Philadelphia Beauty Stores for All Your Skin Care Needs

With well-curated lines and advice-giving experts, these aren’t your average beauty boutiques.


beauty stores

Ola Beauty is one of the best Philadelphia beauty stores for vegan, organic, and all-natural products. Photograph by Carina Romano

With well-curated lines and advice-giving experts, these eight local spots go well beyond your average beauty boutique.

Ola Beauty

Not only are the products at this Antique Row newcomer vegan, organic or all- natural; owner Aleksandra Ambrozy ensures the packaging won’t be harmful to the environment. The bright shop is staffed by professional makeup artists ready to dish out tips and tricks. 1118 Pine Street, Midtown Village.

Freedom Apothecary

Sure, the space is minimalist-chic and feminine-cool, but it’s not just for show: Co-founders Morrisa Jenkins and Bonkosi Horn insist on knowing all about each product before they’ll sell it to you. Pick up everything from Lilfox cleansing balms to H Is for Love scrubs. And make sure to reserve a seat at the Blend Bar, where an expert will help concoct just-for-you potions. 736 North 2nd Street, Northern Liberties.

The Indie Shelf

This airy South Philly space may be petite, but it’s chock-full of uncommon brands (Akhal Good + Beauty, Indie Goat and Moonlit Skincare) that are handpicked by owner Sabeen Zia. And she’s always there, ready to tell you what’s in them and why they work. 2247 Grays Ferry Avenue, Grad Hospital.

Heyday Rittenhouse

This spa/boutique’s “skin therapists” are ready to have one-on-one conversations about what you’re doing wrong and right and which washes, serums and scrubs (from tried-and-true lines like Grown Alchemist, Image Skincare and One Love Organics) are best for you. 1735 Chestnut Street, Center City.

Rescue Spa

Each potion Rescue sells is an important part of a skin-care regimen. (If you go, you know.) This is one of the few places in the country where you can get Biologique Recherche as well as high-end lines like Maison Louis Marie and Vintner’s Daughter. Look for a new Walnut Street location — in the old Barneys Co-Op — soon. 1601 Walnut Street, third floor, Rittenhouse.

Moon + Arrow

Moon + Arrow may be known for carrying artisan jewelry, home goods and gifts for kids, but this ethereal shop also has a mini-but-mighty apothecary offering non-toxic salves, face oils and mists from rare-in-Philly brands Linné and Wonder Valley. 742 South 4th Street, Queen Village.

Duross & Langel

D&L was putting out small-batch, all- natural house-crafted products long before that was even a thing. And the shockingly well-priced goods — from activated charcoal face wash to a Moroccan red clay mask geared toward mature skin — are packed with tons of quality ingredients. 117 South 13th Street, Midtown Village.

Boyds Philadelphia

What was once a temple of tailored suits is now a destination for beauty brands, too — clean ones like Tata Harper, Sisley Paris and Supergoop. It’s worth going even if you just want to browse: What with the orchids, columns, photo-ready lighting and helpful staffers, you’ll feel prettier just being there. 1818 Chestnut Street, Rittenhouse.

Published as “Minding the Store” in the February 2020 issue of Philadelphia magazine.