I Replaced My Skin Care Routine With Whole Foods' Top 10 Beauty Care Products For Three Weeks, And I Was Surprised By The Results
Hi, my name is Pernell and I'm only getting older; I love it. But my skin? She's suffering. So now I'm trying to take better care of my face and body. And that's why I was eager to try out Whole Foods' most popular beauty care products.
I bought over $180 worth of their soap and skincare products, then tried them all out for three weeks. I took note of how I liked each product and whether or not it transformed my skin.
I just went down the list of their most popular items according to their website and bought all of them, except for the hair dye.
The products reviewed, from left to right, are: Alaffia's Good Soap (Coconut), ACURE Brightening Facial Scrub, Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum, Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Toner, Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream, Weleda Original Skin Food Ultra-Rich Cream, Weleda Original Skin Food Body Butter, Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint), Pacha Soap Co. Bar Soap (Jasmine Gardenia), and the Bulgarian Lavender essential oil (the coconut oil is a base for the essential oil).
Some of the haul was affordable, some of it was stupidly expensive, but surprisingly, I enjoyed all the things I tried. Still, I ranked the beauty products from my least to most favorite and determined whether I'd 'pass' or 'purchase' each product again, for y'all's sake.
After all, very few people can just buy almost two Benjamins worth of product from a bougie grocery store and get reimbursed for it.
So here's what I found out. Let's start with the body products:
10.The Pacha Soap Co. soap bars look like art, have a generous lather, and come in a variety of delightful scents...but it wasn't my favorite soap from the list.
A portion of the proceeds for each bar sold goes toward clean water initiatives and economic ventures in developing countries. There are many scents to pick from, and you can even go off moods — I picked up a 1/4 pound bar of the Jasmine Gardenia scent.
The grooves of the soap bar made the application of the soap feel top-tier. There is a creamy lather to this $6 bar soap, and a sensual scent. However, it felt a little too stripping for my own liking (though it didn't dry out my skin post-shower).
The Jasmine Gardenia option hit my nose with a pleasant scent that was rich and flowery as I slid the bar over my body. Once the creamy lather washed off, my skin felt slightly stripped and my hands didn't slide so easily on my body. My body didn't feel smoothly moisturized post-shower, but it wasn't dried out — I wouldn't mind skipping on lotion if I was in a rush.
Price: $6.50 ($25.99 per pound)
Pros: The grooves, the scent, and the creamy lather.
Cons: A little too stripping beyond my preference.
Consensus: PASS. Even though this is a quality soap, I'm not going to miss it. And I wouldn't buy a $6 bar of it.
9.Weleda's Skin Food Body Butter is great for anyone who wants to try a body butter that's thinner and lighter than your typical body butter, plus it absorbs quick. That is not me.
This product features cocoa butter, rosemary, and shea and has an herbal, citrus scent to it.
This body butter has a buttery, paste-like consistency to it. It spreads easily and left my skin looking like it was sun-kissed. However, my problem areas felt like they could still use some moisture. Also, I wasn't a fan of the citrus scent.
It spreads easily and my skin was instantly moisturized, feeling smooth to the touch. However, problem areas like my inner thighs and elbows still felt a little dry. It did remove my dead skin, which you can see me grossed out by in the last picture.
This is a different kind of body butter than the thicker, "oilier" ones I'm used to, and it's a fine price! But the scent is not for me.
Price: $14.29 on sale / $18.99 regular price (also available at Amazon)
Pros: Spreads easily. Leaves skin nourished, but not heavy.
Cons: The herbal, citrus scent is too much for me.
Consensus: PASS. For me, I think there are other creams and lotions that do just as fine of a job for me. I'd try this again if there was an unscented version.
8.When it comes down to it, Alaffia's Good Soap bar is, well, good. Despite its cheap cost, it feels luxurious on the body.
These are made with fair trade, unrefined ingredients, and 10% of proceeds are donated toward alleviating poverty around the world. These bars are exclusive to Whole Foods and you can see their options here.
I'm a sensitive boy with sensitive skin, so I opted for a basic Coconut variation.
The experience of using this soap was so pleasurable. It went on smooth like butter and had a milky lather to it. There was a slight stripping feel once the soap washed off my body, but nowhere near enough to turn me off of the product. For $3? So worth it.
Once I was out of the shower and dried off, I felt my skin was soft enough that I didn't feel like I had to put lotion on (but I did anyway). Even though I picked the basic coconut scent, and there was no strong or memorable scent to this particular one, the soap itself is pretty outstanding, especially for its price.
Price: $2.99
Pros: Felt good going on.
Cons: None.
Consensus: PURCHASE. It gives a great lather and should last for a long time. Try out the other scents too, and see what you like.
7.This Skin Food Ultra-Rich Cream goes on heavy, and it's quite pricey for its small size...but it locked in hydration for all my problem areas, and it's a game-changer for winter season.
This has the ultra-rich consistency of a heavy toothpaste. Seriously, you only need a little. It's recommended for your hands, feet, and knees. It worked wonders for my inner thighs and the back of my heels, and kept them moisturized all day.
Bring life back to the soles of your feet, and keep your knees looking like they belong in a music video — we're in shorts season, y'all!
Price: $14.29 on sale / $18.99 regular price (also available at Amazon)
Pros: Ultra hydrating. Kept my knees and feet moisturized.
Cons: Cost for its size.
Consensus: PURCHASE. There will come a time when an area of your skin still feels dull and dry, no matter how much lotion you put on. This ultra-rich and dense cream will be your superhero in those situations.
6.The great-value and totally versatile Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Pure Castille Soap. It's so good it will make your toes tingle.
It comes in other variations like lavender, rose, tea tree, and almond, but I went with the peppermint option because I wanted to try something bold.
A little goes a long way with this liquid soap. I dripped some into my palm and rubbed it on. A slick lather built up, and as it washed off, the peppermint tingle settled in — be chill around your private parts, or suffer (or enjoy?) a piercing sensation. Regardless, I felt refreshed, clean, and cool after this one.
The frugal, first-generation kid in me loves a good multi-purpose soap (I grew up using Mane and Tail, but owned no horses), and this one sets a new high bar. A palm-full is enough for a shower, though I appreciated the product's generous size — at 32 ounces. I wasn't at all worried about running out! Using this made my skin feel so brand new; as if I were chilly, or like I'd just chewed 5 Gum.
And just like Regina George, my face smelled like peppermint.
Price: $16.99 (also available at Amazon)
Pros: A refreshingly clean, and an incredible bang for your buck.
Cons: Thin consistency. Large container makes it feel like you're pouring a glass of water with a very full Brita pitcher. Oh, and approach your genitals with caution!
Consensus: PURCHASE. Not only is it a great body detergent, but it also makes a sufficient laundry detergent and organic household cleaner. All-in-one, baby.
5.This intoxicating Bulgarian Lavender oil soothed my entire body, left it ultra hydrated, and left behind a pleasant scent. It's a great addition to any nighttime riitual.
This essential oil packs a fresh, soothing aroma. It smells like lavender and inner peace. It's super potent, so it's recommended to dilute it in a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil — I went with coconut.
Besides the messy prep of diluting two to three drops of essential oil into a base oil, it felt wonderful on my skin. Prior to applying, I noticed my skin was dull. Afterward, I was glowing. It felt like I'd just gotten a massage, and it made me feel pretty sexy.
Doesn't the idea of cuddling up to someone with ultra-smooth skin who also smells of premium lavender sound like the perfect end to a long, hard day? Well, you can be that person for yourself.
Price: $7.99 (+ $6.99 Coconut Oil base)
Pros: Ultra calming. Sensual. One of the bests lavender scents.
Cons: The preparation. And it's oil — it can get a little messy.
Consensus: PURCHASE. A must-have if you prefer to shower at night, which I do. It's the newest staple in my nighttime routine. I keep it right next to my poppers.
And now, here's what I think about their skin care:
4.The Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum is one of the best serums I've tried, and its anti-aging ingredients make it extra special.
Besides vitamin C, this serum comes with vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid — a key anti-aging ingredient that treats wrinkles and hyperpigmentation.
This serum had a thicker pearl-like consistency that I prefer to the runny, watery vitamin C serum it replaced. Shortly after rubbing it in, I noticed my eyes were brighter and that my face had a softer, plumper appearance.
After using this serum daily for three weeks, the results were undeniable: a more even skin tone, reduced wrinkles, and a softer complexion overall. This product is a knockout, especially for its cost.
Price: $36.49 (also available at Amazon)
Pros: Thicker consistency than most serums. Spreads easily. Instantly firming. Comes with hyaluronic acid.
Cons: No complaints.
Consensus: PURCHASE. Serums that might deliver comparable results hover around or past the $50 mark. For something that leaves my skin with a nice day glow, and instantly brightens my eye area while adding overall plumpness, it's a must-buy if you're looking to bring in a vitamin C serum to your regime.
3.Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream is the most expensive item on this list, but it backs up its price tag. Fortunately, a little really does go a long way and will leave your face nourished.
Its ingredient list includes rose extracts to nurture and balance skin, shea butter, rose petal wax, and avocado oil to help retain moisture. And marshmallow extract exists in here, too. It's a delightful, hydrating mix.
This heavy cream is a winter favorite. They also sell a lighter cream version that many prefer for summer, or if you prefer a moisturizer with less weight to it.
This day cream has serious weight to it, so I found it helpful to apply in dabs. It left my face a little shiny, but it didn't feel oily. My face was nourished and glowing, for almost the entire day. Seriously! And the rose scent is the cherry on top.
I'd definitely recommend this for days after being in the sun or for cold, harsh temperatures that can dry out your skin.
By the three week mark, I noticed that my face was serving a natural dew. There was also an overall reduction in redness and fine lines. If you're after a natural glow and dewy skin, pick this product.
I have oily skin and struggle to moisturize my face without making it even more oily. I feel like this helped bring out my skin's radiance because of how hydrating it is.
Price: $45.99 (!!!) (also available at Amazon)
Pros: Rich rose scent. Ultra nourishing. Convenient application.
Cons: Heavyweight might be too much for some. And the price! It was not cheap.
Consensus: PASS. Because of the price, I don't want to make a habit of using this cream. I thought the other items on this list could step in for this product, like the Skin Food cream.
But if you can afford it, purchase it. And use it so sparingly. I wanted to dislike this cream so bad because of its price, but it's so good I tried double-texting it.
2.Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub will bring your face to its highest potential and take the throne of your go-to exfoliant.
This product is with sea kelp, lemon peel, and French green clay, and has over 20,000 ratings on Amazon. It's also cheaper there...boo.
I'm a huge fan of this scrub. It spreads well, didn't feel like a rough exfoliant, and my face was so soft after washing it off — seriously, I couldn't stop touching my cheeks. My complexion was instantly brighter and smoother.
It has a strong and natural herbal scent, which elevated the use of this scrub.
After three weeks, I could see my face had a healthier, natural glow to it. It didn't rid me of the bumps on my chin, but I did notice a reduction of dark spots and the overall discoloration on my face. I'm stoked to see even more improvement.
The directions say to use it three times per week, and I looked forward to each time. Seriously, my face was shockingly soft after using it each time.
Price: $8.79 on sale / $10.99 regular price (also available at Amazon)
Pros: Slick and scrubby, didn't feel harsh. Instantly brightening.
Cons: None for me.
Consensus: PURCHASE. I like this one, especially after a night out when I fall asleep without washing my face — it happens. This feels like a re-do.
1.And finally, Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner is an absolute must-buy. She has a permanent spot on my vanity.
This beloved toner has witch hazel, aloe, rose and no alcohol in it — important if you don't want to dry out your face.
Immediately, I was won over by its rose scent — it was not overpowering like perfume, but refreshing. And after using the toner with a cotton pad, I instantly noticed a reduction in pore-size and smoother wrinkles. My face was glowing.
It felt super cleansing, and not at all drying. It was actually surprisingly hydrating! It left my skin feeling fresh and ready for the rest of my routine.
I used this toner twice a day for three weeks, and by the end of it, I noticed that my pores looked smaller and that my skin looked radiant. It looked smoother and helped to even out my skin tone. Overall, my face looked firm. And it felt great too!
While I know many prefer unscented skin care because it has fewer additives, I think this is fantastic for those who are new to skin care, or lazy when it comes to doing it. I looked forward to using this product, and my skin thanked me for it.
Price: $11.29 on sale / $12.49 regular price (also available at Amazon)
Pros: Generous size. Pleasant scent. Immediate results of radiant and softer skin.
Cons: For me, nothing at all.
Consensus: PURCHASE. In fact, if you can only buy one thing, make it this. The proof is in the picture. I mean, look how radiant my face looks. It's sorcery.
So that's what I think about the products. And for a final reference, here's a picture of my face at the beginning and end of the three weeks after using all the products reviewed — I'm pretty pleased with the results! Especially for $180.
Because even though $180 is a lot, it's pretty affordable in terms of skin care. So if you're new to taking skin care seriously like me, or you just want to try more affordable alternatives to current products in your regime, hit up Whole Foods.
And if you'd like to know, here are my absolute must-buys: Thayers Rose Petal Witch Hazel Facial Toner, Acure's Brightening Facial Scrub, Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Pure Castille Soap, and the Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum.
