You know how New Balance has been around forever, beloved by dads, but only recently became cool? Yeah, that’s going to happen once you Meet Shaklee: the coolest brand you’ve never heard of. Inventor of the multi-vitamin, Dr. Shaklee founded the brand in 1956. While most of us haven’t heard of it, our parents and grandparents have!
Fun fact: Dr. Shaklee created the very first known vitamin product, Vitalized Minerals, at 21 years old in 1915 and then went on to invent multi-vitamins through the Shaklee brand.
Meet Shaklee: Eco OG
Shaklee is also the original eco-friendly wellness brand. The very first company EVER to be carbon neutral. And they do clinical tests, safety tests, and even have a full line of EWG verified skincare (and makeup). With most of their core customers in different generations, they just haven’t broken through to a younger demographic yet. But the time is now! I can’t wait to share more about the brand that is about to go viral for it’s eco-conscious wellness approach.
Shaklee’s Safety and Testing
I personally have an obnoxiously high standard before I will partner with a brand. As a Gretchen Rueben Questioner, I may have titled multiple e-mails “Hi, it’s me, I’m the problem, it’s me” when repeatedly (annoyingly) asking follow-up after follow-up before choosing to partner with Shaklee. Every response, every phone call, every Zoom meeting, I continue to be more and more impressed.
Over the last year Shaklee has added 19 items Verified as safe through the EWG certification process. This means being fully transparent about their formulation, manufacturing, and testing processes. I specifically love that they are a science-forward company inspired by nature.
There are brands out there claiming to be clean because their items are natural – but if they aren’t testing their products, nature is where we find asbestos and heavy metals.
Shaklee is testing all of their products for both. They test every batch AFTER it is fully packaged and ready to be shipped, for 350 contaminants. This means that any risks introduced in packaging or otherwise would be detected. All approved ingredients are non-toxic, gentle to the skin (dermatologist and ophthalmologist approved), and free of phthalates, parabens, bisphenols, and animal derivatives.
Stats I love
Safety:
- UPS Pharmacopeia standards (exceeds 3x over)
- 350+ harmful contaminants tests (including heavy metals)
- Over 100k quality tests annually
- Test to ensure Certificate of Analysis on raw ingredients is retested for contaminants—including lead and heavy metals, pesticides, and more.
- Avoids use of artificial flavors, sweeteners, and added preservatives.
- Non-GMO ingredients in all our Shaklee food products
Proven:
- 110+ Published Clinical Studies
- Landmark Dietary Supplement Study showing Shaklee more effective than other supplement usage over decades
Guaranteed
- 100% Guaranteed, even if it’s 100% used because they believe int the quality and performance of their products that much
- Only .03% ever returned!
Which products do I recommend?
Meet Shaklee’s Skincare & Makeup
I think skincare (and makeup) is one of those things where we become personally attached to items at an emotional level. It’s why many of us use the same items for decades. And, while you will pry the Beautycounter Mineral Essence and All Bright Brightening Facial Oil from my cold dead hands, admittedly there are some items that worked and I knew I could trust their safety – which went a much longer way than my trying to find an alternative of which I would have preferred the performance.
All of that to say, and don’t shoot the messenger here, Shaklee has some items I prefer over Beautycounter. Now, you’re going to have to take my Countertime Hydrating Mineral Essence and All Bright Brigthening Facial Oil from my cold dead hands – but these are all worth checking out (and all EWG Verified)!
Skincare’s YOUTH® line:
- Luminous Gel Oil Cleanser, a facial cleanser that exfoliates and moisturizes. This soap-free, pH-balanced face wash combines cleansing gel, moisturizing avocado oil, an exfoliating algae complex, and a patented blend of vitamins, polyphenols, and botanicals to gently cleanse, exfoliate, nourish, and prepare your face for your skin care routine.*
note from Stacy, I truly don’t understand the magic of this cleanser – but I am here for it. No more double washing: it removes makeup, foams up, and exfoliates – mind blowing! - Moisture Activating Serum, increase skin hydration with one use. Delivers intense hydration and moisture retention. This fast-absorbing gel is clinically proven to instantly increase hydration levels by 212% in one application and maintain increased hydration levels for 8 continuous hours.
- Radiance C+E, restore radiance in a single dose with powerful 20% vitamin C and vitamin E plus raspberry cell extract to plump, brighten, reduce the appearance of age spots, smooths skin texture, and improves overall skin tone while visibly reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Pomifera™ Rose: Anti-Aging Serum and Complete Moisturizer, an antioxidant-rich essential oil face serum and moisturizer made with Pomifera oil, a potent source of antioxidants, omega-6, and bioactives clinically tested to improve the appearance of age spots, deep and emerging wrinkles, and fine lines.
- Advanced Renewal Night Cream, in both a Light (think Countertime Soft Cream) and Rich (think Supreme Cream) formula. Wake up to younger-looking skin support collagen and elastin production while you sleep with an age-defying blend of marine algae, botanicals, and vitamins that support your skin’s cell renewal process. With nightly use, skin is left looking younger, smoother, and more luminous.*
- Restoring Eye Treatment, you won’t believe your eyes formulated with a potent Peptide Blend shown in a clinical study to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles around the eyes in as few as 7 days! Achieve even more youthful-looking eyes with a gentle massage using the unique cooling applicator.*
- Purifying Clay Mask, instant facial – naturally detoxify and purify skin with this triple blend of mineral-rich clays, superfine charcoal powder, and volcanic ash from Jeju Island for smoother, more radiant skin.
- Hydrating Gel Mask, instant facial – revive and glow; deeply soothe and hydrate your skin with a hyaluronic acid-packed gold gel infused with aloe leaf juice and extracts of Centella Asiatica and chamomile for instantly radiant skin.
Note, there are two items in this line that I won’t personally be using or recommending, here’s why:
- Youth Activating Serum, which is not EWG approved because it contains Retinol.
- Perfecting Skin Toner, because this facial toner would stay on your skin during daytime hours the low amount of retinyl palmitate could increase photosensitivity for UV damage. As a very fair-skinned person more likely to get skin cancer (and it being in my family history), I won’t be using this toner.
*The Gel Oil Cleanser, Renewal Night Creams and Eye Treatment also contain Retinyl Palmitate and are all either washed off or penetrating the skin at night. Updated research has shown that to be safe, which is why EWG has verified these products. I am comfortable using them. More on that in my research article on RP here.
Makeup (hybrid skincare)
- YOUTH® Lash Revitalizing and Conditioning Mascara, 2-in-1 lash conditioner and mascara, lengthens, volumizes, and lifts to help create fuller-looking lashes. Specially formulated with our Botanical Complex and Lash Protection Complex, this product also helps strengthen lashes and defend against environmental damage. note from Stacy: and stays put through sweat and tears!
- Pomifera™ Glaze: Lip Oil, a vegan, moisturizing, tinted lip oil Glaze has the shine of a gloss, the comfort of a balm, and a touch of sheer color. This high shine lip oil glides on easily without a sticky feel. Formulated with a proprietary blend of avocado oil and shea butter and infused with anti-aging Pomifera oil to moisturize, protect, and nourish the lips.
- YOUTH® Activating BB Cream, perfect your look with along-wear 5-in-1 beauty balm that can be used under (or instead of) foundation to cover imperfections and even the look of skin tone. The multitasking formula draws moisture to skin, helps reduce the look of fine lines, and defends skin against damaging UVA/UVB rays. Available in 4 shades for all skin tones.
- and while not all products have yet been Verified, the clean Simpli-5 is a great way to get all the makeup at a bundled discount price of 20% off!
Body
- Reveal Body Exfoliant, an ultra-nourishing, exfoliating, dual-action body treatment smooths, polishes, and hydrates with natural exfoliants to buff away dullness and reveal more radiant-looking skin, plus nourishing oils for a velvety-smooth after-feel.
- Renew Lip Serum, an age-defying, hydrating, plumping lip treatment formulated with a laboratory-tested, age-defying blend of botanical oils and extracts plus a natural peptide to help support healthy collagen and plump, hydrate, and soften for fuller, more youthful-looking lips.
- Protect Deodorant, a clean, odor-neutralizing, nutrient-rich deodorant enriched with natural powders and waxes for a dry feel and smooth glide. This arrowroot and zinc-based deodorant with charcoal neutralizes odor and absorbs wetness, supports a healthy pH and skin microbiome with fermented coconut and Lactobacillus, and soothes and protects the delicate underarm area with nourishing vitamins and antioxidants.
- Nourish Body Lotion, a luxurious, long-lasting multivitamin body moisturizer. Seal in hydration with coconut and shea butter in an ultra-moisturizing lotion infused with antioxidants from a patent-pending polyphenol blend to help support the skin barrier and keep your skin looking younger and feeling smoother.
- Revitalize Body Wash, a creamy, ultra-nourishing multivitamin body cleanser with soothing botanicals, antioxidants, vitamins, and omega fatty acids revitalize the skin with nutrients and oils, leaving you feeling clean and replenished with a youthful, healthy glow.
- Restore Body Serum, a firming, nutrient-rich, age-defying body treatment. This silky serum helps slow the breakdown of collagen and protect against premature aging caused by free radicals with a patent-pending polyphenol blend, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide for younger, firmer-looking skin with better tone and texture.
All of Shaklee’s personal care is ophthalmologist-tested, dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty-free, and free from 2,500+ harmful chemicals and questionable ingredients. Everything I’ve seen so far is also gluten-free and other allergen-friendly as well.
My Top Picks
The items I like better than Beautycounter: Reveal Body Exfoliant Scrub, Renew Lip Serum, Youth Advanced Renewal Night Cream, Revitalizing Mascara, and Luminous Gel Oil Cleanser – and I haven’t even tried all the products yet!
If you’ve previously been using Beautycounter, checkout my swap post here.
Meet Shaklee’s Multi-Taskers
2-in-1 Nutrition Designed to pull double duty. MultiTaskers are complementary blends that deliver dual benefit solutions balanced in perfect harmony to improve and elevate your well being throughout the day and night.*
This is an incredibly popular growing area of the wellness space: products that help us feel good in a variety of ways. Shaklee offers several, from gut health, to glowing skin, improving mood, and solving sleep issues – I’m a BIG fan of these:
- Good Gut & Go, raspberry elixir mix for gut health and regularity
- Up & Glowing, vanilla latte mix for a burst of energy and beauty boost
- Cheer Up & Chill Out, strawberry gummies for less stress and more smiles
- Flora & Flow, clinically proven blend for holistic care down there*
- Rest & Rewind, relaxing mint tea for restful sleep and anti-aging (my fave detailed below!)
If they asked me I would legitimately do an infomercial for the Rest & Rewind tea. I’ve been calling it the “magic tea” because it truly feels like magic. The last few years *cough* perimenopause *cough* my sleep quality has decreased. And I feel it! And lack of sleep increases the other symptoms we experience as our hormones change as we age. So not only does this tea help your body truly unwind and relax with natural, non-hormonal (melatonin is a hormone and not included) ingredients like lemon balm and 5-HTP, it then helps your body optimize cellular regeneration through polyphenol-rich anti-aging ingredients.
Meet Shaklee’s Supplements
I am still learning and getting familiar, but after approximately 525,600 questions, these are the items I’m personally jumping into using and trying out.
Vivix for me
Anti-aging at the cellular level: Vivix® is formulated to Slow Aging at the Cellular Level® by targeting the key factors that cause it. Derived from the world’s most potent source of polyphenols, the key ingredients in Vivix are scientifically proven to keep your cells young so you can live younger longer.
Collagen 9 for my smoothies
The most complete collagen product: includes all 9 essential amino acids*, 10 grams of collagen, and a powerful combination of biotin and vitamin C, to promote healthy skin, hair, nails, and joints. *fun fact: collagen usually only has eight of the nine essential amino acids your body needs in order to make protein, making Collagen 9 a unique complete protein
Hydrate & Energize for Matt
Hydrate: Performance® Low-Calorie Electrolyte Drink provides the essential electrolytes your body needs without the extra sugar, calories, and artificial ingredients typically found in leading rehydration beverages.
- Replenishes electrolytes lost during physical activity
- Contains more electrolytes than the leading brand
- Only 10 calories and 1 gram of added organic sugar to increase electrolyte absorption
- Ingredients clinically tested to hydrate better than water using an electrolyte blend that includes natural electrolytes from coconut water.
Energize: Performance® Pre-Workout Energy Drink, delivers natural energy from caffeine that’s derived from green tea extract for a long-lasting boost plus beta-alanine and L-theanine to improve physical performance, delay muscle fatigue, reduce perceived exertion, and sharpen focus. Simply mix with water for long-lasting energy without the crash.
Omega-3 Gellys for the kids
Superior Delivery with 3x More DHA + EPA: At every age and every stage, the body requires omega-3s to operate optimally. This potent formula delivers 3x more DHA + EPA to help support brain, heart, eye, joint, immune, and skin health. Thanks to a revolutionary new technology that uses emulsified droplets, Omega-3 Gellys boasts improved absorption of omega-3s
Meology for everyone
Wow, the science on Meology is cool! Nutrition Made Personal® is the trademarked tag line to define a vitamin tool backed by complex science. You answer a few questions and our algorithm makes millions of decisions based on your diet, lifestyle, health goals, and biology. You can even upload your own DNA results for integration!
Your results are mapped to products that have the right amount of what you need. We adjust for allergies, preferences, and prescription drug interactions. We explain each nutrient’s role, so when you feel good you know why. Choose your plan and have your personalized daily packs delivered every 30 days (earning you an additional 5-15% off the longer you subscribe).
The Real Real: What I don’t love
- Not all products fall within my own personal standard. There is one serum with retinol, some home products with fragrance. But they also offer a retinol-free serum, and a fragrance-free version of cleaning products. I can appreciate the desire and need other people have for those things and that they are doing their version more safely than most store bought. And no other brand I could find had as many EWG Verified products, which outweighs this for me by a lot!
- Transparency on “fragrance” of Verified products is confusing. Their packaging was created before adjustments to meet stringent EWG requirements. Understandably, Shaklee chose not to waste it all. But that means when you look at a bottle you will see the word “fragrance” in ingredients when in fact they have fully disclosed all the ingredients making up a scent. EWG has reviewed and validated the transparency and safety, and Shaklee has gone another step further to ensure no contamination of things like phthalates or parabens.
- Diet culture is part of what the brand sells. From weight loss marketing to vegan detoxes, it’s not something I align with. And, I don’t need to talk about those things. I can love a protein shake simply because it nourishes me, feels good, and is a quick solution. Maybe with time this can be a growth opportunity. Because you know I’ll always advocate for that!
For me, finding a brand that is committed to quality, testing, and science as well as being supportive to a community of people looking for a safe space, ranks well above any negatives I could find. I have had the best experience partnering with them so far. I am genuinely blown away by the support, education, and compassion being given. Actions speak louder than words, and I have seen things I am so grateful for!
Have questions?
Want to give it a try? I’d love to help you switch to safer and love the skin you’re in!
- Email:Stacy@RealEverything.com
- Text: 703-634-9992
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