I stumbled across Bare Bones Body Care on Instagram and immediately felt the brand calling my name.  The company was started by owner, Monica, after years of allergic reactions to mainstream body care products.  She was tired of all the chemicals and decided to make her own products.  Most of the products have less than 8 ingredients and they are all natural, non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free!  Raise your hand if you’re sold, yet…

Well, my skin is pretty sensitive.  In fact, I recently recovered from a pretty severe allergic reaction to a facial cleanser.  I used said cleanser and woke up in the middle of the night super itchy and eyes swollen nearly shut, so yeah, that was fun.  I had to go to the dermatologist and spend weeks applying hydrocortisone and using every ounce of willpower not to scratch my face off.  Even after the swelling went down, I would have flare ups of itchy red spots on my eyelids and forehead (cute, right?), so it’s been a struggle to find something gentle enough that works.

You can imagine how excited I was to find Bare Bones.  Monica’s story sounded a lot like mine and any product that is vegan and cruelty-free gets two thumbs up from this ginger. The icing on the cake is the simplicity of the formulas.  Anyone that knows me knows that added chemicals are my nemesis.  Keep it simple, keep it pure… Bare Bones delivers.  I absolutely love the adorable skull and cross bones logo and all of the products, except the lip balm, come in reusable glass bottles.

There are a variety of products, all super affordable, which I’ll list at the end of the article.  Today I am reviewing the Cross Bones Special Gift Pack, which includes the cleanser, toner, moisturizer, and two lip balms.  The package is $35, $5 less than purchasing the items separately.

Cleanser

What’s in it:  Vegetable glycerin, organic rose water, organic tea tree oil

How to use:  Apply to dry face in circular motion, rinse with warm water

Thoughts:  First of all, the cleanser smells fantastic, which I assume must be the rose water.  It also tastes pretty darn good…not that I recommend drinking the stuff, but if some were to accidentally get on your lips and you were to lick them, it wouldn’t be terrible…  Now this cleanser feels different than most main-stream cleansers…it does not foam and it is very thin, almost the consistency of water.  It instantly makes your face feel smooth. Because of the thin consistency with no foam or lather, it is easy to think that it may not be working, but there is a really easy way to test that…use the toner.  Is there dirt or makeup on the cotton pad?

 

Toner

What’s in it:  Organic lemon juice, witch hazel

How to use:  Apply after cleanser with a cotton pad in upward motions on your face and neck

Thoughts:  I just love that this is made with only two ingredients.  After applying with a cotton pad, your skin feels fresh, clean, cool, and a bit tingly.  Did the cleanser pass the test?  Yep!  Not a single speck of makeup on that puppy.

 

Moisturizer

What’s in it:  Organic shea butter, organic olive oil, organic coconut oil

How to use:  After face wash and toner, apply to face and any other thirsty skin

Thoughts:  I love this moisturizer.  It leaves your face super smooth with no traces of dryness.  Normally, I use coconut oil as a face and body moisturizer so I am used to an oil based one.  If you normally use a cream based lotion, this will definitely feel different to you.  First thing to know is that you need to use a lot less than you think.  If it doesn’t absorb into your skin, you’ve used too much.  After a week of using this, my face was noticeably softer.  My two year old sat on my lap, stroked my face, and said, “Nice.  Nice.”  Adorable.

 

Lip Balm

Peppermint Balm – What’s in it: Organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, candelilla wax, organic peppermint essential oil

Spiced Balm – What’s in it: Organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, candelilla wax, organic cinnamon leaf essential oil, organic tangerine essential oil

Thoughts: These balms melt right on your lips and make them soft as can be.  There is a little tingle that happens with the peppermint balm which is nice.

 

Products:

Deodorant – 2 oz stick for $8.  Made with organic coconut oil, shea butter, candelilla wax, baking soda, arrowroot powder, and different essential oils depending on what scent you order.  This is not an antiperspirant, however is Bare Bones’ top seller.  It moisturizes and keeps you smelling fresh.

Cleanser – 4 oz bottle for $10.

Toner – 4 oz bottle for $10.

Face Oil – 2 oz bottle for $25.  Made with organic hemp seed oil, organic grape seed oil, organic jojoba oil, organic palmarosa essential oil, and organic grapefruit essential oil. Man I wish this was included in the package.

Moisturizer – 4 oz for $14.

Lip Balm – $3-$4 per tube.  Bare Balm, Peppermint Balm, Spiced Balm, Coffee Balm, and Citrus IPA.  Made with organic cocoa butter, organic coconut oil, candellila wax, and various organic essential oils.

Tattoo Balm – 2 oz for $10.  Made with organic shea butter, organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, and candelilla wax.  I cannot wait to try this.  I am finishing up my sleeve in the next few months!

Black Magic Mask – 2 oz for $18.  Made with organic matcha green tea powder, bentonite clay, and activated charcoal.  This looks awesome, although I might scare my kids if they see me with it on!

Cross Bones Special Gift Pack – $35 for the set.

 

Overall, I just love Bare Bones.  It gives you the warm fuzzies to support a small business while buying products that were neither tested on animals, nor use animal products.  Knowing exactly what is going on my skin, without having to research an extensive label, is such a relief.  I haven’t had any more bouts of itchiness yet.  And most importantly, I don’t have to worry about what kind of residue is rubbing off of my skin onto my adorable baby boys.

Have you tried Bare Bones?  What did you think?  Leave a comment below!