With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, many of us may be guilty of scrambling for some last-minute gifts for the Valentine or galentine in your life. Why not treat your honey (or yourself!) to something that can shake up a stagnant self-care routine?
Scrubs, soaps, body lotions, hair products… Pittsburgh’s best body products makers have the supplies you need to not only pamper yourself or your love, but also buy better.
Whether you’re trying to reduce your plastic waste, want to buy more organic products, or just want to support local makers, we’re spotlighting some stellar locally-made body products that you’ll want to consider bringing into your beauty regimen.
Una Biologicals
Lawrenceville
Una Biologicals has been bringing a full range of natural body products with organic ingredients to Pittsburgh since 2008. Its “Happy + Healthy” products contain no additives, unnecessary preservatives, or artificial fragrances, and all products are packaged in recyclable or compostable packaging. Highlights include facial skincare, body butter, and luxurious bath essentials — and yes, Una Biologicals even makes its own organic deodorant.
Arbor House Soaps
Available Online
Arbor House Soaps is a handcrafted soap brand that uses all-organic oils and butters in its beautiful bar soaps. Arbor House features a wide range of unique scents like bourbon tobacco, peach prosecco, and bay rum, along with bath accessories like crocheted soap savers and soothing body butter. (P.S.: order online and you can expect a few samples with every order!)
Hip Modern Soap
Available Online
Born from a joke about a pretentious real estate sign, Hip Modern Soap produces vegan, sustainable and cruelty-free body products that are anything but pretentious. Its delightfully fun bath bombs are inspired by candy hearts, video game characters, sweet treats like donuts and Hershey kisses — and even Doctor Who. Plus, its range of handmade soaps includes bars, liquids, “jiggly jellies” and eye-catching novelty soaps.
Tonic & Sage
Available Online
Owned by 27-year-old Pittsburgh-based entrepreneur Miko DeHoniesto, Tonic & Sage is a new skincare brand that offers vegan, whole products for your body, bath, and home. Body scrubs, bath salts, and handmade bar soaps with stunning, gem-like designs are hallmarks of Tonic & Sage’s collection, but the brand’s soothing aromatherapy balms stand out as a unique, holistic way to care for your body and mind. Tonic & Sage also offers Fly Buttah, a nourishing wax-free pomade perfect for curly hair.
Lovett Sundries
Wilkinsburg
Lovett Sundries is a beloved brand of home essentials and body products produced the old-fashioned way by Jeff Lovett and Marit Aagaard. Packaged in vintage-inspired (and recyclable!) containers, Lovett Sundries features a mind-blowing range of body products for everyone, from skincare and bath essentials to beard oil and tattoo balm. Best of all, Lovett Sundries products never include any added chemicals, colors, or fragrances.
Simple Sugars
Available Online
Simple Sugars owner Lani Lazzari has taken her skincare brand national with the help of NBC’s hit show Shark Tank, but the company’s line of sensitive-skin-friendly products (including a line for men) are all handmade right here in Pittsburgh. Simple Sugars facial, body, and foot products make caring for sensitive or eczema-prone skin easy thanks to its three-in-one cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing blend of all-natural ingredients.
With Luv From Heaven
Available Online
With Luv From Heaven isn’t hiding that the secret ingredient in all of its products is love. However, what you won’t find in its soaps, oils, body butters and scrubs are fillers and toxins that can irritate the skin. By using high-quality ingredients and setting a loving intention with each product made, With Luv From Heaven might be just what you need to up your self-care game.
Ritual Soapworks
Available Online
Owned by native Pittsburgher Jessica Halsband, Ritual Soapworks is an all-natural soap company that showcases fragrances you’re not likely to find elsewhere, and the gorgeous lace-like patterns on every bar are a reminder of why handcrafted artisan products are so special! With unique combinations like coffee and grapefruit, balsam fir and lime, and cedarwood and patchouli, Ritual’s soaps help bring the healing power of botanicals to your personal bathtime ritual.
Island Fresh Skincare
Available Online
Dry, sensitive skin bringing you down this winter? Island Fresh Skincare will transport you to a tropical destination where your skincare worries will melt away. Third-generation soap maker Marilyn Dice is the maker behind the brand, and her products are inspired by her travels to warm, tropical climates where her own skin thrives. Made with fewer than 10 natural, non-toxic ingredients, Island Fresh Skincare soaps and body butters are gentle on the skin and powered by organic components like fruit, nuts, and vegetable butters.
Wren & Rita
Available Online
When browsing handmade body products by Wren & Rita, you might find yourself asking what it doesn’t make. Ana Brito’s charming brand produces solid lotion bars, goat’s milk soaps, cold-processed body bars, and lip balms, and everything is handmade right here in Pittsburgh. If you’re picky about your fragrance selections, you’re in luck — you can search the Wren & Rita collection of lotion bars by fragrance profile, so whether you like something floral and fruity or favor warm, masculine scents, there’s sure to be something you’ll love to try.
Sugar’s Haircare
Available Online
Sugar’s Haircare is a local maker of natural hair care products that support healthy hair and stimulate growth. Its hair growth oil, which helps to hydrate and strengthen hair, oil has no artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, or phthalates, and its haircare grease is made with 100% organic beeswax. Sugar’s Haircare also produces “Shay’s Butter,” a moisturizing, buttery-soft shea butter blend that smoothes and soothes both hair and skin.
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.