What to get when you visit Human Nature’s first SM store
If you’re a member of the Project Vanity Community, you may have seen one of my (many) posts raving about the Human Nature Hydrating Face Toner. I’ve used up two big bottles of this since discovering it sometime last year, and that’s a big deal for me as someone who often has to try a lot of other products as part of my job. There was a point when I regretted sharing about it though because it was out of stock at several stores by the time I had to repurchase!
To be fair, Human Nature has come a long way from the flagship Commonwealth store that I first visited nearly 10 years ago. Select products are available in Beauty Bar, SM Beauty, and select groceries but it’s admittedly not the same as shopping in an actual Human Nature store. Fortunately, the homegrown brand is making the full Human Nature experience more accessible with its first mall-based store in SM City North EDSA!
Located at the 3rd floor of The Block, the newest branch carries the full line of Human Nature products, including personal care, cosmetic, pet care, and home care items. If you’ve never been to an HHN store, you might be surprised to know that they have so much more to offer than bath stuff and skin care, so here’s a quick guide on what to watch out for during your visit.
I highly recommend devoting as much time as you can to the Skincare section because apart from my HG Hydrating Face Toner (P99.75), Human Nature offers a lot of great picks. The Pollution Defense Face Mask (P450) is a skin-purifying clay mask that’s gentle enough for use on dry skin. I like how this clears my pores and brightens my complexion without zapping the moisture from skin or leaving it red and irritated. For those looking to switch to a low pH cleanser, the Nourishing Facial Wash (P79.75) is a great budget pick that leaves skin feeling clean without the dry or tight feeling. And yes, I love this a lot more than the Hydrating variant!
The reason I first got into Human Nature years ago was actually because of their SLS and SLES-free Bath and Body products. I’ve found the mentholated effect of the Cooling Body Cleanser (P199.75) and Volcanic Cooling Body Scrub (P495) to be especially helpful on days when I feel really tired and stressed - it’s a quick, easy treat that allows me to feel both physically and emotionally refreshed! If menthol isn’t your thing, the Lemon Zest Cleansing Bar (P79.75) has a cheery citrus scent that can help improve your mood. When my hair got fried from bleaching, I used the Natural Hair Revival Coco Mask (P329.75) as a daily conditioner and it restored softness and smoothness to my damaged ends. I’ve run out of the Safe Protect SPF30 Sunscreen (P299.75) so I wasn’t able to include it in the photo, but I’m proud to say that constant reapplication of this during a 5-day beach trip resulted in me being the only one who didn’t get a sunburn in our group! Do note that this has a thick formula and so is best for use during outdoor activities rather than daily wear.
I haven’t tried much of Human Nature’s Makeup line yet but I really liked the Perfect Flush Cream Tint (P395) for its thin and comfortable-to-wear formula. While it doesn’t leave a tint after getting removed from my lips, I love that it’s moisturizing enough that I don’t need to use a separate lip balm underneath. Sometimes I just apply this instead of lip balm! I also found my perfect MLBB match in the shade Hibiscus.
The only non-beauty item I’ve tried from Human Nature is the Natural Dishwashing Liquid (P99.75) but I feel that it’s important to include here because it doesn’t dry out my hands! I think it’s because the formula is also SLS and SLES-free like the rest of their products, so it’s really gentle on skin. It also doesn’t contain triclosan, an antibacterial which has been flagged as a possible health hazard. The Grapefruit Orange scent smells really good, too!
There’s a lot more natural goodness to be found in Human Nature’s new SM store but if you’re planning to visit on a weekend, take note that they are closed on Sundays! It’s a company-wide policy that is observed in all Human Nature stores, and I think it’s admirable that the company values employee welfare over weekend sales. Human Nature has been observing this practice since opening their first doors in 2008, and their continued success shows that it’s definitely possible to make a profit while upholding the values of fair employment and humane labor practices.
Are you a Human Nature fan, too? What are your favorite finds from the brand?