Plant photo via Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Beauty

5 Natural Skin-Care Superstars You Need In Your Life

get earthy

by Mila Jaroniec

Everyone’s skincare routine needs a revamping every now and then. Beyond the fact that you might be getting tired of your old products or just want to try something new, it’s scientifically proven that switching up your time-tested lineup every now and then can be beneficial to your skin.

And what’s more beneficial than the bounty of nature? From food to cosmetics, science and common sense have consistently shown that earth-derived ingredients are better for our bodies (and not to mention, safer). While eating only organic or bathing in pure, artesian spring water may not be the most practical, we could all use a little more Mother Earth in our environments—and our medicine cabinets. Read on to discover five fantastic under-the-radar skin-care obsessions you need to know ASAP, direct from our saved faces to yours.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil

It’s official—our beloved facial oils are not going anywhere anytime soon. From argan to coconut and the many fancy concoctions in-between, it seems we’ve tried each one on the market. But for those looking for that near unattainable, lit-from-within glow, look no further than Drunk Elephant. As if the name didn’t make you want to buy it already, this non-toxic, fragrance-free formula is 100 percent unrefined marula kernel oil, bursting with antioxidants and Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids to heal skin, improve elasticity, and protect against environmental stressors and free radicals (city girls, take note!). We saw serious glow and hydration the morning after and a marked reduction in fine lines and blotchiness within one week. And the name? According to myth, elephants love to eat the fruit from marula trees, which ferments in their stomachs and turns them tipsy.

Triumph & Disaster Rock & Roll Suicide Face Scrub

For Bowie fans and those in need of serious skin rejuvenation, this product was made for you—and for anyone with a no-nonsense skin-care routine. This balanced scrub featuring volcanic ash and green clay will gently slough away dead cells while mopping up excess oil from skin and removing deep-rooted impurities. We noticed smoother skin, tighter pores, and a lovely glow after one use. Bonus: The fragrance, the brand’s proprietary blend of smoke and wood, featuring cedar and sandalwood, patchouli, pine, pepper, and eucalyptus, definitely puts the "sex" in unisex. (Okay, sorry. We’ll see ourselves out.)

PLANT Skincare Coffee & Rosehip Eye Cream

From waterproof makeup and harsh removers to creams and powders, to eyelash glue, our delicate eye areas take a beating on the regular. Even in our skin-care routines, many of us unknowingly use products that are too harsh for the thin and sensitive skin surrounding the eyes. Fortunately, PLANT’s Coffee & Rosehip Eye Cream is ultra-moisturizing and gentle enough for even the most sensitive of under-eye areas. Caffeine, a natural antioxidant, banishes puffiness and dark circles, while rosehip oil, combined with a blend of macadamia, olive, avocado, and apricot-kernel oils, aids in healthy cell production. All of PLANT’s products are food-grade, meaning you don’t put anything on your face and skin that you wouldn’t be able to safely put in your body, hand-blended with ethically sourced ingredients and stamped with their own serial number. This lightweight cream soaked right in and left us looking like we got a full eight hours’ sleep with only the sweetest of dreams.

May Coop Raw Sauce

Looking to boost the benefits of your products without bludgeoning your budget? Try a drizzle of maple syrup for your face. May Coop Raw Sauce is comprised of 100 percent acer maple water, which serves up a super-potent dose of hydration while enhancing your products’ effects. Maple tree sap particles are smaller than water and closer to the size of our natural bodily fluids, which allows them to sink deeper into skin and draw in the active ingredients in creams and serums. Post cleanser and toner, one swipe restored the youthful radiance we thought we’ve long lost. They don’t call it a “power essence” for nothing!

Farmacy Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm

Half gel, half oil, this balm is all miracle. Made with a formidable lineup of naturally derived oils and botanicals, including South African acmella extract and blackcurrant seed, this balm’s magic ingredient is Echinacea GreenEnvy, a patented type of Echinacea purpurea with the highest known concentration of natural collagen-boosting cichoric acid. Within two weeks, our skin was virtually line-free and our acne scars were noticeably lighter. Now that’s some fun on the farm we can get behind.