Nourishing our skin has been a practice for hundreds, if not thousands of years in our human society. From ancient natural milk baths to today’s practices that entail putting on a whole slew of synthetic chemicals on our skin, we have explored various options as to what we consider beneficial. We have come a long way, and not always for the better, that is for sure. However, as we grow in awareness when it comes to our health and what we put on our bodies, more consumers are demanding natural product options. Commercial body lotions are filled with synthetic and often toxic chemical ingredients, and ironically skin drying ingredients. This is no way to nourish our skin.

The number one way of nourishing our skin is from the inside out. This means a diet high in healthy fats, as well as vitamins, minerals, other valuable nutrients and water. Alternatively we can rely simply on natural oils, like coconut oil, which can be eaten as well as used externally to provide an excellent moisturizing and nourishing option. And for those of us who still prefer something more traditional to meet our skin nourishing needs, there are various natural lotion options available today. In this review, I will tell you about one example of a natural skin lotion that can be a great option for those of us who rely on lotions. It is the Holistic Honey Lotion produced by Made From Earth

Made From Earth is a New York company that specializes in organic, holistic and healthy personal care products like body lotions, face creams, and lip balms. They aim to work with the best eco-friendly, environmentally conscious and recognized people in the health and beauty industry, while offering excellent customer service. They use no synthetic coloring agents, fragrances, paraffin, any petroleum products or synthetic preservatives. The company does not use or support any animal testing or animal cruelty products.

I have had the pleasure of trying a few of their products to date, including the Organic Detox Face Scrub and Serum, as well as their Organic Lip Balm. I was generally satisfied with the products and feel the company strives to provide truly natural options for consumers to benefit from.

When it comes to the body lotion line, they provide 3 varieties of lotions, which include: holistic honey, lavender calm with jojoba, and organic aloe and jojoba creme therapy. In this review I will share with you my specific experience with the holistic honey lotion.

In terms of ingredients, the lotion meets the standards of being considered a “natural” one as it is predominantly made of plant extracts with minimum synthetic additions. It contains a few ingredients that come with a low to moderate hazard rating from the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database, but nothing overly harsh or dangerous, unless one has some specific sensitivity.

Although in general the ingredients look really good, in my years of research and product reviews I have come to be more discerning of what makes a really high quality, optimally healthy product, and while this one comes close, I wouldn’t consider it optimal. For example the state the coconut oil is in and whether it is refined or unrefined makes a difference. Nothing is also shared about the source and quality of the essential oils. Something else I found interesting was that the ingredient list on the bottle and the company website does not match, where the website list omits a bunch of the ingredients found on the bottle that makes it sound more simple and natural than it is.

When it comes to the honey that it contains, which is highlighted in the product name as being the main component, it was nice to see that it was of an organic nature. Honey is a natural humectant, meaning that it attracts and retains moisture. This along with the herbal plant ingredients is a nice combination overall.

In terms of scent, this lotion has the most peculiar scent I have ever experienced. It is really hard to describe. It is gentle, but somewhat medicine like. I imagine it must come from some of the plant herbs used to make this. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it wasn’t desirable either.

In terms of physical characteristics, the lotion has an excellent consistency that is neither too thick, or too runny. It spreads really well on the body and does not leave the typical white film that some do, making one keep rubbing it in over and over. It absorbs really well and does not have any greasy properties. The lotion is of the typical white color.

In terms of use, the lotion performed well, although I don’t have dry skin, or problematic skin in any way so there was no major difference to detect. Because I have chosen to focus on nourishing my skin from the inside out through an optimally healthy diet and ample water intake daily, and externally by not using harsh soaps or other chemical personal care products on it, unless I find myself in an unnaturally dry environment, or at certain points in the midst of winter, I personally find I have no need for such lotions any longer. I imagine however that given the properties it has, it will do a good job moisturizing dry, or irritated skin.

Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed trying this lotion. As long as one is not picky about scent, it will meet one’s requirements well to moisturize the skin. Although it is not optimally natural, and products of an even purer quality exist out there, it does make an excellent choice compared to the numerous synthetic and even many so called “natural” options out there.

Ingredients

  • Hamamelis virginiana – Witch Hazel
  • Cocos nucifera – Coconut Oil
  • Kosher Vegetable Glycerin
  • Tocopherol – Vitamin E *(2 – low hazard rating)
  • Emulsifying Wax – *(4 – moderate hazard)
  • Organic Honey
  • Vitis vinifera – Grapeseed Oil
  • Stearic Acid – *(1 – low hazard rating)
  • Potassium Sorbate -*(3 – low hazard rating)
  • Limnanthes alba – Meadowfoam Seed Oil
  • Usnea barbata – Usnea Lichen Extract
  • Xanthan Gum – Polysaccharide Gum – *(0 – low hazard)
  • Salix nigra – Black Willowbark Extract
  • Essential Oils
  • Azadirachta indica – Neem oil
  • Rosmarinus officinalis – Rosemary Oleoresin
  • Mannan – *(0 – low hazard rating)
  • Citric Acid *(2 – low hazard rating)

*Ratings based on Skin Deep Cosmetics Database

Packaging

The lotion comes in a dark green plastic #1 bottle. This helps to extend the shelf life of the product and the bottle is recyclable once product is finished.

Price (as of this posting)

Availability

  • Online from Made From Earth directly online (See above)
  • Various natural health stores like Whole Foods throughout US

The Good

  • Great Ingredients
  • Contains organic honey
  • Great skin benefitting ingredients
  • Great skin nourishing ingredients
  • Leaves skin feeling soft
  • Beneficial for all skin types
  • Antioxidant and vitamin rich
  • No parabens
  • No petroleum ingredients
  • No artificial aromas, fragrances or dyes
  • No harsh ingredients
  • No animal testing
  • Vegetarian/Vegan friendly

The Bad

  • Not organic ingredients
  • Contains some low to moderate hazard ingredients
  • Scent will not be pleasant or suitable for everyone