I’ve Been Using Ogee’s Makeup & Skincare for 3+ Years. Here’s My Review.

Let me just give you a bunch of spoilers up front:

Ogee is one of the BEST cosmetic brands that:

• can absolutely compete with the conventional brands in terms of performance
• is actually non-toxic (they use entirely botanically-sourced ingredients and are NSF certified to be at least 70% organic)
• carries a full range of both skincare and makeup

I have yet to try an Ogee product that I don’t like. (Although, I will tell you in this review which ones are my absolute favorite and which ones I would de-prioritize.)

The people I think Ogee would be the best fit for are those who:

• love luxury skincare and aren’t afraid to spend a little extra money on it
• have mature or aging skin
• are transitioning from conventional skincare/makeup and want a brand that is genuinely clean, but without giving off super hippie/crunchy vibes

Ogee has become one of my favorite non-toxic brands over the past several years. It’s one of those brands that kind of just checks all the boxes: clean ingredients, high-performing formulations, quality aesthetics. So, I’m finally writing down all my thoughts on the products I’ve used in this Ogee review for you!

(Also, in case it’s helpful for you, Ogee is pretty easy to find at retailers like Sephora, Ulta, and Amazon.)

This guide contains product recommendations, and we may receive compensation through affiliate links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

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My Ogee makeup review

I’m going to give you my thoughts on the Ogee makeup products I’ve tried first, and then I’ll cover the skincare after that.

Contour Collection

Let me just start with my absolute favorite Ogee product: their 3-step Crystal Contour Collection.

First of all: I love the practicality of the balmy sticks. You can literally just draw on your face like it’s a big fat crayon and then blend with one brush. You don’t have to worry about getting makeup on your fingers or using a bunch of different brushes.

I also tend to like balms over powders for a few reasons.

• they’re just easier and faster to use
• they’re less messy (which I also appreciate for travel)
• there’s no risk of inhaling anything. (Because honestly, even a lot of ingredients that would otherwise be considered ‘non-toxic’ should not really be inhaled on a regular basis.)

In terms of ingredients, these contour sticks don’t just function as makeup—they’re also skincare. They’ve got American-grown and certified organic jojoba oil to nourish the skin, green coffee oil to stimulate collagen and encourage skin firmness, and elderberry extract to give you some protective antioxidants.

I’m not one to spend a ton of time on my makeup (I have things to do!), so I appreciate how these sticks make it easy for me to do the basics—adding some shape to my face without going above and beyond with all of the different tricks and techniques I see other people doing. (Seriously, contouring is an art form—I am always so impressed with what people can do with it.)

The set is kind of pricey, but I will say that it lasts a LONG time. I have been using my sticks for years now and I still haven’t had to replace them.

Price: $99

Vegan/cruelty-free? Cruelty-free but not vegan (contains beeswax)

Would I re-buy it? Absolutely.

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Lip Gloss & Refillable Lipstick

First of all, I love the idea of a refillable lipstick. The less waste, the better.

I got the “BACCARA – Deep Wine” color, which is a matte red (very red!). I’m honestly impressed by how deep a color they manage to get using all natural ingredients.

You should not expect this to last as long as the fancy stains and stuff they have these days, but it does still last a pretty long time (especially if you’re not eating or drinking anything).

The lipstick is very matte, so you could put a gloss over it if you wanted a little more shine.

Personally, I like to wear the lipstick for going out at night and the gloss for more casual everyday wearing. I basically always have one of their glosses in my purse these days.

Just like with the contour sticks, their lip color is not just makeup—it’s all skincare at the same time. Their lipsticks contain nourishing ingredients like jojoba oil, elderberry extract, hyaluronic acid, and DPHP (which a natural plumper!).

P.S. You can also use the pink contour stick as a lip color if you want. It’s just on the larger side, so it’s not great for throwing into a small purse.

Options: Traditional lipstick, tinted lip oil pencil, lip gloss (sheer and tinted), multi-purpose colored contour sticks

Price range: $29-$46

Vegan/cruelty-free? Cruelty-free, but not vegan. Several of their lip products contain beeswax, and the lip gloss contains carmine.

Would I re-buy it? Yes.

P.S. Here’s my full non-toxic lipstick / lip gloss guide.

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Beyond Clean Volumizing Mascara

I really like Ogee’s mascara. It may not be my absolute favorite when it comes to application & performance, but I do really like it a lot. It can create a full, dramatic lash look. It can get slightly clumpy sometimes, but nothing crazy.

Ogee utilizes ingredients like jojoba oil and oat proteins to nourish lashes while strengthening them at the same time. It’s also gluten-free, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.

Ingredient-wise, they do use benzyl alcohol and potassium hydroxide, which may be irritating to some folks with sensitivities.

But, they also have a high percentage of certified organic ingredients too. (It’s certified to contain 77% organic ingredients.)

Price: $29 (They actually significantly dropped the price recently! 🙌)

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes cruelty-free, but not vegan (contains beeswax)

Sweat/water-resistance: Moderate. It’s not crazy, but sometimes a little mascara rubs off onto my eyelids after a while.

Would I buy it again? I’m on the fence. I definitely don’t hate it, but I’m not obsessed either.

Btw, here are more non-toxic mascaras to check out.

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Perfection Perfecting Concealer

Once again, I really appreciate that this concealer is not just formulated to cover things up, but to actually help nourish the skin at the same time. It’s got things like licorice root and sea buckthorn extract for antioxidants to help minimize the appearance of dark circles, alone with ultra-hydrating mini hyaluronic acid, which is really good to use on mature skin.

I also appreciate that they have THIRTY different shades to choose from! (I recommend taking their Quiz if you need help deciding which shade to get. That’s what I did.)

I’ll be honest: I’m not super picky about concealer and I’m kind of bad at using it consistently. That said, I have no complaints about this one. I like it and it works for me!

Price: $33

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes.

Would I re-buy it? Yes.

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Makeup Brush & Brush Cleanser

They have several different types of brushes, but I just have the Blender Brush (which is their best-selling one). I use it for blending my foundation, concealer, and/or contour sticks.

The brush is made from an FSC-certified wooden handle and synthetic (vegan) fibers. So yes: they bristles are plastic. This is a whole thing when it comes to makeup brushes.

Although I would prefer not to use plastic, I also don’t want to deal with the hygienic issues that come with a natural brush. I also don’t want to spend the extra money on an ethically-sourced animal hair brush. Maybe if I was super into makeup, I would look into investing in one… But I’m just not.

I go into all of the nuances on the makeup brush issue here.

I really like the Brush Cleanser. It’s so easy to use and not messy at all. You basically just get it wet and then rub the brush in circles on the cleanser, then rinse. And then I usually leave the lid off of the cleanser for a little while afterward to let it dry.

It has very minimal ingredients—it’s basically just soap and grapefruit essential oil (for its antibacterial properties & light scent).

Price: $49 for the brush; $34 for the cleanser

Vegan/cruelty-free? Yes.

Would I re-buy? The brush cleanser I would definitely re-buy. I would technically re-buy the brush, but I’m hoping it lasts me so long that I don’t need to, especially considering the price. So far, so good—I have been using it for years now and I have yet to notice any issues. No bristles falling out or anythnig like that.

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Now for my review of Ogee’s skincare products

I’ve tried a LOT of Ogee’s skincare products over the years as well, so let me give you my thoughts on all of those now. It’s worth noting that they’re all technically applicable for all skin types, but I do think Ogee is an exceptionally good option for aging or mature skin.

Unlike their makeup products (many of which contain beeswax), almost all of Ogee’s skincare products are vegan. The one exception is their Activated Botanical Primer, which also contains beeswax.

Most of their skincare products can be used either morning or night.

They do have a lot of different skincare options too, so if you need help deciding what’s best for you, take this quiz.

They also have this nice little graphic that gives you a rundown on the different products’ purposes and where they go in your routine:

Now for my thoughts…

Botanical Brilliance Exfoliating Cleanser

First of all, I love an exfoliating cleanser. (Hello, I am a millennial, I grew up on St. Ives Apricot and the Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser, which I think used to have actual microplastic beads in it before they were banned. 😝)

This one has “a powerful micro-exfoliating trio of spherical jojoba beads, seeds, and waxes” to give it its exfoliating power. I just love how it gives your face a nice little massage, and my face always feels softer and smoother afterward.

It’s also got things like embelia extract, which helps to soothe sensitive skin, and aloe vera, which helps with maintaining moisture.

It smells really good too—very refreshing. (All of the smell comes from the natural ingredients though; there isn’t any added fragrance.)

Price: $74

Would I re-buy it? Yes, definitely. It may be one of my favorite face washes.

Liquid Gold Cleansing Oil

I knooowww a lot of you love your cleansing oils, and I that that’s great, but it’s just never really been my thing. I tend to lead more toward a ‘soapy’ or exfoliating facial cleanser (even to remove my makeup).

For that reason, this Liquid Gold Cleansing Oil is just not going to be my favorite product. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be yours—I mean a lot of people love this stuff.

Cold-pressed jojoba oil is the main ingredient, which they say is “water-activated” to dissolve makeup and clean your face without stripping it. It also has ingredients like elderberry extract for antioxidants and boswellia extract for soothing irritation.

It has a very subtle refreshing smell.

If you prefer to use cleansing oils—as a makeup remover and/or as a general face wash—then you might want to give this one a try.

Price: $79

Would I re-buy it? No, but only because cleansing oils are not my personal preference.

Seeds of Youth Serum

The star ingredient in this serum is edelweiss flower plant stem cells! These stem cells can not only reduce the appearance of wrinkles; they also contain 200% the number of antioxidants that pure vitamin C does!

It also utilizes raspberry ketones, which are a great source of antioxidants, and butterfly bush extract, which is a good anti-inflammatory ingredient.

This one also contains the same dual-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid that the elixir above has in it.

That all makes this a really good daytime protective serum that can help protect against the aging effects of blue light, air pollution, and other environmental factors.

I also really like the way this one smells. It’s an uplifting and refreshing floral vibe.

This one comes with a steep price tag, but I do think you get what you pay for. If you wanted to make the investment, I think you could combine multiple products into one with this. For example, you don’t necessarily need this serum, a hyaluronic acid serum, and a vitamin C serum.

Price: $129

Would I re-buy it? Yes. The price tag makes me a little hesitant, but as I creep into middle age, I’m willing to spend more on anti-aging skincare (especially since I’m skipping injectables).

Brightening Botanical Eye Balm

I love a brightening eye cream. Not only can a product like this help reduce the look of crow’s feet, but it can also just help you look more awake & alive in the morning.

This one uses electric daisy extract (what a great band name!?), which actually has mild numbing powers that can help reduce the look of wrinkles—basically like a very mild botox alternative for the eye area.

In addition, it’s got several other anti-aging plant ingredients: bakuchiol, golden rod extract, and astaxanthin.

This has a slight cooling sensation, which I like in an eye balm because it just makes me feel more awake. If you just put a little bit on, you probably won’t feel it. But if you put it on thicker, you can get more of the effect. (I just try not to go out into the sun right after applying these types of cooling eye serums because it can make my eyes water.)

This has a very subtle scent to it, but it’s hard to describe. It’s just like a kind of ‘generic natural’ smell. It’s not really good or bad, in my opinion.

Price: $98

Would I re-buy it? Yes. My answer is basically the same as it is for the Seeds of Youth Serum: it’s expensive, but you’re getting a really nice luxury organic product for mature skin.

Jojoba Glow Face Oil

Here’s another fan favorite. This oil is a multi-purpose product that can pack a lot of function into one bottle: hydration, antioxidant protection, microbiome balancing, and more.

This facial oil can be used morning or night—although I personally opt to use it more in the evening. It’s pretty lightweight, but still a little too oily for my daytime use. (I’m picky about that!)

I really like the smell of this. It’s fresh. I’d guess it’s a combo of the marigold, geranium, and maybe ylang ylang.

Price: $98

Would I re-buy it? Maybe not, but only because if I’m prioritizing where my dollars are going, I’d spend more on some of their other products. It’s not that I dislike it; I just like some of the other products more.

Hyaluronic Acid HA 1.5% Elixir

I think this was the first Ogee product I ran out of. My skin just drank it right up and I would use it both morning and night.

The thing that makes this hyaluronic acid different from other brands is that it blends both low and micro molecular weights in order to more effectively penetrate skin and help with wrinkle prevention and skin suppleness. (I believe this is also what makes it more expensive.)

It’s got a gel-y texture to it. It’s not thick, but it’s not as water-y as some of the other hyaluronic acid serums I’ve tried.

It doesn’t have much of a smell. The slight scent that it does have is kind of like an alcohol-type smell, but combined with something light and refreshing. It’s hard to describe. It’s pretty subtle though.

It also won Cosmopolitan’s 2024 Clean Beauty Award for the best hyaluronic acid.

Price: $94

Would I re-buy it? Yes. Again, despite the price, I think I’d re-buy this as a more powerful hyaluronic acid serum that fits well into my no-botox pro-aging skin regimen.

Retinol Alternative Bakuchiol 2% Elixir

I really like this oil. I applied it generously each night, and I’d also use it as a gua sha oil as well.

I’m not against using retinol (at night only!), but I do like having retinol alternatives like bakuchiol on hand for two main reasons: a) you can use them during the daytime if you want, and b) you don’t have to worry about it irritating your skin if you use it too many times in a row.

It’s got 2% bakuchiol for a more concentrated and powerful dose of anti-aging power.

This oil is on the heavier/greasier side, so I would really only use it in the evenings.

It doesn’t smell like anything.

Price? $94

Would I re-buy it? Yes.

Vitamin C THDA 20% Elixir

I’ve been trying to be better about putting a vitamin C serum on every morning ever since my dermatologist gave me a lecture about it.

My derm was telling me about how important it is to utilize vitamin C in the mornings as a preventative measure, to protect against things like blue light, pollutants in the air, etc.—all of which can speed up the skin’s visible aging process.

But a high quality vitamin C can also help with other things like targeting dark spots, evening out complexion, and helping to brighten skin.

Anyway, this vitamin C serum is extra special because it utilizes tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, or THDA, which tends to be more biocompatible, more stable, and potentially less irritating compared to l-ascorbic acid (which is the form of vitamin C that is used in a lot of other vitamin C serums).

Like a lot of Ogee’s other skincare products, this elixir also contains ‘golden jojoba oil’ to deliver the vitamin C to your skin in a nourishing way.

This one is pretty much fragrance-free.

Although it’s an oil, it’s a lightweight one! So I don’t mind wearing this during the day; it doesn’t feel like it weighs down my face or anything.

Price:n $94

Would I re-buy it? Yes, Ogee is one of my top choices for vitamin C serums.

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Indigo Dream Renewal Cream

This is a great nighttime moisturizer. Although, I will say that it’s not as thick as some of the other nighttime restorative creams I’ve tried.

It utilizes blue tansy, which has natural anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, electric daisy extract, and various other nourishing plant-based oils.

You can definitely smell the blue tansy, but it’s pretty subtle compared to the other blue tansy products I’ve tried. It’s nice though!

I don’t have anything groundbreaking to say about this cream. It’s a great natural nighttime face cream and I have no complaints.

Price: $139

Would I re-buy it? Yes. It may not be in my TOP 3 favorite Ogee products, but I do like it and would re-purchase.

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Skin Enhancing Primer SPF 40

I LOVE this face SPF.

First of all, it smells good. It’s free from synthetic/undisclosed fragrance, but it contains natural raspberry ketones. The smell is light enough that it’s not overpowering (and goes away a couple minutes after applying), but it’s really pleasant putting it on.

Second, it’s slightly tinted. I am not usually one for tinted SPF, to be honest (just my preference), but I really like this one. It doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be makeup if that makes sense. It’s very subtle.

It rubs in very smoothly. It has a serum feel to it—just a very high-quality texture. Zero grit and very little oily feel. And no white cast at all.

The active ingredient is non-nano zinc oxide. It’s also got a bunch of other skin-nourishing ingredients in it, including microalgae extract (which also helps shield against blue light!), upcycled cranberry seed oil to deliver antioxidants, and jojoba oil for nourishing fatty acids. It’s also certified to contain 74% organic ingredients.

Price: $49

Would I re-buy it? Absolutely. I will totally be re-buying this one.

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Hydranics Complete Cream

They call this a “complete cream” because it can be used on the whole body (including face), morning or night.

And in my experience, that’s pretty accurate! It’s a really nice mid-weight, multi-purpose moisturizer.

It’s non-comedogenic and suitable for all skin types. It’s got hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin C.

The smell is refreshing too; it had that signature Ogee scent that a lot of their products have. It’s very pleasant, but not overpowering.

Price: $98

Would I re-buy it? Yes. It’s expensive for a body lotion, but if you have the cash to spend on a really nice organic luxury body lotion, I think you’ll like this one!

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Is Ogee actually a clean & non-toxic brand?

It’s a very valid question because there are a lot of cosmetic brands out there that claim to be clean, but are low-key greenwashed.

Although I’m not a perfectionist, I’m pretty picky when it comes to clean ingredients.

And Ogee meets my standards as a genuinely clean brand. I have not found any sneaky ingredients that are concerning to me.

Not only are their formulations free from all of the most concerning ingredients (like phthalate, parabens, artificial fragrances/colorants, etc.), but they are also:

• 100% botanically-derived from natural sources

• NSF certified organic, which means they contain a minimum of 70% organic ingredients. (Note that some ingredients used cannot be certified organic. Mica, for example, is mined not grown, so it can’t be organic.)

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Pros & cons in a nutshell: