Last Updated on May 22, 2023
They say you should aim for a new you in the new year: “New year, new you.” But we think the current you is pretty great!
However, we also know that sometimes it takes a little something extra to give you the burst of esteem you deserve at the beginning of the day. That’s why we love supporting local cosmetics companies. It’s the mission of each of the companies on this list to aid in beauty and health by creating products that have natural ingredients, are locally made, and help you present your best self to the world.
Here are seven local cosmetics companies that help you show off your best self.
Appalachian Natural Soaps
Based in Downtown Asheville, Appalachian Natural Soaps focuses primarily on handmade, organic, natural soaps and soap accessories (as promised). But they also offer other bath and body care items, like bath bombs, beard balms, and lip balms. However, if you’re still out and about for work or other responsibilities, they have a line of hand sanitizers just for you. Moisturize and sanitize your hands at once with their blends of all-natural essential oils and Vitamin E. They craft each four-ounce bottle using the CDC recommended minimum of 60% alcohol.
21 Wall Street, Asheville| (828) 665-0810 | appalachiannaturalsoap.com
Bella & Oliver Soap Co.
Named after the owner’s beloved spaniels, Bella & Oliver Soap Co. has a deep passion for all-natural local cosmetics products. That’s why they’ve pledged never to use parabens, sulfates, phthalate fragrances, petrochemicals, or palm oils in any of their products. What they do use are natural, plant-based, vegan ingredients and 100% therapeutic-grade essential oils. All their skin care products are cruelty-free and contain no artificial ingredients, dyes, preservatives, or chemicals. Plus, the packaging is eco-friendly! Visit their site for soaps, bath salts, lip balms, body butters, insect repellants—even dog shampoo!
144 Edwards Avenue, Swannanoa | bellaandoliversoap.com
Essential Journeys
Essential Journeys specializes in a wide array of soaps, lotions, bath soaks, lip balms, body salves, body butters, and soy candles. Their Lube for the Lips™ collection features SPF 15 protection in seven delightful lip gloss flavors. And the wildcrafted arnica herbal salves are perfect for restoring chapped skin in winter months. From soap by the slice to salt for the tub to anti-chafing crotch grease for cyclists, they have what you need. Don’t forget to check out their craft beer soap while you’re shopping online. A portion of the proceeds supports bee, dragonfly, and monarch habitats.
(828) 350-0395 | essentialjourneys.com
Faerie Made
Faerie Made® is a woman-owned business with a simple mission: to provide high-quality, natural, artisan soaps and body care products; support other small businesses on the local and global scale; and walk as gently as possible upon the earth. To that end, they offer a wide variety of soaps, body care, botanical perfumes, and toxin-free nail polishes. And their mission has made them a long-standing local favorite. They were voted “Best of WNC” by Mountain Xpress readers three years in a row! Find their products at local tailgate markets and retails stores throughout Asheville, Sylva, and Hot Springs.
P.O. Box 17181, Asheville | (828) 251-5291 | faeriemadesoaps.com
Mountains to Sea Skincare
Since 2013, Mountains to Sea Skincare has offered handcrafted, small batch bath and body products made from the highest quality plant extracts, ferments, oils, butters, minerals, and beeswax. The ingredients for their ultra pure plant-based skincare products are sourced locally, meaning they not only feel and smell great, but also bring healing to the skin. The small business combines the ingredients in ways that promote wellbeing, and packages them cleanly. The end result is refreshing, nurturing, and at one with the rugged, meandering beauty of North Carolina landscapes.
(828) 242-9714 | mountainstosea.co
Shecology
Shecology is committed to making the world a cleaner place by providing exceptional products that are effective, affordable, simple, and safe. The company continually strives to have the lowest waste footprint and most favorable impact on Mother Earth possible. That’s why none of their products are packaged in rigid plastic. Shecology mainly focuses on cleaning products (laundry soap, dryer balls, biodegradable sponges, etc.), but they offer some cosmetic products, as well. Their goats’ milk and soap nut soap moisturizing bars and handmade in small batches with all-natural ingredients.
P.O. Box 2701, Weaverville, (828) 713-4031 | shecology.com
Willow Hill Soap Company
Originally branded “Carolina Lily Naturals,” Willow Hill still uses the soap recipes that made the business great from Day One. Their handcrafted products are paraben, phthalate, and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) free. And they hand-measure and hand-pour every carefully-sourced ingredient to ensure small-batch quality. They offer a wide variety of bath, body, and face products, as well as soy candles. Their clay facial mask features a trio of pure earth clays that will detoxify, refresh, and enhance your skin tone. And their all-natural deodorants are scented with essential oils that have natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-microbial properties.
24 Park Street, Canton | (828) 492-0626 | willowhillsoapcompany.com
Be your best self every day in Asheville, NC
With a population of 90,000+, Asheville is the largest city in both Buncombe County and Western North Carolina. Asheville serves as the area’s economic and cultural nerve center in many ways, including as a hub for education, healthcare, local arts and crafts, entertainment, night life, and innovative food and drink. Throughout the city, Asheville’s neighborhoods are interconnected, not just by our mountains and rivers, but also by our local community centers—those intentionally created and those that have grown organically.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find your dream home in Asheville now!
