These Women Will Make You Reevaluate The Way You Think About 'Natural' Skincare Products
By Sola Onitiri
Photos By True Formulation
Whenever I think about natural skincare, an image appears in my mind of some tall, model with taunt perfectly clear skin splashing water on her face in a bathroom straight from my 'Life Goals' Pinterest board while the voice over brags about Argan oil. She's wearing all white and she's never experienced half the frustration I have when it's time to embark on my skin care routine.
Naturally (excuse the pun), after seeing this commercial a dozen times, I head to the pharmacy to buy a product that will transport me to a place where I'm the one wearing all white because the skincare product I use is infused with sunshine and Argan oil. But alas, I pick up the product only to discover that I have once again been duped. This "natural" skincare product is riddled with so many chemicals, that I'm getting episodes of failing sophomore year chemistry. I buy the face wash anyway because I think to myself "what choice do I have"?
As women, we are sometimes put between a rock and a hard place when it comes to not only what we put in our bodies but what we put on our bodies. And as much as I would love to concoct an all natural face wash or cream, I simply do not have the time or the expertise. So you can imagine how absolutely excited I was to find True Formulation - a woman owned skincare company based in my home city of Philadelphia. If you're following us on Instagram you already peeped my new favorite product months ago, but if not, let me tell you how this company is changing the conversation on natural skin care.
I had the opportunity to chat with Julie Wu and Sophie Liu, the women behind True Formulation, who wanted a different way to skincare for themselves, their friends and family, and the world. Their vision to create a product - no a lifestyle - where skincare was truly 100% natural, 100% effective, and freshly made to order with the purest ingredients in every jar.
"We love beauty and skin care but could never find something truly natural," Julie said when I asked about starting True Formulation. It's their mission to take a stance to use only ingredients that are good for our skin as opposed to harmful ingredients that have become an industry standard.
"It's easy to feel like beauty and cosmetics is an industry for women made by women but that's not the case. We felt that as women we understand what women need. And based on our knowledge we could create a product that helps women feel empowered and strong. " Sophie, who has a degree in horticulture, said when we discussed the male dominated beauty and skin care industry. And they have a point. The best skin care advice I've ever received is from women who have tried a plethora of routines, products, fads, and brands. Julie and Sophie have the ultimate hookup when it comes to skin care advice because they create their products based on ancient Chinese remedies, horticulture, and good ol' trial and error.
True Formulation is the first brand I've seen that's not trying to be on the cutting edge of skin care technology. Instead, they believe that it's important to take a look back in time to see how people took care of themselves before chemicals became such a staple in our day to day lives. "We still try to be scientific, but there's a lot to be said about using herbs for their benefits."
All True Formulation products are handmade fresh upon order by their employees right here in Philadelphia. As immigrants themselves, Julie and Sophie make a point to hire women who have recently immigrated to this country. From both sides of these amazing product, True Formulation's mission is to give women the opportunity to be empowered and beautiful. And that's how I feel when I use their Honey+Rose Silk Cream and their Honey+Shea Balm.
Their products range from $12 to $26 dollars - an absolute deal when you consider the time, ingredients and love that goes into every 100% recyclable tin or jar. And if you needed any other reason to try these products, they are giving us a 15% off code to use. Use LetsGetGoing15 at checkout and prepare to never get got by one of those "natural" skin care commercials ever again.
