A List of My Proven, Favorites-Natural Personal Care and Makeup Products

Making the switch to more natural personal care and makeup products can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming. It’s exciting because you know you’re moving to a healthier routine, but also a little overwhelming because… where do you even start?

If you’ve ever asked yourself why it’s worth switching to healthier products, you’re not alone. I wrote a blog post called How to Shop for Healthier Personal Care Products and Minimize Toxicity . In it, I break down how loosely regulated the cosmetic industry is and how that leads to questionable ingredients. I also walk through how to use the Skin Deep® database system to research ingredients and products.

When I realized the products I was using on my skin (and my baby’s) could actually be harmful (ie: absorbed into the blood stream and organs), I dove into finding natural alternatives for skincare and makeup.

If you’re like me and want to hit the ground running, this post is for you! It took me a few years to find clean replacements for everything, and I’ve pulled them all together here in one big list, organized by category.

*This blog post contains various health information. Nothing is intended to be, nor should it be construed as, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any supplement(s) and/or treatment(s) discussed and/or listed should be reviewed by your health professional before using. If you have a medical concern, please consult with an appropriately-licensed physician. If you think you have a medical emergency, contact your doctor immediately. Full medical disclosure here.

First Things First

I try really hard not to use anything I haven’t looked up on Skin Deep®. I aim for products with an overall score of 1-3. If the product I’m using isn’t listed, then I look up each ingredient individually, write down their scores, and average them to get my own score. It doesn’t take that long – I promise!

EWG VERIFIED™ products make it even simpler. These have already been checked and evaluated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and meet their standards.

Keep it simple! My entire family uses these natural personal care products. Taking a minimalist approach, we got rid of having a different set of soaps/lotions for everybody. I’ve also found the fewer products I use and the better quality they are, the less I need.

Lastly, don’t be discouraged by higher price points (i.e.: beauty counter pricing vs. retail store). Just as organic, minimally processed foods are more expensive, so are natural personal care and makeup products. Because these products affect our health, we don’t mind spending a little more and budget accordingly.

The Honest Company Hydrogel Cream – A great lightweight alternative to heavier creams that absorbs quickly into the skin! You can purchase the jar once and then use the refill pods afterwards, which helps save money.

Rowe Casa Organics Face Cream – This hydrating cream is similar to tallow balm, but lighter in texture. The frankincense scent is grounding and pleasant.

Tallow Balm – Our family favorite by far! Balms are thicker by nature; but they are super nourishing and soak in nicely. The best part is that they’re usually made with just tallow (rendered beef suet/kidney fat), oil (coconut, olive, emu), and essential oils. Completely natural, healthy ingredients.

Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Bar Soap Fragrance Free – I love that there are only three ingredients in this soap! It leaves everyone’s skin soft and smooth. This has been a staple in our house for over eight years and is available in most retail stores.

Witch Hazel Astringent – I wouldn’t use this as a stand alone face wash, but it does an excellent job of cleaning out pores and soothing irritated skin. Bonus: it’s great for taming the itch, sting, or swelling from bug bites.

Hand Made Soaps – Locally made bar soaps can be a nice treat, as long as the ingredient list is clean. Make sure good-quality essential oils are used for scent rather than anything listed as “fragrance.”

Humble – This has become our go-to deodorant over the past couple of years. We can find it in a few different stores, it comes in a variety of scents, holds up to sweaty farm days, and is on the less expensive side.

Plant Therapy Natural Deodorant – I like the ingredients and scent options, but it doesn’t hold up as well in hotter weather.

Young Living Deodorant – Another great option, though a bit pricier. These go on sale occasionally, so I only use here and there.

The Honest Company Shampoo & Body Wash – My husband and kids have used this for over eight years and love the Citrus Vanilla scent. We use the same conditioner, too. Recently, we started purchasing the carton refill, which saves money and reduces plastic waste. It can sting the eyes a little, but otherwise there are no complaints.

Seaweed Bath Co. – I use both the shampoo and conditioner and love them (including the price). The eucalyptus peppermint scent is just what I need to feel invigorated in the morning, though they have other scent options as well.

Rowe Casa Organics – Hair Spray & Hair Gel – It’s been a challenge to find healthy hair styling products that actually work, but these do the job. They work well whether I style my hair straight or wavy. I’ve tried the Hair Mousse, but found it heavier and it left my hair looking greasy.

To Clarify Hair – If you hair occasionally feels like your shampoo isn’t getting all the buildup out, try this: mix raw apple cider vinegar diluted with water (about 50/50) in a spray bottle, spritz on your hair, leave on for a few minutes, and rinse in the shower.

Natural Makeup Products

Foundation
Blush
Eyes
Makeup Remover

bareMinerals Original Pressed Powder Foundation – Sheer coverage that can be built up. I use this by itself and it covers small blemishes well. It comes with a sponge puff; but you can also apply it with a face brush. With so many shades available, you can really fine tune what works best for you.

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Moisturizer – This 3-in1 product tints the skin, moistures, and offers SPF protection, all with a subtle glow. It’s lightweight, dries quickly, and provides buildable coverage. Lots of shades to choose from.

Jane Iredale HydroPure Tinted Serum – Lightweight coverage with a dewy finish. I used this by itself and didn’t need a moisturizer underneath for it to apply smoothly. You can let it dry, then add another layer for more coverage. I used this for four years and really liked it. The only reason I switched was to stay within budget.

bareMinerals Gen Nude Powder Blush & Gen Nude Blonzer – These have been wonderful! I use them separately and together. There are many shades of blush to choose from, and both products are easy to apply with a blending brush.

Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush -Comes in multiple shades and is easy to apply, whether using a blending brush or fan brush.

HoneyBee Gardens Eye Shadow – With so many shades, and the option to build your own palette, these have been my go-to for the past two years. They blend well, store nicely, and don’t get cakey, even when sweaty.

Jane Iredale Purepressed Eye Shadow – Available as singles or in palettes of 3 or 6. These glide on nicely and blend well when using multiple shades.

Zuzu Luxe Eye Shadow – If you’re looking for brighter colors, these are worth trying.

Zuzu Luxe Mascara – Hands down my favorite mascara! Goes on smoothly, rarely clumps, and is very easy to wash off. I’ve been using it for about 7 years now with no issues.

The Honest Company Gentle Gel Cleanser – My new favorite face wash! I used to use bar soap; but as I got older that was a little harsh on my facial skin. This cleanser has been great for removing makeup without drying out my skin.

100% Pure Rose Micellar Cleansing Water – I really enjoy this cleanser, but it’s on the expensive side. Since I don’t wear makeup that often, a bottle lasts me almost one year.

Coconut Oil – Apply a little coconut oil to a cotton pad and wipe your face and eyes. Very budget friendly. I follow up with a warm washcloth to remove any excess oil.

How to Switch to Natural Personal Care & Makeup Products

Information Overload! I get it. especially when you think about how many products we use every day. That alone makes it tempting to procrastinate or just ignore the whole thing. Thankfully, Skin Deep® offers a helpful tip page that works as a quick cheat sheet.

My suggestion: Focus on one product at a time!

I started with body wash, shampoo, and conditioner since everyone in the household uses them. After that, I researched facial lotion because it’s the first layer on my face each morning and something I use daily.

When I had a handle on those, I started looking at different makeup brands. I tried the ones I could find locally first, and then broadened the search to online. Some brands offer sample sizes and/or have independent consultants, which are great ways to try things and see how your skin reacts before purchasing.

Interested in getting more bang for your buck while switching to natural personal care and makeup products? Take a look at your physical health and eating habits too! I’ve found the more I heal my insides (gut health), the better my skin and hair look, which means fewer products are needed.

Go back to the basics and check out my posts on Gut Flora and the Gut Lining to see why healing from the inside out is just as important. Remember, it’s not just about using natural products – it’s about protecting and strengthening your health!

stay connected!

Encouragement for Faith & Everyday Life

Life can feel full with faith, health, home, and all the small things in between. The newsletter is a simple way to stay connected through new blog posts, encouragement, occasional shop news, and free tools that support intentional, everyday living.