Recently, I was asked if I wanted to try skincare products from a family-owned brand that specializes in small batch, handmade skincare and makeup products made with natural and organic ingredients. Of course I said yes. I wanted to get this review in before the holidays, so these are my initial impressions of three skincare products. If you’re interested, you can peruse their complete product line here.
Toups & Co. Organics: Background
Toups & Co. is a nourishing, non-toxic, family-owned brand of skincare, personal care and organic and gluten-free makeup products. The ingredients are sourced from small family farms and handcrafted in Alabama. The business started when their young daughter developed eczema. They searched for a treatment, but they were not satisfied after trying prescription steroids and drugstore brands. Instead, after learning about the benefits of tallow, they contacted a local farmer, rendered the tallow that they purchased, and made their own skincare treatment for their daughter. They call their tallow balm “liquid gold”, and they have become the leading brand of tallow balm.
After more than 10 years, their product line has grown to include a range of skincare products, body wash, and makeup that is not only non-toxic but nutrient-dense. Since your skincare is your body’s largest organ and it absorbs any substance that is applied to it, it’s important to know what you’re applying!
Furthermore, Toups & Co. funds the Regenerative Initiative, a program that provides grants to farmers who raise their animals and crops using regenerative agriculture practices. Regenerative farming practices are holistic, ecosystem-based methods that strive to restore soil health, increase biodiversity, improve water cycles, and sequester carbon, to not only sustain but to actively regenerate land.
Toups & Co. Skincare Products
Seabuckthorn Cleansing Oil
Seabuckthorn Cleansing Oil is made up of a combination of organic oils: hydrating oils, cold-pressed seabuckthorn fruit oil and essential oils. It both cleanses and hydrates. Packed full of antioxidants such as vitamins C and A, it heals, regenerates and protects skin while cleansing it.
Multiple- benefits include:
- noncomedogenic
- removes makeup
- balances the complexion
- protects the skin microbiome
- improves skin elasticity
- fights breakouts.
To use, massage a small amount of oil into your skin. After a couple of minutes, use a warm or tolerably hot damp cloth to remove the oil. If you’re wearing a full face of makeup, you may want to repeat the process. Follow up with toner, serum and moisturizer.
The oil is delightfully scented with a combination of neroli, magnolia, and grapefruit essential oils. The scent, however, fades within a few seconds. It is a lightweight cleansing oil, and I like this oil so much that I often apply to my face just as a hydrating oil. It is lovely!!
Seabuckthorn Cleansing Oil is packaged in a recyclable brown glass bottle in 2 fl. oz. and 4 fl. oz. sizes, priced at $38 and $68. Sold on the Toups & Co. Organics website.
Ingredients: *organic jojoba oil, seabuckthorn oil, castor oil, magnolia essential oil, neroli essential oil, grapefruit essential oil, *organic virgin olive oil. *certified organic ingredient
Reparative Serum
Reparative Serum is targeted to mature or aging skin, just right for me. Loaded with amino acids, vitamins C and E, and nature’s retinol, bakuchiol (an ingredient that many people find much easier to tolerate than retinol), the lightweight, lotion-y serum soothes the skin and treats hyperpigmentation. It boosts skin cell turnover addressing lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and firms skin. Total benefits include:
- targets visible signs of sun damage
- targets hyperpigmentation
- improves scarring
- smoothes fine lines
- retinol alternative
- soothes sensitive skin.
Yet, this serum is gentle enough for everyday usage even for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
After cleansing and toning, apply 3-10 drops to the face and neck and massage into the skin. Follow up with moisturizer.
The serum has a light
Packaged in a 1 fl. oz. glass dropper bottle, Reparative Serum is currently on sale for 20% off for the holidays at $78.40 (regular price $98).
Ingredients: rose flower water, *organic aloe leaf juice, glycerin, dmae bitartrate, meadowfoam seed oil, vitamin e, bakuchiol extract, olive squalene, sunflower seed oil, vitamin c, carrot seed oil, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme q10, alpha lipoic acid, provitamin b5, vitamin b3, beta-carotene, retinyl palmitate, organic sugar cane extract, organic bilberry fruit extract, organic sugar maple extract, organic orange peel extract, organic lemon peel extract, castor oil, *organic sunflower lecithin, xanthan gum, silver dihydrogen citrate *certified organic
Frankincense Face Balm
If you’re looking for a gift that’s perfect symbol of the Christmas season, look no further than Frankincense Face Balm, crafted with Frankincense, one of the precious gifts from the Three Kings.
- Anti-Aging Effects: Frankincense oil is widely used to combat signs of aging. It helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by promoting the production of collagen and maintaining skin elasticity. Its natural astringent qualities help to tighten and firm the skin, giving it a more lifted and youthful look.
- Cell Regeneration: The oil has notable “cytophylactic” properties, meaning it encourages the growth of new, healthy skin cells. This process helps to fade scars, blemishes, stretch marks, and dark spots caused by sun exposure or age, leading to a more even and radiant complexion.
- Anti-Inflammatory & Soothing: The active compounds, such as boswellic acids, give frankincense powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to calm irritated skin, reduce redness and swelling associated with conditions like acne, eczema, or rosacea, and soothe general sensitivity.
- Antimicrobial & Antiseptic: Frankincense acts as a natural antiseptic, which helps fight acne-causing bacteria and prevents infections. Its astringent properties also help to balance sebum (oil) production and minimize the appearance of large pores.
- Antioxidant Protection: Rich in antioxidants, the oil helps neutralize free radicals that damage skin cells and accelerate premature aging from environmental stressors like pollution and UV rays.
- Hydration and Barrier Support: Frankincense oil helps strengthen the skin’s natural moisture barrier, which improves moisture retention and keeps the skin hydrated and resilient.
To summarize the product’s benefits, here’s a short list:
- fights breakouts
- non-comedogenic
- safe for sensitive skin
- extremely hydrating
- can boost collagen production
- supports graceful aging.
Frankincense Face Oil has just three ingredients. Period. 100% grass-fed tallow, *organic virgin olive oil, *organic frankincense essential oil *certified organic
Toups & Co. Organics Info
Toups & Co. Organics has:
- no synthetics, no preservatives, no sulfates, no parabens
- recyclable packaging: glass and 100% recyclable paperboard
- ingredient transparency
- a female founder and is family run
- safe for sensitive skin.
These sound great! Thanks for clueing me in to the existence of this brand!