Editors’ Picks: February’s 10 Best Natural Beauty Launches
With a host of superstar ingredients (from nut butters to orchid extract), consider these 2-in-1 (or, in some cases, 4-in-1) products your late-winter beauty workhorses. They will get the job done... and then some.
Also, we road-tested some serums and oils that will have your skin dewier and brighter than ever before. Scroll through to see stuff we're slathering on right now. —The Editors
Nucifera The Balm, $37
This is the perfect all-in-one product for those who have recently Marie Kondo-ed their medicine cabinets—it acts as a makeup remover, facial cleanser, body moisturizer, and hair/scalp conditioner. Los Angeles-based raw food chef Meredith Baird conceived of The Balm in response to dry skin and eczema, but it’s good for everything from acne to aging, thanks to its combination of organic coconut oil, fruit and nut butters, and medicinal grade essential oils, among other super-clean ingredients. And it smells so good—think chic, tropical yoga retreat—it’ll have you decluttering your perfume collection, too.
W3LL PEOPLE Bio Correct Multi-Action Concealer, $22.50
Should you ever have dark circles, blotchy spots, or blemishes (who us?), this amazing natural concealer goes head-to-head, and eye-to-puffy eye, with any mainstream one we’ve tried, minus the toxic ingredients. Think HD-camera coverage (in four shades) that's quick-setting, matte, and yet breathable. It must be the aloe and organic algae. And skin-care ingredients like coffee extract and anti-aging peptides mean its lessening your chances of having puffiness or under-eye circles in the first place. Ta da!
Suntegrity Lip CPR, $28
This isn’t just a chic-looking natural lipstick. Founder Tricia Trimble, who made a name for her brand with a cult-fave natural sunscreen and an equality brilliant BB cream, swears it’s the only lipstick with protective SPF 30. It comes in eight shades, and each has ingredients like hydrating lipids that help repair dryness, and konjac root wrinkle-filling microspheres that reduce the look of lip lines. We predict this becomes a multitasking, lip-loving staple for makeup bags everywhere.
Aromatherapy Associates for SpaceNK Open Space Bath and Shower Oil, $73
Aromatherapy Associates for SpaceNK Open Space Bath and Shower OilShowers are the Miranda Hobbes of the self-care world: Unlike indulgent, relaxing baths (which, if we’re picking Sex and the City characters, are definitely Samantha), the shower is all about speed and utility. But why not turn your rushed morning routine into a lovely ritual? Apply a capful of this new refreshing-without-being-overwhelming essential oil blend (think basil, eucalyptus, and coriander) over your body before stepping into the shower, and then take a nice, deep inhale when the water hits your neck. You’ll start your day way more chilled out than stressed out.
True Nature Botanicals Seed Serum, $125
We’re a little obsessed with serums right now. You’ll understand why when you pat on this nourishing blend and wake up to noticeably more supple, glowy skin. That’s because it’s made with 10 different seed oils, among them chia, hemp, grapeseed, evening primrose, which are particularly rich in essential fatty acids (a.k.a. inflammation fighters for your skin). We're wondering if the papaya is boosting cell turnover given the quick results. And with therapeutic essential oils like rose, neroli, and frankincense on board, you might be tempted to dab it on your pulse points as a fragrance. (P.S.: Grab your bottle before winter’s over, because it has a limited release.)
Burt's Bees Lipstick, $9
You’re familiar with the sold-everywhere balms, so meet Burt’s first-ever lipsticks, which come in the 14 most-reached-for shades. The super moisturizing and (hello) affordable sticks are thoughtfully made with moringa oil (packed with essential fatty acids) and raspberry seed oils, down to the chic, light-weight packaging, which can be recycled. Note: most lipstick tubes are artificially weighted for a luxury vibe, and to get you to spend more. I guess now you don’t have to.
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel, $52
After a workout, when my face is beet red, I really don’t want to put anything too rich or lotion-y on it. It’s like Tiffany Masterson read my mind with her non-toxic launch, new in Sephora. The light-weight gel uses hyaluronic acid gel (it draws 1,000 times its weight in water) and B-Hydra (a blend of pro-vitamin B and pineapple ceramides). Plus the cool twist-open canister never, ever leaks in my gym bag.
Little Barn Apothecary Orchid + Black Currant Face Serum, $48
If face serums are the saviors of winter, then this serum—with the anti-aging, anti-inflammatory properties of black currant oil—is a superhero. (Nemesis? That cold-weather, dryness-inducing villain: the radiator.) From Little Barn Apothecary, a small-batch natural beauty line that launched last year in Atlanta, the serum also uses an orchid extract that the company says packs some serious antioxidant punch—and is definitely divine-smelling. The fruity, almost spicy scent is invigorating, and for tired skin that needs some serious TLC, smoothing on this serum provides instant soothing relief.
Soapwalla Luxurious Body Oil, $32
These newly formulated scents in Lavender Vanilla Mint and Citrus Almond are based on of the success of Soapwalla's best-selling Brooklyn-made Original Luxurious Body Oil. They're lightly fragranced (no post-sniff headaches, promise) but linger in their hydrating power no matter how long your day or how hard your sweat sesh. Chalk that up to jojoba, rice bran, sunflower, and grapeseed oils to lock in moisture, as well as Mowrah butter—derived from the fruit kernels of the Madhuca tree. Multitasking tips await, too: Simply mix with sugar for a gentle exfoliating scrub, or apply to the roots of damp hair for a healing deep conditioning that is like a wake-up call to dull hair.
Biossance The Nourisher Precious Rose Face Oil, $72
Rose junkies, take note. This is a sweet way to rehydrate your skin back back to its healthy state, before the way-harsh winter had its way with it. This facial oil is blended with an elixir of Damascus rose extract, known for relieving daily stressors and nervous tension. But then Biossance goes one better: It's the first to create a 100 percent plant-based squalane (an alternative to the shark liver-derived squalene used in most traditional beauty products, yuck). Our bodies stop making squalane after our first 20 years on the planet, so this version is good for the beauty of both.
Miss last month's beauty launches? No problem, we'll catch you up.
Loading More Posts...
