My True Botanicals Review & which ones are best for dry, aging skin

Over the years, I’ve learned a lot about the clean beauty industry — the good and not so good. As someone who cares about using safer ingredients and products (well, I try… I’m about 80/20), I was intrigued by the True Botanicals product line after getting a number of Instagram ads fed to me. I am a skincare junkie and in the past year, I’ve tried Beautycounter, OSEA, Ann Marie, Image, Dime Beauty, Primally Pure, Wink Naturals, not to mention all the samples I tried in my Swan Beauty Boxes.

But, since my skin has been so dry in the last few years and aging is really starting to show as I get even closer to 40, I’m always on the hunt for the BEST skincare products so I justified buying True Botanicals. And hey, reviewing skincare is part of my job, so I hope it helps you too! In short, this may be an expensive new habit to support. I really do like their products. In some instances, I still like my other brands best, so I noted that!

True Botanicals is an upscale skincare company and their mission is to provide high-quality products made from natural and organic ingredients while maintaining strict standards in terms of quality, cleanliness, and responsibility. Not only are their beauty products free from harmful toxins and preservatives, but they also contain natural botanicals that help nourish and hydrate the skin (a win for someone like me with seriously dry skin).

True Botanicals has a wide range of products and the products I ordered are for dry, aging skin. I’m a major skincare junkie so if something makes it into my regular skincare routine, you know it’s good. I’ll be sure to keep y’all update after I use the products for a bit longer!

True Botanicals Review

Before I dive into my results and experience, I wanted to discuss what makes True Botanicals stand out from other skincare lines I’ve used. True Botanicals is a luxury skincare brand that uses only the purest ingredients to deliver results. I feel passionate that my skincare must be high performing and safe and clean (which is one of the main reasons I love Beautycounter!).

The company was founded in 2014 after founder Hillary Peterson was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at 32. As a new mom to twins, Hillary began digging into the ingredients of her skincare products and was shocked to discover that many of them were full of toxins. She decided to create her own skincare line with the goal of providing clean, non-toxic skincare solutions for all skin types.

Their products are formulated without harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. True Botanicals is based in California and produces all of its products in its own certified organic and natural lab.

What makes True Botanicals a stand-out for me is their use of high-quality botanical ingredients such as seed oils, plant extracts, and essential oils. I also found their packaging felt the most high-end of any of the brands I’ve used in the last year.

Similar to Primally Pure, Ann Marie and other botanical-based skincare products I’ve used, they can feel a bit heavy on skin at first, but they absorb quickly. If you’re not used to that feeling, you could try using their products only at night, rather than during the day.

The Best True Botanicals Products for Dry, Aging Skin

True Botanicals carries a lot of face oils, serums, treatments, and more to address different skin concerns including signs of aging and acne. They also carry makeup like tinted moisturizers and lipsticks. I particularly like that most of their products contain antioxidants that help combat environmental stressors, like pollution or sun exposure that can cause wrinkles or discoloration. (I love Beautycounter’s Vitamin C Serum for the same reason.)

If you’re thinking about dipping your toes into True Botanicals, the first seven are the ones I’ve already tried and the last five are ones I have in my cart!

1. True Botanicals Turmeric Cleansing Balm

I love a good cleansing balm! The Colleen Rothschild balm is my all-time favorite one but this True Botanicals Turmeric Cleansing Balm is a VERY close second. The natural ingredients nourish skin while removing dirt, makeup, sunscreen, and other impurities without stripping away moisture. It smells heavenly due to its blend of ginger root, mandarin, and neroli oils. The True Botanicals one made my skin feel revived and fresh (which is a weird way to describe it, but the best way I know how) and I think it must be the ginger. A little goes a long way with this one!

While I loved this, I’m still a bit partial to my Colleen Rothschild Cleansing Balm, since I like that scent, but if you want one that’s fragrance-free, the True Botanicals cleansing balm or the Beautycounter Cleansing Balm would be good options! (I avoid fragrance as much as possible once I learned via Beautycounter’s Never List that some brands use “fragrance” as a loop hole to hide not-so-great-ingredients.)

2. Microbiome Enzyme Essence

The Microbiome Enzyme Essence is one of one of my favorites I’ve ever used. Essences are created to help prep your skin for your serums (similar to a toner), and this one contains active prebiotics which promote soft, glowy skin, while also containing AHAs and enzymes which resurface your skin at the same time. AHAs can tend to be slightly drying, but I found that this essence was really nourishing, so it could easily be used daily. This is great for dullness, uneven skin tone, and fine lines.

I absolutely the Beautycounter Countertime Essence and have for years, but I actually like the True Botanicals essence even better. It has a more viscous texture (almost like a facial oil) compared to the Beautycounter Essence, which is a bit more watery, so it feels more hydrating. But it’s certainly pricier – it’s $80 for 4 oz compared to $68 for 5 oz. I might just use the True Botanicals in the morning and then the Beautycounter one at night.

3. True Botanicals Renew Chebula Active Serum

I really liked this lightweight, anti-aging serum. It absorbs quickly into the skin and the scent is delightful, which I appreciate since I’m extremely sensitive to strong smells. I haven’t been using this for long, but it does make my skin feel more hydrated right after I apply it. It’s also a bit more like an oil rather than the lotion-like texture of most of my serums, which I really like since I have dry skin.

Chebula, one of the main ingredients in this serum, is known to help with skin aging by reducing fine lines and wrinkles, evening out the skin’s tone, and making it look brighter and firmer. It contains elderberry, ginger, and echinacea, which actually help enhance the antioxidant content and promote cellular rejuvenation. I like this better than the Beautycounter Radiance Serum I’d been using previously.

4. SuperSEA Firming & Lifting Treatment

The SuperSEA Firming & Lifting Treatment SHOCKED me. I tried it after I originally published this post, and knew I had to add it in here immediately. It’s essentially a face lift in a bottle. It uses seaweeds and sea minerals to help firm, lift, and tighten skin over time. It also uses camelina and algae oils, which both help nourish and hydrate while aiding in elasticity.

My skin truly did feel different right after I used it and I can’t wait to see results after I use it for a more extended period of time. My smile lines have deepened significantly in the past few years and I’m hoping it helps with that. I also feel much better about the ingredients in the SuperSea treatment vs. the Skinmedica TNS Advanced Serum I had used in the past for sagging and deep wrinkles.

I used the Chebula Active Serum (#3) in the morning and the Firming & Lifting treatment in the PM.

http://eepurl.com/hMwN1X

5. Chebula Extreme Cream

If you know me, you know I try every single night cream I can get my hands on. I have SUPER dry skin, and I’m always looking for the thickest, most hydrating moisturizer I can try. The Chebula Extreme Cream is True Botanical’s anti-aging moisturizer. The main ingredients in this night cream are, of course, Chebula (which is a powerful antioxidant which targets aging skin and is found in most True Botanical products), hyaluronic acid, and acerola cherry, which contains vitamin C.

This moisturizer is pink in color, and has pretty impressive reviews and clinical trial results. One unique feature of this moisturizer is that it’s formulated without pore-clogging waxes that are typically found in most moisturizers. This means the anti-aging ingredients can sink deeper into the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. to sink deep into the skin to nourish, moisturize and help to strengthen the skin barrier. While I really do like this, I still like the Beautycounter Supreme Cream better! The texture just can’t be beat! But I have been using the Chebula Extreme Cream in the morning (since I’m out of my usual daytime moisturizer) and have been really happy with that! It is thick so if you don’t like that texture, I’d pass on this one.

6. True Botanicals Brightening Eye Cream

I am VERY picky about eye creams and have tried six different in the past year and none of them were as good as the Beautycounter Countertime Renewal Eye Cream. But, I actually found this eye cream was almost as good. The only thing I didn’t like is that it got stuck under my fingernail, but htat’s a minor inconvenience — especially if the results are there. It’s thick like a butter, but it’s not heavy and quickly absorbs into skin and makeup layers well over it. I’ll report back if I see a dramatic improvement in fine lines — fingers crossed!

The Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream contains resurrection plant, which has a high moisture retention complex to keep your skin plump, tree bark extract which targets dark circles, and coffee and licorice to help depuff and brighten the eyes.

7. True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil

One of their most popular products is True Botanicals Renew Pure Radiance Oil and I can see why. I love love love this face oil. It’s packed with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that help restore balance and promote healthy cell growth.

Renew Pure Radiance Oil does have a bit of an earthy scent (kind of like Primally Pure products, if you’ve tried those before) but I like that it uses natural ingredients to nourish and protect skin. It promises to to reduce wrinkles and fine lines while restoring your skin’s natural glow and my sin really does look more glowy after I apply; I think part of that is the rich orange color. I use this at night under my night cream.

8. True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster

The True Botanicals Vitamin C Booster is a really cool product. It’s in a powder form that you mix with water or your favorite serum. You simply mix 3 shakes into your palm with whatever you’re using (water, the Renew Serum, etc).

Vitamin C is a highly sought-after compound due to its many skin benefits: brightening complexion, firming the skin, maintaining hydration, etc. And that’s just to name a few! Not only does this Vitamin C booster brighten and even out my skin tone, but it also helps reduce wrinkles. I just ordered this since I recently ran out of my beloved Beautycounter Vitamin C Serum. Since I added in a Vitamin C to my regular skincare routine, I’ve seen a huge improvement in my skin. My complexion is brighter and more even, and dullness improved quickly. I’ll report back on how I like this one once I order!

9. True Botanicals Resurfacing Moisture Mask

The True Botanical mask is lactic acid-based, so its a chemical exfoliator rather than a physical exfoliator. This may be a great option if your skin is prone to sensitivity with physical exfoliators (those with beads or sugar to help remove dead skin). It also moisturizes as it exfoliates and only needs to be left on for 5 minutes, which is really why I want to try it! (I hate masks so the less time it takes, the better.)

10. True Botanicals Nourishing Shampoo

I have not tried the nourishing shampoo, but it must be a best-seller for good reason. It’s designed to leave hair feeling soft and nourished, while also being free of toxins (many shampoos have ingredients you should avoid). While I’ve never been picky about shampoo, my hair has been pretty dry since I started fertility treatments so I’m trying to find a new shampoo that helps.

11. True Botanicals Renew Mist

Using Renew Mist is like taking a daily dose of multivitamins for your skin. This ultra-hydrating light mist is packed with beneficial ingredients, including green tea, white tea, kombucha, milk thistle, and algae extract, to nourish your skin and leave it looking supple and hydrated. Not only does it hydrate skin, but it sets makeup too! This is also in my cart since I love to refresh in the afternoon and always keep a face mist at my desk. (Right now I have the Dime Beauty face mist, which I like, but considering how much I’ve liked the True Botanicals products I’ve tried so far, I have high hopes for the Renew Mist!)

12. True Botanicals Skin Tint

True Botanicals Everyday Skin Tint SPF 30 is on my wishlist. I struggle to find tinted moisturizers that provide enough coverage and don’t dry out my skin. Beautycounter’s Dew skin was my go-to for years, but I found it was too drying as I got older. I love the ILIA Skin Serum, but it has a bit of a funky smell.

Given that I like the smell of other True Botanical items and that they’re all so hydrating, I think this will be a winner. From what I’ve read, their tinted sunscreen blend has a breathable texture that makes it easy to apply and it tones with an instant skin match. The formula mimics the natural oils of the skin’s moisture barrier and doesn’t clog pores. Bonus points for the anti-aging benefits and broad-spectrum sun protection.

Is True Botanicals Worth It?

100% yes. I LOVE the True Botanical products I’ve tried so far and plan to order more. I appreciate that their products have been lab-tested and are clinically proven to be effective in reducing signs of aging, improving skin tone and texture, clearing up acne, and more.

Regarding pricing, True Botanicals products are comparable in price to brands like Beautycounter, OSEA and Colleen Rothschild, although a bit pricier per oz in some instances, and they are certainly a more affordable option than many other high-end brands like La Mer. They range from $25-$180 depending on the type of product you buy. While this may seem a bit pricey for some at first glance, a little goes a long way with high-quality products and it’s worth the extra price to get results AND safety.

Where to Buy True Botanicals

I typically buy skincare directly from brand websites and I bought mine from the TrueBotanicals.com but other retailers carry it as well, including Beauty Heroes, Amazon, Nordstrom, and The Detox Market.

FAQs About True Botanicals

Is True Botanicals Cruelty Free?

True Botanicals is a cruelty-free brand, meaning they do not test any of their products or ingredients on animals and they don’t use any ingredients in their products that have been tested on animals. To demonstrate their commitment to the cause, True Botanicals has even achieved Leaping Bunny Made Safe Certification, a highly-sought after certification for companies who want to show customers that they are taking all measures to be cruelty-free.

Is True Botanicals Safe For Pregnancy?

If you’re an expecting mom, it’s essential to be extra thoughtful when selecting skincare products. (You can read about my pregnancy skincare routine here that I followed when I was pregnant with Thomas.) Just like Beautycounter’s products, all of True Botanicals products are pregnancy-safe.

True Botanicals has a variety range of skincare routines specifically designed for pregnancy using safe, non-toxic solutions that provide the same results as conventional brands but without the risk. They even have a phyto-retinol vitamin A booster that radiates pregnant skin while helping fade dark spots, like melasma. I love my retinol oil so when/if I get pregnant, I need to get this.

And while I feel confident in all of that, it’s always best to check with your own doctor before using new products.

Is True Botanicals Vegan?

Those looking to purchase vegan skincare products are in luck. Most of True Botanicals products are certified vegan by PETA and Leaping Bunny.

Their vegan items include facial cleansers, moisturizers, treatments, oils, serums, masks, and even makeup. Every product on their website is 100% vegan-friendly except for their Everyday Sheer Coverage foundation, which includes pearl and silk powder. All other products use plant-based ingredients such as avocado, olive oil, and rosemary leaf extract.

What are the Key Ingredients in True Botanical Products?

Two of the most common ingredients in True Botanical products are Chebula and Hyaluronic Acid, which help with anti-aging and hydration. And while there are different key ingredients in the various products, all of their formulas are created with plant-derived peptides, antioxidant-rich oils, ceramides, and other natural extracts. True Botanicals uses certified-organic and wild-harvested ingredients, and they are serious about ensuring that everything is sourced and produced sustainably (both for the environment and the communities where they source from). Similarly to Beautycounter, True Botanicals has a list of over 6,500 ingredients that they will not use in their products.

And for more on my clean beauty favorites, read these posts.

If you’ve tried True Botancials, what are your favorites?

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