Three Natural, Organic Skincare Lines You’ve Never Heard Of

Despite my constant consumption of avocados, coconut oil, and water, I can’t make a dent in my skin’s dehydration. Living in the desert and spending most of my weekends outdoors certainly exacerbates the condition.

My face is often red from wind and sun, and my legs are regularly bruised from fighting my way up mountains and cliffs. I’m always on the hunt for soothing salves and moisturizing cleansers to help.

Here are three small companies I’ve just discovered that are perfect for folks with sensitive skin and care about what they put on their bodies. These lines make their products in the U.S. in small batches, with all-natural ingredients, free of petroleum, chemicals and all those yucky irritants. And, of course, none of them test on animals!

Nectar Heals

This is a two product line, hand made in Bishop, California and created out of necessity when the owner’s son began to react to all soaps, even so-called “natural” ones.

African Black Soap

This unusual, black soap is made in Africa from the ashes of plantains, shea bark, cocoa pods and palm leaves, mixed with palm oil, shea butter and lavender oil. Think Dr. Bronner’s in comparison, as it’s a smooth, thin liquid that works on face, body and hair.

Standout Features:

• Very sudsy
• A little goes a long way, so it will last you
• One soap does it all
• Organic
• Lavender scent is amazing

Room For Improvement:

• Black color is unusual and will take getting used to for some
• Limited information about the production and source in Africa

 

Homestead Soap & Spa

I found Homestead through Instagram and thought they’d be a perfect fit for sponsoring a foot-related yoga challenge (happening now over @paisleyanneyoga, if you’re keen to find out more). I was sent their foot cream but am curious to try more of their products, as they have a full line up of everything from laundry soap to baby balms.

Dancin Feet Foot Cream

The fact that this foot cream comes in a short, wide-mouth mason jar fits perfectly with the ranch-inspired theme of the company. (You’ve got to go check out their chicken coop and pet chickens on-line!) It’s sealed on the outside and under the lid, so you know if it’s been tampered with, but the rustic presentation lends to the handcrafted appeal.

Standout Features:

• Smooth, rich, creamy texture goes on cool
• Refreshing minty smell
• Very conditioning, emollient and long lasting
• Makes skin feel healthy and awake without being tingly
• The company works with the non-profit Clean The World

Room For Improvement:

• Can’t find a complete ingredients list
• Feels mildly greasy at first

Sierra Sage

Out of their “deep commitment to making conscious and pure products safe for you, your family, and the environment while making a positive footprint on the planet,” Sierra Sage was born. This is a family company of a biologist mother and two daughters, one an herbalist and the other with a masters in health psychology. They use wildcrafted herbs, organic oils and take lengthy steps for extraction to make their formulas—from chemical free suncare to natural lubricants—potent and effective.

Arnica Salve

This little tin of salve really packs a punch. The arnica flowers are infused into an organic olive oil base and mixed with menthol, peppermint, ginger and cinnamon to ease tired muscles and relieve bruises, aches and sore spots.

Standout Features:

• Immediately eases tenderness
• Diminishes (or even inhibits!) bruising
• Smells pleasant not medicinal
• The company contributes to at least five different non-profits
• All organic ingredients

Room For Improvement:

• Olive oil base can rub off before it absorbs into skin