It’s no surprise to anyone that I am a sucker for aesethic packaging but not at the expense of high quality ingredients and effective formulas, so when given the opportunity to try The Other Skincare Company I was ready to be a human guinea pig in hopes of finding new skincare holy grails with ingredients that are naturally derived or naturally occurring. Listen, it’s 2022. I am not going to wax poetic about how natural skincare is hard to find and shop for because that’s simply no longer true. Clean and simple beauty is trendier and more accessible than ever, from Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive, Shopper’s Thoughtful Choices and sites like The Detox Market. So let’s focus less on the greenwashing angle and moreso what sets brands apart.
The Other Skincare Company is dedicated to caring for problem skin with a philosophy deeply rooted in Corneotherapy, a skincare methodology based on repair and maintenance of the skin barrier function and immune system instead of only treating separate symptoms. What does that look like in practice? A focus on the skin barrier using what they call “skin-identical” ingredients to help rebuild the structure of your skin to improve the strength, health and overall integrity of your skin barrier. Here are some of my initial thoughts on their entire collection.
Keep Calm – Oil Balancing & Skin Barrier Boosting Oil Cleanser ($58)
Is your skin dehydrated or blemish prone? The Keep Calm cleanser is made with you in mind. It has a nice slick texture that rinses clean so you don’t have to deal with a greasy or oily residue and is gently enough to use on your eyes as well. The combination of grapeseed and castor oil makes it ideal for the first step of a double cleansing skincare routine and aids in removing even the most full glam makeup. There is a slight green tinge to oil which makes for a gorgeous #shelfie. It’s a bit thicker than other oil cleansers I have used in the past however with the addition of water it turns to a thinner, milky like consistency that rinses off easily. Overall the product is effective (no vigorous scrubbing here!) without being harsh. My skin never feels stripped yet feels clean.
Flora – Micellar Water for Gentle Cleansing and Toning ($41)
Micellar water is one of those products that I rarely find in cleaner versions so this was the product I was most intrigued to try. Prior to trying out The Other Skincare, I often used micellar water just to remove intense eye-makeup while reserving cleansing balms and oil cleansers for my complexion products. I don’t think micellar water is essential for every skincare routine, I do like an added boost of hydration between cleansing and moisturizing. This micellar water also works as a toner and purifier. While some people may love the ease of a 3 in 1, I usually like to opt for more steps for a more targeted affect.
Plant Voodoo – Clarifying Concentrate for Dehydrated Blemish Prone Skin ($77)
If you’re going to buy any product from The Other Skincare Company, make it this one. It boost that it is the ultimate breakout neutralizer and I am inclined to agree. With a potent blend of salicylic acid, bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative to vitamin A) and ceramides, this serum really is the superstar of the entire collection. Easy to apply, lightweight, and shrinks blemishes seemingly overnight, the Plant Voodoo is a BIG thumbs up from me.
Phantom – Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer for Blemish Prone Skin ($72)
Do I love a hydrating mist? You know it. Do I think that means all formulas are suited for a spray application? Ehhhh… the moisturizer is, IMO, too thick for a spray bottle and the nozzle itself is too strong so you end up with more than you need with each spray. The moisturizer itself is great. It’s calming, brightening and soothing with a bevvy of good-for-you ingredients like ceramides and willow bark extract.
Looking for more beauty features? You might also like:
