Are you dedicated to clean food but just scratching the surface of the personal care aisle? To help you find the crème de la
crème of natural beauty products, Delicious Living’s editors got to work (OK, there was some indulging, too), testing dozens of standbys and new products to find the top picks in 16 categories.
Antiaging
Emerita Fine Line Eye Serum
Antioxidant-rich botanicals like green and white tea, plus soothing aloe, restore skin-cell structure around laugh lines and corners of the eyes. “I’ve used this for years and think it’s awesome. Clean, no scent, emollient, nongreasy, moisturizing, soothing.”
Runner-up: Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Anti-Aging Serum
“It made the skin around my eyes and mouth feel silky smooth and well tended, without feeling greasy at all.”
Body moisturizer
Earth Science Multi-Therapy Hand, Body, & Massage Lotion
The three-in-one combo is versatile and functional. Want a little fragrance? Add your own essential oil. “This lotion is light, unscented, and moisturizing—ideal for daily use.”
Runner-up: Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion
“I normally choose unscented body lotions, but this scent is so subtle and lovely I can’t get enough. It rubs in instantly so I can reapply often.”
Body oil
Weleda PomegranateRegenerating Body Oil
“A major indulgence! I love the light pomegranate scent and how my body soaks up the oil at its driest moments.”
Runner-up: Aura Cacia Sweet Almond Natural Skin Care Oil
Once again, this oil proved simplicity is key. The certified organic product uses one ingredient, sweet almond oil. “It’s impressive to see a completely pure product that earns a 0 out of 10 on the Cosmetics Safety Database as a result.”
Chap stick
Mountain Ocean Lip Trip
“I have been using this chap stick for years and have yet to find one that can compete. Though the beeswax base is protective enough to fight elements like snow and saltwater, I can still wear it as an everyday moisturizer under lip gloss.”
Runner-up: Intelligent Nutrients Certified Organic Lip Delivery Nutrition
“Because of its pure ingredients, it feels healing and soothing,” says a tester. The USDA Organic formula combines organic beeswax with antioxidant-rich plant oils, including coconut, red grape, and sunflower seed.
Deodorant
Crystal Solos wipes
This year, the company reinvented itself with these superconvenient wipes, made with the same mineral formula as the originals, that fit in your purse or even back pocket. “They’re like handy wipes for your armpits. Great for travel or emergency.”
Runner-up: Lafes Crystal Deodorant Stick “I didn’t used to wear natural deodorant, but this one actually works. And I like that it smells like baby powder.”
Eye pencil
Mineral Fusion Azure Eye Pencil
Jojoba butter ensures even, nonirritating application. “I love that this eyeliner draws on smoothly and lasts throughout the day. No smudging and good for sensitive eyes.”
Runner-up: Pencil Me In Greystone Eye Accent Pencil
“I really like the shimmery silver color and the clean feel that doesn’t irritate my eyes,” says a tester. “But the sharpener on the pencil lid makes it messy.”
Exfoliant
Derma e Microdermabrasion Scrub
Exfoliating volcanic sand, antibacterial citrus, and antioxidant-rich plant oils help remove dead skin cells and dirt, while fighting signs of aging. “After one use, I could feel the difference in my skin. It felt like a spa treatment.”
Runner-up: Astara Daily Refining Scrub
“This scrub gently removes buildup, leaving skin feeling clean but not beat up,” says a tester.
Facial cleanser
MyChelle Fruit Enzyme cleanser
Because of its plant enzymes, this cleanser is gentle enough to use twice daily but strong enough to draw impurities from clogged pores and remove makeup. “It leaves skin feeling invigorated and truly clean but not dry.”
Runner-up: Derma e Hyaluronic Hydrating Cleanser
“This one is also invigorating and cleansing,” says a tester.
Facial moisturizer
MyChelle Supreme Polypeptide Cream
A cocktail of supernourishing antioxidants and peptides, this cream improves skin appearance by firming and moisturizing. “I could use this day and night. It’s a versatile all-in-one choice.”
Runner-up: Reviva Labs Essential Fatty Acid Cream
Ten EFA-rich oils—including flaxseed, borage, rosehip, and hemp—infuse this nourishing cream that protects and boosts cell-membrane health for smooth, supple skin. “It soaked right in and left skin soft, without any heavy buildup of oils,” says a tester.
Hair care
Desert Essence Coconut Shampoo and Conditioner
Coconut oil provides a deep-moisture treatment. “Both of these products smell good enough to eat, and they left my curly, flyaway hair feeling soft and unfrizzy. I usually don’t use conditioner because I think it weighs down my hair, but this one felt great.”
Runner-up: Surya Brasil Color Fixation Restorative Shampoo and Restorative Mask
“Great for color-treated hair but not a daily go-to for all hair types.”
Hand cream
ShiKai Borage Dry Skin Therapy
Dry skin instantly absorbs this unscented, lightweight lotion, with soothing borage oil. “Other moisturizers leave a white residue that takes minutes to rub in and can get on my computer or clothes. I can reapply this one frequently through the day."
Runner-up: Out of Africa Hand Cream with Organic Shea Butter
“I just need a small dollop of this cream, thanks to its organic shea butter, to soothe cracks and dry knuckles.” Plus, a portion of profits supports education and medical care for children in West Africa.
Nails
PeaceKeeper Cause-Metics Natural Nail Polish, Eco-Easy Nail Polish Remover
This remover uses natural fermented sugar, and the company puts all after-tax profits toward women’s health and human-rights causes. “I never thought natural nail polish remover existed—this works and smells like rosemary and spearmint. Nail colors are pretty and neutral, and the company does business the right way.”
Runner-up: No-Miss Nail Polish
Available in dozens of funky colors, these polishes also offer nails protection from UV rays.
Soap
Sonoma Soap Company Moisturizing Bar Soap
“This phthalate-free bar is a fresh, vibrant addition to every bathroom in the house.” Infused olive oil moisturizes, while raspberry seeds mildly exfoliate. For every bar sold, five recycled bars go to people in need.
Runner-up: Napa Soap Company Liquid Soap
“Who wouldn’t want to clean up with Syrah or chardonnay?” These fragrant Napa blends mix wine with nourishing plant extracts and oils.
Tinted moisturizer
Juice Beauty SPF 30 Mineral Light Moisturizer
Made from certified organic white grape and pomegranate juices, it provides light coverage, and full-spectrum sun protection."This refreshing moisturizer lends a subtle glow, and I love that it also wards off UV damage."
Runner-up: 100 % Pure Fruit Pigmented Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20
This tinted moisturizer is made from fruit and vegetable pigments, including peach, apricot, carrot, and pineapple. “Definitely a fan! It helps even my skin tone without being obvious—and it has SPF 20, which is amazing.” says a tester. “No scent and a wonderfully light texture. I’ll buy this.”
Toner
Lily Organics Organic Rose Facial Toner
Made with organic rosebud tincture, this toner is meant for all skin types. Ideal for daily skin maintenance, it also comes to the rescue for skin problems like acne. “This clean toner uses only four ingredients, smells great, and is refreshing, too.”
Runner-up: John Masters Organics Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist
“It smells wonderfully like rose, very pretty. It’s a nice ritual, and I love the classic, plain packaging. It feels soothing, refreshing; combines nicely with oil or cream applied afterwards.”
Toothpaste
Organique by Himalaya Neem and Pomegranate Toothpaste
This Ayurvedic paste relies on neem, referred to as nature’s toothbrush in its native India, to fight bacteria and keep breath fresh. “This one rocks. It tastes good and feels like a great cleansing toothpaste.”
Runner-up: Auromère Ayurvedic LicoriceToothpaste
“This toothpaste cleanses better than it tastes—but it has a better taste than many natural toothpastes.”