Welcome to the annual BEST OF NATURAL BEAUTY! Every year, I take a minute to look back and call out some of my absolute favorite discoveries from the past 12 months. Lesssgo!
By: Lisa Fennessy
I don’t know about you, but 2022 was filled with a lot of personal ups and downs. I could call 2022 a lot of things, but I’m deciding to take the high road and call it a *year of growth*.
Along with several external challenges, I tend to be really hard on myself (as my therapist has pointed out again and again and again) so I’m choosing to enter 2023 with “self compassion” as my word of the year. Less shoulds and more…well…compassion. Compassion for the moment, compassion for my timeline and compassion for myself…which, to be honest, feels really hard to grasp. But I will keep trying.
One of the ups in 2022 (as it is with most years) was getting to discover some of the best of the best when it comes to clean beauty. I love this post because it allows you to cut through all the noise and go straight to the good stuff when it comes to natural beauty.
To keep this from turning into a best of all time post, I’m narrowing down these picks to new releases in 2022 OR products that I tried for the first time in 2022.
Per usue, aside from touting healthy ingredients, I also really wanted to hone in on EFFECTIVE products. Products you could essentially use for a very short period of time and see a difference. I don’t know about you but more than ever, instant gratification is like chicken noodle soup for my mental health. Can I get a witness?! I mean, let’s be honest, at the end of the day, after rolling with all the punches, I just want beauty products that will serve me. Make me feel good. We all deserve that.
I also want to take a moment and say goodbye and thank you to some brands that closed their doors this past year like Clean Beauty Box, Vapour, TAOS, Clove + Hallow, biophile (and the Pleni Naturals kids line). It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know you and you will be sorely missed. 🤍
RELATED: We’ve been rounding up the best in beauty since 2017! Check out 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021’s top picks.
Top clean beauty products of 2022
Le Prunier Plumscreen | $78
Probably one of the most exciting and highly anticipated drops of 2022, and I am obsessed. This formula is so special because it uses upcycled plum seed oil alongside broad spectrum zinc to deliver SPF 31 coverage. The kicker here is that plum seed oil is so naturally formidable at providing UV protection that Le Prunier only had to add 4.7% zinc to get a full pass on the “SPF 31” claim by the FDA.
This means that this truly feels like a moisturizer. It’s creamy, moisturizing and doesn’t smell like zinc (not even a little!).
I also love the addition of skin boosting ingredients like hydrating Zonaria Tournefortii Extract that helps protect against future wrinkles, and of course their trademarked Plum Superfruit Complex, which offers free radical protection, helps even skin tone, improves hyperpigmentation and more.
Say hello to the last SPF you will ever buy! Oh and P.S. I hear Le Prunier is coming out with their third ever product soon…EEEK! Stay tuned!
Save: Code NEWKNEW15 will save you 15% on your first order online or in store at AILLEA. Some exclusions apply.
RELATED: The Best Mineral SPF for Your Face
Ursa Major Mountain Glow | $84
If you are still looking for the perfect serum, LISTEN UP! Ursa Major’s Mountain Glow Golden Serum was love at first application. Here’s why:
- Wear this under your moisturizer as a concentrated treatment but…
- Unlike most water-based serums, this one is an oil emulsion so with its cream-to-oil finish, it brings the moisture like few others do.
- It delivers a beautiful glow.
- It leaves skin super soft and smooth (like what is this, velvet?!).
- It’s formulated with FORTY FOUR clean actives (STACKED!), including adaptogens and vitamins A, C and E.
- Leaves skin feeling plump and nourished.
- Love its barely-there scent (a tiny bit citrusy, a tiny bit forestry, very subtle, elevated and light).
- It’s certified plastic negative.
- And if you love a lightweight moisturizer, this could even be considered an all-in-one hydrator, serum, moisturizer. Yeah, it’s that versatile and that stacked.
But mostly? That feel and that glow. Recommend 100%.
Save: Code NEWKNEW15 will save you 15% on your first order online or in store at AILLEA. Some exclusions apply.
Fitglow Beauty Multi-Use Ceramide Cream Lip + Cheek Palette | $48
This year I discovered that I’m obsessed with multi-use palettes. Now, obviously multi palettes are not new when it comes to products like eye shadows, BUT when it comes to MULTI-USE, MULTI PALETTES?! New and totally obsessed. I fell hard for ILIA’s Limited Edition Multi Stick Palette this past year, which was a huge tease because it was here and then it wasn’t. But before I could say *WTF*, Fitglow dropped their Multi-Use Palette and the world was whole again.
This palette includes four colors you can use on your lips, cheeks and even your eyes (if you’re feeling wild like that). And in true Fitglow fashion, it’s not only makeup but, powered by castor seed oil, safflower oil, apricot and ceramides, it’s also skincare too.
I love wearing these colors straight up or mixing them to create a custom shade. I also love wearing the same color on my cheeks and lips for that monochrome look. I love love love it for travel because I have several color options all in one. Plus it’s refillable and recyclable so really…what’s not to love?!
Save: Code NEWKNEW20 will save you 20% sitewide at Fitglow.
RELATED: My Two-Week Vacation Packing List
One Love Organics Brand New Day (reformulated) | $49
Brand New Day has been in One Love Organic’s lineup since 2010, but this year it got a glow-up and it’s back and better than ever. (Think *She’s All That, Laney Boggs makeover* good. 😉)
Now, being a child of the 80s, I’ve developed a deep positive neural pathway for face scrubs. Even though most of these face scrubs tore our pubescent faces off, we still went back for more. Tell me I’m not alone!
But not Brand New Day. This face scrub satisfies that deep down desire to get up close and personal with a face scrub while still maintaining skin integrity. The texture of this formula is a gentle micro grit thanks to mineral-rich clay, which OLO says binds to unwanted congestion, and ultra-fine polishing minerals to whisk away additional buildup. But the exfoliation fun continues with added tropical fruit enzymes to double down bringing a gentle chemical exfoliation as well. It also delivers mango butter rich in antioxidants, vitamins C and E and moisturization.
You can use this straight up or leave it on for 5 minutes before using light pressure to massage in circular motions and then rinsing. Love the versatility. Love the (signature white gummy bear OLO) scent. Love the smooth and moisturized feel of my skin after using it. CAN’T 👏GET 👏ENOUGH 👏.
Save: Code NEWKNEW15 will save you 15% on your first order online or in store at AILLEA. Some exclusions apply.
Henry Rose Jake’s House | $120
Michelle Pfieffer came in hot with an elevated line of clean fragrances she’s dubbed Henry Rose. Everything just hits here, from the chic packaging to the scents to the third party vetting. I feel so giddy about this line that not only checks that “no compromises” mark, but actually slays it by over-shadowing conventional on all accounts.
My pick is Jake’s House which is watery, light, crisp, clean, powdery, floral and a tad musky. Love this for during the day, but it could easily elevate any situation.
Also love that the ingredient list is 100% transparent with all ingredients listed on their website. (I would love to see every fragrance brand do this!) AND it’s also EWG Verified by the way…which…is…HUGE. (This is the first luxury fragrance line that has passed the EWG verification by the way.)
Scent profile: Light and fresh yet very defined with notes of neroli, peony, jasmine, ambroxan and musk. Still on the fence? Try their sample pack and I’m sure you will find a fave.
RELATED: Our Favorite Clean Perfumes
EleVen Game Set Match Body Lotion SPF 50 | $38
I’m not even going to mess around with this review. Game Set Match Body Lotion is by far THE BEST clean body SPF I’ve tried. Say goodbye to the sticky, the icky, the white streaks, the gooiness, the thickness, the mess, the “can’t get it out of the bottle,” the “never rubs in,” the “can’t get it off”—and say hello to easy, peasy, non-greasy, SPF wonderland. Guys. And it’s SPF 50??!!
Venus Williams may be a tennis star, but she is also an SPF mavin. Who knew?! I honestly didn’t expect to like this line as much as I do (she also has a great face SPF serum), but the low zinc oxide content (9.5% to many other SPFs’ 40%) probably has something to do with it.
While the additional ingredients in this formula are just fine by TNK standards, there’s nothing super stand-out about them either. But the SPF itself is reef-safe, offers physical protection from UVA and UVB rays, and has packaging made from 100% PCR and recyclable materials.
That, in combo with the fact that this lotion is as good for a beach day (or tennis workout) as it is for everyday use, makes it a top pick.
Put it this way, this is a home run (er, I guess game, set, match), as the pros would say.
Free + True Body Worker Hydrating Body Serum | $48
Can a body lotion be lightweight and heavyweight at the same time? This body serum says YES. It’s lightweight but mad hydrating, which is exactly what I want…and I’ve been using it every day since it arrived on my doorstep. Even brought it skiing with me to Utah and it was able to rise to the high-altitude occasion.
Now this isn’t Free + True’s first body lotion rodeo. They hit the scene with Body Prophet a few years back, which also became a quick personal fave as well as a Beauty Shortlist Award Winner for best body serum in 2022.
Needless to say, Free + True knows what’s up when it comes to creating a lotion that not only feels good but is good for you…and works. I love how this soaks in and leaves skin feeling plump without feeling greasy, but I especially love that it showcases an ingredient called Acetyl Zingerone, which Free + True explains “is a potent antioxidant, derived from ginger, that repairs signs of photoaging and neutralizes photooxidative stress, all while boosting the skin’s defense against free radicals, ensuring it thrives year-round.”
I’m so here for it. If you haven’t tried either of their body serums yet, both are amazing but I say start with Body Worker—it’s a little more heavy hitting than Body Prophet and a delightful pick for winter skin.
Mukti Botanique Deodorant | $20
Okay this is not a “new to me” in 2022 product, but when it comes to deodorant, I only have eyes for Mukti’s Botanique Deodorant. Nothing else compares!
Now, I know I’ve already said I decided I hate talking about deodorants—what works for some doesn’t work for others and it’s a never ending conversation with no resolute outcome. BUT (!!!) I’ve been using Mukti’s deo for just about a year now and it’s revolutionized what deodorant means to me.
This is a botanical spray that goes on clear and keeps odor at bay. So let me interpret that for you:
- It won’t stain clothes or leave white marks on your shirts.
- It’s easy to apply (no fingers dipping into jars or tugging or pulling on skin to get product to transfer).
- No rolling up a tube or pushing out product.
- Although this DOES have baking soda in it, I haven’t experienced any baking soda irritation.
- Gentle, mild and it WORKS.
- Used to be $30, but now is $20 with their 2022 price adjustments.
- Plus it’s packaged in post consumer recycled plastic.
Do yourself a solid and try this non-solid, life changing deodorant.
Innersense I Create Shine Hair Oil | $40
Okay before you roll your eyes, I TOO also DO NOT LIKE hair oils. I’ve never met a hair oil that makes my hair look good. They are greasy, they weigh my hair down, they are oily, they make my strands clump together…just, NO.
So, needless to say, I was REALLY SURPRISED when I tried Innersense’s new hair oil….and liked it.
It’s so light, smells good and actually makes my hair look shiny that I was convinced it was not ACTUALLY an oil after all. I would have bet $100 that I was going to look at the ingredient list and see aloe vera or water as the first ingredient but I was punched in the face with “olive oil” listed as the very first ingredient…followed by 7 additional oils. Listen, I don’t know how they do it, but it’s goooood. (And Nicolle concurs, and she’s got fine, thin hair to my thicker, coarser strands.)
Innersence says the secret to this ultimate hair oil is these four key players:
- Cranberry Seed Oil to protect against UV rays and other environmental damage.
- Sunflower Seed Oil to deliver deep moisture, promotes elasticity and shine.
- Macadamia Oil as a featherweight moisturizer and to help smooth frizz.
- Sesame Oil to help repair, strengthen strands, preventing breakage and split ends while boosting elasticity and bounce.
All I’m going to say is this: if you are still looking for a hair oil that won’t weigh your hair down and that will actually add shine—this is it.
Save: Code NEWKNEW15 will save you 15% on your first order online or in store at AILLEA. Some exclusions apply.
Olive & June Nail Polishes | $8+
Nicolle stepping in here to rave about the team’s nail polish picks for 2022. We’ve seen lots of trends towards bolder nails in the last few years, and Olive & June have been leading the charge when it comes to making those trends happen at home.
In 2022, we couldn’t get enough of the glazed donut trend, mostly because O&J released The Nail Brightener to make it easy to transform any shade you had on hand into a gleaming, shiny new hue.
Also, matte nails made a comeback and THEY’RE SO CHIC. We died when O&J released their Matte Top Coat, again making it simple and accessible to jump on the trend.
And the whole team can’t get enough of the simplest at-home nail art: ADD GLITTER. Is It Too Much?, a chunky gold glitter with a clear base from O&J, has been elevating our manis for months.
Save: Use code THENEWKNEW for 20% off all Olive & June systems purchases (including Mani, Pedi & Complete Systems).
What beauty products topped your 2022 list?!
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Vilvah
January 14, 2023Hi Lisa,
Your blog got me to learn a lot, thanks for sharing, nice article