True Botanicals works within the clean beauty and skincare niche, addressing a range of skin concerns, including sensitivity, breakouts, dryness, and early signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles.
True Botanicals offers a collection across facial skincare, body care, and wellness. Its product line includes cleansers, serums, moisturizers, body oils, masks, and toners, formulated with a focus on high-quality, non-toxic ingredients.
In this review, we explore True Botanicals' guiding philosophy, its most popular formulations, certifications, and key benefits. To better understand its market positioning, we also offer a side-by-side comparison with two similar skincare brands in the clean beauty space.
Founded by Hillary Peterson, True Botanicals is a California-based brand that focuses on a non-toxic and biocompatible approach to skincare.
As per the official site, all formulations from True Botanicals hold the Made Safe® certification, which screens for ingredients and ensures they remain free from 15,000+ known toxins that may harm your health.
Some flagship offerings from True Botanicals include the Renew Pure Radiance Oil, which may help delay premature skin aging signs (like dark spots or wrinkles).
The Renew Nourishing Cleanser pairs green tea and white tea extracts to support cleansing without stripping skin oils. Calm Pure Radiance Oil may help soothe sensitive skin with ingredients like blue tansy and chia seed oil.
As per the official site, True Botanicals employs a Synergistic SkinScience® framework, which is a formulation philosophy based on the four dimensions of plant intelligence (PI⁴). These include the use of plant-powered actives, antioxidant density, skinbiome resilience, and aromatherapeutic molecules. The brand also uses FSC-certified packaging and partners with carbon-offset programs to align with its sustainability commitments.
Chebula Active Serum may help target and soothe skincare concerns like fine lines, dark spots, dryness, and loss of firmness. It comes in a 30ml (1oz) bottle and may help support skin hydration and elasticity by promoting your skin’s natural collagen synthesis.
As per the official site, the serum includes the chebula fruit extract. It contains polyphenols that may help decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may otherwise damage skin cells and accelerate premature skin aging. Green tea extract is also included in Chebula Active Serum, which may help suppress the release of enzymes like MMPs that trigger collagen breakdown and reduce inflammation in skin tissues.
The makers also added sodium hyaluronate and echinacea extract to Chebula Active Serum. Sodium hyaluronate may penetrate deeper into the dermis, where it could bind with water molecules and improve skin plumpness. Echinacea extract contains alkamides and caffeic acid derivatives that may support skin barrier recovery by stimulating filaggrin and lipid production.
For application, the makers suggest applying ½–1 dropperful of Chebula Active Serum on clean skin, preferably twice a day. You may follow the application with True Botanicals Pure Radiance Oil or your preferred moisturizer to help seal in hydration.
Pure Radiance Oil may help nourish the skin, restore radiance, and soothe dryness and dullness. With age, your skin begins to lose its fatty acid content, which might make it less plump and luminous and more sensitive to environmental stress. Pure Radiance Oil may replenish these essential lipids, thereby supporting skin resilience and glow.
As per the official site, Pure Radiance Oil contains avocado oil, marula seed oil, Camellia seed oil, and chia and rosehip seed oils. Camellia seed oil contains oleic acid, a fatty acid that may help strengthen your skin’s lipid barrier and support hydration. Avocado oil comprises vitamins A, D, and E, which may support skin healing and reduce inflammation by calming irritated skin cells.
Marula seed oil in Pure Radiance Oil may help maintain the skin’s elasticity by supporting collagen synthesis and minimizing its breakdown.
Pure Radiance Oil also has Chia and rosehip seed oils could supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which may help repair cell membranes and reduce inflammation, promoting healthier skin structure.
The makers state that Pure Radiance Oil is hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and pregnancy-safe. For use, you may apply 3–8 drops of Pure Radiance Oil to your face, neck, and chest.
Renew Nourishing Cleanser by True Botanicals may help cleanse your skin and maintain softness, without disrupting its natural moisture barrier. The formulation utilizes a lipid-rich base and antioxidant-rich ingredients (such as aloe leaf juice and lavender oil), which might support skin balance and barrier integrity after use.
The Renew Nourishing Cleanser contains Camellia Sinensis (green and white tea) leaf extracts, which comprise polyphenols and antioxidants that may help defend your skin cells against environmental stressors and free radical exposure. Camellia Oleifera seed oil may offer lightweight nourishment through essential fatty acids, which could help reinforce the skin’s barrier function.
Glycerin may draw water from the deeper layers of the skin and the surrounding environment into the outermost layer (stratum corneum), potentially helping support hydration and skin elasticity. The makers also added caprylic/capric triglyceride in Renew Nourishing Cleanser, which is derived from coconut oil and glycerin. It may provide a lightweight occlusive layer that may reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and improve skin softness.
As per the official site, the Renew Nourishing Cleanser has a mild scent, which is derived from essential oils including lavender, vetiver, and jasmine sambac. For use, the makers suggest applying a small amount of Renew Nourishing Cleanser to damp skin, gently massaging, and then cleaning it with cool water.
True Botanicals’ Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm may help cleanse, brighten, and restore balance to your skin. It could help support the removal of makeup, sunscreen, and impurities without stripping the skin or compromising its barrier function.
At the core of True Botanicals’ Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm formula is ginger root oil and turmeric (curcumin), both of which are antioxidant-rich and have anti-inflammatory effects. They contain bioactive compounds like gingerol and curcuminoids, which may lower oxidative stress and help calm inflammation by modulating cytokine activity. Such actions may help calm skin-related flare-ups, such as redness, irritation, or dullness.
Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm also contains Yucca Schidigera extract, containing natural saponins. These saponins may serve as gentle surfactants that may emulsify oil-based debris like makeup and sunscreen. Azelaic acid and lactic acid are also included as keratolytic agents to support mild exfoliation by loosening corneocyte connections in the stratum corneum, which may help improve skin texture and tone.
The makers also added cucumber peel and oat kernel oils to Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm. Cucumber peel oil contains proteolytic activity that may help in soothing irritated skin, aiding in gentle resurfacing, and removing toxins from the skin. Oat kernel oil could provide linoleic acid and antioxidants that may support skin barrier repair.
For use, the makers suggest applying a small amount of Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm with the provided spatula and massaging it onto dry skin using circular motions. Once makeup and debris begin to melt, you should add warm water to emulsify and rinse with cool water.
The At-Home Facialist Peel by True Botanicals may help support a professional-style exfoliation experience from home.
As per the official site, it features a 27.2% mix of exfoliating acids, including AHAs (such as glycolic acid), BHAs (like salicylic acid from wintergreen), PHAs, and tranexamic acid (THX). The combination may help smooth skin texture, fade the appearance of fine lines, and potentially support a more even-looking skin tone.
At-Home Facialist Peel contains aloe vera, rosemary extract, and a mineral electrolyte complex. Rosemary extract provides rosmarinic acid, which may suppress oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling, thereby calming post-exfoliation redness. Aloe vera contains polysaccharides and glycoproteins that may help decrease inflammation by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1 and TNF-α.
The electrolyte mineral complex comprises a mix of electrolytes, such as magnesium, calcium ions, and potassium, to help maintain transepidermal water balance. Magnesium may support cellular energy metabolism, while potassium could help maintain intracellular osmotic balance, which may help retain hydration.
Formulated for weekly use, the At-Home Facialist Peel should be applied post-cleansing, on dry skin. The makers suggest leaving the peel on for 15 minutes and then rinsing thoroughly with warm water or a soft cloth.
SuperSEA Firming & Lifting Treatment from True Botanicals may help visibly firm, lift, and smooth the appearance of your skin. It is catered to target areas such as the jawline, neck, face, and cheekbones, which may support a more defined and even-toned look over time.
The SuperSEA Firming & Lifting Treatment utilizes a SuperSEA Biocompatible 3XBlend™, a mix of three marine-derived actives. One of these, Undaria Pinnatifida (wakame) extract, contains sulfated polysaccharides that may stimulate fibroblasts to boost collagen synthesis, thereby improving dermal structure and elasticity.
Other ingredients in the SuperSEA Firming & Lifting formula include Camelina Sativa seed oil, algae oil, and milk thistle extract. Camelina oil comprises alpha-linolenic acid that may help reinforce the lipid matrix of the stratum corneum, which may minimize transepidermal water loss. Algae oil provides essential fatty acids and emollients that may enhance moisture retention and improve skin suppleness. Milk thistle extract contains the silymarin compound, which may suppress the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, helping soothe irritation and support cellular repair.
The suggested use includes applying two pumps of SuperSEA Firming & Lifting formula to your face, neck, and décolleté before a moisturizer, preferably in both morning and night.
True Botanicals claims that its Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches may address common signs of aging around the under-eye area, such as dryness, puffiness, dullness, reduced firmness, and a lack of volume.
As per the official site, the Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches utilize hydrogel technology, a delivery system composed of water-rich, polymer-based materials that adhere closely to the skin. The hydrogel matrix might allow for a gradual and more uniform release of the formula's components, potentially supporting deeper penetration into the epidermis.
Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches feature the Terminalia Chebula extract, which contains polyphenols that may neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS). Such effects could help decrease oxidative stress that may otherwise degrade collagen and elastin, thereby supporting firmer skin.
Arabica seed and caffeine in Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches may stimulate vasoconstriction and microcirculation, potentially helping lower fluid retention and puffiness under the eyes.
The makers also added alfalfa seed extract to Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches, which may influence fibroblast activity, potentially supporting tightening and revitalization of fatigued skin.
True Botanicals’ Phyto-Retinol Advanced Clinical Cream aims to provide a plant-based alternative to standard retinol formulations. It is formulated to be non-sensitizing and may help improve skin softness, smoothness, and radiance, without triggering the side effects associated with synthetic retinoids, such as dryness or irritation.
Phyto-Retinol Advanced Clinical Cream features Peptilium®, a peptide-rich extract derived from cranberries that may support skin firmness by stimulating collagen and elastin fiber production in the dermis. It could also help diminish the appearance of wrinkles by enhancing cellular renewal and improving extracellular matrix integrity.
The Phyto-Retinol Advanced Cream also contains sea buckthorn and buriti fruit oils. Such oils are dense in antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene, which may help lower reactive oxygen species (ROS), a contributor to skin aging. Illipe butter is also included in the Phyto-Retinol Advanced Cream and comprises stearic and oleic acids. These compounds may help strengthen the skin barrier and reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), thereby supporting hydration and a smoother texture.
As per the official site, True Botanicals maintains a vegan and cruelty-free status across its brand catalog. It confirms that neither the ingredients nor the finished formulas from True Botanicals are tested on animals at any stage of production. The brand-level vegan stance of True Botanicals may imply greater clarity and assurance when choosing formulas that align with ethical, environmental, or allergy-related concerns.
True Botanicals also excludes the use of animal-derived ingredients such as lanolin, beeswax, collagen, and carmine in all its formulas. It replaces such ingredients with plant-based alternatives like chia seed oil, algae extract, and plant-derived ceramides.
Besides the certified vegan status, True Botanicals ensures that its supply chain (including ingredient sourcing) meets cruelty-free standards. Such a level of third-party verification is supported by certifications like Leaping Bunny, which may help distinguish the brand in a space where such claims may often go unchecked.
Meanwhile, the Ursa Major brand also maintains a cruelty-free status, which is backed by its Leaping Bunny certification. However, Ursa Major does not have an entirely vegan range, as some of its formulas contain animal-derived ingredients. On the other hand, Herbivore Botanicals, like True Botanicals, offer fully vegan and cruelty-free product lines, holding third-party certifications from Leaping Bunny and PETA.
As per the official site, True Botanicals holds the Made Safe® certification throughout its product lineup. The Made Safe® certification indicates that all formulas from True Botanicals are screened against a list of over 15,000 banned or restricted substances, ensuring avoidance of ingredients that are known or suspected to be harmful. It may include substances like endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins, behavioral toxins, heavy metals, and potential carcinogens.
The brand also emphasizes traceability and sourcing transparency, favoring certified-organic and wild-harvested botanicals. Ingredient lists and their intended functions are clearly provided both on product labels and True Botanicals product pages.
Compared to other clean beauty brands, the Made Safe® certification may put True Botanicals at an advantage. For example, Ursa Major is a B Corp brand with a strong focus on sustainability, but does not hold Made Safe® certification. Herbivore Botanicals highlights certifications like EWG Verified and vegan formulations, yet it also does not carry Made Safe® certification.
True Botanicals’ Made Safe® certification may help you identify products that meet a consistent external safety standard, rather than relying solely on brand claims. It might reduce uncertainty around ingredient safety, provide assurance that formulas are evaluated for potential long-term health impacts, and support more confident decision-making.
Based on customer feedback and complaints reported on the BBB between 2023 and 2024, True Botanicals shows a pattern of customer service failures. Many customers expressed issues with order deliveries, returns, and follow-up support. For instance, one user applied to return three separate orders, which were denied by True Botanicals despite the promise of “hassle-free returns” on the website.
Another concern was the lack of response from the brand’s customer service team. Many customers said they tried contacting True Botanicals through emails, phone calls, and voicemails, but got no response. In one case, a customer followed all return instructions and provided tracking for a package that got stuck in transit.
However, the brand offered no update or refund for weeks. Other reviews indicated that customers received broken tracking links, conflicting delivery messages, and no help post-purchase. Such repeated issues may indicate a lack of accountability and a poor customer support system.
For a brand that promotes itself as premium and ethical, these service-related problems may paint a negative perception. Based on these previous user concerns, you might face delays from True Botanicals in issue resolution, lose money on undelivered or non-returnable products, or find it difficult to get help from the brand’s customer support.
While True Botanicals excels in clean formulations and third-party certifications, its track record with customer care may undermine the trust it seeks to build. These complaints could highlight a gap between the brand’s image and its operational consistency.
Although True Botanicals promotes transparency through detailed ingredient lists, the brand does not provide visible warnings like “contains nut oils,” “contains essential oils,” or alerts about potential cross-contamination on its product labels or official product pages.
Some of True Botanicals' formulas include sensitizers, such as ylang-ylang, neroli, lavender oil, argan kernel oil, and shea butter. These ingredients may potentially trigger allergic reactions (such as itching, redness, or swelling) or skin irritation. Yet True Botanicals typically uses generalized language like “non-irritating” or “safe for sensitive skin” rather than issuing direct advisories.
Meanwhile, Herbivore Botanicals maintains full disclosure of all the ingredients used in its formulas, including fragrance allergens. Their marketing specifically addresses allergy-prone users and includes “free from” indicators and visual icons that may simplify decision-making. Ursa Major also offers clear and direct allergen information through its product pages and FAQs. The “free from” icons, ingredient exclusions, and consistent messaging of Ursa Major may help you identify if their formulations align with your needs and restrictions.
True Botanicals’ over-reliance on technical naming and lack of direct warnings may limit your ability to make quick, informed purchase decisions. It could imply that you remain exposed to a greater risk of accidental allergen exposure, potential irritation, and the added burden of doing your in-depth ingredient analysis for every product.
Both Herbivore Botanicals and True Botanicals operate in the skincare space, yet they differ in their scope and range of skincare formulations.
Herbivore Botanicals emphasizes plant-based skincare formulas built around sensory experience, offering serums, facial oils, cleansers, and body care essentials.
Some featured offerings from Herbivore Botanicals include Phoenix Deep Renewal Facial Oil, Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum, Lapis Balancing Facial Oil, Moon Fruit 1% Bakuchiol + Peptides Retinol Alternative Serum, and Pink Cloud Rosewater + Tremella Creamy Jelly Cleanser.
Meanwhile, True Botanicals focuses on clinical-grade, non-toxic formulations, prioritizing ingredients like chebula extract, lactic acid, ferulic acid, and ginger-turmeric blends.
Some bestseller formulations from True Botanicals include Chebula Active Serum, Renew Pure Radiance Oil, Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm, and Phyto-Retinol Advanced Clinical Cream.
The approach to tackling skin concerns also varies between the brands. Herbivore Botanicals targets general skincare needs, such as hydration, aging, and brightening. It offers specific blends for oily/acne-prone or dry/mature skin, but the targeting is broader.
On the other hand, True Botanicals segments its product lines more tightly around user-specific needs, offering routines built for sensitive skin, dark spots, or signs of aging.
When it comes to bundled savings, both brands offer structured discounts, but the formats vary. Herbivore Botanicals offers themed bundle sets like the Healthy Aging Ritual or Maximalist Set with built-in price reductions of around 20% discount.
Meanwhile, True Botanicals may enable you to build custom bundles through the “Build Your Own Routine” feature or choose from curated sets, such as the 3-Step Ritual or the 4-Step Ritual, offering tiered savings based on product combinations.
Pricing also reflects a difference in the positioning of Herbivore Botanicals and True Botanicals brands. For example, one bottle of the Herbivore Botanicals’ Nova 15% Vitamin C + Turmeric Brightening Serum costs $68 as part of a one-time purchase. On the other hand, one bottle of True Botanicals’ Chebula Active Serum is priced at $90.
When comparing Ursa Major and True Botanicals, the brands differ in the range of their formulations, core focus, pricing, and certifications.
Ursa Major offers multiple products spanning categories like facial cleansers, moisturizers, serums, deodorants, haircare, and body care essentials.
Some listed bestsellers provided by Ursa Major include the Golden Hour Recovery Cream, Mountain Glow Serum, Brighten Up Vitamin C Serum, Fantastic Face Wash, and Hoppin’ Fresh Deodorant.
On the other hand, True Botanicals features a narrower product lineup with a focus on dermatologist-tested formulas, which span categories like eye and lip essentials, toners, cleansers, moisturizers, and face oils.
Some featured offerings from True Botanicals include the Ginger Turmeric Cleansing Balm, Phyto-Retinol Advanced Clinical Cream, Chebula Multi-Corrective Eye Patches, and Renew Pure Radiance Oil.
The two brands also diverge in their certifications. Ursa Major is a certified B Corporation, underscoring its commitment to social and environmental standards. It also holds the Leaping Bunny Certification, ensuring that all its formulas are cruelty-free.
Meanwhile, True Botanicals holds multiple certifications, including certified B Corporation, Made Safe®, PETA, Leaping Bunny certified, FSC, EWG verification, and Pregnancy Safe certification.
In terms of vegan and cruelty-free commitments, there are some differences between the brands. Although holding a cruelty-free certification, not all formulas from Ursa Major are vegan-friendly.
Some formulations, such as Going Places Lip Balm and Hoppin' Fresh Deodorant from Ursa Major, contain animal-derived ingredients. Meanwhile, True Botanicals holds a cruelty-free and vegan status throughout its product lineup.
When assessing True Botanicals’ brand credibility, we looked beyond its marketing claims to examine how the company engages with its customers across public platforms. On Trustpilot, True Botanicals has not claimed its profile, which may indicate a lack of engagement with users on the platform. Similarly, the brand is absent from Reviews.io, another common platform for gauging brand trustworthiness.
More critically, True Botanicals holds an “F” rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The rating stems from the brand’s failure to respond to four complaints filed against it, which may raise concerns over its customer service responsiveness and complaint resolution practices.
Meanwhile, the brand holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating on TenereTeam, though it is based on just 10 publicly available reviews. Thus, the brand’s scattered presence on reputable review forums may suggest a disconnect between True Botanicals’ brand image and its post-purchase engagement practices.
When evaluating True Botanicals, we carefully analyzed the brand’s return and refund structure, particularly its clarity, fairness, and terms. True Botanicals offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, allowing you to initiate a return within 30 days of purchase if unsatisfied. However, the policy applies exclusively to purchases made directly through the official website, and returns must be processed via the brand’s dedicated Returns Center.
The refund policy of True Botanicals also sets clear boundaries for eligibility. Returned items must be at least 60% full, untampered, and in acceptable condition. Moreover, the brand does not accept returns on items that are spilled, mishandled, or filled with other substances. In the case of Kits, Sets, or Bundles, you are required to return the entire package to qualify for refunds.
During the evaluation, we also found that True Botanicals does not offer direct exchanges but provides an alternative in the form of store credit, with an added 5% bonus (up to $15) as an incentive. It’s also worth noting that after two return requests, future eligibility for returns is tied to your loyalty tier.
True Botanicals focuses on supporting diverse skincare needs through its biocompatible and Made Safe®-certified skincare offerings. It also integrates sustainability across sourcing and packaging and holds certifications like FSC and B Corporation, indicating that the brand follows environmentally conscious practices.
Although True Botanicals emphasizes ingredient transparency, the brand does not flag potential allergens on packaging or its official site. Many True Botanicals’ formulas contain essential oils and nut-based ingredients that lack plain-language advisories. It may create complications and safety risks, particularly if you have specific sensitivities or allergies.
Moreover, consumer reviews also reflect some recurring concerns around returns, shipping delays, and inadequate customer support. These past incidents may point to gaps in True Botanicals’ post-purchase accountability. It is also worth considering how True Botanicals’ policies, potential for delayed support, and sensitivity to ingredient disclosures fit with your preferences and risk tolerance.
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