as we are still working hard to find a lab to formulate our hydrating cream, here are some alternatives available at san francisco's rainbow grocery co-op that seem acne-safe.

please note that we have NOT acne-tested these formulas, so cannot guarantee they're acne-safe to use. but, these have the safest acne-safe ingredient lists i could find, based on our free product checker tool. they are listed in the order of most to least moisturizing, from my observations the few days i've been using them. 

if you end up trying these out, please let us know how they work out for you! i'll update this post with my reviews as i get to use each formula. 

for reference, my skin is normal to dry and i use the hydrating cleanser during cold weather when my skin is dry, and charcoal wash when the weather is warm (and my skin is oilier). 

100% pure rosewater hydrating milk

ingredients:
aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice*, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, rosa damascena distillate (rose hydrosol)*, aqua (water), rosa damascena (rose) flower oil, squalane, sodium dehydroacetate, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), xanthan gum, sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca, lauryl glucoside, myristyl glucoside, polyglyceryl-6 laurate, beta-glucan, dehydroacetic acid, benzyl alcohol, citronellol**, eugenol**, geraniol

with & within product ingredient checker results:

• sunflower seed oil - rated 0
• squalane - rated 1
• sodium hyaluronate - rated 0
• sodium PCA - rated 0

preliminary product observations:

• one of the safest looking of the bunch
• very lightweight texture that easily spreads across and absorbs quickly into the skin, yet is one of the most moisturizing of the bunch
• prominent rose smell, from the rosewater extracts

indian meadow herbals wild blueberry lotion for sensitive skin

ingredients:
organic aloe vera juice, organic sunflower oil, organic rosehip oil, organic sugar cane alcohol, organic sea buckthorn oil, organic lavender essential oil, organic beeswax, organic blueberries, organic chamomile flowers, organic blueberry leaves, organic rosemary antioxidant co2 extract.

with & within product ingredient checker results:

• none

preliminary product observations:

• on paper, the safest looking of the bunch but since it's oil-based, the texture may feel greasy and for some with very sensitive or oily skin, cause breakouts. try using this sparingly and see how your skin responds.
• needs to be shaken vigorously before each use to recombine the oils prior to application
• a little goes a long way; 2 pumps is enough for my whole face, plus an extra for neck and chest

weleda skin food face care nourishing day cream

ingredients: 
water, sunflower seed oil, glycerin, isoamyl laurate, shea butter,  pentylene glycol, betaine, alcohol, glyceryl stearate citrate, behenyl alcohol,  squalane, berry wax, viola tricolor extract, olive-leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, matricaria extract, calendula flower extract, clay, acacia senegal gum, xanthan gum, tocopherol  lactate, glyceryl caprylate,  fragrance, limonene,  linalool, benzyl benzoate, citral

with & within product ingredient checker results:

• shea butter - rated 0
• squalane - rated 1
• fragrance - rated 3 (potentially)

preliminary product observations:

• smells a bit like mamba fruit chews candy upon application, which dissipates
• the product feels rich to the fingertips but has an almost watery lotion texture that absorbs very quickly into the skin. after washing my face for the night, i did have to reapply before bed because my skin felt dry
• the fragrance is still questionable, proceed with caution

heritage store aura glow moisturizer 

ingredients:
aqua, glycerin, squalane, hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, propanediol, bakuchiol, tropaeolum majus flower/leaf/stem extract, evodia rutaecarpa fruit extract, quartz, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citric acid, ethylhexylglycerin, caprylyl glycol, pentylene glycol, sodium stearoyl glutamate, titanium dioxide, mica

with & within product ingredient checker results:

• squalane - rated 0
• titanium dioxide - rated 0

preliminary product observations:

• one of the safest of the bunch
• very lightweight lotion-gel texture
• the naturally porous titanium dioxide minerals may be a little drying
• this contains mica, which can trigger those with an allergy to most mineral makeup; avoid this product if so!

SKINSALVATION RECOMMENDATIONS:

• use hydrating cleanser if you aren't already. apply it onto dry skin, massage around and gently rinse to cleanse and moisturize simultaneously. leave it on for a few minutes as a moisturizing mask.
• try using the goji berry yogurt mask (what we use in the pro treatment room) a few times a week (do it after icing, removing it thoroughly before toning and moisturizing). 
• layer some hydration onto your skin. you can try hydrating gel or rejuvenation serum, underneath your shea butter or moisturizing sunscreen (like our safeguard for drier skins, or clear choice for oilier skins. 
• use acne-safe lipbalm to help heal chapped noses (and in a pinch, cuticles too). 
• use warm, not hot water. hot water can dehydrate further (this applies to showering also). 
• stay warm, but try to avoid direct exposure to hot dry air (from heaters, etc). a humidifier can help hydrate the air and in turn, the skin and respiratory system. 

header photo by jocelyn morales