If you’re at all ecological minded, you’ve probably heard of the eye-opening and more than a little terrifying best-selling book, There’s Lead in Your Lipstick. And if you haven’t, but don’t like having your proverbial pants scared off, then the title of the book alone should hint at the potential hazards that are packed into many mainstream brands of cosmetics.
On the upside of all this (absolutely founded) fear mongering, you don’t have to poison yourself to enhance your looks. If making your own organic beauty products isn’t your thing, rest easy. Worldwide, there are hundreds of brands of natural and organic beauty products that will having you look great with peace of mind.
Check them out.
1. INIKA
Totally and certifiably natural, vegan, organic, halal and cruelty-free, Austraila’s INIKA brand boasts an inspired spread of head-to-toe cosmetics that will help you achieve a flawless look, guilt free.
2. Sephora
While not all their products are all-natural, this France founded but now internationally recognizable brand does carry a solid natural skincare and makeup line, so if you like free samples, fast shipping, and globally-minded business practices, then Sephora’s a great choice.
3. Crawford Skin Care
Toronto-based Crawford skin care has products so natural you could eat them – even their powerful and effective deodorant! They’ve recently won the Clean Beauty Awards Best Face Care for their refreshing toner, so don’t be afraid to put your cosmetics where your mouth is – literally.
4. Lavera
Pioneered in Germany, Lavera only uses organic and all natural ingredients to create their bold and beautiful products – and they’ve been doing it for 25 years.
5. The Green Beaver
It probably won’t surprise you that Green Beaver is a Canadian brand manufactured in Ontario. They are eco-certified, which means their products are created using non-toxic and environmentally sound ingredients. They also maintain complete transparency, so you know exactly what you’re putting on and in your body.
6. Gabriel Cosmetics
Born in the USA, Gabriel Cosmetics is renowned for their killer effects plant-based mascara. So, you may get mud in your eye, but at least it’s not arsenic.
7. Herbivore Botanicals
Seattle-based husband and wife team Alex and Julia started Herbivore Botanicals in their kitchen, and everything in their products is good for you – even the packaging is eco-friendly. Using non-toxic ingredients, they don’t believe in using fillers in any of their powerful products, meaning everything is a pure, active ingredient.
8. Beautycounter
The savvy Californians behind Beautycounter have got organic products for your whole family, including an incredible collection designed specifically for babies and kids.
9. Lano
This Aussie founded skin care company recently opened in the States, making it more accessible and recognizable to the world. As the name suggests, the product is derived from lanolin – the naturally occurring oil found in sheep’s wool, and can be used for everything from a topical moisturizer to a wonder cream for breastfeeding mothers who want to prevent or heal chaffed nipples. (And it’s totally safe for baby!)
10. Weleda
Meet the mecca of organic beauty brands, with nearly 100 years of existence. It’s world famous skin food is so potent and so pure that it is nothing short of a godsend. This Swiss founded brand uses no animal testing and is 100% natural. Weleda is going to be around for another hundred years, no question.
11. Tata Harper
Understanding that you shouldn’t be forced to choose between health and beauty, Vermont’s Tata Harper created an entire beauty line that luxuriates every cell in 100% natural, organic goodness. From age-defying treatments, to aromatherapy, to skincare and cosmetics, you’ll find everything you bolster your beauty.
12. Fat and the Moon
Enticingly obscure name aside, there’s a lot to draw you to this beauty brand based in the U.S. Founder Rachel Budde comes from a family of natural healers and herbalists, and her love and belief in the practices is apparent in her dedication to providing customers with natural, effective beauty solutions. In addition to cosmetics (like their electric eye coal), masks, mom and baby care, and first aid products, they also offer a provocative magical solution: the Dream Weaver Mist, which purports to have a major connection with dreams.
13. Organic Wear
Organic Wear is a line of Physician’s Formula, and it’s 100% natural and mostly organic. In addition to seriously stellar packaging, these products began with Dr. Frank Crandall, an allergist who designed them with love for his wife, who suffered from sensitive skin. This devotion carries on today – and it shows. They are America’s #1 natural/organic eye makeup brand.
14. Ilia
Created by British Columbia born and raised Sasha Plavsic, Ilia is designed to pamper and praise the largest organ on your body. Her sophisticated products are made with certified bioactive botanical compounds and specialize in cosmetics. The rose hip and sesame infused lipstick is a favorite brand globally, now available in 15 countries.
15. Juice Beauty
With products as succulent as their name, Juice Beauty is best known for it’s Goop cleanser – perfect for sensitive skin, protecting and repairing your skin’s natural barrier. Made with poet’s daffodil, olive, coconut and almond oil as well as sweet iris and shea and cocoa seed butter, this product evens skin tone and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. (Oh, and it was first made in the U.S. by Gwyneth Paltrow, who, as you may know, is pretty committed to clean living.)
16. Tela
Based in Panama, Tela is best known for its luscious hair care products, including serums, pomades, elixirs, sprays, as well as shampoos and conditioners. Each product is enriched with an unprecedented 35 certified organic blend for maximum hydration and feather-light moisture.
17. Captain Blankenship
These products are as magical as they sound. Made with organic pressed plant oils and inspired from the founder’s childhood on the salty, fresh shores of main, this beauty brand is meant to enhance and celebrate your natural beauty.
18. Burt’s Bees
Burt’s Bees is probably the most accessible natural beauty brand. Free of propylene glycol, butylene glycol, polyisobutene, parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, DMDM hydantoin, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl, sulfate, mineral oil and paraffin, this is another product you could actually eat, if you’re so inclined. While widely known for their lip chaps and tinted sticks, they also create powerful hand and foot balms, baby products, as well as head-to-toe creams.
19. Josie Maran
Created by former model Josie Maran, this U.S. beauty brand is 100% organic. It’s defining characteristic is the argan oil, which is infused into everything. As her slogan says, it’s “luxury with a conscience”.
20. Votre Vu
Obviously founded in France, this brand has gone international. It boasts uncomplicated, enriching botanically enriched formulas that are nurtured in smaller batches – and it brings it to the world to enjoy.
21. Kora Organics
Here’s another supermodel created brand. Driven by the desire to keep her body healthy inside and out, Australian model Miranda Kerr wanted to create a brand that adhered strictly to certified organic products, and then she did it. Good on ya, Miranda. (We particular dig your face mist!)
22. J.R. Watkins
Established in 1868 in Minnesota, this naturally powered beauty brand is emboldened by its mythical and lasting products derived from completely natural apothecary traditions. Inventive and effective, this is a must-try. J.R. Watkins goes beyond body and beauty products (including an amazing collection of anti-aging miracles) to include household products, healthcare products, as well as gourmet goodies for your kitchen.
23. Suki Skincare
100% natural, Suki Skincare offers up the best of brand natural technology to enhance your beauty. Big on creating solutions for each person, they offer custom regime creations that help you put your best face forward, every day.
24. Antonym Cosmetics
Completely certified vegan and organic materials are at the heart of Antonym. This brand is ideal for people with sensitive skin, using pure, gentle ingredients. Founded in Miami in 2010 by makeup artist Valerie Giraud, Antonym also carries eco-friendly cosmetic brushes.
25. Neutrogena Naturals
Here’s a big US brand that’s making an effort to clean up it’s act – and by act, we mean products. Their natural line of skin cleansing products is 90% natural and free of chemical phthalates, dyes, sulfates and parabens.
26. Tarte
This New York-based company lives up to its claim of having “high-performance naturals”. Their Amazonian Clay collection is particularly impressive, consisting of a line up powders, blushes, foundations, mascara, eyeshadows and liners as well as lipsticks.
27. Alba Botanica
You’ll find this New York-based company has a heart of gold. Their extensive line of cosmetics is composed of 100% vegetarian ingredients, with none of those harmful chemicals. They’re particularly passionate about their sunscreens, since many common brands have been shown to damage the coral reefs.
28. Tom’s of Maine
We know that a lot of natural, aluminum free deodorants claim to have stamina, but you’re still left reapplying throughout the day. Not anymore! Tom’s comes in eight great scents, and is as strong, straightforward and reputable as it’s name. They also have a wicked spread of toothpastes and other personal hygiene products. All created with a globally-minded, sustainable vision.
29. Amor Naturals
The name says it all: love, naturals. A U.S. founded brand, the people at Amor Naturals truly are the soap experts they claim to be, and their products are diverse and they are universally appealing. We recommend their chia seed oil and cacao butter Bella Glow Oil for a natural hit of pure indulgence.
30. Pratima
Pratima’s creative and wistful approach to their products is sure to seduce almost anyone. From body, bath, hair, age delay and specialty items, they are committed to creating richly nourishing products with the finest natural ingredients in India and the U.S. Handmade by Dr. Pratima Raichur. She uses her ayurvedic solutions to create 100% natural Sattvic beauty and health solutions.
