True Botanicals Skincare Review (Vegan and Cruelty-Free Clean Beauty Brand)

After learning about the amount of toxins that can lurk in skincare, the founder of True Botanicals decided to create her own clean and natural line.

Taking into account “sustainability” and “bio-science” (considering each aspect of how an ingredients interacts with the skin and the environment), True Botanicals is a holistic skincare brand that is both effective and luxurious. They even have clinical trials to back up their claims.

In their words: “[…]we ethically source the highest-quality, vegan, hypoallergenic and non-irritating ingredients from the vibrant intelligence of nature, without any toxins or fillers, ever. Each product delivers potent concentrations of functional plant actives that are known for their nourishing vitamins, essential fatty acids, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.”

Sounds good to me!

This review is unbiased, unsponsored, and unabashedly honest.

chebula active serum

Powerhouse ingredient Chebula powers the Renew Chebula Active Serum. It’s effects can be anti-aging, and it has more antioxidants than Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and Vitamin E (tocopherol).

According to True Botanicals:

“Chebula - a cascading antioxidant - known to target five signs of aging: minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, visibly even skin tone, smooth roughness, give the look of firmer and brighter skin.”

I personally find this serum very nice in conjunction with other True Botanical products (mentioned below). It absorbs quickly, and doesn’t lease behind any greasy residue. SPF and makeup layer beautifully over it, and I appreciate that it doesn’t have a cloying smell.

In regards to the effectiveness - I think it has maintained my overall skin health beautifully. (Note: I have a rigorous skincare routine, so I tend to notice a product is bad if my skin looks worse).

This serum also won the 2023 Made Safe Ingredient Integrity Award, which is another sign it’s a winner!

Star Ingredients: Chebula (antioxidant, hydrating)

Recommended? Yes.

Chebula Extreme Cream

True Botanicals Chebula Extreme Cream is a highly moisturizing cream that layers beautifully over the Chebula Active Serum (mentioned above)

If you want to maximize the anti-aging effects of the serum, while also getting a deep dose of hydration, this is an excellent cream to add to your roster. Acerola Cherry also adds a nice dose Vitamin C.

I find the scent of this product a bit stronger than the serum, but it is not unpleasant. My only caveat is that it is quite thick, so I don’t use it in the morning as it causes my SPF and makeup to slip-and-slide around. It does leave somewhat of a balmy residue on the skin (which is what aids in hydration), but if that type of texture is a dealbreaker for you, perhaps skip this product.

For me personally, I really enjoy it!

Star Ingredients: Chebula (hydrating), Acerola Cherry (Vitamin C), Wild Pansies (soothing)

Recommended? Yes

Resurrection radiance eye Cream

Unlike the Chebula Extreme Cream, the True Botanicals Renew Resurrection Radiance Eye Cream is a fast absorbing eye cream that can be used in the AM or PM.

This hydrating cream aims to target dark circles and puffiness with turmeric, coffee, and liquorice extract.

I am a fan of how moisturizing it is, without being too thick. Give it a try!

Star Ingredients: Resurrection Plant (plumping + fortifying), Tree Bark Extract (brightening), Turmeric, Coffee, and Liquorice (antioxidant trio)

Recommended? Yes

Vitamin C Booster

If you want a hearty dose of Vitamin C in your routine, look no further!

I adore using the Vitamin C Booster in conjunction with the Chebula Active Serum.

This product delivers a highly condensed concentration of Vitamin C that can be added to creams, serums, or toners. I find it very effective, and I use it almost every single morning (mixed with my serum). It dries down matte, so you can layer products easily on top.

If you like the benefits of Vitamin C, you’ll be hard pressed not to like this. Give it a try!

Star Ingredients: Vitamin C (brightening)

Recommended? Yes

Niacinamide + Biotin Booster

I have mixed feelings about the Niacinamide + Biotin booster.

On one hand, I appreciate the simple and saturated use of these key ingredients. You get exactly what you’re paying for. On the other hand, I find this always leaves a residue on my skin, that pills any makeup or SPF. Even if I use it at night, it leaves behind some white streaks that don’t feel the nicest to touch.

While I want to love this product as I think the benefits of the ingredients are good, I find the usage a bit fussy for me.

Star Ingredients: Niacinamide (overall skin health), Biotin (nourishing)

Recommended? No

Pure Radiance Oil

Renew Pure Radiance Oil

Star Ingredients: Algae Extract (plumping), Astaxanthin (skin-tone evening)

Recommended? Yes

Nourishing cleanser

While this cleanser is gentle and does remove impurities from the skin, I find the Renew Nourishing Cleanser rather expensive for what it claims to deliver.

One thing I do appreciate is that it washes off solely with water, meaning you don’t need to rub off the excess with a facecloth afterwards. There is little in the way of a scent, and the texture is more cream-y than gel-like.

Personally, while it worked, I think there are other products on the market that are more effective for a fraction of the cost.

Star Ingredients: Green & White Tea (antioxidants), Aloe Vera (balancing)

Recommended? No