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• Founded by model Iskra Lawrence in 2022, Saltair is an affordable and eco-conscious body care brand.
• Saltair's products include body wash, body scrub, lotion, and deodorant that retail for $5-$20.
• We interviewed the founder, consulted a dermatologist, and tested the products. See our review, below.

Model and entrepreneur Iskra Lawrence saw a blatant hole in the body care category. "When I walked the body care aisles they felt stale and uninspiring," Lawrence told Insider. The few products that did excite her were either too expensive, not inclusive, or inaccessible to the average consumer. To bridge the gap, Lawrence created Saltair, a skincare brand company that puts products like body wash and lotion on the same pedestal as face wash and moisturizer, all at drugstore prices.

Saltair's current offerings include a body wash (available in seven fragrance options), a body lotion (available in five fragrance options), a scrub treatment, and a natural deodorant (available in eight fragrances). The individual products retail between $5 and $20 and come sustainably packaged in 100% aluminum bottles and sugar cane-derived tubes. Lawrence warns that some of her brand's bottles might arrive with minor "dings and dents," but hopes Saltair customers will embrace these imperfections, rather than scrutinize them. "I call it #BottlePositivity," Lawrence explained via email. "Perfection doesn't exist and [we're] saving carbon emissions by not sending out excess product or wasted packaging." 

Though inclusivity, affordability, and sustainability are the top three pillars of the Saltair brand, Lawrence also put an emphasis on the sensory experience of her body care products. In this article, we put the body wash, body lotion, and skincare deodorant to the test to find out if these consciously formulated items are as beneficial to the soul as they are to the skin. 

What ingredients are in Saltair's products? 

Lawrence told Insider that they prioritized "exotic" ingredients that would give the products a "unique texture, effect, or fragrance." 

Some of the most commonly found ingredients across Saltair products are niacinamide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and retinol. According to Dr. Jeannette Graf, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, niacinamide and salicylic acids are helpful in aiding inflammation of the skin, removing bacteria, clearing acne, and brightening the skin. Glycolic is an exfoliating agent that helps rid the skin of dead skin cells, while retinol speeds up cell turnover, replacing dead skin with new skin to promote a healthier completion, Graf adds.

Is Saltair sustainable?

We can't confirm with certainty that the brand itself is 100% sustainable, but we do know that Saltair prioritizes sustainability practices. Each item comes packaged in 100% aluminum bottles and sugar cane-derived tubes, and deodorant refillable pods are available for purchase in order to minimize the brand's carbon footprint even further. What's more, the brand has taken what's called a "plastic pledge," promising to reduce its use of single-use plastic and, instead, use post-consumer recycled plastics wherever and whenever possible.

Saltair has also committed to cleaning our oceans and planting more trees through its various partnerships with Plastic Bank and One Tree Planted. In 2022, the brand's first year of business, Saltair intends to recover over 18.2 tons of plastic from our oceans and, with the help of its customers, trees will continue to be planted all over the world through a donation of some of the brand's proceeds. 

Our review of Saltair's Skincare Deodorant

Saltair's 24-Hour Protection Deodorant was easily my favorite product from the collection. I'm very picky when it comes to deodorant, but I'm obsessed with this formula's natural ingredient list, and I love the fact that there was no uncomfortable (re: damp) detoxification period. I've been applying it every morning and feel fresh until evening and the pleasant scent even holds up after a sweaty run. You also can't beat a refillable product; this sweat-stopping sustainable deodorant is a win in my book.

Our review of Saltair's Body Wash

I had mixed emotions about Satair's body wash. Formula-wise, I really enjoyed it; the gel is light but creates bubbly suds when wet, which I love in a body wash. I also often use body wash in lieu of traditional shaving cream, and believe the Lush Greens formula's inclusion of soothing Monoi Oil prevented the irritation my sensitive skin normally experiences from razors. In terms of scent, however, the Lush Greens' earthy fragrance was not for me. The Exotic Pulp AHA Body Lotion, however, emitted an aroma I absolutely loved. It has notes of orange, guava, and musk — and smells like a mimosa for your skin.

Our review of Saltair's Body Lotion

Of the three products tested, I'd rank Saltair's lotion number two. I tried the Santal Bloom Body Wash (the brand's bestseller and one of Lawrence's favorite scents in the collection) and loved its light earthy scent (it has notes of magnolia, rose, and jasmine, wrapped in musky sandalwood). It's marketed as a nourishing and brightening formula, and I did notice a subtle glow upon application. I didn't find the lotion, especially softening, which is what I typically look for in a post-shower lotion, but between the fragrance and soft illumination, I enjoyed massaging it into my arms and decolletage before bed.

Cons to Consider

The one major caveat of Saltair is, ironically, its use of scents. Fragrance comes down to personal preference, so while one might love a certain kind of aroma, others might find it off-putting. If you don't already know what types of smells you enjoy in body care products, it might take some trial and error.

The bottom line

Saltair body care products offer a ton of bang for your buck. The formulas use high-quality ingredients and the brand's eco-friendly practices make me feel better about using its products. You'll be hard-pressed to find a body care company with this much value at such an affordable price.

Shop all body care products at Saltair now.

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