8 Skincare Brands With Non-Toxic Ingredients We're Obsessing Over
Once every three to four months, I find myself having a massive breakout because I've given up my Burt's Bees Oil Cleanser to try something new. One of these days, I'm going to learn to take the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" approach to my skincare routine. Now, I can't say for sure that natural skincare is better because I'm no dermatologist, and I have even had adverse reactions to natural skincare products that were too strong or that my skin didn't like.
But, I knew I wanted to find highly-reviewed lines that work for a variety of skin types and concerns made with good, non-toxic ingredients. Since I know what works for me may not work for you, I shared the skincare brand and one of their best products.
Here are eight natural skincare brands to look into adding to your skincare routine:
Anita Grant
I found Anita Grant while I was looking for skincare products for sensitive skin, and realized the natural beauty line had hair products too. From body oils, cleansers, and gels, this line has it all. If you have sensitive skin like me, having pure aloe on deck is always a good idea, and, A.G.'s all-natural aloe is a fan favorite.
S.W. Basics of Brooklyn
Finding the right toner that cleanses and balances without stripping the skin can be a struggle. S.W. Basics make their products with five or less all-natural ingredients, and their toner is one of their highest-rated bestselling products. The brand also makes baby butter and diaper creams, making them a one-stop-shop for mom and baby skincare.
Youth To The People
You could get your entire skincare routine from this 100% vegan brand. With only ten products in their product line, you know they do their cleansers, toners, and masks well. I recommend starting with the Superfood cleanser as it comes highly-rated by reviews and beauty industry vets like Allure.
Anne's Apothecary
Whether you're looking for cleanser, oil, mask, or bath soak, Anne's has a small but mighty collection made with ingredients like honey, charcoal, and mud from the Dead Sea. Customers seem to love their Black Honey Facial Cleanser, which is packed with natural anti-acne and anti-aging ingredients.
Blade + Bloom
Handmade in small batches in Chicago, the 100% plant-based apothecary makes essential oil and butter-based scrubs, balms, soap, and oatmeal-based rice face polish.
PLANT Apothecary
Born out of Holly's (the brand's founder) need to find skincare products that didn't irritate her sensitive skin, PLANT Apothecary Organic Oil-Free Makeup Remover is my top pick for end of the day double-cleansing.
ACURE
I became familiar with ACURE shopping the aisles of Target looking for new hair products I didn't need (story of my life). After looking at reviews, I gave their soothing line a try because my skin always seems to be just one wash away from irritation.
Sorella Apothecary
Since this line combines science and nature, their formulas are one of my new favorites. When I was introduced to this brand, my skin was going through a purge I created using too many new products at the same time. I know that honey can help calm and add moisture to the skin, so I reached for their Peach and Honey Mask and followed up with their Daily Greens Moisturizer. The next morning, my skin felt less irritated, and the angry red bumps I was trying to do away with were smaller and less noticeable.
Want more stories like this? Sign up for our newsletter here and check out the related reads below:
This Is Why Your Skincare Routine Isn't Working
We Asked A Dermatologist All Your Burning Skincare Questions
The Best Body Products For Healing Sunburn & Sun Damage
- 11 clean skin-care brands that don't use questionable ingredients ... ›
- Organic All Natural Skin Care Brands - The Best Clean and Non ... ›
- How to Buy Non-Toxic Beauty and Personal Care Products ›
- Best Organic Skin Care Brands of 2019: The Ultimate List - Skin ... ›
- 15 Best Natural & Organic Skincare Brands For That Perfect Pure Glow ›
- The Most Affordable Clean and Nontoxic Skincare Brands - Ecocult ›
- I Switched to Nontoxic Makeup, and This Is What I Learned ›
- 13 Best Natural & Organic Skincare Products - Non-Toxic and ... ›
Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images