Overview of Necessaire‘s Founding and Ethos
Necessaire was founded in 2018 by journalist Randi Christiansen and marketing executive Nick Axelrod, who met at a bar in Los Angeles. Discovering a shared interest in minimalist style and sustainable living, the duo set out to create a line of clean, non-toxic body care essentials.
The brand‘s focus on body – often overlooked by skincare companies – and its gender-neutral branding struck a chord with consumers. Within two years, Necessaire amassed a cult following online and earned spots on the shelves of Sephora and cult beauty stores like Shen Beauty.
Behind the scenes, Christiansen and Axelrod built Necessaire on a foundation of ethical sourcing and environmental responsibility. The company holds Leaping Bunny cruelty-free certification and uses primarily US-based manufacturing to reduce its carbon footprint.
Necessaire also holds three major sustainability certifications:
- Climate Neutral Certified
- Plastic Neutral Certified
- Partnered with How2Recycle for recycling education
This puts them ahead of many clean beauty competitors when it comes to green business practices. Let‘s take a closer look at their bestselling body care products.
Key Ingredients & Formulations
Most Necessaire products feature a minimal ingredients list centered around skin-nourishing vitamins, antioxidants and plant extracts. They avoid harsh sulfates, parabens, phthalates and synthetic fragrance.
Hero ingredients include:
Niacinamide: Soothes inflammation and redness while strengthening the moisture barrier.
Vitamins C & E: Potent antioxidants that protect skin from pollution and environmental damage. Vitamin C boosts collagen over time for firmer skin.
Peptides: Amino acid chains that signal skin to ramp up collagen and elastin production. Softens fine lines and wrinkles.
AHAs: Gentle fruit-derived acids like glycolic and lactic that smooth texture by increasing cell turnover.
Many Necessaire products combine these reparative ingredients for amplified effects. Now let‘s look at reviews of their top sellers.
Spotlight on Bestselling Necessaire Products
The Body Lotion
Necessaire‘s rich, fast-absorbing body lotion earns rave reviews across the internet for its skin-transforming powers. The vitamin-infused formula quenches dryness with marula oil, glycerin and barrier-strengthening niacinamide.
With a near-perfect average rating of 4.8/5 stars on Influenster and Sephora, fans say:
"My dry winter skin is QUENCHED after using this luxurious body lotion. Sinks right in, zero grease or stickiness."
"I have keratosis pilaris on my arms and this makes the bumps virtually disappear! Nothing else has worked this well before."
At $25 for a 6.8 oz bottle, Necessaire‘s lotion costs slightly more than drugstore brands but contains cleaner ingredients and skin-transforming results.
The Body Exfoliator
Necessaire‘s body scrub combines physical exfoliants like volcanic sand with chemical exfoliants lactic acid and salicylic acid for glowing, smooth skin. Reviewers compliment its gentle formula perfect for sensitive areas like chest and back.
"I‘m obsessed with how soft this makes my skin without irritating it at ALL. No more bumpy skin on my arms and legs!"
With an average rating of 4.7/5 stars from over 400 Sephora reviews, it‘s a winner.
The Deodorant
With its mineral-based formula, Necessaire‘s deodorant controls odor and soothes irritation without aluminum, baking soda or other irritants. Antioxidants like vitamin E nourish the delicate underarm area, while mandelic acid fades discoloration over time.
Fans call it:
"The ONLY natural deodorant that keeps me smelling fresh all day – I sweat a lot too! Doesn‘t leave gross white marks."
With an average 4/5 rating, some reviewers found the $20 price tag steep compared to brands like Native. But the clean formula and smooth application make it worthwhile for many shoppers.
How Necessaire Compares to Competitors
We compared Necessaire‘s prices and ratings to two clean skincare competitors, Biossance and Herbivore Botanicals:
Average Product Price
Necessaire: $25-$45
Biossance: $15-$65
Herbivore: $22-$58
Ingredient Transparency
All three brands disclose full ingredients lists. Necessaire and Herbivore emphasize simpler formulas compared to Biossance‘s more complex skin science approach.
Sustainability Commitment
Necessaire holds the most environmental certifications of the three. Biossance aims for 100% recyclable packaging by 2025. Herbivore offsets carbon emissions annually.
While average prices run middle-of-the-road, we found Necessaire‘s transparency, ethical sourcing policies and focus on body care helped distinguish them from the competition.
Is Necessaire Worth the Investment?
Based on overwhelmingly positive customer feedback, our research shows Necessaire offers noticeable results superior to basic body moisturizers.
Reviewers across skin types find their vitamin-packed formulas repair dryness, smooth texture and brighten dull or discolored skin when used consistently.
While $25 for a body lotion may exceed some budgets, Necessaire fans find the investment worthwhile for clean ingredients and dramatic effects other products can‘t match.
For shoppers committed to green beauty and willing to pay more for quality, Necessaire ranks among the very best in the category.
Tips for Saving Money on Necessaire
Given the brand‘s premium price point, here are helpful tips for saving money on Necessaire‘s quality body care:
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Take advantage of seasonal sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday or retailer sales at Sephora and Nordstrom
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Purchase value sets like The Body Duo rather than individual products
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Sign up for brand‘s email list to receive new member discounts and promotions
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Join loyalty programs at retailers like Sephora or Nordstrom to earn future product discounts
Who Should Consider Trying Necessaire?
Based on our extensive research for this Necessaire review, we recommend their products for:
- Those with dry body skin seeking serious moisturizing power
- People looking to minimize skin conditions like Keratosis Pilaris or strawberry legs
- Anyone seeking clean beauty products free of toxic chemicals
- Consumers who value ethical business practices and want to support sustainable companies
- Men and women alike given the brand‘s effective, gender-neutral formulations
On the other hand, these products may not suit people with highly sensitive skin, given the various plant extracts and actives involved. We always advise patch testing any new beauty product before full application.
The Final Take: Who Necessaire‘s For
Necessaire makes the ideal body care line for the conscious consumer. With an ethical supply chain, gender-neutral vibe and skin-transforming results, their vitamin-packed formulas have rightly earned a glowing reputation.
While the prices exceed drugstore brands, devoted reviewers agree the dramatic effects on texture, tone and moisture justify the investment.
For those frustrated with mediocre body lotions and scrubs, Necessaire provides a breath of fresh, sustainably-sourced air. Ultimately their success reflects the demand for greener beauty with integrity.
