The sun care favorite continues to launch quality skin care SKUs that bring accessibility to the natural beauty space. At Expo West, Goddess Garden was flaunting a new tinted lip balm and rounded out its skin care line to include a serum, cleanser, sunscreen primer (a Delicious Living Beauty & Body Award winner) and night cream that not only provide daily maintenance but are also an antidote to unavoidable everyday sun exposure and environmental skin stressors that contribute to signs of aging. All products are less than 20 dollars.

Ingestible beauty isn’t a fad—it's a supplement segment that has staying power and represents a deeper understanding of how to connect the dots beauty wellness, vitality and beauty. We were pumped to see New Chapter’s latest launch that focuses on hair, skin and nail health. Its plant-based blend is unique and focuses on research-backed ingredients, namely astaxanthin—a potent antioxidant sourced from algae. The supplement also contains biotin and keratin for strong nails and healthy hair, along with a blend of fermented herbs.

Premium natural makeup brands are "having their moment"—and Australia-based INIKA is leading the way when it comes to performance. Having long sought out the perfect mineral makeup line—one with pleasing pigments, skin-nourishing ingredients and no-fuss application—I was elated when I found this nicely branded and carefully formulated option. New to the U.S., the company will continue to fine-tune its American positioning, but one thing is for certain: this is a beautiful addition to any natural retailer’s makeup selection.

We knew collagen had reached a tipping point when there was a collagen food truck outside of the convention center. So we also knew that a company using the ingredient would have to do something important to stand out. While there was an assortment of delicious bars, chews and more using science-backed collagen, Vital Proteins brought a unique sourcing story (it also was the company with the food truck)—it gets its collagen from pasture-raised cows in Brazil and New Zealand, as well as wild-caught fish in Hawaii. We also appreciated the blends that include whole ingredients that support the body's own collagen production, such as its Veggie Blend. The whole line is smartly aligning with the paleo community, too, tapping into the expertise of influencers such as Dr. Sarah Ballantyne (The Paleo Mom).

The K (Korean) Beauty influence cropped up in the natural space several years ago—and Andalou was one of the first to deliver a unique take on paper masks and other on-the-go beauty products such as its pod treatments. Now it’s bringing another timely trend to the masses: micellar water, known for its ability to easily cleanse even the most sensitive skin. But the company doesn’t stop there; it includes its patented fruit stem cell ingredient, and it offers the compostable wipes in two targeted formulations so you get the most bang for your buck (Age Defying with Resveratrol Q10 for Dry and Very Dry Skin, and Sensitive with Alpine Rose Stem Cells). Not to mention they’re Non-GMO Verified and use organic and fair trade ingredients.

Somewhere between beauty and lifestyle sits an unassuming category that rarely elicits strong enthusiasm: shaving razors. And while an "eco razor" may not be on the mind of even the most environmentally conscious consumer, that’s why we love what Preserve is bringing to the market—a product you never even knew you wanted … but now you’re obsessed. A lot of plastic goes into (and emerges from) the shaving razor market, but Preserve has created its version using a recycled plastic handle. Plus, it just launched its five razor option to lend a smoother feel.

Tom’s of Maine does one thing really well: toothpaste (that's why the oral care powerhouse was acquired by Colgate more than a decade ago). So it's 'bout time it brings its knowledge of the industry to some other product categories. Though it's a simple line of soaps and body washes, the company has something major in its corner—it’s a household name and has earned brand loyalty even from consumers who only dabble in natural personal care. Plus, the solid ingredient lineup for its nourishing bar soaps—organic, fair trade shea butter and tea tree and Moroccan argan oils—makes for a delightfully nourishing wash. And the company has partnered with the Rainforest Alliance to strengthen the environmental impact.

Like many companies at Natural Products Expo West this year, Dr. Ginger’s is crazy for coconut. But the company really stood out thanks to the clear vision for its clean, dentist-formulated line of mouthwash, toothpaste and whitening stick. We were particularly drawn to the mouthwash—a modern, coconut-based take on the Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling (used to draw impuritities from the mouth and help support gum health) that doesn’t require 20 plus minutes of oil swishing. Other healthy-mouth ingredients include aloe and xylitol.

Smart beauty products don’t just focus on solutions—they strive to address the root cause of a beauty woe. That’s why we love this nutricosmetic that contains collagen and hyaluronic acid, which support skin moisture and elasticity, right along with clinically proven sleep aids melatonin and L-theanine. The reason? Quality Zs are critical to allowing your skin to repair and renew. The innovative NEXTY finalist addresses two related concerns in one research-backed formulation. Beauty sleep, actualized!