I'm generally a big fan of organic skincare. Of course, there are a few brands and ingredients here and there that don't exactly gel well with my sensitive, acne-prone skin, but for the most part, my skin tends to be happiest with simpler ingredients straight from nature. If you have a similar skin type or just love discovering brands that champion botanical skincare, look no further. I found the crème de la crème of organic skincare, and it's aesthetician-made. That's how you know it's good.
Monastery products are handmade in small batches and designed to worked with your skin's natural healing mechanisms. Instead of using harsh ingredients that can often degrade this repair system, the formulas incorporate botanical ingredients, each one chosen for its healing properties and gentle effect on the skin. It hasn't been an easy journey finding the right products for my sensitive, acne-prone skin, but Monastery products brought some much-needed life and an impeccable glow back to my skin. The brand was kind enough to send me the entire line to try, and I'm sharing my thoughts below. Although I know it isn't exactly a drugstore-priced brand (ugh), I promise these products are made with love and well worth the price. Keep reading for all my thoughts and favorites.
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The Attar Balm is considered one of Monastery's star products for a reason. Initially, I was a bit worried this one wouldn't be right for my skin since it contains a few flower waxes. While these flower waxes are nutrient-dense and extremely healing for the skin, waxes and acne-prone skin do not always mix. I was pleasantly surprised, however, by how well it gelled with my usually irritated, inflammation-prone skin. A little goes a long way, and it still leaves your skin feeling so soft and hydrated after each use. Those with sensitive skin will also appreciate the fact that it contains only five star ingredients. Each is rich in vitamins and fatty acids that give your skin such an incredible glow. I've also been dealing with some damage to my skin barrier, and it looks a lot healthier after just a few weeks of using this. I'm only taking off half a star here because it can feel a bit thick on the skin if you apply too much.
My Rating: 4/5 stars
I love a good cleansing oil. Now that I consistently double-cleanse my skin every day, I can never go back to the single-cleanse life. This particular one with rose is really special. It nourishes skin, helps it keep its acid mantle in tact, and contains anti-inflammatory-rich oils like rose and hazelnut. While that can be helpful to some folks with mild acne, if you have highly sensitive or break out really easily, I'd say try this one with caution. I did love it and the smell is incredible, but I think it's a bit more suited to dry skin types, as it does leave a bit of residue on the skin and doesn't wash off as clean as some of my other cleansing-oil favorites.
My Rating: 5/5 stars
Retinol can be a tricky ingredient, especially if you have super-sensitive skin like I do. I used tretinoin for years, and it made my skin extremely sensitive. After that, it was hard to find any kind of retinol that didn't further irritate my skin. This offering from Monastery is so gentle—it contains other ingredients like reishi and antioxidant-rich seaweed to help plump and brighten the skin. It's definitely one of my favorites from the brand. It goes on smooth and never irritated my skin. I definitely suggest giving it a go if your skin is also sensitive and you've had trouble finding the right retinol for you.
My Rating: 4.5/5
As far as hyaluronic acid serums go, this one is a real treat. It contains two weights of hyaluronic acid along with gluconolactone, a mild (yet powerful) AHA that helps clarify the skin. It's geared more toward acne-prone folks, but keep in mind that it does contain essential oils if you're sensitive to those. I really loved how this serum instantly hydrated my skin. The only downside was that the gluconolactone caused a skin purge for me that was, ahem, not cute. It does, however, leave you feeling hydrated but soft and matte at the same time. It can also be used as a moisturizer on its own or as a serum in addition to a regular moisturizer.
My Rating: 4.5/5
This milky cream-serum absorbs so easily into the skin and leaves it feeling velvety soft. Similar to the Aloe Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum, this one contains two different weights of hyaluronic acid. Additionally, it utilizes rich fruit and floral oils that help brighten, soothe, and nourish skin. It's definitely a winner for sensitive or redness-prone skin, and the long-term hydration it provides is unmatched. The scent is also amazing.
My Rating: 5/5
Face oils can be another tricky category if you have acne-prone skin. While I've been trying to cut down on the number of oils I use on my skin, this serum-oil is so aptly named and incredibly hard to resist. It gives you the most magical glow with ingredients like rose flower oil, sandalwood nut oil, and raspberry seed oil. It calms an irritated complexion and is great for anyone dealing with a bit of skin barrier damage. It really works to heal dryness, redness, and damaged skin tissue.
My Rating: 5/5
Glycolic acid can be a harsh ingredient and sometimes too strong for sensitive skin, but this one is suspended in a soothing rose water base to provide hydration and soothing while you exfoliate. You can use it as a serum if your skin is less sensitive or as a mask for a few minutes. I used it as a mask to avoid irritation, and it worked beautifully. It never dried out my skin, and like every other Monastery product, it smells incredible.
My Rating: 4.5/5
Another product I can never have enough of is body oil. I rotate between quite a few, but I will say this is the formula that might change the minds of body-oil haters everywhere. The matte texture makes it so lightweight and non-greasy. Italian squalane is at the base of it, which is such a hydrating oil, but it absorbs so quickly and never leaves a residue. It's one of my favorite skincare oils for this reason, so I can see why it's perfect to use in a matte body oil formula. Gingergrass, grapefruit, and peppercorn also give it a delicious-smelling aroma that makes you feel like you're at an expensive spa. I only knocked off half a star because I actually like a body oil that leaves a bit more moisture on the skin. The hydration feels like it lasts a tad longer, and I don't wake up ashy.
More Organic Skincare Products I Love
Osea's cult-loved Undaria algae–rich body oil is another product with organic ingredients I absolutely adore. I use it a few times a week, and my skin always feels incredibly soft after. Plus, it never causes any kind of body breakouts.
I was shocked the first time I used this mask because it worked *that* well. I was nervous at first because it was extremely tingly, and my skin can be reactive to products if they're too strong. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This mask strikes the perfectly balance between being effective and gentle enough for sensitive skin. It also cleared up a massive breakout I had along my jawline, quite literally, overnight. I woke up the next day with clearer, calmer, and less inflamed skin—it's definitely now a staple in my routine.
This is a great non-greasy cleansing oil with nourishing ingredients like jojoba, sunflower oil, and microgreens. It works really well for removing makeup and as a first cleanse in the evening.
