You’re probably super conscious of what you put into your body and with good reason. Health and beauty both come from within. You may not, however, be quite as cautious about what you’re applying to your skin — and it majorly matters. Some substances can permeate the outermost layer, which means the toxic chemicals you’re applying to your skin could make their way into your bloodstream. 

Think of your skincare routine as being akin to your morning meal — a booze-filled brunch with friends is fine, but you likely won’t feel your best after eating it. A green, protein and fiber-rich smoothie that’s bursting with organic nutrients, however, will leave you feeling energized and satiated. It feeds your cells — not just your taste buds. Beauty, makeup, and skincare products that are loaded with fillers, toxins, and inexpensive, lab-made ingredients, are the equivalent of a boozy brunch. They do something, but they certainly won’t make you look and feel your best. 

So, what are the spinach, spirulina, blueberry, collagen and flax-packed smoothies of skincare and beauty products? There are tons of organic skincare brands devoted to making products that beautify nourish your skin, sans the garbáge ingredients.

Just as with food labels, within the world of natural beauty, there are intricacies to be aware of. The words “natural” and “organic” are often used synonymously, but when describing beauty and skincare products, they’re majorly different. If a product has the word “natural” on the label, it was produced by elements in nature, but it’s not necessarily organic. 

The rules with “natural” skin care are much looser, as natural products can contain chemicals, while organic products cannot. Organic strictly refers to product ingredients that are grown without the use of any pesticides, chemicals or artificial fertilizers. Clean beauty brands and products that are labeled “organic” must contain 95 to 100 percent chemical-free ingredients, while natural products are typically about 50 to 70 percent free of chemicals. Further, labels that read, “certified organic” indicate that 95 percent of the ingredients are organic, while “made with organic ingredients” translates to the fact that at least 70 percent of ingredients are organic. The word “clean” is often used (and abused) by brands since there isn’t a universally enforced definition. It may mean that a product is made without tons of extraneous ingredients and fillers, or with thoughtfully-sourced, more natural ingredients, but it’s not necessarily organic either. If a brand claims to be clean, take a look at their ingredients list to see whether or not the first few ingredients are good or bad. We love Ghost Democracy, an exceptionally clean skincare brand that packs its formulas with high concentrations of active ingredients. 

Here are a few more of the best organic skincare brands on the market.

1. Tata Harper

You may already be familiar with the iconic, lime green packaging that Tata Harper contains its cult-classic products in. Beauty editors and skincare mavens alike praise the line. The brand emphasizes the fact that women need skincare products that are made from 100 percent organic and clean ingredients. We consider Tata Harper to be one of the best because its product line encompasses a wide range of beauty products — each of which is designed to protect your skin from just about anything and everything that you could ever be exposed to.

A few of our favorite products? The super-simple Purifying Gel Cleanser, the multi-correctional Restorative Eye Crème (which is great for everything from anti-aging to battling dark circles) and the Hydrating Floral Mask. This mask is a great pick for dry, dull winter skin and the floral scent will transport you straight into summertime.

2. KORA Organics

KORA Organics is the brainchild of Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr. You know what Miranda looks like, and chances are you want to know everything about what she does to look the way that she does (genes aside). KORA Organics has a powerful selection of award-winning, certified organic skin care. Miranda Kerr is a wellness-lover, and as such, she was compelled to create a line of effective, natural formulations that contain highly concentrated actives that have been taken from plants, not labs. The results? Products that nourish your skin, and leave you looking radiant, glowy and dewy. Yes — supermodel skin in a bottle. 

Try the Noni Radiant Eye Oil, which soothes puffy eyes and allows you to look more rested. It’s a great pick for the morning after a night out. We also recommend the Noni Glow Sleeping Mask. It’s formulated to help nourish your dry skin as you sleep, and it’s pillow-safe, meaning it won’t stain your linens. Slather some on before bed, and wake up to more glowing, hydrated, and happy skin. Miranda would approve!

3. Pai Skincare

The “Pai” of Pai Skincare translates to “goodness” in Maori. Pai Skincare is a London-based line who makes organic, super-pure products that are sustainably made—  so the products are simultaneously working for your skin and for the environment. Each of its products is made in-house in London, designed for sensitive and challenging skin, certified organic (COSMOS-natural), vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and free of common irritants, harsh preservatives, and synthetic ingredients. If your skin is finicky or challenging, Pai may just be the organic skincare line for you. It’s great for men, too, so surprise your S.O. with a few of their products.

The Chamomile & Rosehip Calming Day Cream is a great everyday face cream for those with skin that needs a little TLC, as chamomile and rosehip are both super soothing. Bonus? Your skin will smell amazing. If you have sensitive skin, we recommend that you go for the Sensitive Skin Tool Kit. It’s a great way to get introduced to the line, and it has just about everything that your skin could want or need — from cleanser to face oil — all wrapped up in one package. This is also a great pick for travel, so you can buy an extra and keep it in your suitcase. Save your future self some and save your skin from the skin woes of traveling.

4. Province Apothecary

The Canada-based line Province Apothecary is devoted to helping people with any kind of complexion to achieve inner and outer beauty. It utilizes local and certified organic ingredients, so everything is thoughtfully sourced. If your skin is prone to blemishes, try the Clear Skin Advanced Spot Concentrate, which will help to soothe and even your problem spots. Stress case? You’re not alone in that! Throw a bottle of the Calm Down Wellness Roll-On in your work bag, and keep one by your bed. Roll the product onto your temples, and experience a necessary moment (or several) of peace and quiet, accompanied by a lovely, soothing, flowery fragrance.