Born from founder Adeline Koh’s 2015 kitchen experiments during an academic sabbatical, Sabbatical Beauty makes small-batch, high-concentration skincare in Philadelphia. Its Korean-inspired formulas center on meaningful levels of botanicals, layered hydration, and skin-barrier repair rather than token “active” ingredients. The company also matches donations to its Pay It Forward Fund dollar for dollar, extending its skincare community to people facing financial insecurity.
Violets Are BlueAfter breast cancer treatment left Cynthia Besteman searching for safer beauty products, she founded Violets Are Blue in 2015 to make naturally derived skincare for the face and body. The company pairs its botanical formulations with a direct support mission: 10% of product purchases fund Beloved gift packages for women beginning chemotherapy at Mount Sinai’s Dubin Breast Center in New York City. Its work has earned Best In Show from the Indie Beauty Expo and recognition from the Beauty Shortlist.
Savor BeautyFounded by former concert pianist Angela Jia Kim, Savor Beauty grew from Korean skincare traditions and homemade Manhattan formulations into a New York beauty company with a flagship spa that opened in 2017. Its small-batch skincare translates those rituals into a simpler five-step routine for people seeking clean, gentle care, including those with sensitive skin.NEW YORK, NY
Zandra BeautyZandra Beauty grew from Zandra Cunningham’s kitchen-table lip-balm project into a Western New York maker of plant-based skincare, including its signature Big Balm and hair-and-body soufflés. Founded from Cunningham’s determination at age nine, the GMP-compliant company pairs gentle, cruelty-free formulations with a social mission: educating and empowering girls and women through entrepreneurship, STEAM programs and donations supporting girls’ education.BUFFALO, NY
Testament BeautyFounder-led Testament Beauty makes skincare that pairs garden-grown ingredients with clinical actives, with formulas designed to bring radiance at every age. Based in Brooklyn, the brand draws particular character from Mediterranean beauty traditions, including Damascena rose harvested in Isparta, Turkey, while its products are made in the USA with responsibly sourced global ingredients. Founder Sophia Chabbott’s line has been featured in outlets including Allure, W Magazine, and Town & Country.