Spotlight on Beauty: REN
As seasoned followers of natural beauty will attest, REN needs no introduction. REN is the cool and smart brand on the block, maintaining a presence at mainstream beauty retailers like Sephora and Space NK and enjoying A-list fans like Kate Moss, Uma Thurman and Sienna Miller, all while pioneering some of the latest, greatest advancements in natural skincare. The result? A following that blurs the line between earthy and cutting edge. If there were a REN ‘type,’ it would be a beauty user who demands the top reaches of quality, effectiveness and environmental consciousness.
REN, in Swedish, means ‘clean,’ an appropriate association for a company that allows no petrochemicals, sulfates, parabens, silicones, glycols, phthalates, synthetic fragrance or color into their products. The concept behind REN solidified back in 2000 when co-founder Antony Buck’s pregnant wife had difficulty finding an effective skincare line that was toxin-free and didn’t cause allergies. Motivated by her experience, the goal of the company became the creation of a safe, natural skincare line for all.
Spotlight on Beauty: REN
When REN’s London-based founders Buck and Robert Calcraft set out to create ‘Clean Bio Active Skincare’ (the brand’s tag line), they stumbled upon some real winners- products that have the potential to command a cult following in the beauty world. From the beginning, they’ve topped bigger brands with products that are customer and beauty editor favorites. What was (and is) the secret behind REN’s reputation as a beauty heavy-hitter? Like all successful beauty lines, aesthetics are key.
The first thing you notice about REN products is their packaging, a mix of minimalist, modernist chic and devout pragmatism. Nearly all REN products are packaged in translucent recycled plastic and vacuum sealed, so air or fingers won’t spoil things. This allows the company to use minimal preservatives. Second, you’re likely to notice the richness of REN’s formulas. I’ve never met a REN product that didn’t feel expensive and this makes the potency of their formulas tangible. And every REN product begs a deep inhale to take in the scent of its natural ingredients, be it rose otto, peppermint or frankincense. ‘You wake up, use REN and the world is just a 5% nicer place to be,” reads a company doctrine.
Spotlight on Beauty: REN
Of course the kicker is effectiveness. REN products are formulated to improve the skin’s natural processes of healing and protection, an idea that we can all stand behind. The majority of us choose natural products because we believe that they are as effective, and far safer, than conventional products. REN makes this certain by using active natural ingredients like cell life-prolonging sirtuin activators, essential fatty acid-rich spirulina and plant-based collagen. “REN’s approach is the blueprint for skincare of the future. With REN you can have the best of both worlds – brilliant products that really can change your skin and the comfort of knowing you’re not ingesting any nasties,” says Buck.
So what makes the list for must-have REN products? There’s no going wrong with the Glycolactic Skin Renewal Peel Mask, a sticky mix of fruit acids and papain that, given ten minutes, will bring glow to the surface of a dull complexion. If you have a special event coming up, perhaps a date you want to look radiant for, run out and get this mask!
Spotlight on Beauty: REN
REN’s rose body products also inspire raves, with the Moroccan Rose Otto Body Wash topping them all. What’s the secret to its intoxicating rose scent? Steam distilled rose otto oil, both pricey and precious. When you smell rose otto, you’ll understand what the buzz behind the body wash is about. REN offers a bath oil, body oil, sugar scrub and body cream with the same scent. REN’s balms- No. 1 Purity Cleansing Balm for face and Guerande Salt Exfoliating Balm for body- get my vote as well, for being mineral oil free and super-rich. Knowing that it’s natural, you’ll love feeling the moisture of these balms melt right into your skin! Best of all the cleansing balm saves you a step by thoroughly dissolving makeup- even mascara
Whether you’re just learning about REN or you’re a seasoned user, the great news is that you can expect more of the same from the company in the future.
“We want REN products to continue to mix nature and science in ways that are fresh and innovative. Most of all, we want our products to be as provocative as they are powerful, raising consciousness even if that just starts with something as simple as washing your face,” says Calcraft.
And, as always, 2.5% of the sales from every REN product go back to helping the earth and others in need. Sometimes you really can do it all!
Spotlight on Beauty: REN
