Skinerals Review: Natural & Organic Beauty
Ever since I began dipping my toes into the vast pool of natural beauty in April, you guys kept asking for more features that include cleaner options for makeup, skincare, and other products that omit some of the chemicals that certain green beauty gurus consider to be toxic. One of the companies that reached out to me was Skinerals, a brand that uses natural & organic botanicals and finely ground minerals in their formulations. After skimming through the website, I selected three products to try: Crystal Coconut Shampoo, Moonstone Lip Gloss, and Radiant Opaline Facial Toner.
ABOUT THE BRAND:
Made with organic plant extracts, minerals found in nature, and safe synthetics, Skinerals products provide relief to people suffering from various skin irritations and sensitivities. Every Skinerals product is entirely vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free.
Skinerals Crystal Coconut Shampoo
MY PICKS:
You might be wondering why I picked shampoo without the conditioner. Truth is, lately I don’t feel the need for one. I wash my hair with shampoo as usual, then towel dry it, and spread a few drops of argan oil from roots to ends to add shine and tame frizz. My hair is currently in pretty good condition, so there is no need for any extra products. Crystal Coconut Shampoo grabbed my attention because a) I love all things coconut, and b) I liked the ingredient list.
One look at the ingredients, and you will see that a huge portion of the formula is made with organic botanicals, and the rest are minerals and plant-derived compounds. If you were looking for a cleaner version of your favorite sulfate-free shampoo, this is one of the better options to consider. Crystal Coconut Shampoo is suitable for all hair types, especially for dry and brittle that can benefit from the extra moisture and gentle cleansing agents instead of harsh surfactants.
The fragrance is present, but it’s not overpowering. While this shampoo does smell like coconuts, I also detect faint traces of passion fruit and pineapple, which add to the pleasant and subtle natural aroma.
Ingredients: Water (Agua), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycerine, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Organic Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Oil, , Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, HydroxyEthyl Cellulose, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Extract, Organic Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Xanthan Gum, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Organic Fragrance Emulsion, Mica, Titanium Oxide, Phenoxyethanol, Organic Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Oil.
Skinerals Radiant Opaline Facial Toner
I didn’t used to have a toner in my routine until about 2-3 months ago, but these days I feel like my skin could use an additional moisture layer. Radiant Opaline Facial Toner is an alcohol-free astringent that helps control oil production and improve the appearance of enlarged pores for those of us with combination to oily skin types. The formula contains witch hazel, that helps de-slick the skin, and a form of hyaluronic acid to add more moisture. It also comes with a handful of antioxidant rich botanicals, that will further boost the rest of your skincare routine. I quite enjoy using this toner now that it’s hot and humid outside, and I think it will serve me well throughout the summer.
Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Witch Hazel, Galactoarabinan, Sodium Hyaluronate, Saccharum Officinarum (SugarCane) Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharinum (Sugar Maple) Extract, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Organic Green Tea, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Essential Lavender Oil, Gluconolactone, Sodium Benzoate, Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca) Starch.
Skinerals Moonstone Lip Gloss in Velvet
I was mainly interested in Skinerals skincare and haircare products, but when I spotted Moonstone Lip Gloss in a variety of beautiful colors, I knew I had to try one. There are 7 shades to choose from, and I went with Velvet, a classic royal ruby creme that comes without shimmery particles. I must say, this gloss feels divine on the lips. The gloss melts into the skin, making my pout look juicy, but not overly so – just enough shine to add some color and make it appear plumper. I found the formula very moisturizing. My lips felt hydrated throughout the day and even some time after the gloss wore off. I am also impressed with the pigmentation. While I can’t speak for other colors, Velvet is a beautiful, rich shade that can easily be layered for a more opaque look.
Ingredients: Castor Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Sunflower Oil, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Organic Beeswax, Organic Carnauba Wax, Organic Cocoa Butter, Organic Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Thyme Extract, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Bark Extract, Organic Rosemary Leaf Extract, Organic Lavender Flower Extract, Organic Golden Seal Root Extract, Organic Lemon Peel Extract, Organic Grape Fruit Seed Extract, Turmeric Root Powder, Kaolin, Mica (CL-77619) May Contain Titanium Dioxide & Natural Oxides.
Skinerals Moonstone Lip Gloss in Velvet (swatch)
MY THOUGHTS:
As you can tell, I am pleased with all three products so far. I’m not a lip gloss person, but I find Moonstone Lip Gloss very easy and pleasant to wear. It’s like a better version of my favorite lip balm, with an added bonus of a beautiful YLBB color. I also came to appreciate more natural approach to skincare and haircare, so now my skin feels more balanced and my hair is not as unruly and frizzy as it used to be back when I washed it with shampoos with sulfates in them.
To wrap up this review, I want to point out that even though Skinerals market themselves as the makers of organic beauty products, some of them do contain synthetics where necessary. For instance, Moonstone Gloss contains Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, a synthetic lanolin substitute commonly used as an emollient in lip gloss. It has EWG rating on 1 due to limited research, but its main component Adipic Acid is considered to be a mild skin irritant [as with any acid, from Vitamin C to Hyaluronic Acid]. Frankly, to me the inclusion of necessary synthetics is not a big deal in a green beauty product, as long as the formula is generally clean. Not everyone will agree, though, and that’s okay.
As with any movement, there will always be clean beauty zealots who will shun anything that isn’t totally raw, whole, wild grown, and organic. These people also tend to shame others for not following suit. On the other hand, we have regular consumers, like you and I, who are just trying to make more conscious choices, but sometimes the cons of excluding certain synthetics outweigh the pros of a more natural alternative. I am right there in the middle, and currently my routine is a mix of green and conventional brands. One important thing I learned during my Clean Beauty Month is that I was not able to replace some of my skincare products [mainly actives] that use synthetic molecules with all-natural alternatives. Sometimes lab-made compounds are just objectively better performance-wise.
For more information visit skinerals.com. These products are also available on Amazon!
Have you discovered any new natural beauty brands recently? What’s your favorite natural beauty product, if any? Are you a lip gloss person? Let me know in the comments!
