There’s no reason to settle for toxic makeup when a plethora of outstanding clean makeup brands are readily available!
If you’ve made the empowering decision to transition to clean beauty products, you might be wondering where to begin your journey with non-toxic makeup brands. Rather than spending countless hours sifting through information online, you can simplify your search by exploring the curated list of my top recommendations for clean makeup brands that prioritize your health and the environment.
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Understanding Clean Makeup Brands: What Sets Them Apart?
A clean makeup brand is defined as a brand that offers non-toxic beauty products. However, within the realm of clean beauty, there are varying degrees of “clean.” Many products on the market may contain questionable ingredients that, while not classified as toxic, are often not suitable for regular use in your daily beauty regimen.
For instance, consider the ingredient phenoxyethanol. If derived from a clean source, it may be safe, but if sourced from less reputable origins, it could be contaminated with 1,4 dioxane, a known carcinogen. Thus, understanding the origins and purity of ingredients is crucial in making informed decisions about your beauty products.
While phenoxyethanol is generally considered an irritant to the skin, eyes, and lungs only in concentrated amounts, its presence in finished products is typically at 1% or lower, which raises questions about safety in everyday use.
Among the strictest guidelines in clean beauty is the Credo Clean Standard, which prohibits or restricts over 2,700 ingredients and goes far beyond the typical “this product is free of” declarations.
This standard demands transparency from brands regarding clean ingredients, safety, sustainability, sourcing, and ethical practices.
The EWG’s Skin Deep database serves as an excellent resource for those looking to delve deeper into which ingredients may pose concerns and which are deemed safe for use.
Critical Ingredients to Avoid in Your Makeup
- Synthetic Fragrance – This broad term can conceal a plethora of harmful chemicals.
- Phthalates – Known hormone disruptors, certain phthalates, like Dibutyl phthalate, are potentially carcinogenic and are often used to enhance product texture.
- PEG-10 Laurate – This hormone disruptor is common in creamy makeup and moisturizer formulations.
- Ethanolamines – Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), or triethanolamine (TEA) can react with other ingredients to form nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a carcinogen. Both DEA and TEA are linked to liver cancer in animal studies and have been banned in cosmetics by the European Commission.
- Parabens (Butyl, Propyl, and Ethyl) – These hormone disruptors are linked to increased cancer risk and are commonly used as preservatives in personal care products.
- Triclosan – An endocrine disruptor frequently found in liquid beauty products for its antibacterial properties.
- Petroleum – A recognized carcinogen utilized for moisture retention. Any product containing parabens, PEGs, MEA, DEA, or similar ingredients is likely petroleum-based. Additional terms to watch for include paraffin wax, mineral oil, toluene, benzene, methanol, butanol, and compounds containing “butyl.”
- Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) – This known carcinogen and hormone disruptor is commonly used as a preservative and fragrance in various products.
Exploring the World of Organic Makeup Brands
In addition to being non-toxic, many products can also be classified as organic.
According to USDA standards, here’s how organic labeling breaks down:
- 100% Organic indicates that every ingredient in the product is organic.
- Organic means at least 95% of the product is made from organic ingredients.
- Made with Organic Ingredients signifies that 70% or more of the product is composed of organic ingredients.
Discover the Top 15 Clean Makeup Brands You Need to Try
Beautycounter: Leading the Charge in Clean Beauty
Beautycounter is revolutionizing the clean beauty industry with their in-house team of scientists who meticulously screen every ingredient and packaging choice. This ensures they deliver products that are clinically proven, safe, and sustainably designed. Furthermore, Beautycounter actively advocates for stronger health-protective regulations in the beauty industry.
3rd Party Certifications
- EWG Verified
- Certified B Corporation
- Leaping Bunny certified
- Chemical Footprint Project
Price Range: $10-$422
Standout Products
- Skin Twin Concealer
- Skin Twin Foundation
- Cheeky Cream Blushes
- Sheer Genius Conditioning Lipstick
- Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer
- Mattifying Powder
- Clean Swipe Hyaluronic Lip Balm
Related Content: Beautycounter Review (Product Hits & Misses)
TOK Beauty: Affordable Luxury in Clean Makeup
TOK Beauty offers an affordable, high-end, plant-based beauty line featuring multi-use products. Their commitment to sustainability is evident as they ship orders using compostable mailers and recycled packaging materials.
3rd Party Certifications
Price Range: $20-$75
Standout Products
- Lash Enhancing Mascara
- Lip Tonic
- Brow Tok Volumizing Brow Gel
Tower 28: Makeup for Sensitive Skin
Tower 28 champions the philosophy of #ItsOkayToBeSensitive, crafting products that are non-toxic and free from irritating ingredients. Their formulations are loaded with calming, nourishing ingredients, and are both vegan and cruelty-free, making them a delightful choice for sensitive skin.
3rd Party Certifications
Price Range: $15-$88
Standout Products
- Make Waves Mascara
- BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm
- SunnyDays Tinted SPF Sunscreen Foundation
- ShineOn Lip Jelly
- OneLiner Multi-Liner
Related Content: Tower 28 Beauty Review
Exa Beauty: Colorful and Clean Innovation
EXA Beauty, created by clean beauty retailer Credo Beauty, aims to infuse vibrant colors into clean beauty without sacrificing ingredient safety. Their mission is to expand the clean beauty spectrum while maintaining high standards of ingredient integrity.
3rd Party Certifications
Price Range: $14-$99
Standout Products
- All Smiles Universal Glow Lip Oil
- High Fidelity Foundation
- High Fidelity Balancing Color Corrector
- Ten 18 Lash Amplifying Mascara
Crunchi: The Safe Cosmetics Movement
Crunchi is dedicated to using a blend of safe, certified-organic, and EcoCert ingredients focused on performance. They are at the forefront of the safe cosmetics movement, educating consumers about ingredient safety and the impact on health.
3rd Party Certifications
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- Tested for Heavy Metals
Price Range: $3-$396
Standout Products
- Beautifully Flawless Foundation
- My Alibi Concealer
- Makeup Me Blush
- Crunchi Eyeshadow
Westman Atelier: Luxurious Clean Beauty
Westman Atelier specializes in luxurious, clean beauty products that enhance and balance the skin using plant-based actives and innovative science. Founded by renowned makeup artist Gucci Westman, the brand showcases the harmony between luxury, efficacy, and clean formulations.
Price Range: $32-$590
Standout Products
- Bonne Brow Eyebrow Pencil
- Vital Skin Foundation Stick
- Baby Cheeks Blush Stick
- Face Trace Contour Stick
- Beauty Butter Powder Bronzer
- Vital Skincare Complexion Drops
Related Content: Westman Atelier Review And Guide
Kosas: Innovative Clean Beauty
Kosas stands out for their next-level commitment to clean skincare ingredients, utilizing minimal components for maximum efficacy. They exclude talc and ban over 2,700 harmful ingredients while aligning with the clean standards established by the EU, Sephora, and Credo.
3rd Party Certifications
- Cruelty-free
- Leaping Bunny Certified
Price Range: $14-$48
Standout Products
- Weightless Lipsticks
- Revealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
- 10-second Eye Gel Watercolor Eyeshadow
Related Content: Kosas Makeup Review
Ilia: Skin-Centric Clean Beauty
Ilia focuses on clean, skin-centric beauty products that guard your skin against environmental stressors through effective, safe formulas. Their fuss-free philosophy ensures that all products are user-friendly, appealing to beauty enthusiasts of all levels.
3rd Party Certifications
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- 1% for the Planet
Price Range: $20-$60
Standout Products</
Sienna Blake is a licensed aesthetic consultant and beauty writer specializing in cosmetic surgery advancements and non-invasive treatments. With a background in dermatology and over eight years of industry experience, Sienna is passionate about helping people achieve confidence through informed beauty decisions. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and regularly collaborates with top plastic surgeons to stay at the forefront of aesthetic innovations. Outside of her work, Sienna enjoys traveling, skincare research, and practicing Pilates.
