Alder New York
With its simplified line of clean, all-natural skincare essentials, Alder New York is a queer and woman-owned brand making products that work for everyone.
About Alder New York
When Nina Zilka started making her own dry shampoo a decade ago, the clean beauty movement was hardly a twinkle in anyone’s eye. For Zilka, it was a relaxing hobby that helped her avoid using harmful ingredients in her routine. When it took off among friends and family, Zilka and her longtime friend and collaborator David Krause started selling the dry shampoo alongside their clothing line and, in 2016, launched Alder New York’s line of clean, genderless personal-care products designed to work for any person. Developed and produced in Brooklyn by Zilka and Krause themselves, Alder’s skincare system is simple, effective, and gimmick-free: Everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Why we love them
It’s refreshing to find a personal-care line that actually works for everyone, without strong scents, hyper-masculine or -feminine packaging, and a limited number of products that are simple to understand and use. Whether you’re in need of a total overhaul of your routine or you’ve been on the hunt for the right mask to supplement it, Alder’s packaging explains what each product does (including the Cooling Mineral Hydro Mist, and Smoothing Face Mask) and its website breaks down the role each active ingredient plays. KCM’s Alissa loves the Brightening Face Mask for a skin refresh at the end of a long week. She says it leaves her face feeling moisturized and looking as though she’s gotten a full eight hours every night.
