Style
21 Weird But Amazingly Effective Natural Beauty Products on Amazon People Are Raving About
I'm not about to sit here and pretend like my beauty routine is normal. In college, my RA found me in the communal dorm room bathroom with mashed avocado in my hair. Weird natural beauty products are my jam (especially ones that have rave reviews on Amazon), but before you raise an eyebrow at the fact that I whiten my teeth with what is essentially a pile of scorched bamboo ashes, let me explain why.
My first writing job was with a nutrition and holistic health company, and my boss required that I take certain classes before I could work with them. In these classes, I learned that skin isn't as solid as we'd like to think. Sure, it protects the inside of your body from the outside world, but it's also surprisingly porous, meaning that it absorbs most substances it comes in contact with. Basically, we're all a lot more like Spongebob than we'd like to admit, and that's when my chronic label reading habits began.
I then set a few rules for myself that I try to follow whenever I'm shopping for beauty products: aim for things with ingredients I might find in my pantry. If nothing else, make sure that everything on the label is at least pronounceable. My favorite place to find all of the aforementioned? Amazon, because the selection is huge, ingredients are often clearly listed, and reviewers spare no details about the products they're in love with.
1. This Strange Black Face Wash That Cleanses And Hydrates Simultaneously
Shea Terra Organics Black Soap Facial Wash, $17, Amazon
People are calling this Shea Terra Organics black soap facial wash "magic in a bottle," and that's because it's effective for blackheads, blemishes, exfoliation, and excess oil. It's got weird ingredients like plantain peel ash, palm kernels, and camwood bark, but it deeply cleanses your skin without causing dryness, flaking, or that too-tight feeling.
2. Hydrate, Tone, and Calm With Organic Greek Yogurt Masks
ORGAID Greek Yogurt Mask (6 pack), $42, Amazon
Made with USDA certified organic ingredients, ORGAID Greek yogurt mask uses -- you guessed it -- actual greek yogurt. It's therefore loaded with enzymes and proteins that nourish, calm, and tighten your pores, and it comes in a pack of 6 sheet masks with holes for your eyes, nose, and mouth. "Money was totally worth it," says one reviewer. "I don't need any other facial services since I found this product."
3. Moisturize And Clean With Activated Charcoal
5th Street Skin & Shave Activated Charcoal Soap, $10, Amazon
Somehow a black bar of soap seems counterintuitive, but people have given this 5th Street Skin & Shave activated charcoal soap lots of high ratings. It's fragrance free and made without parabens and sulfates; instead, it uses palm oil and activated charcoal to soak up impurities and deeply hydrate skin.
4. The Oil-Free Skin Care Trend Is Coming To An End
Dermarose Transformation Oil, $30, Amazon
It may sound weird weird, but it's true—instead of using oil-free products, adding oil to your beauty routine can really improve your hair, skin, and nails. People are flipping out about this Dermarose transformation oil, which uses a mix of nutrient-rich oils (like argan, avocado, and jojoba) to hydrate and cleanse without causing breakouts. It can also be put into a bath, and people are saying stuff like, "It is a light hydrating oil that easily absorbs into my skin without feeling greasy. I love using the oil on my arms and collar bones as it leaves a glowing sheen to my skin."
5. A Hand Soap You Can Use On Your Face
ORGO Organic Tea Tree Soap, $8, Amazon
You probably would never think to use the soap you wash your hands with to clean your face, but this ORGO tea tree soap is precisely for both. With essential tea tree oil, olive oil, and rosemary extract, it's extremely hydrating, but tough on bacteria and breakouts. It's also safe for all ages and skin sensitivities. Save some room on your bathroom sink by combining your face and hand soap!
6. This Hot Oil Hair Mask You'll Want To Drink
ST. TROPICA Coconut Oil Hair Mask (3 pack), $15, Amazon
This ST. TROPICA coconut hair mask reads more like a drink you'd get at a tropical resort than a hot oil treatment, because it's loaded with coconut oil, green tea, and hibiscus. Whatever the ingredients, this superfood-packed mask promises to transform dry, brittle, hair into something healthy and manageable. This one comes in a pack of three and has reviewers saying, "My hair is damaged from coloring and blow drying all the time and after using this treatment i had silky, soft, shiny hair... I was nervous about my hair being very oily after the treatment but if you follow the directions and wash it twice it comes right out."
7. This Safe Tanning Cream That People Are Downright Giddy About
Beauty by Earth Dye-Free Natural Tanner, $21, Amazon
Beauty by Earth Dye-Free Natural Tanner doesn't use any harmful ingredients. Instead, it's got pomegranate extract, green tea leaf, and witch hazel, and it works to build your tan one layer at a time for a streak-free, natural looking glow. "I am loving this product after only 2 applications," says one reviewer. "I'm downright giddy to have found a natural self tanner with organic ingredients that actually works and doesn't stink!"
8. Absorb Excess Oil and Product Buildup With This Jar Of Clay
Anjou Bentonite Clay Mask, $11, Amazon
How much can you do with a jar of clay? A lot, apparently. Anjou Bentonite clay mask has no additives or fragrances, and can gently remove excess oil, product build-up in your hair, or clogged pores. It also tones and restores elasticity, and makes for an awesome stay-at-home spa night activity. "This clay slayed my face!" says one reviewer -- in a very, very good way.
9. Tone Your Face With Only One Cocktail Ingredient
Foxbrim Orange Blossom Toner, $15, Amazon
No, this isn't something you put in your fancy cocktail, this is a one-ingredient toner made from flowers. There's nearly a thousand rave reviews on this Foxbrim Orange Blossom toner, which uses only 100 percent pure Moroccan orange blossom floral water. It's a great alternative to drying alcohol toners because it balances skin, deeply hydrates, and shrinks pores while promoting a smooth, glowing complexion. Reviewers also say the smell is wonderful and it works well for oily or dry skin.
10. This Weird Black Powder That Absorbs Stains From Your Teeth
Active Wow Teeth Whitening Charcoal Powder, $25, Amazon
People are flipping over this Active Wow teeth whitening powder, which uses activated charcoal to help absorb stains, odors, and bacteria from the teeth. It's super gentle on gums, and some reviewers say they saw results in just one use. Best of all, it's got none of the harsh ingredients that strips and whitening kits normally have.
11. This Bizarre Natural Stick That Cleans And Whitens Teeth
Miswak Club Natural Teeth Whitening Kit, $19, Amazon
Bizarre but apparently quite effective, this Miswak Club natural teeth whitening kit comes with two Arak tree sticks that you can use to brighten your smile and freshen your breath. They're grown without pesticides, and all you have to do is scrub your teeth with the bristles to see a noticeable improvement. According to one reviewer, "I could sense that I was truly getting of plaque that my regular brush wasn't getting."
12. Bladderwrack Seaweed To Moisturize And Clarify Your Hair
The Seaweed Bath Co. Balancing Conditioner, $11, Amazon
The secret ingredient to The Seaweed Bath Co. balancing conditioner is actualy Bladderwrack seaweed, which is harvested from Maine and loaded with amino acids, iodine, nutrients, and minerals. It naturally cleanses and clarifies the hair while moisturizing strands and scalp, and it's even safe for color-treated hair. "I was amazed and very pleased that it cleansed my hair without stripping it," says one reviewer. "It left my hair hydrated and loosened the 'recoil-effect,' virtually leaving NO tangles."
13. That Dust You See All Over Instagram Can Help Make Your Skin Glow
Moon Juice Beauty Dust, $40, Amazon
The perfect potion for those looking to make their skin glow and their hair stronger—this beauty dust is stirred into any hot or cold liquid (reviewers love it with nut milk) and ingested at night. Filled with natural remedies, this only has 5 ingredients: Organic Goji, Rehmannia, Organic Schisandra, Pearl, and Organic Stevia. Reviewers rave, "I've been using the Moon Juice Beauty Dust for almost a week and I can already tell a difference in my skin. I had been suffering from pretty severe acne and have noticed it fading significantly in the last few days. This without any other major changes in routine or diet. The taste is also great! I've added it to oatmeal, chia pudding, and tea."
14. Exfoliate Your Skin With Coffee Grinds
100% Natural Arabica Coffee Scrub, $15, Amazon
Why not rub coffee grinds all over your body? This natural coffee scrub—which also contains coconut, shea butter, and dead sea salt—is perfect for stimulating blood flow, which can help smooth out skin. Reviewers love using this one in the morning for that java kick in the shower.
15. Now Your Mascara Can Be Organic, Too
Physicians Formula Organic Mascara, $7, Amazon
With fruit water, tapioca starch, and beeswax, Physicians Formula organic mascara is not your average mascara. However, it's great for sensitive eyes and skin because of its safe ingredients and eco-friendly brush, and has people saying things like, "This mascara works just as well as the other brands I've used... But really the biggest difference was after switching to this mascara, I have not had a problem with irritated eyes."
16. This Natural Hair And Beard Dye Comes In Powder Form
The Henna Guys Pure & Natural Henna Henna Powder For Hair Dye, $10, Amazon
There's absolutely no ammonia or chemicals in this henna powder, which can dye light hair a beautiful red (and there's a black dye available as well). It's also permanent hair dye! One reviewer says, "I love love love this product. I found it easy to apply and the color turned out lovely (pretty much like the pictures). The smell wasn't that bad and it went away in less than a day. I also didn't experience any color run. I would highly recommend this product to anyone wanting to use a natural, non-toxic hair dye."
17. Set Your Makeup With Tea Extracts
Pure Bliss Setting Spray, $12, Amazon
This Pure Bliss setting spray is an incredible alternative to powders and setting agents with harsh ingredients. It uses assorted teas and a naturally occurring sulfur compound to keep skin matte, yet deeply hydrated all day. Even reviewers with exceptionally oily skin say that their makeup looks fresh all day long, "even in the rain and snow. This is the only setting spray i will use."
18. The Lip Balm That Helps You Fall Asleep
Hurraw! Lip Balms (3 Pack), $16, Amazon
This lip balm is made from vegan and raw ingredients to provide smooth hydration to your lips. This 3 pack contains sun balm, which has SPF 15 and smells like tangerines and chamomile, an unscented lip balm, and moon balm. The moon balm has a vanilla chamomile scent that is supposed to help you drift off to sleep! One reviewer urges you get this right away: "yo i never write reviews but... DONT SLEEP ON THIS PRODUCT. if you are looking for a simple vegan/cruelty free lip balm, this is it without a doubt. It is the smoothest and nicest smelling thing to ever touch your lips, and it is so nicely made. worth every penny !"
19. This Quirky Beard Balm To Eliminate Beardruff
Honest Amish Beard Balm, $12, Amazon
Made with face-friendly oils and butters, Honest Amish beard balm is a great way to stop the itch and beardruff that often accompanies facial hair. It's got 15 hair strengthening botanicals that help you to style, moisturize, and heal, and reviewers say it's not greasy or oily like other brands.
20. This Spray-On Mineral Salt That Gets Rid Of Body Odor
Thai Deodorant Stone Spray, $6, Amazon
This Thai Deodorant Stone spray is nothing more than natural mineral salts and purified water. However, when sprayed under your arms right after a shower, reviewers say it keeps you smelling fresh for days. The mineral salts create an invisible non-staining barrier on your skin, blocking odor-causing bacteria, and people are raving: "Amazed. No problems, no smell."
21. This Stuff For The Most Stubborn Foot Calluses
The Yellow Bird Natural Foot Cream, $16, Amazon
Although it's natural, it's damn powerful. Say goodbye to calluses, cracked heals, and foot infections with The Yellow Bird natural foot cream. It's got ten simple ingredients that are antibacterial, anti fungal, extremely moisturizing, and promote excellent circulation. "I've tried so many different products," says one reviewer, "but it seems this is going to surpass them all." It's got lots of essential oils like peppermint, and it's also made with tapioca starch.
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