Green Beauty on a Budget

Who isn’t on a budget these days? Whether you’re cutting back or simply just getting by, good deals are on everyone’s radar. But when you’re talking about your skin, many of us aren’t willing to venture far from our $50 cr¨me that we know actually works. So we decided to be the guinea pigs for you and tested more than 100 products, finding the most effective, affordable, and earth and body-friendly products available today. Here’s our list of your top 13 picks for green beauty on a budget. All products adhere to our safe skincare guidelines, found here.

Face:

Cleanser Dry Skin– Juice Beauty Exfoliating Cleanser – This soap-free formula features certified organic white grape and pineapple juices, naturally rich in antioxidants and exfoliating qualities, as well as soothing aloe vera, grapeseed oil, and honey, leaving your skin soft and refreshed. 4.75 oz., $22.

Cleanser Oily Skin- Collective Wellbeing Cleansing Clay – Oily skin typically needs both detoxifying ingredients as well as ones that heal, and in Collective Wellbeing’s Cleansing Clay you’ll find both; cinnamon and clay purify and absorb excess oil, while sea kelp, aloe vera juice and tea tree oil soothe any inflammation or redness. 5 oz., $15.

Toner– John Masters Organics Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist – Some toners leave your skin crying for a moisturizer. Not so with John Masters Organics Rose & Aloe Hydrating Toning Mist. True to its name, this spritzer stimulates circulation with the essential oil of rose, while white tea and aloe help nourish the skin. 2 oz., $20.

Scrub– Apricot Gentle Facial Scrub – This foamy scrub utilizes walnut shell powder, as well as soothing apricot kernel oil, almond oil, and apricot seed powder to stimulate circulation and mildly exfoliate dead skin. 4 oz., $9.

Daytime Moisturizer– Alba Botanica Rainforest Lush Facial Cream – One of Alba Botanica’s most recent releases, the Lush Facial Cream features Brazil nut oil and Andiroba oil, both of which soothe and hydrate skin. The luxurious blend also features the extract of Tiger Nut, which is naturally rich in oligosaccharides, helping to increase collage production. 1.5 oz, $22.

Nighttime Moisturizer– Avalon Organics CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Night Cr¨me – This anti-aging blend features CoQ10 enzymes, white tea, and vitamin E to soften skin and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. Think of it as an antioxidant smoothie for your skin! 1.75 oz, $25.

Eye Treatment– Alba Botanica Green Tea Eye Gel – It’s difficult to find an effective and affordable eye gel, but Alba Botanica’s Green Tea eye gel manages to accomplish both. Green tea and aloe vera provide natural inflammatory properties, helping to smooth and protect the delicate skin around the eye, while cucumber and kelp extract help firm and tone. 1 oz., $18.

Mask– Aveda Intensive Hydrating Mask – If you’re looking for a cooling and hydrating mask that isn’t oily, Aveda’s Intensive Hydrating mask is the perfect fit (especially during the warm days of summer). Aloe, kelp and lavender help to soften dry skin, while rosewater helps calm irritated skin. 5 oz., $20.

Body:

Body wash– Two body washes won our praises.
Creo Nano Pro-Tec Body Wash with CREOPLEX offers a light scent of grapefruit and ginger, while soothing the skin with their patented CREOPLEX formula 12 oz., $25.

Earth Mama Angel Baby Happy Mama Body Wash is not just for mamas. This foaming body wash has a light lime and grapefruit scent to help lift the spirits (and combat morning sickness), while the natural olive oil castile soap cleanses without stripping the skin of moisture. This blend does put a smile on your face! 5.3 oz., $11.

Scrub– Au Naturel Ayurveda Cherish Aromatic Salt Scrub – Cherish Aromatic Salt Scrub from Au Naturel Ayurveda is a soothing concoction of Dead Sea salt, ayurvedic mountain salt, essential oil of tangerine, and vitamin E. It’s absolutely yummy and does not separate like most scrubs tend to do, we love that! 12 oz., $20.

Shaving Cream– EO Products Shave Cream- Lavender with Aloe – While EO’s Shave Cream may not recreate the foam you’re accustomed to, it will deliver excellent and smooth results. Jojoba oil and olive wax moisturize and prep the skin, while vitamins A and E help soothe, offering a close and soft shave. 5 oz., $9.

Bath Bubbles– Aura Cacia Tranquility Natural Aromatherapy Bubble Bath – Baths have the ability to change your mood, and with Aura Cacia’s aromatherapy baths, you can pick which mood you’re hoping for. The Tranquility blend features patchouli oil, lavender oil, chamomile, and geranium to lift the spirits and calm an overactive mind. 13 oz., $9.

Body Lotion– Weleda Skin Food – One of Weleda’s best-selling formulations, Skin Food soothes and hydrates even the roughest of skin (a.k.a. elbows, heels, and knees), with organic sunflower seed oil, pansy, rosemary leaf, and calendula flower. 2.5 oz., $17.50.