Inika Makeup: Certified Organic, Vegan, Cruelty Free + Halal

Inika is a popular Australian natural makeup brand that’s been on the green scene since 2006.  The entire line is mineral-based and certified cruelty free, vegan, and halal. Many products also hold Organic Food Chain Australia certification, indicating that they contain a minimum of 70% certified organic ingredients.  I’ve been testing out the Light Trial Pack, which includes samples sizes of the Inika’s most popular base products (in shades suitable for light skin), and I want to share my thoughts on those items, along with a a couple other Inika products I’ve been using for quite some time.  



Certified Organic Pure Primer
I’m not a big face primer user and the Pure Primer hasn’t radically changed my mind.  A hydrating primer made with hyaluronic acid and organic oils, it moisturizes and does create a nice base for makeup, but, much like the Nude by Nature primer I reviewed in the spring, I don’t notice it doing anything more than my regular skincare, so, for me, it seems like an unnecessary extra step.  If you’re someone that enjoys a hydrating primer under makeup, I expect the Pure Primer would be a bigger hit. I’ve dabbled with using it as an under eye primer and I do like it for that purpose.  The extra moisture the primer provides helps concealer blend out a little easier, especially if some time has passed between applying eye cream and doing my makeup.

Lightweight, Skin-Quenching Hydration with One Love Organics Skin Dew

One Love Organics, to me, is one of the long haul, OG natural skincare brands.  They’ve been around for years, but they continue to innovate and create new and fantastic products all the time.  I’d had my eye on the Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream ever since it launched in 2016, so when I saw it as one of two featured products in the April Art of Organics box -- selling for less than the cream's retail price alone -- I was quick to grab it.  


Skin Dew ($58 USD for 2.1oz) is an EcoCert certified organic lightweight moisturizer made with more than 50% pure organic coconut water.  In addition to hydration, coconut water offers a high mineral, amino acid, enzyme, and antioxidant content to nourish skin.  It does not have the same comedogenic properties as coconut oil, so even those sensitive to the oil -- myself included -- can often benefit from products containing coconut water or juice.  

The cream also contains:

Cupuacu butter, rich in polyphenols to condition skin.

Sunflower, acacia, watermelon seed, and jojoba oils for lightweight, protective, sebum-balancing moisture and defense against environmental stresses.

Phytic acid sourced from rice to reduce dryness and help soften the appearance of fine lines.