#BeautyBoss: Alex McIntosh, Founder and CEO of Thrive Natural Care

Our latest #BeautyBoss is Alex McIntosh, Founder and CEO of Thrive Natural Care—a regenerative line of natural and affordable skincare that harnesses the strength of traditional Costa Rican botanicals for powerful results. The brand is known for its award-winning line sunscreens that are best-sellers on Amazon, and recently debuted its newest launch—Vitality, a collection of three skincare products in plastic-free packaging that minimize the effects of the sun and stress.

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Thrive Natural Care’s unique superplants are planted and grown via regenerative farming methods that supercharge their skincare benefits, restore health to degraded farmlands, and help to build resilient farm communities. Their partner farms are 40% healthier than nearby conventional farms with healthier soil, more carbon captured, and beautifully-diverse ecosystems, and they have helped boost farmers’ income by more than 300%.

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In addition to McIntosh, the team at Thrive Natural Care consists of American and Costa Rican ecologists, skincare experts, entrepreneurs, ethnobotanists, and traditional herbalists who all believe that regenerative is the future of skincare and share a passion for leaving the planet a better place.

We chatted with McIntosh, who shared the inspiration behind the brand, secrets for success, wellness tips, and much more.

When was Thrive Natural Care founded and what does the name mean?

Thrive Natural Care was found in 2013. The name refers to Thrive’s inspiring regenerative business model that helps regenerate your skin, our planet, and rural farmer communities.

Thrive Natural Care puts the strength of traditional Costa Rican botanicals into a powerful natural skincare experience.

What inspired the creation of the brand?

“Two Seeds” are behind the creation of Thrive Natural Care, the first being the need for better skincare. I’ve always had sensitive skin since birth and live an active life that is often filled with stress. I wanted healthy, natural, affordable skincare that worked better than synthetic, conventional skincare. I couldn’t find what I wanted on the shelf. The second seed was my belief in building a better business model that aimed far beyond sustainable. A model that would actually leave places and people better.

Throughout my career, I’ve been lucky to lead corporate and nonprofit sustainability teams, so I’ve got a keen sense of how impactful a better business model can be. Costa Rica was the place where all this came together for me: incredible biodiversity, unique superplants great for skincare, visionary citizens looking to a more sustainable future. In fact, half of my leadership team is Costa Rican.

Does Thrive Natural Care have a hero product?

Our Daily Defense Sunscreen Balm is the brand’s hero product! Last year it was the #1 best selling SPF and #1 natural sunscreen on Amazon, and has over 3,500 five-star reviews on the platform. Personally, I love it. 100% mineral sunscreen. 0% white face or greasiness.

What are your favorite products from the brand?

I really love all of them. But if pushed, I’d admit my daily routine now revolves around helping my skin maintain vitality, despite outdoor adventures, stress, and a few trips around the sun. I cleanse with Sensitive Face Wash, shave with our Shaving Oil, apply our (new/great) Spot-On Tone Balancing Serum, our Revive Eyestick (especially during allergy season), and then follow with either our Face Balm moisturizer or our Daily Defense SPF 30. It sounds like a lot. But my skin really looks and feels healthy using this regimen.

With powerful skin-restoring plants and local farmers, Thrive Natural Care has brought degraded Costa Rican farmland back to life and built resilient farm communities.

Where are your products sold?

You can purchase Thrive products on our website, Amazon and Grove.co.

Future plans for the brand?

We’ve perfected the extraction of key skincare ingredients from our Costa Rican superplants. So my product design team launched a (clinically-proven, plastic-free/guilt-free packaging) amazing new line called Vitality: two serum boosters and an eyestick. And my team is expanding our superplant skincare to other facial care products particularly helpful for people with sensitive skin, or who lead active/stressful lives.

Who inspires you?

My husband. My Thrive leadership team. Our hard-working farmer partners. Yvone Chouinard (Patagonia founder/real deal “do the right thing.”) Roxanne Quimby (Burt’s Bees founder who helped bring natural care to everyday folks), Steve Jobs. Jack Kornfield.

Secret to success?

Think big. Aim high. Surround yourself with great people. Lead with values. Captain eats last. Be present/mindful. Get enough sleep. (I’m decent at most of these but not so much the last one!)

McIntosh with other members of Thrive Natural Care’s team in Costa Rica.

Beauty secrets?

I’m a big believer in holistic health for skin and spirit. Get enough sleep. Manage your stress as much as possible. Exercise regularly. Drink enough water every day. Use Thrive Natural Care (see above routine!), especially mineral-based daily sunscreen.

Wellness tips?

See above. But add to that list: meditation or a spiritual practice.

Best advice?

Your life is what you pay attention to. Try to leave things better than you found them.

Favorite way to relax?

Running with my trusty Brittany dog, Duncan. Spending time with my husband and our good friends.

For more information, visit Thrive Natural Care’s website and follow on Instagram: @thrivenaturalcare

[Images courtesy of Thrive Natural Care]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk