When I lived in DC, I was a regular visitor to Follain’s Union Market outpost (now closed, unfortunately). My IRL purchases at Follain were complemented with online purchases from Credo as well as a few other specialty online shops. For those of you who don’t know, Follain and Credo are both retailers with and online and IRL presence who sell high quality, non-toxic beauty and cosmetics. 

To be clear – I’m not talking about the sticky creams and weird shampoos I used to find at the local health food store. (You know, before the days when every major city and town had at least one Whole Foods?) I’m talking about high quality, highly effective products that are also free of parabens and other unpronounceable nasties. Add to that luxe packaging and luscious scents and you’re talking about a whole other level of natural skin care.

When I moved back to Mexico, I was naturally at a loss – where to find high quality all natural skin care products? Well, it has taken me a while, but I’m happy to report that I’ve found a few options. Up until quite recently, I would purchase products in the U.S. every time I went back for a visit, and hope they’d last until my next trip. No more; I’ve discovered several Mexican brands making artisanal and non-toxic skin care products, and the shops that carry them.

Balmoria

Balmoria is a little shop in the Roma Norte neighborhood. It carries a wide range of artisanal skincare products from companies located all over Mexico. Their selection is still a bit limited when it comes to makeup and deodorant – some of the most difficult products to make both high quality and natural. The selection of soap, lotion, oils and scrubs, is large enough that I had a difficult time deciding which to buy. They also carry perfumes from Sandovalis, a company I discovered on a recent trip to Mérida, as well as their own line of incense and candles.

Ikal

Ikal isn’t technically a skincare or cosmetics-focused shop. They carry all kinds of artisanal Mexican products, including jewelry, clothing, and home decor. (It’s one of my favorite places to drool over beautiful leather handbags and kitchen wares with a modern edge.) They do, however, have a small shelf dedicated to local cosmetics. They sell products from For All Folks, which makes several products from serum to hand soap. Another brand they carry is Naked Lab, which started out with a few hyaluronic acid-based products, but now has a wide range available.  Edena is another brand which makes thick and very moisturizing body lotions, among other products.

Olivine

Olivine started out with an online presence, but opened a shop near Parque Lincoln in Polanquito a few months ago.  They specialize in luxe international brands including Tata Harper, Vintner’s Daughter, Dr. Augustinus Bader, and Dr. Barbara Sturm, among others.  They also carry some high quality clean makeup from brands like Kosas, Westman Atelier and La Bouche Rouge, Paris among others.  I don’t know what I would have done without their easy online ordering and delivery during the pandemic when I wasn’t able to travel to the United States to stock up.  Their new retail space is located in a beautiful building which also houses a Thai restaurant and other boutiques. Their staff was friendly and helpful during my recent visit.

Balmoria – Orizaba 101 Local 2, Col. Roma Norte // Ikal – MASARYK 340 Col. Polanco // Olivine – Emilio Castelar 149, Col. Polanco