We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again…those Brits know a thing or two about green beauty. (Read: all the things.) There are so many London and UK-based skincare, bath, body and beauty lines that we covet. So, we were pretty pysched when newcomer Yours Truly Organics reached out to us about trying their products. This should tide us over (for a few months, anyway) while we continue to save our pretty pennies for an overseas green beauty JAMBOREE. Or maybe our UK-based bloggers pals can just Skype us in. We can dream.
Founded by Kelita Bignall, the line was developed based on her own acne struggles (to which we can of course relate). We found that the four-step Yours Truly Organics line works well with acne prone skin, AND skin with fine lines. (Who doesn’t have fine lines here and there? Really, who are you? We want to meet you and you can tell us about your deal with the devil. And where we can sign up.)
The line consists of the Take It Away! Gel Cleanser (£22 or $37 for 150 ml), Balancing Toner (£19 or $32 for 150 ml), Fix Me! Repairing Serum (£28 or $47 for 30 ml) and Face Base Face Balm (£25 or $42 for 100 ml). Overall, the line feels fresh and is very moisturizing. And the products aren’t skimpy – meaning that the gel cleanser is a thicker consistency than other natural cleansers we’ve used; the serum isn’t just a light oil – it’s a nearly opaque, gooey serum that dries matte; and the moisturizer is a thick lotion that also sets matte and makes a great, non-oily make-up base. Though the products themselves are substantial and feel heavier than we’re used to, we both agreed that the line doesn’t weigh our skin down. And the moisturized yet matte finish you’re left with is a huge plus. Did we mention these products smell GREAT? Citrus-y, so fresh and so clean clean.
The products are cruelty-free and bear the Ecocert label, which covers a lot of ground – Ecocert cosmetics must use sustainable packaging, can’t utilize GMOs, parabens or a bunch of other undesirable and non-natural ingredients, and more.
Here are our favorite parts of this new line:
Jennifer’s Fave
Take it Away! Gel Cleanser
I’ve been reaching for this cleanser over and over again. Similar to One Love Organics’ Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser, this liquid gold (to clarify…there’s not actually gold in there…I’m talkin’ color here, folks) is entirely reminiscent of the sudsy face washes I used for the majority of my life thus far, but without the harsh foaming agents and hidden nasties. Sign me up!
This gel cleanser has some thickness to it (hence the “gel”) and applies silky and slippery, not sticky. I rinse it off with a few splashes of water, and it leaves skin moisturized, not stripped. Maybe I’m bad/lazy with rinsing, but I find it leaves behind a little moisturizing layer on my skin. Which I enjoy. Plus, I benefit from the lingering citrus scent of this cleanser…brought to you by orange oil. Among its other ingredients (Yours Truly reports 99% of them come from natural origin) is sandalwood oil – an oil I hadn’t encountered before! It has cleaning and astringent properties. MAKES SENSE.
Overall, this cleanser really appealed/stood out to me because liquid cleansers are easy to splash on and off, to toss in your suitcase or gym bag (as opposed to bar soap) and to use in the shower. Everyone needs a good liquid cleanser – this might be yours! (It’s mine, at least until this sucker runs out!)
Kathryne’s Fave
Fix Me! Repairing Serum
This serum feels like an enriching treat. Like I’m doing my skin a favor. After a few days of using this, I noticed clearer, more buoyant skin. My skin felt like it had more glow to it. I’d catch myself in the mirror and wonder if it was a fluke. It was not. A waiter at a restaurant stopped in front of me and said, “Your skin is RADIANT.” Given that I was not wearing ANY base foundation whatsoever (it was brunch, sue me) – I took this as a good sign. It’s not everyday a stranger compliments you on your skin. Eh?!
The serum contains oat kernel, which smooths, tightens, and repairs your skin. Yours Truly states that the serum reduces inflammation, and I can attest to that. I consider my skin relatively sensitive, and wearing this after toning, and then following up with the Yours Truly face balm, my skin was primed and ready for makeup. No bumps, no redness. (I’m a fan, can you tell?)
Take it away! Gel Cleanser ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Lauryl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Decyl Glucoside, Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Sebacate, Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate/Caprate, Glycerin**, Glyceryl Laurate, PCA Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Chloride, Shea Butter Polyglyceryl-6 Esters, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil*, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Bixa Orellana Seed Extract, Tocopherol, Limonene***, Benzyl Alcohol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil*.
* Ingredients from organic farming
** Made using organic ingredients
*** Component of natural essential oil
99% of the total ingredients are from natural origin
29% of the total ingredients are from organic farming
Balancing Toner ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Flower Water*, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Glycerin, Saccharide Isomerate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder*, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Dehydroacetic Acid, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil*, Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli Oil)*, Cymbopogon Citratus (Lemongrass Oil)*, Maltodextrin, Oat Beta Glucan, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sorbate, Levulinic Acid, Sodium Levulinate, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral***, Linalool***, Geraniol***, Limonene***.
* Ingredients from organic farming
** Made using organic ingredients
*** Component of natural essential oil
99% of the total ingredients are from natural origin
90% of the total ingredients are from organic farming
Fix Me! Repairing Serum ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Extract*, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Argania Spinosa Kernel Extract (Argan Oil), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder*, Serenoa Serrulata (Saw Palmetto) Fruit Extract, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Onopordum Acanthium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract*, Dehydroacetic Acid, Cymbopogon Martini (Palmarosa) Oil, Limonene***, Benzyl Alcohol, Geraniol, Linalool***, Citral***, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil*, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil*, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Bitter Orange) Oil.
* Ingredients from organic farming
** Made using organic ingredients
*** Component of natural essential oil
97% Of the total ingredients are from natural origin
88% of the total ingredients are from organic farming
Face Base Face Balm
Aqua (Water), Prunus Persica (Peach) Kernel Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Bellis perennis (daisy) flower extract**, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Organic Glycerin**, Theobroma Grandiflorum (Cupuacu) Seed Butter*, Coco-Caprylate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Powder*, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract*, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract*, Pisum Sativum (Pea) Extract**, Cyclodextrin, Limonene and Linalool.
* Ingredients from organic farming
** Made using organic ingredients
*** Component of natural essential oil
**The Yours Truly Organics products featured in this post were generously sent to us for review by the product manufacturer. Check out our policy on product reviews.