Honest Beauty & Skincare Review
I reviewed Honest Beauty & Skincare products and I’m sharing exactly what I think. Honest is a skincare and beauty line with no toxic ingredients. Is Honest truly clean and does it actually work? Read my review to find out if this brand lives up to the hype.
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Have you seen Honest Beauty & Skincare in the beauty aisle of big box stores? You can find it at Target, Ulta and on Amazon. Honest is known as a toxin-free skincare line, and I’ve done some research to find out if they are truly free from concerning ingredients. I scanned the ingredients for the entire Honest skincare & beauty line to look for toxic ingredients, and I’m sharing what I found below.
About Honest Skincare & Beauty
Jessica Alba, an actress, co-founded the Honest company in 2012 and launched Honest Beauty in 2015. After the birth of her first baby in 2008, she wanted to provide a safer alternative to baby products that contain synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals. She also experienced many illnesses as a child, and founded the company to safeguard her health and the health of her future children. The Honest Company’s mission is to create safe and effective products for families, and Honest Beauty was created in response to customer requests for a beauty line.
The Honest Company’s products are made using a science-backed approach called the Honest Beauty Clean Standard, which focuses on safety, sustainability, and effectiveness. Before any ingredient is used, it is evaluated by the company’s in-house toxicology team.
Are All Honest Products Non-Toxic?
Since there is no clear definition for the term “non-toxic”, my answer may differ from other reviews. I am listing an abbreviated version of what harmful chemicals I avoid in skincare and beauty products (my full list is more extensive than this): parabens, phthalates, BHT, fragrance, EDTA, Talc, PEG, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate and chemical sunscreen ingredients (Avobenzene, Octisalate, Octocrylene).
I’ve found that most of the Honest skincare & beauty products are “non-toxic”, but there are a few products that have ingredients that I don’t totally love.
Honest Products That Contain Ingredients I’m not Crazy About
The Beauty Sleep Resurfacing Serum and the Honest Calm & Porefect Serum contain phenoxyethanol, which is a preservative made from the reaction of ethylene oxide, phenol and an alkali. This is an ethoxylated ingredient that can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and residual ethylene oxide, both of which are carcinogenic.
The Liquid eyeliner contains denatured alcohol. Denatured alcohol has been denatured with another substance to render it unfit for consumption, which is a loophole to avoid the alcohol beverage tax. Diethyl phthalate, an endocrine disruptor, is commonly used to denature the alcohol.
The Eyebrow Pencil, vibeliner pencil (all but the shade divine) and liquid lipstick contain lake dyes. Lake pigments may be contaminated with heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic.
The Gentle Gel Cleanser, Calm On Foaming Cream Cleanser and the Gel Clarity Foaming Acne Cleanser all contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, as well as Honest shampoo + body wash, the Mama’s Gotta Glow Face + Body Wash and the Bubble Bath. There can be cause for concern if this ingredient is contaminated during the manufacturing process. High-grade cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine products are likely free of contamination. I reached out to Honest about the purity of their cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine and here is their response: “We take care to source only ingredients that meet our Honest Standard. As always, all Honest products are Toxicologist Audited for potential human health concerns”. If you still don’t want to use products with this ingredient, I have plenty of great non-toxic bath product recommendations for kids and non-toxic bathroom swaps that don’t contain cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.
Does Honest Have Acne-Safe Products?
Yes, Honest has a few products that don’t contain pore clogging ingredients. The Honest Stay Hydrated Hyaluronic Acid + NMF Serum and the Honest Daily Green Juice Antioxidant Super Serum are both acne-safe. The Honest Gel-To-Milk Makeup Melting Cleanser is also acne-safe, as well as the Honest Makeup Remover Facial Wipes. Honest Beauty In The Clear Acne Serum is also acne-safe. If you are looking to improve the look of fine lines and wrinkles without getting acne, try Honest Ageless Firm + Even Serum.
A Non-Toxic Skincare & Beauty Routine From Honest
I would start by cleansing with the Honest Gel-To-Milk Makeup Melting Cleanser. Add a serum after cleansing depending on your skin type. For acne-prone skin, try the Honest Beauty In The Clear Acne Serum. If you’re looking for more moisture, try the Honest Stay Hydrated Hyaluronic Acid + NMF Serum, and if you want a healthy glow, try the Honest Daily Green Juice Antioxidant Super Serum or the Honest Vitamin C Radiance Serum. In the evening, apply Honest Retinyl Serum after your face wash to tackle wrinkles and fine lines. For a light moisture layer, apply Honest Beauty The Daily Calm Moisturizer. If your skin craves more hydration, apply Honest Beauty Hydrogel Cream. Dab some Honest Depuff + C Eye Cream all around your eyes to brighten and reduce puffiness and dark circles.
If you wear makeup, start with Honest Everything Primer Glow + 2HA and Honest CCC Clean Corrective With Vitamin C. Cover any hyperpigmentation and spots with Honest Flex Concealer. Highlight your eyes with the Honest Eye Catcher Lid Tint and Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara and Lash Primer. For the brows lightly apply Honest Honestly Healthy Brow Gel.
The Best Non-Toxic Honest Products For Babies & Kids
If your child has itchy, irritated, dry or sensitive skin, Honest has fragrance-free cream and lotion options that work well for these skin types. Honest Face + Body Lotion has a thinner consistency and is great for use in summer or if you need light hydration. It is still soothing and there is a fragrance-free option. Honest Eczema Cream has a thicker consistency and I use it myself even though I don’t have eczema. It rubs in easily and doesn’t feel greasy, but it really soothes dry, irritated skin. Honest Healing Head-To-Toe Ointment is a really nice Vaseline alternative. Honest Diaper Rash Cream is perfect for your diaper bag.
If you and your family need sanitizing on-the-go, Honest Sanitizing Wipes are the perfect non-toxic way to get clean hands as well as Honest Hand Sanitizer Spray.
All in all, I think Honest is a great brand with a range of non-toxic products that won’t break the bank. I love that most Honest products don’t contain harmful ingredients like endocrine disruptors, and I have peace of mind as a mom offering my daughters’ most of the Honest products.
Below you’ll find my review of Honest products. I tested some of the products below myself, and my 2 daughters also tested.
Honest Eczema Relief Cream
Cost | $13.99 for 7 oz ($4.50 per ounce)
Key Ingredients | Colloidal oatmeal, shea butter and jojoba esters
Review | This mid-weight eczema cream is easy to rub in and does not leave your skin feeling greasy. It does a great job at hydrating dry skin and makes it feel very soft. It also has a soothing effect that’s a relief for irritated skin. It works well on my daughter’s super dry skin.
Would I Buy This Again? | Yes, I would definitely buy this again.
Shop | Honest Eczema Relief Cream
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara and Lash Primer
Cost | $19.99
Key Ingredients | Jojoba esters
Review | This is one of the first clean mascara brands that I tried, and I was instantly impressed. This classic mascara works to lengthen and volumize your lashes. It comes with a built in primer serum, and I would definitely recommend using this first to get the most out of this mascara. Coming from someone with wimpy lashes, I think this mascara is a great buy, considering it’s both non-toxic and budget-friendly.
Would I Buy This Again? | Yes, I would definitely buy this again.
Shop | Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara and Lash Primer
Honest Beauty Balm
Cost | $14.99
Key Ingredients | Argan oil, jojoba oil, shea butter
Review | I wasn’t quite sure how to use this balm at first. I didn’t think it was moisturizing enough for my lips. However, I did dab it on the prominent parts of my cheekbones and I really liked how it added a nice sheen. I loved that after applying this balm, it did not leave a greasy residue, but actually made my cheeks feel wonderfully soft. I think it’s a nice way to add moisture and sheen without looking fake.
Would I Buy This Again? | Probably not- it is not something I would use enough.
Shop | Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara and Lash Primer
Honest Gel-To-Milk Makeup Melting Cleanser
Cost | $19.99
Key Ingredients | Pink kaolin clay, rose water
Review | This is a nice, soothing cleanser that doesn’t dry out your skin. It starts out as a gel, but once you add water and rub it between your hands, it has a milky consistency. It works well as a pre-cleanser if you want to remove makeup first. It made my skin feel silky, smooth and totally clean after using it. After looking closely at the ingredient list, I realized it’s actually acne-safe too. So if you have acne-prone skin, this cleanser will not clog your pores. That’s a major bonus for people that are prone to acne.
Would I Buy This Again? | Yes, I would definitely buy this again.
Shop | Honest Gel-To-Milk Makeup Melting Cleanser
Honest Hydrogel Cream
Cost | $15.40 for 1.7 oz ($9.06 per ounce)
Key Ingredients | Squalane, Jojoba Esters, and 2 sizes of Hyaluronic Acid
Review | This cream has a medium consistency and works well for my dry skin, but it is also perfect for any skin type, including sensitive skin. I love that it rubs in easily and doesn’t have a greasy finish. It’s a really nice, budget-friendly cream that doesn’t have any scent and would be a great addition to your skincare routine.
Would I Buy This Again? | Yes, I would definitely buy this again.
Shop | Honest Hydrogel Cream
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