Organic Beauty: A Nontoxic Holiday Gift Guide

Do you have a loved one that is transitioning to a cleaner beauty routine? Do you want to greenify your make-up bag? You’ve arrived at the right place: Today, at New York For Beginners, we are dishing our favorite organic beauty products that make terrific holiday gifts.

In this guide, we have only included true natural products. Unfortunately, the current regulations of the beauty industry make it very difficult for consumers to understand what ingredients are in the formulas, and the word “natural” appears too frequently in synthetic formulas (or what other people in the green community refer to as chemicals or toxins.) Rest assured: We’ve gone to great lengths to do our research and ensure we are featuring the real deal: Formulas made with 100% natural or naturally-derived ingredients that fit our European criteria.

On a side note, you’ll have noticed that New York For Beginners features all types of beauty products, including synthetic. That is because there are no conclusive research studies to prove that regular cosmetics are unsafe. However, we believe it is your right to make an informed choice of what you put on your skin.  Because we have many readers who are turning to natural skincare for health or other reasons, we are very careful when we say that something is natural and we spend a lot of time researching the ingredients using the EWG database and other sources. Also, that is why you’ll find a myriad of 100% natural and/or organic products in every single gift guide we’re publishing these Holidays.

{Psst… This guide has two parts! Scroll all the way down and follow the bold pink links to learn more about each product!}

1. Argan Oil Face Care Starter Set by Badger ($29.99): Badger is an American company that creates some of the cleanest skincare products in the market. This wonderful set includes their signature facial cleansing oil, which is the terror of any makeup and dirt traces on your face, and an Argan face oil formulated with exotic and nourishing botanicals to keep winter skin at bay. Ideal for normal to combination skin, this set is a wonderful introduction to oil cleansers and a staple in every green beauty addict vanity.  {This product is 100% natural and 100% organic. Made in USA. Certified Organic by the USDA.}

2. The Multi-Masking Collection by Tata Harper ($178): Do you want to join the multi-masking beauty trend without compromising your green values? Tata Harper, aka the queen of luxurious green skincare, has launched in time for the holidays a magnificent mask trio to address any skin concerns. This set includes a resurfacing mask (for instant glow), a purifying mask (to get rid of those pesky dirt particles clogging your pores), and a honey blossom resurfacing mask (which I have personally tested for its glow and hydration properties. In case you’re wondering, it didn’t disappoint.) But beware, you might want to keep this gift for yourself! Designed to be used in a single ritual or on demand depending on your skin needs, you will wonder how you’ve lived without these beauty tricks. {This product is 100% natural and has been formulated with organic ingredients. Made in USA.}

3. Nigella Sativa Oil by Marie D’Argan ($47): Also known as Black Seed Oil, Nigella Sativa is produced from the Black Cumin plant commonly found in the Mediterranean basin. One of the best-kept secrets of Egyptian kings and queens, this wonderful oil has multi-tasking restorative properties. It can be used to fortify your hair by applying a few drops on your scalp, to fight skin imperfections, or to treat skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema. A staple piece to keep on your beauty first aid kit, the Nigella Sativa pure oil by Marie D’Argan is cold pressed to ensure maximum purity. {This product is 100% natural and certified Bio by Ecocert. Vegan.}

4. The Glow Kit by Root Science ($150): Finally, it is possible to keep the summer glow all year round without using nasty chemicals thanks to Root. Root is a luxury organic skincare line that should find a place in every beauty addict list. This beautiful all-natural kit is a miniature collection that includes four of the best-selling products created by Root, and is the perfect gift for that green BFF that wants to step up her organic skincare game. Polish (1.5 oz) is an incredible facial exfoliant chock full of botanicals. It comes in a powder form that activates upon contact with water, so your skin gets the freshest product possible. In my experience, it works even better if you customize your treatment using a floral water (for instance, I used organic rose water to help nourish my very dry skin.) Tonic (1 fl oz.) is a multi-functional hydrating mist that locks moisture for an instantaneous dewy glow. A must in every beauty addict purse, it also works wonders to refresh your face in the middle of the day and boost your makeup. Youth (.34 fl oz.) is a facial serum designed to target different skin concerns such as skin aging, environmental aggressions, and congestion. A miracle in a bottle, this little guy is one of my best-kept secrets for looking good after a sleepless night clubbing in the city. Finally, Reborn (.85 oz) is a youth-enhancing face mask designed to be used once a week. With its mix of exotic clays and carefully curated botanicals and essential oils, it detoxes skin and prevents fine lines. This kit is suitable for all skin types and includes enough product for a full month of use. {This kit includes 100% natural products formulated with organic ingredients. Vegan. Made in USA.}

5. Lipstick in Plumeria by Au Naturale Cosmetics ($22): Finding an all-natural lipstick can be a disheartening experience. However, Au Naturale Cosmetics has a wonderful line of all-natural makeup formulas that don’t use crushed beetles to create amazing colors. Plumeria is a warm berry hue with cool undertones that will spruce up any winter makeup look. Looking good without harmful synthetics has never been easier! This lippie makes a terrific gift for any lady on your green list. {This product is 100% natural. Made in USA. Vegan.}

6. Deck Your Eyes by 100% Pure ($39): 100% Pure is one of my favorite brands in terms of all-natural makeup products. Their highly pigmented and long-lasting formulas make it hard to believe that they use only natural ingredients (in fact, they color most of their line with fruit pigments!) This Holiday season you simply can’t miss this wonderful set that contains the essentials to make your brown eyes pop. Yes, brown-eyed girls, this one is for you! Deck Your Eyes includes a full-size blackest creamy long eyeliner (which I personally love and can never get enough of), a full-size royal creamy long eyeliner (wonderful for a festive look), and a dual chamber pencil sharpener. Considering that this whole set is valued at $55, this set is a steal. I wouldn’t be surprised if you purchased an extra set for yourselves. You deserve it! {This product is 100% natural. Vegan.}

7. Facial To Go with Sweet Milk and Lavender Buds by Farmaesthetics ($36): I have to admit that Farmaesthetics has been one of my most pleasant green discoveries of the year. With some of the cleanest formulas out there and a delicate and feminine packaging, I’m not surprised Farmaesthetics has amassed a cult following. This gorgeous kit is a three-piece facial to go regimen to restore and maintain a healthy complexion. It includes a nourishing lavender milk, a fine herbal cleanser, and a sweet milk and lavender bud exfoliator packed in refillable glass containers approved for airport security. Who said it’s difficult to travel natural and in style? {This product is 100% natural. Made in USA. Vegan.}

8. Create-a-Kit by Dr. Hauschka (from $25): Do you want to give the gift of high-quality natural cosmetics tailored to your loved one’s very specific needs? This is the gift that should be on your list! Dr. Hauschka has launched an exclusive set just in time for the holidays; with the Create-a-Kit you can purchase the mini and trial sizes of the products you want to create your very own personalized set. With over 35 face and body products to choose from, every $25 dollar purchase includes a beautiful branded cosmetic bag and a gift box to show in style how much you truly care. If you aren’t a beauty expert (hey, nobody was born knowing everything!), the site allows you to build a personalized kit based on the skin condition you’d like to target. Simply genius! {This brand is 100% natural and certified organic by NATRUE.}

9. Aromatherapeutic Argan Oil Set by Acure ($24.99): Argan oil is considered to be the liquid gold of Morocco. This wonderful vegetable oil can be used to treat a myriad of skin conditions, and is excellent as a face serum to prevent skin ageing. If you have an adventurous loved one, why not give the gift of an organic threesome? This oh-so-exotic kit contains a rose argan oil, a coconut argan oil, and a citrus ginger argan oil to revive skin and evaporate stress. Cold-pressed with love and care, Acure’s argan oils deliver a high-quality formula for a fair price. Feeling a bit cheeky? Ask for a massage in return. You deserve it for finding such a fabulous gift. {This kit is 100% natural and 100% organic certified by the USDA. Vegan.}

10. Gingered Pumpkin Double Shea Butter Smooth-ee by Shea Terra ($16): If you know someone with dry skin (as in moi) and want to make a memorable gift, you should check out the Double Shea Butter Smoothies by Shea Terra. Created using a mix of two shea butter varieties (butyrospermum parkii and vitellaria nilotica) and whipped to perfection, this super hydrating body butter helps treat dry skin, rashes, and burns. Rich and creamy, it is infused with pumpkin seed oil, ginger and spices. And hear this: Shea Terra is an all-natural brand with a soul: it supports African empowerment and wildlife conservation. For this product, the brand sources its shea butter from a project that protects a hippo sanctuary on the Black Volta River, and ensures fair trade living wages to various women’s cooperatives. This is a gift that gives back. {This product is 100% natural and contains 94% certified organic Shea Butter. Vegan.}

11. Everyday Hero Collection by Pai Skincare ($68): When I first came in contact with Pai thanks to the Indie Beauty Expo in New York, I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes: An all-natural brand devoted to taking care of sensitive skin was simply too much to process. However, after trying their products for a while on my capricious complexion I couldn’t believe I had found the Holy Grail of nontoxic skincare for sensitive skin. This gorgeous kit includes Pai’s three bestsellers to cleanse, calm and nourish. Worth over $100, the Everyday Hero Collection consists of a Camellia and Rose Gentle Hydrating Cleanser to be used all over the face, including the eye area (3.4 fl oz); a nearly-miraculous Rosehip Bioregenerate Oil (1 fl oz) with Omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9; a Chamomille and Rosehip Calming Day Cream (0.3 fl oz), plus the innovative dual-effect sensitive skin cloth for a gentle exfoliation. Believe me, this wonderful kit leaves supple skin without the redness, and the reusable sturdy box is simply too beautiful not to showcase. If you want to give the gift of glowing skin for those on your list with sensitive complexions, don’t hesitate to browse Pai’s gift collections. {This kit contains 100% natural products and is certified organic by the Soil Association. Vegan.}

12. Embrace Body Oil by Erbaviva ($38): Erbaviva is another of the brands I discovered thanks to the Indie Beauty Expo. Its signature Embrace body oil makes the perfect hostess gift. Packaged in a reusable apothecary bottle, its blend of organic essential oils of jasmine, orange and grapefruit in a nourishing base of almond, jojoba and sunflower oils induces a relaxed state of mind to tackle the Holiday festivities. This oil can be massaged directly into skin, added to a decadent hot bath, or blended with Erbaviva’s bath salts for a fresh and hydrating exfoliating scrub. {This product is 100% natural and certified organic by the USDA. Made in USA. Vegan.}

Disclosure level 1: The author received NO compensation
to write this post. The author received a sample of some of the
products featured for editorial consideration. Receiving a sample didn’t
influence the decision to feature a brand nor the opinions expressed by
the author. All links provided in the article are for information only
and are not part of any affiliate marketing program.