The Guide to Organic & Non-Toxic Makeup Brands for Clean Beauty
Make-up is a great tool for self-expression, but have you ever stopped to think about what’s really lurking inside?
Most makeup product contains 15–50 ingredients, which amounts to hundreds of chemicals on your skin if you use multiple products daily.
The problem is, under current law, the FDA regulations don’t require cosmetic companies to conduct safety assessments on their products, or even report problems that consumers relay to them.
Pin this less toxic makeup guide for later
While the EU has banned 1,300 substances in cosmetic products, the US has only outlawed 11, leaving a long list of potentially harmful ingredients in your makeup kit.
Some of these chemicals have been associated with serious health risks, including asthma, cancer, fertility issues and more.
They also damage natural ecosystems and harm marine life when they leach into waterways from our bodies. It’s up you to put on your chemistry hat and find what’s good for you and the planet.
This guide starts off with a list of amazing non-toxic makeup brands, then explores toxic chemicals found in popular products, and gives consumers a better understanding of what to look for when shopping for clean beauty products.
6 Best High Quality Non-toxic & Organic Makeup Brands
To help kick-start your clean makeup journey, we’ve put together a list of clean beauty brands that will deliver. These natural beauty brands are free from harmful chemicals, use clean ingredients, do not participate in animal testing, and create high quality cosmetics.
I’ve personally tried most of these makeup brands and am sharing my thoughts!
This post does contain some affiliate links which means if you choose to make a purchase we may receive a percentage, but at no additional cost to you!
Ogee’s Luxury organic makeup
Price Range: $28-$228
Ogee is a Beyond Clean Beauty brand pledging to provide a “true organic difference.”
Ogee is my personal top pick. I really love the quality of their of their makeup products and that they are certified by NSF.
I had previously purchased the Sculpted Complexion Stick and was thrilled when Ogee reached out to gift a few more products for testing.
Since then I’ve tried their Contour Collection and Tinted Lip Set. I’ve loved every single product! As someone who struggles with dry skin and dry lips, finding makeup that feels good on my skin can be tricky. But Ogees makeup feels nourishing!
Along with these products Ogee also has skincare, mascara, eco-friendly makeup brushes, and more.
River Organics Affordable Clean Makeup from Organic Ingredients
Price Range: $10-$22
River Organics is a family owned beauty company, located in Wilmington, NC. River Organics publishes a full list of ingredients for each product to showcase complete transparency. They use 100% vegan ingredients and prioritize certified organic ingredients.
River Organics is another makeup brand that feels nourishing on the skin. I’ve tried their pastel pink lip balm, lip stain, and bronzer.
These are all great for adding a hint of color and shine, while moisturizing the skin.
River Organics strives to be a zero-waste makeup brand with their sustainable paper-based packaging that is fully compostable. Makeup comes in paper tubes or jars and all labels are sugar cane based.
Clean beauty lovers can find concealers, blushes, eye makeup, tinted lip balms, and more. These organic makeup products feature a more affordable price point.
They also sell their “imperfect” products at a discounted rate which is a great way to save money and reduce waste! Plus, use my referral link for 15% off!
ILIA’s Natural Cruelty Free Make-Up
Price Range: $26-$54
ILIA beauty is proof that clean beauty can be sophisticated and fun. Founded by Sasha Plavsic in 2011, all ILIA products are gluten-free, cruelty-free and formulated without parabens, phthalates, sulfates or petrochemicals.
They have an exquisite array of natural and organic lip products, highlighters, mascara, and more.
ILIA is best known for their multi-purpose sticks which are great for travel and their serum foundation which gives an other-worldly glow.
Conscious consumers can also find highlighters, foundations, lip balms, eye shadow, and a range of makeup products.
INIKA Organics Clean Cosmetics
Price Range: $9-$75
INIKA Organics is an Australian brand that is committed to using natural and organic ingredients that are ethically-sourced, and they have the COSMOS Certified Natural label to show for it.
INIKA products are a go-to for women who struggle with allergies and sensitivities, thanks to their organic non-comedogenic formulas which are 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
Their INIKA Certified Organic Liquid Mineral Foundation is loved for its smooth finish and amazing staying power, but they also have a slew of other makeup goodies to meet your beauty needs.
I’ve personally tried the concealer and liquid foundation. These were both high quality products and good for my sensitive skin.
Ethical shoppers will find vegan mascara, organic primer, concealer, foundation, blush, and more.
Elate Cosmetics AFFORDABLE Earth Friendly Beauty
Price Range: $17-$62
Elate Cosmetics takes clean makeup seriously: their mission is to make beauty products that “don’t compromise the health of any person, animal or the planet.”
Everything in their line is organic, 100% vegan & cruelty free, and formulated without parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances.
Elate features eyeshadow, primers, lip pencils, foundations, and more. The brand supports non-profits and donates 2% of their sales to charitable causes each year.
Au Naturale’s Natural Make Up
Price Range: $18-$35
Ashley Prange, the brains behind Au Naturale, saw how necessary clean beauty brands are after she had grown tired of hunting for makeup that worked for her sensitive skin.
Au naturale offers a wide variety of vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free makeup free of parabens and other harmful synthetic ingredients.
From foundation to highlighters to skincare, Au Naturale has got you covered. Plus, they have a ton of shades and colors for you to play with!
What harmful ingredients are in cosmetics?
In order to make reading an ingredient list a little bit easier, here’s a list of some common toxic ingredients to avoid when you go for your next makeup purchase.
Be sure to keep your eyes open for natural ingredients and organic products when shopping for your makeup routine!
Synthetic Fragrance in Make Up
In the world of cosmetics “fragrance”, doesn’t refer to rose petals and vanilla pods, it’s an umbrella term that allows manufacturers to hide 4,000 different chemicals in their products.
More than 1,200 have been linked to cancer, birth defects, nervous-system disorders and allergies. If you can, avoid fragrance in your makeup products altogether or opt for products made with essential oils.
What to look out for:
Fragrance
Parfum
Aroma
Flavor
Avoid Parabens in Your Beauty Routine
Parabens are used to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and mold in cosmetics, but they do so at a high cost. There’s evidence that parabens can mimic the effect of estrogen, which might increase the risk of breast cancer.
Parabens have also been found inside sea creatures and are also believed to damage and kill coral.
Find products that say “paraben-free” on their label.
What to look for:
Methylparaben
Propylparaben
Butylparaben
Ethylparaben
Formaldehyde releasers
Formaldehyde is used to prevent bacterial contamination and to prolong shelf life.
Even though levels are low in most makeup products, some people are highly sensitive to formaldehyde and experience skin irritation, as well as eye, nose, throat and lung issues.
What to look for:
DMDM hydantoin
Diazolidinyl urea
Imidazolidinyl urea
Methenamine
Quaternium-15
Sodium hyroxymethylglycinate
Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol)
Bromo-5nitro-1,3-dioxane
Phthalates in Skincare Products
Phthalates are widely used in cosmetics as preservatives.
They’ve been linked to a host of health problems such as asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity and type II diabetes, just to name a few.
Use products that are labeled “phthalate-free” to protect yourself from unwanted side effects.
What to look for:
Phthalate
DEP
DBP
DEHP
Fragrance
Lead in the Beauty Industry
Did you know that 61% of lipsticks contain lead?
The quantity is considered to be safe by the FDA, however, medical experts are clear that there is no known safe blood lead concentration and even the tiniest amounts can increase the risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage.
If you’d like to err on the side of caution, go for lead-free lipsticks.
Talc in Makeup
Talc can be found in many makeup products from eyeshadow, foundation, and powder. The mineral is mined in close proximity to carcinogenic asbestos, which can lead to contamination.
While the FDA recognizes it as “generally safe” they lack the authority to require manufacturers to test for asbestos. To be safe, skip cosmetic products that contain talc.
How to choose makeup with non-toxic, eco-friendly ingredients
Many clean makeup brands are making products just as good as conventional ones, but you have to be careful not to for fall greenwashing (when a brand makes claims to be more natural, eco-friendly or organic than it is).
Here’s how you can ensure that your beauty products are kind to your skin and the environment.
Read the label
The back of the packaging contains all the vital information you need to make an informed decision. Always double-check the labels to ensure the product lives up to its claims.
You can even use an ingredient checker like Think Dirty or EWG Healthy Living app to check the safety and toxicity of ingredients.
Check for certifications
Look for third party certifications to verify the products’ green credentials.
Organic - a USDA seal means the product is at least 95% organic. This means that the ingredients have been grown and made without synthetic pesticides, preservatives or GMOs.
Cruelty free- PETA’s pink bunny ears or Leaping Bunny logo is a guarantee to consumers that no animal tests were used in the product's development.
Vegan–certification from Vegan.org or Vegan Action means the product is 100 percent vegan.
Fair trade- logos from organizations such as Fairtrade International, Fair Trade USA, and Fair for Life are signs that the ingredients have been responsibly sourced.
Along with the scary materials used in the beauty market today, we must consider the environmental impact of cosmetics.
A lot of these products come in plastic containers and packaging. It's important to consider the impact the packaging has on the planet.
Consider looking for recyclable packaging, biodegradable wrapping, reusable containers, or any other sustainable packaging that is plastic free.
Luckily a lot of the brands focusing on clean materials are also using eco-friendly packaging.
Hopefully this guide helped clarify the beauty world a bit and encouraged you to look for non-toxic ingredients, shop organic cosmetics, and support clean brands.
For more tips & tricks on sustainable living be sure to follow The Honest Consumer on social media, subscribe to our newsletter, & check out the Ethical & Sustainable Brand Directory.