While many equate luxury with opulence, this isn’t oftentimes the case. The beauty industry has long been one of excess—not only in terms of the number of products available, but also regarding the ingredients. Recently though, instead of products containing countless chemicals (many of which are almost impossible to pronounce, let alone identify) there has been a welcome push to strip back lotions and potions, reducing them to the essentials. This pared-back approach to grooming not only means healthier products, but also innovative use of ingredients and more advanced science. The outcome certainly isn’t basic, rather these products are effective. Here we have selected some of our favorite products that have stripped back their ingredients to 10 or less.
True Botanicals Pre-Cleanse Oil
Long gone are the days of cleansers that foam up and leave your skin squeaky clean. Removing all those harmful “cleaning” chemicals (which misled us into thinking our skin was refreshed), True Botanicals’ Pre-Cleanse Oil ($48) is composed of four essential oils and leaves skin feeling soft, rather than dry. Organic jojoba, apricot, sesame and bergamot impart antioxidants that nourish.
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil
With only four ingredients, Pai’s Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil ($40) conditions skins—from tone and pigment to dryness. It’s certified organic and draws its power from two types of rose hip extract and one rosemary extract. This pure oil contains Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 7, in essence using environmental components to combat aging and weathering from our natural surroundings.
Skintifique Hydrating Gel Plus HS
With a pure formula that incorporates only eight ingredients, Skintifique’s Hydrating Gel Plus HS ($30) aims to hydrate and soothe. There’s a patent-protected technology at play within the moisturizer, driving the gel to longer-lasting hydration—with efficacy holding up to 24 hours. Altogether, it’s gentle enough for the face and strong enough for the body, as well as for damaged or irritated skin everywhere.
Chantecaille Pure Rosewater
NYC-based Chantecaille’s luxurious Pure Rosewater ($68) contains, unsurprisingly, 99.9% natural rosewater. This stripped-back facial spray refreshes and purifies, thanks to essential oils from Rose de Mai petals, plucked in the home of perfume-making: Grasse, France.
Little Barn Apothecary Clay Shampoo
Considering all the chemicals in regular dry shampoos, it’s refreshing to see that Little Barn Apothecary’s Flowers + Pink Clay ($16) version is made up of just rice starch, pink and white clay, and a blend of essential oils. The clay is super-absorbent, refreshing your scalp of oil and grime; while the rice starch offers a volume boost for drab hair.
RMS Raw Coconut Cream
Made with just one ingredient—certified organic coconut oil—RMS’ Raw Coconut Cream ($18) is a multi-use potion. From facial to body moisturizer, a deodorant, or a hair treatment, it can even be consumed for its antioxidant properties.
Images courtesy of respective brands