How to Buy Natural Beauty Products

Our editors tested natural and organic products. They found several that they loved.

• Blood Orange & Vanilla Body Wash, John Masters Organics: “Gentle wash that smells natural.”
• Calming Chamomile Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, Renée Rouleau: “Great daily cleanser.”
• Sweet Orange & Vetiver Calming Blend Organic Bath Salts, Aromafloria: “First bath salts to bear the USDA organic seal.”
• Immune Boost Mustard Bath Soak, von Natur: “Perfect for soothing tired muscles.”
• All In One Invigorating Lemon Scrub, Kimberly Sayer: “Extremely gentle exfoliant.” French Green Clay & Green Tea Purifying Mask, John Masters Organics: “Apply weekly to see noticeably fewer blackheads.”
• White Tea Soothing Complex, Renée Rouleau: “Works wonders to heal aggravated skin.”
• Tangerine & Calendula Healing Light Night Cream, Kimberly Sayer: “Starts reducing dark spots and scars overnight.”

Healthy Benefits

• Use products with around 15 ingredients to cut back on chemicals and increase your chances of tolerating something new.
• Purchase cosmetics packaged in recyclable materials to reduce environmental waste even if you’re not ready to try natural and organic products. mineral makeup

Get Label Smart To Buy the Best

• Don’t assume that mineral makeup is great for everyone. Dry skin types should avoid the popular powder-based formulas that increase dryness and opt for creamier blends instead.
• Don’t trust packaging. The government doesn’t regulate what’s in mineral makeup beyond the inclusion of actual minerals, so cosmetic companies can still sneak in other stuff.
• Don’t assume that your mineral makeup is free of synthetics. Research what you’re buying to avoid fragrance and chemical fillers that bulk up the product.
• Don’t expect a clear line between natural and unnatural ingredients. Many popular lines use bismuth oxychloride, a mineral byproduct of lead and copper processing. Those who buy this makeup for its purity take issue because this ingredient doesn’t occur in nature.