{eco beauty} 4 eco lotions + magic skin potions

when it comes to my beauty + make up routine, my look is decidedly bare. all i ask for is a clear complexion + bright, nourished skin. so my pulse quickens when i hear of new face + body moisturizers made from plant extracts with no artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives. skip down for a quick guide to 4 small wonders, powerful moisturizers for a fresh face + dewy skin {oh, and each + every product comes from an independent + woman-owned enterprise}.

the right moisturizers protect + revitalize skin; they are high in antioxidants + vitamins that help neutralize free radicals + infuse thirsty skin with vital nutrients. they clarify + promote an even skin tone by bringing balance to your skin. i've chosen four remarkable plant-based + cruelty-free beauty brands that do it all:

1// conscious coconut: you've got to love a company with one stellar product that contains just one superb ingredient. this moisturizer is crafted from cold-pressed, USDA organic certified coconuts; it can be used as a daily moisturizer to even skin tone + it smoothe lines like a dream. for every purchase you make, a child is given a meal through a partnership with feeding america food banks. to date, 35,000 children have been fed via donations from purchases of this wonder product. conscious coconut works directly with the growers + farmers to source virgin coconut oil from fair trade farms in both thailand and the philippines. this conscious collaborative helps these farmers build sustainable businesses, which positively influence their communities + ensures that they’re compensated justly. conscious coconut has only one magic ingredient with remarkable antibacterial + anti-fungal properties: the coconut. a woman-owned business led by danielle conte. 

2// tay skincare: this small-batch + artisan-crafted skincare collection has a deliciously warm, floral scent. tay translates the abstract scents of nature into perfect botanical moisturizers that soften + soothe skin. you'll find no parabens, sulfates or petrochemicals in their light, effective lotions; only fair trade + organic ingredients. tay has made it one of their goals to support their sources, as well as the earth's natural resources. in collaboration with the fruit tree planting foundation, tay makes donations to bring fruit + trees back to local + global communities, including public schools, city parks, low-income neighborhoods, international hunger relief sites + animal sanctuaries. planting fruit tree orchards helps combat world hunger + global warming, strengthens communities + improves the surrounding air, soil + water. their magic ingredients include shea butter, mushroom extracts + sea buckthorn. a woman-owned business led by sarah tay. 

3// juice beauty: juice beauty is an organic skincare line that is used by three generations in my family. i love the lightweight texture + subtle fruit notes of these moisturizers, each made of certified organic + antioxidant-rich ingredients. if you're in the u.s.a. you can scoop up a bottle at ulta as well as their online boutique. in my family, the stem cellular neck cream is a fave {we use it everywhere, not just our necks} + the aromatic overnight cream is also a hit {we use it during the daytime too}. their magic ingredients include jojoba, shea butter, a proprietary blend of fruit stems cells + vitamin c, infused with grape formula. a woman-owned business led by karen behnke. 

4// devita natural skincare: i've been using this moisturizer for four years now, and if products could have a personality, i'd say this one is bright, fresh + zesty. just as coffee helps some battle fatigue in the morning, this lotion helps awaken my skin. it absorbs quickly, leaving a non-greasy finish + a beautiful sheen to the skin. devita skin care products are 100 % vegan + paraben free. they never contain GMO's. devita products are never tested on animals {only humans!}. their magic ingredient is organic aloe vera for soft, smooth skin {and it this is a must have if you have sensitive skin}. a woman-owned business led by cherylanne devita {doctor, entrepreneur + ceo/president, this woman does it all, my friends}. 

bonus// athar'a skin essentials: inspired by ancient eastern traditions + ayuverdic knowledge, this organic + vegan cream is made with absolutely no harmful chemicals, fragrances, synthetics or parabens. loaded with antioxidants, protein + vitamin e - this luxurious cream provides intense hydration while reducing wrinkles + dark circles. athar'a helps to provide shelter + food to orphaned children and generously aids in the renewal of our earth's resources by donating a portion of sales to three stellar nonprofits: trees for life, give light + charity water. their magic ingredient is moroccan argan oil for increased elasticity. a woman-owned business led by sara davoodi. 

for a full body lather// try weleda lotion {at naturalia in france or target in the usa} or andalou organics lotion {at target in the usa or online here}. 

{don't forget the tip} natural products are spectacular multi-taskers; the same oils you use to moisturize your face + body can be used as a face wash, hair conditioner, make-up remover, for treatment of scars + infections, after sun care, itch relief + shaving cream {the perfect product for wanderers + adventurers who like to travel light}. now all you have to do is choose a moisturizer. if you're new to plant oils, find out how i became fast friends with plant-based oils here + learn more about botanical ingredients + their healing properties here. the cosmetic, skincare + haircare industries combined are an $80+ billion per year industry, and have been unregulated for decades. stacy malkan, founder of the campaign for safe cosmetics is a health and environmental activist who has shed light on the issue of toxic ingredients being used to formulate our everyday bath + beauty products by the world’s largest cosmetics companies. she asks the following poignant questions in her book not just a pretty face:

why do companies market themselves as pink ribbon leaders in the fight against breast cancer, yet use hormone-disrupting and carcinogenic chemicals that may contribute to that very disease?

why do products used by men and women of childbearing age contain chemicals linked to birth defects and infertility?

stacy shares the following glad tidings, "while the major multinational companies fight for their right to use hazardous chemicals, entrepreneurs are developing safer non-toxic technologies and building businesses on the values of health, justice and personal empowerment." for some of that healthy glow, click on over to any of the indie brands listed above. 

until next time, stay green dear hearts!

{feature image via conscious coconut}