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The Good Trade has updated its 2026 guide to organic and clean skincare brands after hands-on testing of each brand’s bestselling cleanser, treatment and moisturizer. The guide uses criteria including natural and nontoxic ingredients, EWG ratings, efficacy and affordability, with Ursa Major named among the top picks.
The Good Trade has published its updated 2026 guide to the best organic and clean skincare brands, ranking labels after an editor personally tested the bestselling cleanser, treatment product and moisturizer from each brand. The guide is intended to help readers choose skincare made with natural, organic and nontoxic ingredients across a range of price points, and names Ursa Major among its top selections.
According to the publication, the selection process involved combing through ingredient lists, corresponding directly with brands, referencing EWG (Environmental Working Group) ratings, and reviewing what the editors describe as thousands of customer reviews. Each brand was assessed against three stated criteria: organic and nontoxic ingredients, demonstrated efficacy, and affordability. The guide notes that most featured brands offer fragrance-free options, and that where products carry a scent, it typically comes from natural botanical extracts and essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances.
The tester used each brand’s recommended routine — cleanser, treatment and moisturizer — on normal skin, without makeup, and reported results after side-by-side comparison. Ursa Major, listed first, is described as plant-powered, free of petrochemicals and synthetic fragrances, and formulated with ingredients such as sea fennel, shea butter and sustainably certified palm oil. The brand carries certifications and attributes including B Corp status, cruelty-free and vegan formulations, recycled packaging and a Credo Clean Standard designation, with an EWG rating range of 2–6, according to the guide. Listed prices were $26 for the cleanser, $56 for a serum and $54 for a moisturizer.
Readers should note the guide’s business model: The Good Trade discloses that it earns a commission on some purchases made through its links, and that its editors endorse products they have researched and tested. The individual results reported are from one tester’s skin and are presented as personal experience rather than clinical evidence.
Why This Guide Matters for Shoppers
The “clean” and “organic” skincare category is loosely regulated, and marketing terms on packaging do not always reflect a product’s actual formulation. Guides that publish explicit criteria — ingredient screening, EWG ratings and hands-on testing — give consumers a framework for comparing brands rather than relying on label claims alone. The inclusion of price points for each product also addresses a common barrier: natural skincare is frequently more expensive than conventional alternatives, and the guide says it deliberately selected brands that are, in its words, easy on the wallet.
The guide’s disclosure of its affiliate relationships also matters for readers evaluating the recommendations. Knowing that the publisher earns commissions on some links allows shoppers to weigh the picks alongside independent sources such as EWG’s own database and ingredient lists.
How the Testing Was Done
The reviewer describes a personal history of skin conditions — rashes, psoriasis and alopecia — that led to years of cautious, minimal skincare use before rebuilding a routine focused on effective ingredients without what the guide calls questionable additives. That experience shaped the testing approach: each brand’s three-step routine was followed as instructed, on bare skin, with notes on how well each routine cleansed, treated and hydrated.
The guide states it is regularly updated with emerging brands that meet its criteria, meaning the 2026 edition is a refreshed version of an ongoing series rather than a one-time ranking. The publication also maintains related guides on natural makeup, all-natural moisturizers, toxin-free hair products and natural face washes.
“We’ve combed through ingredient lists, corresponded with brands, referenced EWG ratings, and researched and read through thousands of customer reviews to determine the very best clean skincare brands that are safe, use thoughtful ingredients, and are accessible for different types of skin and budgets.”
— The Good Trade (methodology section)
Limits of the Rankings
Several things remain unclear from the guide itself. The full brand list extends beyond Ursa Major, but the source material provided only details the first entry, so the remaining ranked brands and their order are not confirmed here. Results are drawn from a single tester with normal skin, and the guide itself notes that some products may suit specific skin types better than others — meaning individual results may differ for sensitive, oily or dry skin.
Claims such as “nontoxic” and “clean” are not federally defined terms for cosmetics, and the EWG rating range of 2–6 cited for Ursa Major spans a spectrum that readers may want to check product by product. No dermatological or clinical testing is described. People with existing skin conditions should consult a healthcare professional before changing routines, and new products should be patch-tested.
How to Use the Guide Now
The guide says it will continue to be updated as new brands meet its criteria, so the 2026 list may change over the year. Shoppers can cross-check individual products against the EWG’s Skin Deep database and review full ingredient lists before buying. For those with sensitive skin or conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, a dermatologist’s guidance remains the safest starting point before adopting a new routine.
Key Questions
What criteria did the 2026 guide use to rank organic skincare brands?
According to The Good Trade, brands were selected based on natural, organic and nontoxic ingredients; efficacy confirmed through hands-on testing; and affordability. Editors also cross-referenced EWG ratings, brand correspondence and thousands of customer reviews.
Which brand topped the 2026 list?
Ursa Major is listed first in the guide. It is described as plant-powered, vegan, cruelty-free, B Corp certified, and free of synthetic fragrances and petrochemicals, with products priced from $26 for a cleanser to $56 for a serum.
Are the guide’s recommendations independent?
The Good Trade discloses that it earns a commission on some purchases made through its links. It states that editors research and test the products they endorse, but readers should factor the affiliate relationship into their evaluation.
Does ‘clean’ or ‘organic’ skincare mean a product is medically better?
No. These terms are not formally regulated for cosmetics in most markets, and the guide reports personal testing results rather than clinical evidence. Consumers with skin conditions should seek professional advice and patch-test new products.
Do the recommended products work for all skin types?
The guide says most featured products suit a range of skin types but flags where certain items may be better for specific types. Testing was conducted on one person’s normal skin, so results for sensitive, oily or dry skin may vary.
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