Malaya

The best part about trying so many different natural brands is when I stumble upon something that I just absolutely love, especially when I haven’t heard much about them before. Malaya is a brand that’s new to me, but let me tell you- they really impressed me! I’m a sucker for anything that smells great (which ALL of their products do) but when they work just as great as they smell, it just seals the deal. I couldn’t wait to tell you guys all about this brand!

Malaya is a small-batch, organic, and wild crafted brand out of Brooklyn. The founder, Katya Slepak, began by studying herbalism, natural perfumery, product formulation and aromatherapy (among other things). After battling teenage acne, she was looking for a way to truly heal and nourish her skin. She felt that traditional skincare was just fundamentally wrong, and I completely agree with her. Why just treat and cover the symptoms when you should really be trying to address the cause of the issue and balance the skin? All of Katya’s products have been designed to balance and restore skin, all while being subtly aroma-theraputic. On top of all that, the packaging is so simple and elegant.

One of my favorite products from Malaya is the Organic Face Serum. It smells absolutely beautiful. So good, you could wear it as perfume! The Face Serum combines Linoleic Acid with Siberian Pine Nut (which is anti-inflammatory), along with Gardenia which adds Antioxidant and Collagen synthesizing properties. This serum just sinks right into your skin. I really hate when a face oil or serum just sits on top of my skin feeling greasy, but my skin just drinks this up and feels instantly moisturized. $65

The Organic Hair Oil can be used as a treatment or styling aid. I’ve been using this daily to calm my fizz and smooth my ends. It definitely makes my hair shinier and smoother. Once again, it just smells sooo good and who doesn’t love good smelling hair? It’s scent is a little floral and light and bright with some deeper notes. I’m so bad a describing fragrances but just trust me, it smells good! $38

I truly can’t decide which scent I like better from their Body Oil. The Woods scent is pretty uni-sex and has a deep, slightly spicy scent and the Citrus & Bloom is lighter and brighter- perfect for Spring. Like the Face serum, these absorb right into your skin leaving it silky and smooth. I love the frosted glass bottles these are packaged in as well. Such a modern and elegant look. $68

The Lavender Lip Savior is highly addictive! I find myself swiping this on more than any other balm I have, through out the day. It smells subtly like lavender and really keeps your lips hydrated. $12

Last but not least, the Organic Soothing Baby Oil has been a hit with myself and the kids. Another light but nourishing oil that easily asorbs into their skin. I really appreciate the simple ingredients that avoid any potential allergens. My son has intense allergies so I’m always quick to scour any ingredient list before using a product on him. Another thing to note is the packaging. This comes in a plastic bottle with a pump which makes it so easy to use one hand to dispense it and apply it. While I almost always opt for glass over plastic, this would be the exception. Holding a squirming baby/toddler and trying to get oil or other products out of the bottle and onto the child can be daunting! I hate to admit it, but I’ve accidentally dropped bottles and jars on my babies while they were on the changing table and so I really think twice before using a glass bottle or hard to dispense products with them. This is still true for my daughter who at 24 months still gets put on the changing table to do our nighttime ritual of applying all the different products to her and giving a gentle massage. $38

Have any of you tried anything from Malaya? I always wonder too, how important is smell in the products you use? If something smells terrific, it usually wins me over pretty quick! Is that just me? Hope you all have a lovely week. xo