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We don’t have to tell you there are literally millions of skincare products on the market. Narrow that down to plant-based skincare, and there’s still a sea of options. For a plant-based routine, you’re not going to go down the same paths as traditional skincare. Instead of synthetic chemicals, the best skincare products contain natural ingredients, including some of Mother Nature’s ancient remedies.
We created a top 10 list to help natural skincare enthusiasts keep their skin healthy and glowing.
If natural ingredients and natural glow are your things, read on to see how you can upgrade from good skincare products to the best—no expensive fillers or crazy chemicals necessary.
Our Picks: The 10 Best Skincare Products You Should Include in Your Plant-Based Lifestyle
- Best Vitamin C Serum – AnnieMak Vitamin C Serum
- Best for Pain Relief – Green RoadsPain Relief Cream
- Fast-Acting – Koi CBDCBD Balm from Natural Hemp Extract
- Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer – CLEARSTEM Hydraglow
- Best Body Lotion w/Natural Benefits – Raw Botanics CBD Lotion
- Best for Inflammation – Pure Spectrum Lavender CBD Salve
- Best for Relaxation – Mission Farms Relax CBD Goat Milk Cream
- Healthiest All-Over Oil for Skin – Joy Organics CBD Massage Oil
- Best for Dry, Irritated Skin – Receptra Naturals Serious RELIEF Hydrating Hemp Body Butter + Manuka Honey
- Best for Joint Pain – Cornbread Hemp CBD Lotion Skin Formula
How we created this list
We’ve already spoken about the fact there are tons of plant-based options for skincare. To help us choose the best products for our skin, and to make it easy for readers and ourselves to decide, we have compiled a few guidelines.
- Plant-based ingredients:Concern #1 is that all skincare products are plant-based. This means that all of the ingredients in skincare products are natural and come from beneficial plants like hemp.
- There are no harmful additives like formaldehyde and parabens.Some chemicals are common in the beauty industry and the skincare market. Synthetic additives such as formaldehyde-releasers and parabens can penetrate the skin barrier. These ingredients are not something that we want in the skincare products.
- This will add value to your skincare routinePlant-based skincare can be costly so we wanted each product to add real value to your skin care routine. We are focused on value, whether that means a low price, a good product, or health benefits.
- Mission-driven brands: Okay, so it’s not necessarily a requirement to make skincare, but it doesn’t hurt. We deliberately chose mission-driven brands that are committed to helping customers improve their skin health and the environment.
- Verified reviewsWe did not only test these products, but also looked at verified reviews online. We chose only high-quality products and received praises for their efficiency, value, and customer service.
Best Skincare Products for Your Plant Based Routine
1. Best Vitamin C Serum – AnnieMak
Pros:
- High concentrations of vitamin C (26%) per liter
- Vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free, vegan, no fragrances and non-GMO
- Third-party testing of pesticides and herbicides for contaminants
- Organic ingredients
- Dermatologists tested it
- It is more affordable than the competition
Cons:
- Spend $99 to get free shipping
AnnieMak believes in plant-based wellness and has built a whole skincare line around this belief. Their vitamin C serum is an industry leader for a number of reasons. Number one, we couldn’t find another vitamin C serum made in the U.S. with this high of a concentration per volume—at least not one you could purchase online (AKA not in a dermatologist’s office).
The unique advantage of the plant-based, naturally occurring, patented ingredients is another. These ingredients are proven to improve skin texture and reduce deep wrinkles in just a few weeks by double-blind placebo-controlled trials. This serum is formulated with organic hyaluronic and aloe vera to promote overall skin health.
Verified reviewers love this:AnnieMak’s vitamin C serum has received many positive reviews. The majority of users report positive and visible results in less than a week, which is much faster than other vitamin-C products.
How to add to your skin care routineFirst, wash your face with water or a mild, plant-based cleanser. This will remove any dirt and oil. After applying toner, dry your face with a towel. After drying for about a minute, apply one pump of this serum to your face.
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2. Best Skincare Product for Pain Relief – Green Roads Pain Relief Cream
Pros:
- Heavy-duty relief with over-the counter strength
- This product is excellent for back pain, arthritis, sprains, strains, and other conditions.
- Other ingredients include vitamin E, avocado oil, and eucalyptus oils for additional benefits.
- Very affordable, especially for lower CBD concentrations
- Formulated by pharmacists
- Not tested on animals
- Lab tested
- Subscribe and get a nice discount
Cons:
- Methyl smell
- Ingredients are not always 100% natural
Green Roads is run and managed by pharmacists, who create their own formulas and test them in a laboratory environment. You know you’re going to get quality, effective products when the same pharmacists oversee the entire manufacturing operation from start to finish.
Green Roads is determined to be as transparent with their customers as possible. All lab test results can be viewed by scanning the QR code on the package.
Verified reviewers love this:Green Roads has received positive reviews that praise the effectiveness of this pain relief cream for sore joints and muscles. Customers love the results, regardless of whether it is used to relieve back pain, carpal tunnel pain, knee injuries, and/or pain from the knees.
How to add to your skin care routineApply the cream as often as necessary to the affected area, but not more than three to four times per day.
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3. Fast-Acting – Koi CBD
Pros:
- Fast-acting
- Amazing smell
- Very effective (many satisfied clients).
- Non-detectable levels THC are present in this product
- Test results are made public
- Tested for over 100 contaminants
- A subscription gets you 20% off
Cons:
- Can quickly get through jar (45g largest size).
Koi is proud to produce the best and most consistent CBD oil products available today. They know precisely where their CBD comes from — from the seed to the final product — by using a strict validation process with all of their vendors.
Every batch of CBD used to make Koi products is tested multiple times during production to ensure that you get the best skincare lotion. Before approving a product, they test it for more than 100 contaminants to ensure that no pesticides, solvents, or heavy metals are present.
Verified reviewers love this:The CBD balm is so easy to use and the speed at which it works has been praised by verified reviewers. It’s non-greasy and soothes your aches and pains when you need it the most — the only thing people wish is that the jars were bigger!
How to add to your skin care routineMassage the affected areas if necessary. Great for when you’re going to bed — relieves aches and pains and encourages a good night’s rest.
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4. Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer – CLEARSTEM
Pros:
- Acne-safe
- Increase collagen and elasticity
- Acne scars are good
- Innovative stem cells to age-defying results
- Natural alternative to retinol
Cons:
CLEARSTEM offers a range of plant-based skincare that is suitable for all skin types. All the ingredients in their Hydraglow moisturizer are non-comedogenic, meaning they won’t clog your pores, even if you suffer from acne.
We love the inclusion natural ingredients that have powerful benefits for the skin and overall well-being. Bakuchiol, for example, is a botanical that has anti-aging properties and is often used as a natural replacement to retinol. You’ll find a healthy dose of that in every jar, along with aloe, arnica and other potent plants.
Verified reviewers love this: No matter what type of skin you have — dry, oily or combination — the anti-aging effects of this moisturizer give users a natural, healthy glow. People also can’t stop talking about how good it smells.
How to add to your skin care routineAfter washing your face, apply a moisturizer. The serum should be applied after you have cleansed your skin. Apply a quarter-sized amount Hydraglow to your neck and face, making sure to apply it evenly on wrinkles and fine lines.
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5. Best Body Lotion with Natural Benefits – Raw Botanics
Pros:
- CBD oil
- Amazing, natural scent
- Good for joint pain and stiffness
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Aloe vera and almond oil
- Sources and made in America
Cons:
- All ingredients may not be 100% natural.
We have found the best CBD body lotion, once again. Raw Botanics has a broad spectrum CBD moisturizer that supports overall health and glowing skin tone.
Each little bottle contains a lot of vitamins and nutrition that are good for the skin and the body. And since CBD is thought to help calm stress, it’s nutritious for the mind, too!
It was difficult to find even one negative Raw Botanics review, since the brand has been steadily building its customer base over the years with its incredible skin products.
Verified reviewers love this:The scent! Reviewers of Raw Botanics’ body lotion with CBD cannot stop talking about how amazing it smells. For a luxurious, spa-like experience, hemp terpenes combine natural ginger with lemongrass.
How to add to your skin care routineThis CBD body lotion can be used to moisturize and relieve dry, sensitive skin, joints, and muscles after you shower.
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6. Best Skincare for Inflammation – Pure Spectrum
Pros:
- 100% all-natural
- CBD oil organically extracted
- Sourced and manufactured in the U.S.
- The use of botanicals that have anti-inflammatory properties has been shown to be beneficial
- Potent
- Versatile
Cons:
Inflammation of the skin, or just below it, can cause a major disruption in your skincare routine. That’s where Pure Spectrum comes in with an arsenal of all-natural botanicals to help calm irritated skin down and relieve pain.
Like a few other skincare products on this list, Pure Spectrum’s salve contains CBD, a powerful anti-inflammatory from the hemp plant. You’ll also find organic jojoba oil, lavender essential oil, and more botanicals known for their natural benefits to the body and mind.
We love that this salve is effective in relieving inflammation. A little goes a very long way! It’s an excellent all-natural addition to the plant-based medicine cabinet for whatever ails your skin.
Verified reviewers love this: Many physiotherapists, massage therapists and other body workers recommend Pure Spectrum’s salve. Thus, it’s become a bit of a cult favorite amongst customers who’ve been referred by professionals. Many people love the relief they receive from sore joints and muscles.
How to add to your skin care routine Apply a small amount of Pure Spectrum’s salve to inflamed skin or painful areas like joints after a workout. This salve is also great as a massage cream.
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7. Best for Relaxation – Mission Farms
Pros:
- Non-greasy
- Made from vitamin-rich, goat milk
- Stimulates collagen production in your skin
- Stress relief
- Third-party lab tests (results are available online).
Cons:
- Orders over $75 qualify for free shipping
Mission Farms’ CBD comes from a single farm in Bend, Oregon, where the hemp is grown organically, and plants are looked after by hand. In addition, the purity of CBD is tested in four different ways.
- Soil testing
- The hemp itself is being tested
- Testing the hemp extract
- The final products are being tested
Mission Farms products can be used pesticide-free, are non-GMO, or certified as food grade. These products will not cause irritation or contain any harmful chemicals. One of the best things about this CBD cream is that it’s not greasy. Instead, it’s light and leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed.
Verified reviewers love this: Verified customers love how effective this CBD cream promotes relaxation and how it’s not greasy when applied. It can also be used to alleviate some joint pains at night.
How to add to your skin care routineMassage the areas that you feel tension such as your neck and temples with a small amount. Use at nighttime before bed to help you relax and get a better night’s rest.
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8. Healthiest Skin Oil – Joy Organics
Pros:
- USDA organic
- Full spectrum CBD oil
- All-natural ingredients
- All-purpose versatility
- It is also great for intimate lubricants
Cons:
Joy Organics is a brand that is driven by a mission. It was the first domestic CBD company to be awarded the USDA organic seal. Joy Organics’ organic CBD massage oil made our list as the dark horse for the healthiest overall skin oil.
Joy Organics, unlike other brands on this list is not focused on creating natural skincare products. Their organic CBD massage oil is among the most healthful we could find. With only organic MCT oil and full spectrum CBD oil in the mix, it’s a simple, all-natural way to boost overall skin health.
Verified reviewers loveReviews for this all-over oil are positive. It can be used as a face oil, without clogging pores. Many users also report benefits in their bedroom.
How to add to your skin care routineAdd a few drops of Joy Organics CBD massage oil to your palms. Apply to the skin, face, and intimate parts for all-over moisture.
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9. Best for Dry, Irritated Skin – Receptra Naturals
Pros:
- It relieves dry, irritated skin
- Minimize scarring from dry skin
- Anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory properties
- Protects skin from ultraviolet rays
- Amazing smell
- It works quickly to soothe the skin
- Online results of tests are available
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
- Standard shipping to the U.S. is free
Cons:
- Brands are more expensive than others
Receptra Naturals’ hemp body butter was more than just a quick-fix solution. Yes, you’ll get the needed pain relief you’re looking for, but you’ll also benefit from the butter’s ability to:
- Reduce scarring from dry and irritated skin
- Reduce tension on your skin
- Hydrate extremely dry skin
The body butter is made with a variety of natural ingredients, including:
- Shea butterTo condition, smoothen, and soothe your skin.
- Cocoa butterTo hydrate and reduce scar tissue appearance.
- Manuka honey:Its anti-bacterial and antiinflammatory properties.
- Vitamin E:To support skin health.
- Aloe Vera leaf juiceTo protect the skin from ultraviolet rays.
Verified reviewers love this:Customers rave about the scent! There is no chemical scent, just a natural sweetness that’s a delight. Verified reviewers also love the cooling relief this hemp body butter offers, helping to reduce irritation and redness — even helping reduce scar tissue — from various skin issues.
How to add to your skin care routineApply the massage directly to the affected areas as necessary. Apply immediately after you have taken a shower or bath to the irritated area.
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Best for Joint Pain – Cornbread Hemp
Pros:
- Very effective for joint pain
- Amazing smell
- Made with organic ingredients
- Subscribe to receive 25% off and free shipping
- 100% 30-day money-back guarantee
- Fast-acting
Cons:
- Thin — can be easy to apply too much
- $75 minimum to receive free shipping (unless subscribers are included)
Cornbread Hemp is well-known for providing CBD products of a higher quality than other providers. All products are USDA organic and have been certified from the soil to their final product. When making their CBD oils, they remove all stems, leaves, and stalks, so you’re only left with the highest quality flower-only CBD products.
Every batch of Cornbread Hemp CBD Cream is subject to third-party laboratory testing for things such as:
- Pesticides
- Heavy metals
- Microbials
- Mycotoxins
Anything that doesn’t meet their standards doesn’t make the cut, so you can rest easy when using these CBD lotions.
Verified reviewers love this:Customers have raved about the speed at which this CBD lotion relieves joint pain. The easy application and smooth texture of the CBD lotion are also a big plus.
How to add to your skin care routineMassage the affected areas well until the oil is absorbed into your skin. You can continue to use it throughout the day until you feel better. Gradually increase the dose as necessary.
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What’s the best skincare routine?
A skincare regimen is how you clean and maintain your skin with plant-based products. It usually refers to what you do in the morning and night, but for our list, a more holistic skincare routine is what we’re going for.
Healthy skin requires healthy lifestyle choices regarding food, exercise, and sleep. You can keep your skin looking and feeling healthy by taking care of yourself. This will help eliminate unwanted features such as dark circles and uneven spots.
Here’s an example of what the best skincare routine for a plant-based product fan might look like:
For the Face
- Step 1: Cleanse your body with water or an all natural cleanser.
- Step 2: Apply the toner and let dry for approximately 1 minute.
- Step 3: Apply serum
- Step 4: Apply moisturizing products (e.g., oil, lotions, face creams, eye creams)
If you have a full-face, remember to first use a makeup remover.
For the Body
- Step 1: Cleanse your body with water or an all natural cleanser.
- Step 2: Apply a body lotion or skin oil to moisturize.
- Step 3: Apply an anti-inflammatory cream to the problem areas.
Lifestyle matters
A healthy lifestyle is essential for good skin health. You can improve your skin appearance by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and eating right. Stress reduction is a great way to make your skin look and feel younger.
These top 10 skincare products are sure to give you an extra boost, and keep your plant-based skincare routine healthy.
You want more? You can find more information below about the top five collagen products you should use in 2022.
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