I’m not totally opposed to the chemical and the clinical when it comes to skin care, but there is definitely something to be said for products that rock an all-natural ingredient list.

Eco-freak

Since I am a bit of a hippie when it comes to my skin, here are two lines worth a try for all my fellow granola girls out there.

Sprout Skincare

With all the buzz around this Brooklyn-based line (Gwyneth Paltrow, Vogue, W Magazine, New York Magazine) that is now changing its name to S.W. Basics, I was thrilled when their products came across my desk. They take pride in their slogan “less isn’t more, less is everything.” That’s right: five ingredients or less in each product! The founder started making these products for her own sensitive skin, so her business comes packed with passion for what they do.

A few of my favorites:

Exfoliant

It’s made simply of organic oats, organic almonds and mineral rich sea salt. Seriously, that’s it. Though I will warn you, it smells like oatmeal. There’s no hiding that, but after you scrub it on your face, rinse and repeat two to three times per week, you won’t regret it. Fresh and fabulous are two words that come to mind. Buy it here.

Makeup remover

I’ll never forget what my grandmother said, “Catherine, be nice to your eyes.” Meaning, the skin around your eyes tends to be the most sensitive and it’s one of the areas where wrinkles crash the party first. Sprout’s simple recipe for removing leftover mascara will help you keep those skin patches moisturized and residue free. Thank goodness for simplicity! Buy it here.

Vegan lip balm

Sure, gloss is important. But I never leave the house without lip balm. It helps smooth the surface for your lip color of choice. If you’re open to letting vegan goodies into your life, opt for the peppermint or the citrus scents. The cocoa butter in these is organic and fair trade, along with a few other organic goodies. Buy it here.

The Seaweed Bath Co.

These guys have one main goal: to fight dry, flaky skin whether it’s on your legs or your scalp. They are a head-to-toe kind of company. The main ingredient for their line is, you guessed it, seaweed. They hand-harvest wild bladdewrack seaweed (sustainably) and combine it with a series of natural ingredients to formulate their products. The founder himself suffered from psoriasis and aims to make a cure for problem skin — one that doesn’t involve harsh chemicals and prescriptions.

A few of my favorites:

Argan hair care

My best friend and hair stylist recently accused me of a flaky scalp (Ew! I know, I know!), so The Seaweed Bath Co. and team couldn’t have come into my life at a better moment. Eucalyptus and peppermint were my scents of choice and the best part is that you’re also getting a little aromatherapy action. Since Eucalyptus is anti-stress, this shampoo and conditioner duo was great for those nighttime showers after post work-day workouts. Buy it here.

Powder bath

Baths tend to be controversial these days. Haven’t you heard someone say, “I don’t want to soak in my own dirt!” We all know that even those people secretly take baths every now and again. However, I kind of get their point. That’s why I do a quick shower and shampoo session, and then fill up the tub. Seaweed Bath Co.’s powder bath was a nice addition to that ritual. Though I tried the Eucalyptus, I’m a sucker for anything lavender. Buy it here.

Body wash

The citrus scent was like a cup of coffee in the morning — it perked up my senses and made me feel a little more alive in the early morning. Don’t get me wrong. I still needed my cup of coffee and I’m not suggesting you skip yours, but this was a nice way to get the motion going. All the while, you’re absorbing those good, natural ingredients to ward off dry skin. Buy it here.

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