The story behind Mary Kay Naturally
In August of 2019, global beauty brand Mary Kay launched their first-ever range of natural skin care products known as Mary Kay Naturally. The line was inspired by the increasing consumer demand for natural products, and the brand’s belief that “nature is rich with skin-benefiting wonders”. In this review, we’ll discuss the products in this line, key ingredients, Mary Kay Naturally reviews from real customers, and more.
Mary Kay Naturally Skincare products
There are four products in the Mary Kay Naturally line: Purifying Cleanser, Moisturizing Stick, Exfoliating Powder, and Nourishing Oil. The products can be used together as a complete regimen, or the individual products can be incorporated into your current regimen.
The Purifying Cleanser is said to help remove dirt to leave skin feeling refreshed, hydrated, and comforted. After use, skin looks healthy and feels nourished and soothed, not dry and tight. It is recommended to use this cleanser with a cotton pad on damp skin both morning and night.
The Moisturizing Stick is a targeted moisture solution that is said to leave skin feeling moisturized and conditioned to help relieve dry areas and soften rough patches. This product is unique in that it is applied via a stick, like you would apply lip balm but for your body. The Moisturizing Stick is suitable for sensitive skin and is clinically tested for skin irritancy and allergy.
Another unique product in the Mary Kay Naturally line is the Exfoliating Powder, a physical powder that can be mixed with water or a cleanser so that you can customize your exfoliating experience. This product is said to help unclog pores, which can help pores appear smaller. Exfoliating Powder prepares skin to receive the next step in your routine. It is recommended to use the Exfoliating Powder only 2 to 3 times per week.
The Nourishing Oil is the final product in the Mary Kay Naturally line. This quick-absorbing oil is said to leave skin feeling hydrated and looking revitalized. Nourishing Oil can be used all over, including on the face, cuticles, elbows, and even ends of hair. In addition, you can mix 1 to 2 drops with your moisturizer or foundation for a customized beauty experience.
Mary Kay Naturally Skincare ingredients
Mary Kay Naturally does not provide the complete ingredient list for each product on their website, only a brief description of some of the key ingredients in the formula. Due to this lack of transparency, we are unable to determine the concentrations of these key ingredients. It’s also uncertain whether there are ingredients in these formulations that may cause irritation, such as denatured alcohol or fragrant plant oils.
Mary Kay Naturally does state that all products are free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, and SLS/SLES. In fact, Mary Kay Naturally went through a third-party certification process with EcoCert, a largely European certifying body that ensures products are free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dyes, and the packaging is environmentally conscious. Additionally, all products contain at least 90% naturally-derived ingredients. Below we’ll discuss the formulation details behind each product in the Mary Kay Naturally line.
The Purifying Cleanser features key ingredients such as cornflower floral water and sweet almond oil. Cornflower floral water (Centaurea cyanus flower water) has a history of use for calming, soothing, and conditioning skin. Native to Europe, cornflowers contain flavonoid antioxidants that help fight free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. Sweet almond oil is a natural emollient derived from almond seeds. It’s known for its skin softening, smoothing, and soothing benefits. This oil is rich in unsaturated fats and essential fatty acids, which can help moisturize the skin and relieve dryness.
The Moisturizing Stick contains three natural waxes to help prevent moisture loss from the skin: candelilla wax, beeswax, and carnauba wax. Both candelilla wax and carnauba wax have emollient properties to help leave skin with a soft, hydrated feel. Beeswax is a humectant moisturizer. Humectants have a molecular structure with several hydrophilic (water loving) groups, which allows them to attract and retain the moisture in the air nearby via absorption. The Moisturizing Stick also contains plant-derived squalane. Squalane is a saturated and stable hydrocarbon that mimics squalene (note the e) that is naturally found within the skin, resulting in softer and better hydrated skin.
The Exfoliating Powder features baking soda as a key ingredient, which we don’t believe is a good idea at all. Baking soda is claimed to be a “natural, traditional method to soothe and cleanse dry skin and promote a more comfortable feeling.” This couldn’t be farther from the truth. While baking soda is abrasive and will exfoliate the skin, skin care experts consider it to be too harsh. Plus, baking soda has a high pH of 9, which is typically too alkaline for skin to tolerate since the skin’s normal pH is about 4.5 to 5. This alkaline pH can lead to disruption of the skin barrier, causing redness, dryness, breakouts, and signs of sensitivity. In addition to baking soda, the Exfoliating Powder features hydrogenated castor oil processed into fine wax beads and citric acid to provide exfoliating benefits. Citric acid is a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs exfoliate the skin by breaking down dead skin cells and increasing the rate of cell turnover, leading to smoother, more radiant skin.
Nourishing Oil Features a blend of sweet almond oil, olive oil, and sesame oil, which are natural emollients and provide moisturizing benefits. In addition, olive oil provides antioxidant benefits to help protect skin against harmful free radicals. Sesame oil is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids, which all combine not only to provide antioxidant protection but also help support the skin’s natural lipid barrier.
Where is Mary Kay Naturally sold?
The Mary Kay Naturally skincare line and other Mary Kay skincare products can be purchased directly from the company’s website, on third party online retailers like Amazon, or from an independent Mary Kay consultant. We recommend taking a look at the Mary Kay Naturally reviews before talking to a consultant because at the end of the day their job is to make a sale.
Is Mary Kay cruelty free?
Mary Kay is not cruelty free. While Mary Kay does not conduct animal testing on their products or ingredients, they do test on animals when required to do so by law (such as in China). According to PETA, Mary Kay has taken steps to work with Chinese officials on the acceptance of using alternative methods to substantiate the safety of their ingredients and products.
