With more people waking up to the fact that most cosmetics are full of harmful chemicals, it’s no wonder the no-makeup look is becoming increasingly popular. There are some people that can just naturally get away with no makeup and look flawless. But what about those of us who don’t wake up with glowing, youthful skin?
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
Rank Brand Link
1 Carrot & Stick Review
2 Formulyst Review
3 Skinceuticals Review
- Naked & Thriving
What’s Better Than Naked & Thriving?
Clean beauty brand Naked and Thriving promises to solve this problem with their organic, plant-based skincare products that are formulated to rejuvenate, detox, and protect your skin. Ultimately, this brand’s goal is for you to say “good riddance” to the days of covering up your skin.
But how well do Naked and Thriving products perform? To answer this question, we’ll have to evaluate the product formulation details, including the key ingredients in Naked and Thriving skincare products and the research that supports (or doesn’t support) their use in skincare.
We’ll also share some Naked and Thriving reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of these products.
What are some other clean brands?
If you’re looking for effective skincare products that skip harmful toxins, one brand we recommend is Carrot & Stick.
Carrot & Stick is committed to creating plant-derived formulas that deliver extraordinary results without relying on toxic chemicals or standard preservatives.
Carrot & Stick takes a tough love approach to skincare, perfectly balancing the gentle nurturing of plants with innovative science.
What’s Inside Naked and Thriving Skincare Products?
Here’s a closer look at the active ingredients commonly used in Naked and Thriving skincare products. Vitamin C, retinol, and peptides make up the core ingredients for the Naked and Thriving skincare line. These ingredients should all be part of your skincare routine.
Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
It’s in Naked and Thriving Illuminate BC+ Brightening Face Serum
But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defense Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness.
While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.
This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size.
Naked and Thriving Protect Antioxidant Day Serum contains pea peptides, which promote skin firmness and reduce the appearance of aging.
We recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin.
Retinol
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. While retinol provides many benefits to the skin, it’s also known to cause side effects like skin dryness and irritation.
The Naked and Thriving Illuminate BC+ Brightening Face Serum contains bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative.
Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.
What Are The Top 10 Best Naked and Thriving Skincare Products?
The Naked and Thriving skincare collection consists of just a few categories of products, including face oils, treatment serums, one body oil, and cleansing bars. The brand also sells skincare tools like facial rollers and gua shas. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 best Naked and Thriving skincare products.
Naked and Thriving Rejuvenate Face Oil
The brand’s most popular product is Rejuvenate Face Oil, an anti-aging face oil with a base of sweet almond oil and argan oil.
There’s also antioxidant-rich pomegranate oil to help protect the skin against free radical damage. This is important because the harmful effects of free radicals occur as direct chemical alterations of the cellular DNA, the cell membrane, and proteins, including collagen. Damaged collagen manifests as signs of premature skin aging, including wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin.
The addition of sea buckthorn oil provides even more antioxidants to this formula, as well as omega fatty acids, which means it can help brighten and moisturize skin.
Unfortunately, the brand has included fragrant essential oils in this formula, such as lemongrass oil, lavender oil, and grapefruit oil, which have the potential to cause skin sensitivity reactions. We’ll explain more about this in the Key Ingredients section below.
Bottom Line: Antioxidant rich oils like pomegranate and sea buckthorn oil are the key ingredients in Rejuvenate Face Oil that help to prevent and treat signs of aging, but keep in mind that the formula includes fragrant essential oils.
Naked and Thriving Detox Balancing Face Oil
A base of jojoba and apricot kernel oil make up the Detox Balancing Face Oil, creating a lightweight oil that’s easily absorbed into the skin without feeling greasy, heavy, or sticky.
Jojoba oil is unique in that it mimics the skin’s natural sebum more closely than any other oil, which allows it to help regulate oil production and clear out pores. That means this Naked and Thriving face oil is a good option for all skin types, including those with oily and acne-prone skin.
Furthermore, according to the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology jojoba oil can improve the skin’s barrier function and prevent transepidermal water loss. It also has proven anti-inflammatory effects and can impart soothing effects upon application.
Unfortunately, this is another Naked and Thriving Oil with fragrant essential oils, such as sweet orange oil, lemongrass oil, and frankincense oil.
Bottom Line: Detox Balancing Face Oil should help to regulate oil production while moisturizing skin, but keep in mind the formula includes fragrant essential oils.
Naked and Thriving Prevent Face Oil
This is another Naked and Thriving Face Oil with a base of jojoba oil with the addition of rosehip oil and moringa oil to combat signs of aging and defend against free radicals.
We love that the formula includes a high concentration of rosehip oil, an excellent skincare ingredient that includes beneficial components like beta carotene, all-trans retinoic acid, and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). These components stimulate cellular regeneration and improve the skin’s barrier function, resulting in healthier, brighter skin.
There’s also Moringa seed oil, which is also referred to as “Ben oil” or “Behen oil” due to its high concentration of behenic acid, a saturated fatty acid. Behenic acid helps promote healthy skin by improving hydration and restoring the skin’s natural barrier.
Moringa oil also contains plant hormones called cytokinins that help promote cellular growth and may prevent the destruction of skin tissues, and the antioxidants in this oil combat free radical damage and may stimulate collagen synthesis.
Ultimately, the combination of these organic oils provides a barrier over the skin to protect against daily aggressors without clogging pores.
Bottom Line: Prevent Face Oil combines rosehip oil and moringa oil in a base of jojoba oil, resulting in a lightweight oil that will help to protect skin from free radical damage without clogging pores.
Naked and Thriving Illuminate BC+ Brightening Face Serum
If you’re trying to prevent or reduce signs of skin aging, then you’ve probably heard that it’s a good idea to add a retinol serum into your nightly routine. Maybe you’ve tried a retinol product, but you’ve experienced the common (yet annoying) side effects of retinol, like skin dryness and peeling. If so, then the Naked and Thriving Illuminate BC+ Brightening Face Serum could be a good option due to the key ingredient bakuchiol, a plant-based retinol alternative.
Research has shown that bakuchiol provides many of the same benefits as retinol – but without irritation. These benefits include the ability to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while promoting a more even skin tone.
What makes this serum even better is the addition of a stable vitamin C derivative. Vitamin C is well known to help fade dark spots, brighten the complexion, protect against free radicals, and even promote firmer skin by stimulating collagen synthesis.
There are also hydrating ingredients in this serum, such as aloe vera, sodium hyaluronate, and glycerin, as well as several more antioxidants and skin-brightening ingredients. And we love that it’s fragrance-free!
Bottom Line: This Naked and Thriving is formulated to brighten and firm your skin thanks to the combination of bakuchiol, vitamin C, antioxidants, and hydrating ingredients.
Naked and Thriving Protect Antioxidant Day Serum
Looking to hydrate and plump the look of your skin while also preventing premature skin aging? If so, this Naked and Thriving serum is a great option.
We love that the base of this serum includes three powerful humectants: aloe vera leaf juice, glycerin, and sodium hyaluronate. These ingredients not only hydrate skin, but also give you a more plump, youthful complexion because the extra moisture is extra volume.
The green tea leaf extract in this serum will help defend against environmental free radicals because of green tea’s rich supply of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a type of polyphenol that’s widely regarded as one of the most powerful antioxidants available.
According to a publication in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, “Catechin molecules such as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are capable of attenuating the biomolecular damage induced by UV radiation, possibly through molecular mechanisms involving the cell membranes.”
The formula also includes pea peptides to help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while shiitake mushroom — a rich source of kojic acid — helps prevent cell breakdown, reduces inflammation, and encourages faster skin renewal.
Bottom Line: Naked and Thriving Protect Serum is an ultra-hydrating, lightweight serum that helps reduce signs of aging while also protecting skin from environmental free radical damage.
Naked and Thriving Renew Resurfacing Night Serum
Renew Resurfacing Night Serum is intended to gently exfoliate dead cells to reveal brighter, more even skin with natural ingredients like sugar cane and fruit-derived AHAs.
While it’s true that alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) can be derived from sugar cane and fruit, these extracts don’t perform the same as when pure glycolic acid (or any other AHA) is used in a product. There’s actually a big difference between the extracted, pure ingredient (i.e. glycolic acid) and the original plant material (i.e. sugar cane extract).
In our opinion, you’re much better off using a leave-on exfoliant with AHAs, like Formulyst’s Retexturing and Perfecting Serum or The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Toning Solution.
Bottom Line: This serum is claimed to exfoliate dead skin cells, but keep in mind that the plant extracts in this formula don’t function in the same way as extracted, pure AHAs.
Naked and Thriving Revitalize Nourishing Body Oil
The base of coconut oil and jojoba oil in the Revitalize Nourishing Body Oil creates a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil that moisturizes without feeling greasy or sticky.
There’s also a high concentration of emollient squalane in this body oil. Squalane helps to replenish the skin’s lipid barrier, which is important to keep moisture in and environmental aggressors out.
When the barrier is weakened, these aggressors can pass through the top layer of skin, causing damage that ultimately leads to common skin conditions such as acne, rashes, sensitive skin, and even signs of aging.
Thus, the inclusion of squalane in this Naked and Thriving oil should help to replenish the skin’s lipid barrier and prevent these problems.
Bottom Line: A lightweight body oil that absorbs into the skin quickly, leaving it feeling soft and hydrated.
Naked and Thriving Exfoliate Clay Cleansing Bar
Gently remove dirt, dead skin cells, and other impurities with this natural exfoliation bar to reveal brighter, healthier-looking skin.
The formula includes environmentally-friendly jojoba beads to provide gentle exfoliation, while kaolin clay draws out impurities and detoxifies. There’s even research to support the detoxifying effects of kaolin clay.
For instance, a publication in the journal International Geology Review states, “The high adsorption and absorption capacities, cation exchange capacity, as well as the extremely fine particle size of certain clays, e.g. smectites (expandable clay minerals) and kaolin group minerals are important reasons why these minerals are used to remove oils, secretions, toxins, and contaminants from the skin.”
Lastly, shea butter and coconut oil help to keep the skin moisturized and soft.
Bottom Line: An exfoliation bar that helps reveal brighter, softer skin thanks to jojoba beads, kaolin clay, shea butter, and coconut oil.
Naked and Thriving Purify Charcoal Cleansing Bar
This Naked and Thriving cleansing bar helps to purify skin thanks to activated charcoal derived from bamboo.
Activated charcoal works by trapping toxins and impurities in its millions of tiny pores. Rather than absorbing the toxins, however, activated charcoal works through adsorption (the chemical reaction where elements bind to a surface). Thus, activated charcoal helps to purify and detox the skin.
The bar also includes glycerin and aloe vera to draw moisture into the skin, while shea butter and coconut oil lock in that moisture to promote soft, smooth skin.
Bottom Line: A cleansing bar that purifies with activated charcoal while also hydrating and softening skin so that it’s never left feeling dry or tight.
Naked and Thriving Soothe Sensitive Cleansing Bar
This cleansing bar was developed for even the most sensitive skin types using gentle ingredients that remove dirt and debris without harsh chemicals. Shea butter provides rich moisturizing to keep skin from overdrying while rapeseed helps nourish and cleanse skin.
The fragrance-free bar also includes glycerin and aloe vera to draw moisture into the skin, while emollients like coconut oil and olive oil lock in that moisture to promote soft, smooth skin.
Bottom Line: A fragrance-free cleansing bar that helps to remove dirt and debris without harsh chemicals, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin.
Our Verdict
Overall, we think that Naked and Thriving skincare products are formulated well, although we wish the brand would leave the fragrant essential oils out of their products.
Pros
- Formulas contain beneficial key ingredients (aloe vera, shea butter, bakuchiol, squalane, etc.)
- Naked and Thriving is cruelty free
- Many positive Naked and Thriving reviews
Cons
- Formulas contain fragrant essential oils, which could lead to skin sensitivity reactions
Naked and Thriving Reviews
After evaluating Naked and Thriving reviews on Amazon.com, we noticed that the Naked and Thriving Rejuvenate Face Oil has received plenty of positive feedback, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars after hundreds of customer reviews.
The positive reviews for the Naked and Thriving Rejuvenate Face Oil mention how it absorbs into the skin quickly without feeling greasy or heavy. Some of the results that customers have seen include improved skin texture and tone, as well as fewer signs of aging.
For example, one review says, “I will buy this facial oil over and over. I am 62 years old and this stuff just does wonders for my skin. I absolutely love it! It feels like it is really penetrating and making my skin feel and look younger. I can visibly see a difference in using it. Where has this stuff been all my life 🙂
And another 5-star review says, “I am 61 years old and have now purchased this rejuvenate restorative oil twice. It has made such an incredible difference in the texture, look and feel of my face. I am completely thrilled with the results and will continue to use this product going forward.”
However, there are a handful of negative reviews for the Naked and Thriving Rejuvenate Face Oil from customers who were disappointed that they didn’t see the results they were hoping for. Many of these reviews mention that the product is overhyped and overpriced.
For example, one review says, “This product was overhyped to be such a wonderful moisturizer. I thought it was average and overpriced for the benefit. I would not buy it again.”
A similar review says, “Was very excited about this product. I have very dry skin in the winter and moisturizers were not helping. I thought this oil was just what I needed. Unfortunately after five days of using it at least 3 times a day , I have seen no improvement at all. It smells nice and it makes the areas that aren’t dry feel soft but that wasn’t the goal. Weirdly I think my skin has gotten a little worse. Very expensive for a product that didn’t work!”
What Are Some Alternatives to Naked and Thriving Skincare Products?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend the Day & Night Routine.
FAQs
References:
2. Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural Oils for Skin-Barrier Repair: Ancient Compounds Now Backed by Modern Science. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018;19(1):103-117. doi:10.1007/s40257-017-0301-1
de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):170-175. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000197
Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2019 Jan 1;173:312-319.
Int Geol Rev. 2010 Jul 1; 52(7/8): 745–770.
S Original review: Dec 17, 2023.
Is Naked & Thriving available in Sephora, Ultra or other retail stores near me? No, products are sold exclusively directly.
Who else sells Need & Thriving?
They also retail their products through Amazon.
What’s their best eye cream?
It depends on your skin concerns. If you are concerned about aging around the eyes including crows feet, try the Revive Firming Eye Cream. For dark circles, the obvious recommendation is Glow Triple Boost Eye Cream,.
What’s their best moisturizer?
If you have dry skin and are looking for an emollient rich product, I recommend Nourish Active Barrier Cream.
Does Naked and thriving have a vitamin c serum?
Yes, it’s called Illuminate Vitamin C+ Serum.
How about retinol?
No, but they claim they have a natural alternative to retinol. It’s called Bakuchiol. Sadly it is not as effective but it is considered a natural alternative.
What about a neck cream?
They do not have a product specific for the neck.
What about hyaluronic acid in a serum?
This is included in multiple products but a good choice is Renew Resurfacing Night Serum
Is naked and thriving good?
It’s a good skincare line that is clean and not harmful for the planet.
Naked and thriving Cleanser
A good choice is Refresh Gentle Enzyme Cleanser because it is gentle and won’t strip away vital oils or irritate skin.
Does Naked and Thriving work?
Their formulations include a number of effective ingredients.
How to use Naked and Thriving products?
Just like any other skincare routine. Cleanser, followed by serum, followed by moisturizer. If you go out into the sun, apply spf.
What are all the Names & Thriving Skincare products?
Revitalize Nourishing Body Oil, New! Vitamin C Booster Brightening Powder, Rejuvenate Restorative Face Oil, Prevent Anti-aging Face Oil, Detox Balancing Face Oil, Illuminate Bc+ Brightening Serum, Protect Antioxidant Day Serum, Renew Resurfacing Night Serum, Nourish Active Barrier Cream, Revive Firming Eye Cream, Glow Triple Boost Eye Cream, Exfoliate Clay Cleansing Bar, Purify Charcoal Cleansing Bar, Refresh Gentle Enzyme Cleanser.
Do you have a list of all the Naked & Thriving kits?
Refresh Routine, The Super Bright Set, The Day Set, The Radiant Serum Set, The Super Glow Duo, Full Routine ,, The Radiant Eye Set, Refresh Routine, The Barrier Boost Routine.