegan
Price Range | Cleanser ($48), Moisturizer ($110)

Using nature’s most restorative and nourishing ingredients (like chebula, an ayurvedic fruit, and algae extract), this award-winning skincare brand has something for everyone. From the acne-prone skincare sets to the pregnancy-safe products, True Botanicals uses only organic and wildcrafted ingredients. Everything we’ve tried, we love, but the Pure Radiance Oil is a favorite with our team and the beauty community for a reason — it’s divine and shows real results in skin texture and radiance. We also love that this company offers a skincare quiz so that you can find the best products for you, and that you can subscribe for discounts.

Our Editor’s Review | “…I’m impressed with the quality of True Botanicals and their formulas. Everything is so highly concentrated and effective that it’s hard to be mad about the price point — these are definitely worth the investment if you can swing ‘em.” – Henah Velez, Contributing Editor (Read the full review.)

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
CREDO
THE DETOX MARKET

5. OSEA

Climate neutral

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Family owned

Gives back

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Seaweed-infused skincare
Natural & Organic | PEG & gluten-free, hand-harvested natural ingredients, Leaping Bunny certified, vegan
Price Range | Cleanser ($48), Moisturizer ($54)

Founded 29 years ago, OSEA boasts a safe skincare collection that is healthy for our bodies and the earth. The brand’s products contain natural, plant-derived ingredients (hello, vegan-friendly), with one of the most notable inclusions being the sustainably harvested seaweed. This powerful ingredient, combined with pure, cold-pressed essential oils, makes OSEA products nourishing and one-of-a-kind. The brand is also Climate Neutral Certified, powered by renewable energy, and uses glass & recyclable packaging.

Our Editor’s Review | “This is my go-to gel cleanser every morning! The light citrus notes help wake me up and offer a boost of energy. Two to three small pumps are plenty to cover my neck and face and gently exfoliate my skin. My face always feels refreshed and soft after just a few minutes of this.” – Kayti Christian, Senior Content Strategist (Read the full review.)

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
CREDO
THE DETOX MARKET

6. Herbivore Botanicals

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Skincare with raw, natural ingredients
Natural & Organic | Certified organic & natural ingredients, Leaping Bunny certified, vegan
Price Range | Cleanser ($42), Moisturizer ($46)

Herbivore Botanicals is all about “skinimalism.” The team believes skincare should be an easy and enjoyable part of our daily routines, and so it crafts natural and certified organic formulas that we love to stock on our bathroom shelves. (And not only do they look good, but they smell amazing, too!) Every ingredient is cruelty-free, vegan, and responsibly sourced — like olive-derived squalane, aromatic jasmine oil, and blue tansy in its best-selling Lapis Face Oil. Our team loves the foaming cleansing bar soap: It lathers well, travels well, and comes in at a reasonable price. Bonus — the packaging is recyclable and is formulated to work well for sensitive skin.

Customer Review | “This stuff is liquid gold. In the past 10 years since I first tried it, I’ve never found any other product that does as much for my skin as this oil does. This oil obliterates my acne almost overnight — I also have extremely sensitive skin that overproduces oil/sebum to the point that it results in face dandruff (that to the untrained eye looks like flaky dry skin), but this balances it out making my skin look so dewy and healthy when NOTHING else works, not even prescription medicine. I hope to use this stuff until I die.” – Abigail (Read more reviews.)

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
CREDO
THE DETOX MARKET

7. Attitude

Biodegradable

Budget friendly

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Made in Canada

Plant trees

Plastic/Pfas free

Vegan

Best For | Solid & plastic-free skincare
Natural & Organic | EWG-verified, plastic-free packaging, vegan, cruelty-free, 92.9% natural origin ingredients
Price Range | Cleanser ($20), Moisturizer ($20)

Attitude’s Oceanly skincare line is worth all the rage — and here’s why: It’s made from 92.9% natural ingredients, is EWG-verified (meaning it is free of any concerning ingredients) and best of all, the whole line comes in plastic-free packaging and solid formulas that are super sustainable and easy to travel with. Both their bestselling anti-aging and mattifying solid skin creams last 204 uses (that’s six months!) and are made with phytoglycogen, which is known for reducing age spots and wrinkles. The brand also prioritizes its environmental initiatives by planting one tree for each purchase of its skincare line. Did we mention the line is also vegan and cruelty-free? We’ll take one of everything!

Customer Review | “Love the application method, no more messy creams to slather on my face. My sensitive, acne-prone skin glows with this product. Little to no breakouts since using this and my face doesn’t get oily anymore. I used the quiz to find recommendations and I’m very glad I went with the suggestion.” – Auna B. (Read more reviews.)

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ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
THRIVE MARKET

8. One Love Organics 

American made

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

FSC

Recycled materials

Woman owned

Best For | Re-balancing skin
Natural & Organic | Certified organic & natural ingredients, cruelty-free, ECOCERT certified, dermatologist tested formulas
Price Range | Cleanser ($45), Moisturizer ($59)

Founder Suzanne LeRoux started One Love Organics to put her passion for holistic, natural health, and beauty to action through her collection of innovative, plant-forward skincare. Small-batch crafted and free from fillers and shortcuts, One Love Beauty’s skincare line is simplistic, refreshing, and yields impressive results! One of the brand’s bestsellers, the Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream is a lightweight yet moisture-packed cream that includes pro-ceramide conditioners, fatty-acid-rich sea botanicals, and is of 99% natural origins! Bundle it with their Enzyme Cleansing Oil and Facial Serum for silky and nourished skin all day long. 

Customer Review | “One of my top favorite cleansers that I will continue to buy every time it empties. Gentle and hydrating but also takes off all my makeup. I love the scent and feel of my skin after washing.” – Ashley G. (Read more reviews.)

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
CREDO
THE DETOX MARKET

9. Junk Theory

1% for the planet

American made

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Plastic/Pfas free

Recycled materials

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Recyclable skincare
Natural & Organic | Nearly zero plastic bottles, certified natural & organic ingredients, non-GMO
Price Range | Cleanser ($28), Moisturizer ($58)

Junk Theory is all about taking care of our earth by creating a junk-free world. This includes skincare products that contain ‘no junk ingredients and no junk packaging’. With more plastic packaging created yearly than there are stars in the Milky Way galaxy (we’re just as shocked too), zero-waste alternatives are needed now more than ever. Junk Theory is working hard to combat this with clean skincare offered in recyclable aluminum containers that don’t break like glass and are easy to reuse and recycle. These minimalistic bottles and jars are filled to the brim with premium cleansing, moisturizing, and treatment formulas that are made with organic ingredients and are inspired by nature. Get your glow on while treating our earth kinder. 

Customer Review | “Brilliant product with smooth application and all day lasting hydration. The only cream I have used which has cleared up dry patches on my skin and smoothed out my complexion. I have tried many creams over many years without the success of Camo. A mighty miracle in a tin!” – Alison (Read more reviews.)

10. Matrescence

BIPOC Owned

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Subscriptions available

USDA organic

Vegan

Woman owned

Best For | Pregnancy-safe skincare
Natural & Organic | Certified organic & plant-based ingredients, nontoxic, vegan, cruelty-free
Price Range | Cleanser ($62), Moisturizer ($68)

Matrescence skincare is targeted towards typical maternity- and pregnancy-related issues such as hormonal acne, melasma, and stretch marks. Using only certified organic and sustainably sourced, plant-based ingredients, the brand creates powerful botanical formulas that are both pregnancy-safe and gentle on your skin, Matrescence also offers body butters, oils, and scrubs so you can take care of yourself head-to-toe! We also love that they use ethical sourcing with EWG-verified options, and recyclable & eco-friendly packaging.

Customer Review | “A little of this product goes a long way! I’m usually challenged with finding the right moisturizer for my face – some are too greasy, some don’t have a lasting hydration. But this luxurious soufflé is awesome. It leaves my skin feeling super hydrated without any greasy residue feeling afterward. It’s my last step in the Rose Glow Trio skincare routine!” -Sarah B. (Read more reviews.)

11. 100% PURE 

American made

Cruelty free

Eco friendly packaging

Gives back

Gluten free

Plant trees

Subscriptions available

Vegan

Best For | Fruit-infused skincare
Natural & Organic | Certified organic & natural ingredients, vegan, cruelty-free
Price Range | Cleanser ($30), Moisturizer ($24)

100% PURE‘s certified organic products contain the very best ingredients and nutrients. The brand’s natural cleansers and masks detox and refresh skin, and the natural facial scrubs exfoliate and buff away bumps, flakes, and dullness. Plus, 100% PURE offers a full line of cosmetics and personal care products, and comes in recyclable packaging. We love their calendula cleansing milk and waterless cleansers (the lavender oat milk one smells good enough to drink). But for something truly luxurious, we recommend any of their sea culture products — SO good. Don’t be surprised when this company becomes your one-stop shop for all-natural products.

Customer Review | “Really like this moisturizer! I am very picky with the products I use and choose with my 49 y/o skin. This is a slightly thick, not greasy and not too heavy but deep moisturizer! And it’s a great price! A keeper in my books!” – Tina M. (Read more reviews.)

ALSO AVAILABLE AT:
THRIVE MARKET
THE DETOX MARKET

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