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Non Toxic Organic Makeup Brands – Clean Makeup And Skincare
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), 595 cosmetics manufacturers have reported using 88 chemicals, in more than 73,000 products, that have been linked to cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm since 2009. Harmful chemicals such as carcinogens or endocrine disruptors can be used as ingredients in makeup products. The ingredients can also be contaminated with contaminants or heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, or mercury. Harmful chemicals in cosmetics sometimes do not even have to be disclosed. Fragrance, for example, does not have to list individual ingredients to make up a fragrance because the ingredient details can be a company’s proprietary information as a trade secret. Dibutyl phthalate and Diethylhexyl phthalate which can be used as fragrance ingredients do not have to be listed even if they are used to make fragrance for a product. According to the EWG, dibutyl phthalate is an endocrine disruptor and a developmental toxicant that harms male reproductive system development. Diethylhexyl phthalate harms the reproductive system and can affect the developing fetus. It has also been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as possibly carcinogenic. Then what should we look for when buying makeup or skincare products? Find out what to look for or to avoid in makeup or skincare products and what non toxic, organic makeup and skincare brands are available.
What To Look For or Avoid In Makeup Products
Choose certified organic, natural or safe synthetic ingredients.
Certified Organic Ingredients
USDA Certified Organic Ingredients:
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), they regulate the term “organic” as it applies to agricultural products through its National Organic Program (NOP) regulation. Therefore, if a cosmetic, body care product, or personal care product contains or is made up of agricultural ingredients, and can be eligible to be certified organic under the NOP regulations (the USDA/NOP organic production, handling, processing and labeling standards). To be labelled ‘Organic’, product must contain at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients (excluding water and salt). Remaining product ingredients must consist of nonagricultural substances approved on the National List or non-organically produced agricultural products that are not commercially available in organic form, also on the National List. Products containing at least 70 percent certified organic content can be labeled ‘made with organic’ but can not use USDA organic seal on the product. Products containing less than 70 percent organic content may identify specific ingredients as organic in the ingredients list. To be certified organic, operations must use organic seeds, land must have had no prohibited substances applied for at least three years prior to harvest. Most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited. Also, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are not allowed. USDA does not regulate or certify the production and labeling of cosmetics, body care products, and personal care products that are not made up of agricultural ingredients.
Natural Ingredients
Natural ingredients are naturally derived ingredients which usually refer to plant-based or mineral-based ingredients. Plant-based ingredients which are botanical ingredients derived from plants, flowers, fruits or vegetables can be included in natural ingredients. Skincare products that have plant-based ingredients may offer antioxidants or an array of nutrient benefits which are natural to our body. Synthetic ingredients which are made in a lab by humans, on the other hand, are not natural and do not have phytonutrients (or phytoceramides) that natural fruits or vegetables have. Natural ingredients can offer many benefits. However, natural ingredients does not mean ingredients are vegan or non toxic. Natural ingredients can be derived from animals (such as snail slime or beeswax) or even sometimes be harmful or irritating (some people may be allergic or sensitive to certain natural extracts such as essential oils). Also, natural ingredients doesn’t mean ingredients are organic. Also, unless the products is labeled as 100% natural, the product may still contain some synthetic ingredients even though the product is advertised as natural. It may just mean the majority of ingredients are natural.
Synthetic Ingredients
Synthetic ingredients are ingredients that are not naturally derived but scientifically derived in a lab. Many harmful ingredients are synthetic. For example, carcinogens such as formaldehyde, benzene, coal tar, ethylene oxide, toluene, paraben are synthetic chemicals. Many synthetic ingredients can accumulate in the body, cause negative health effects such as allergic reactions, endocrine disruptions, liver damage and even cancer. Some synthetic chemicals also harm our environment. However, despite health risks of many synthetic chemicals used in cosmetics, these harmful synthetic chemicals are not restricted. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), of more than 10,000 chemicals used to formulate cosmetics, just 11 have ever been banned or restricted by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The EU has banned or restricted more than 1,300 chemicals while the US has banned or restricted just 11. 11 chemicals that are prohibited are bithionol, chlorofluorocarbon propellants, chloroform, halogenated salicylanilides (di-, tri-, metabromsalan and tetrachlorosalicylanilide), hexachlorophene, mercury compounds, methylene chloride, prohibited cattle materials, sunscreens in cosmetics, vinyl chloride, zirconium-containing complexes. The prohibited chemical list doesn’t contain carcinogens and harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, parabens, coal tar, benzene, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, ethylene oxide, etc. This means cosmetics sold in US can contain harmful chemicals since they are not prohibited to be used in cosmetics. However, this doesn’t mean all synthetic ingredients are toxic. Some synthetic ingredients can be tested to be safe and be used in cosmetics.
Colorants
D&C or FD&C: FD&C colorants are synthetic colorants that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in food, drugs and cosmetics. D&C colorants are colorants approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in drugs and cosmetics only. FD&C or D&C colorants are synthetic colorants that are derived from coal tars and other petrochemicals. Coal tar is a known human carcinogen. Some FD&C colors such as Yellow 5, Yellow 6 and Red 40 are contaminated with carcinogens. Impurities in Red 33 could cause cancer when applied on skin. Red 3 causes cancer in rats. Some FD&C colors are allergens or skin toxicants.
Lakes: Lakes are made from FD&C colors and contain petroleum and aluminium.
Mineral Pigments: Mineral pigments such as zinc oxide, iron oxide and titanium dioxide are naturally derived from mineral compounds or they can also be synthesized. Mineral pigments are generally considered safe and be better alternatives to Lakes, D&C or FD&C colorants. Traces (a negligible amount) of heavy metals can be present in some naturally-derived mineral pigments and some clean makeup companies test their ingredients to ensure their ingredients are safe for heavy metals.
Fruits and Vegetable Colorants: Fruits and vegetable colorants are derived from fruits and vegetables. They are considered safe for use in cosmetics.
Micas: Mica is a naturally occurring silicate mineral. It can be naturally derived or synthetically made. Mica is considered not to cause harmful side effects but inhalation of mica dust for long duration can cause health risks to workers at mine or factories. There are also concerns with mica being sourced from some unethical mining operations who conducts child labor.
Use of Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles are ultra-fine particles, particles between 1 and 100 nanometers in size. Nanoparticles can be used in skincare and makeup products. They are used in sunscreens to minimize the white coating on the skin and block ultraviolet rays for example. They are also used in skin care for lotions to penetrate deeper into the skin to deliver more nutrients to skin cells. However, nanoparticles can have some negative health effects. You can be exposed to nanoparticles through skin, ingestion or inhalation. Inhaling nanoparticles from loose powder or spray form can be harmful. For example, titanium dioxide which is widely used in makeup products or sunscreens is considered to be safe. However, it is considered possibly carcinogenic to humans when nano sized titanium dioxide particles are inhaled. Nanoparticles can become deposited in your lungs and cause lung inflammation or damage. They can also potentially move from the lungs to other organs such as the brain or the liver. Since nanoparticles are so tiny that they can cross cell membranes, may reach the blood and various organs. Inhalation of nanoparticles may lead to exposure to the lungs and inhalation can occur from sprayable products or powders. Loose powders, pressed powders, eyeshadows and blush makeup products with nanoparticles or sunscreens with nanoparticles should be avoided.
Cruelty-Free
Cruelty-free products are the products that are not tested on animals. However, this doesn’t mean these products are not tested on animals in all phase of product development. It is possible that a final product is not tested on animals but its ingredients could still have been tested on animals. A way to ensure that no animal testing is used all phase of product development (including ingredient suppliers) is a verified cruelty-free certification by PETA or Leaping Bunny. Cruelty-free doesn’t mean cruelty-free products are vegan. A product can be cruelty-free and still use ingredients that are derived by animals.
Vegan
Vegan means that a product doesn’t contain any animal or animal-derived ingredients. Examples of ingredients derived by animals include beeswax, collagen, lanolin, honey, etc. This doesn’t mean vegan products or ingredients are cruelty-free, they can still be tested on animals. Vegan products can be certified vegan by the Vegan.org. The vegan certification certifies products that do not contain animal products or byproducts and that have not been tested on animals.
Gluten Free
Gluten is a protein exist in wheat and grains such as barley and rye. Gluten can be harmful to people with Celiac disease. For those with gluten allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity may want to avoid gluten-derived ingredients since they can affect digestive system, skin and other symptoms. Gluten-free products do not contain ingredients that are derived from grains with gluten. There are also gluten-free certifications for gluten-free products by organizations such as the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO), Gluten Intolerance Group or NSF International services.
Non Toxic, Organic Makeup Brands
The following companies are clean, non toxic, natural or organic makeup brands. They believe that ingredients should be clean, safe, ethically sourced, sustainable and at the same time effective. They make great efforts to stay away from harmful ingredients and make their products using clean, non toxic, natural or organic ingredients. They are cruelty-free, vegan and gluten-free (with some of these companies, many of their products are vegan but not all products are vegan). Each company is different with ingredients they avoid and use. Therefore, read the details to find the right makeup brand for you.
Let’s take a look!
Au Naturale – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup, makeup remover, cleanser
Certified Organic Ingredients: They use USDA Certified Organic ingredients whenever possible. Their ingredients aren’t certified organic when they’re the minerals they use to pigment their product. Though the minerals they use are pure, they were never living and thus cannot be considered organic.
All of their ingredients are tested for heavy metals, impurities and contaminants. They only work with suppliers that go out of their way to ensure that all of their ingredients are naturally derived, sustainable and ethically sourced, and purely processed.
Au Naturale is compliant with Whole Foods Market Beyond Clean Beauty Standards, the Conscious at Ulta Beauty Standards, and the Beauty Heroes Standards.
Colorants: Their colorants are naturally derived, ethically sourced and purely processed for maximum color, performance and safety.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxides they use are Non-Nano, Ecocert and COSMOS certified.
Micas: child labor free – mined, processed and distributed sustainably world wide
Cruelty-free: Yes, Leaping Bunny Certified, PETA Approved
Vegan: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
Antonym Cosmetics – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup
Natural & Certified Organic Ingredients: Their Ingredients are Ecocert certified natural & organic ingredients. Their certifications provide buyers the assurance that all Antonym Cosmetics products are made with all natural and/or organic makeup ingredients.
Cruelty-free: Yes, Leaping Bunny certified.
Vegan: Yes, Antonym products are certified vegan.
Gluten Free: Yes
Aether Beauty – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup
Certified Organic & Natural Ingredients: Aether Beauty BAN over 2700 ingredients in their formulas. They ban the 1300 ingredients banned in the EU and every potential carcinogen, endocrine and hormone disruptor, or allergen and irritant included in California Prop 65. They also ban any other ingredient with negative health concerns, potential environmental effects, and all animal-derived ingredients.
They use natural ingredients wherever possible. If they can’t find a natural ingredient that is safe and free of contamination or if they can’t find a natural ingredient that meets their effectiveness requirements (color payoff, longevity, blend-ability, vibrancy), they will look to a safe synthetic version.
All their ingredients are ethically & sustainably sourced, certified organic, and certified fair-trade wherever possible. If there is no ethical option, they will not use that ingredient.
Cruelty-free: Yes
Vegan: Yes, they are Certified Vegan.
Beauty Counter – Non Toxic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare, bath & body
Non-Toxic Ingredients (EWG Verified™ ): Beauty Counter has the Never List™ which is made up of made up of more than 1,800 questionable or harmful chemicals that they never use as ingredients in their products. (Over 1,400 chemicals banned or restricted in personal care products by the European Union, plus additional chemicals screened by Beautycounter and found to be of concern). They also fully disclose all fragrance ingredients which is an uncommon practice in the beauty industry. They also comply with EU allergen disclosures by sharing some components of essential oils and natural fragrance that can be allergens for sensitive populations (not standard transparency in the secretive beauty industry). Beauty Counter make up products are also EWG verified which verifies products’ ingredients that are free from EWG’s chemicals of concern and meets the Environmental Working Group’s strictest standards for your health.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, Beautycounter does not use nano materials in their formulas, including the zinc oxide found in our Countersun collection.
Colorants: Sometimes they choose to use synthetic colors (e.g., red and yellow lakes), which are derived from petroleum products, in their makeup category where their natural counterparts either have high heavy metal content or do not allow them to meet diverse skin tones. All colorants are screened for safety against 23 health and environmental endpoints and they test each batch of color cosmetics for a suite of heavy metals prior to releasing them to market.
Cruelty-free: Yes, Leaping Bunny certified
Vegan: Beauty Counter is not a vegan brand. However, many of their products are formulated without animal-derived ingredients.
Gluten Free: Some of their products may contain gluten ingredients or be sourced from ingredients that contain gluten.
100% Pure – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare, hair & body
Certified Organic Ingredients: All 100% PURE™ formulations adhere to strict purity standards and will never contain harsh or toxic ingredients. They use many USDA-certified organic ingredients. Not all of the ingredients are USDA certified organic but are always tested for purity and quality. Some of their products are certified organic with the certification seal.
100% Pure tests for the purity of each individual ingredient to make sure there are no chemical pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers used on the raw ingredient. They also test for the cohesiveness of the ingredients because certain ingredients combined can cause a very negative chemical reaction. For example, simple salt and water-soluble Vitamin C causes benzene.
Colorants: Their colorants are naturally pigmented. They source our pigments from fruit, vegetables, tea, and cocoa to avoid commonly used FD&C colorants and heavy metal dyes. 100% Pure tests their ingredients for purity to ensure there are no heavy metals or environmental contaminants present.
Use of Nanoparticles: They use the nano-spinning method on ingredients that they want to penetrate into the skin instead of sitting on the surface of your skin. Not all products or ingredients go through nano-spinning.
Ingredients that they want to sit on the surface are things like their sunblocks (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide) and ingredients designed to moisturize the surface of the skin (coconut oil, shea butter, squalene, etc.). These are non-nano particles and do not go through the nano-spinning process.
Ingredients that are effective and used for skin treatment (like vitamin C, CoQ10, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, etc) are ingredients that would go through our proprietary nano-spinning method. These are ingredients that benefit the skin when they can permeate your skin barrier.
Since nano-spinning doesn’t alter the integrity of the ingredient, you wouldn’t see this process on the ingredients list. According to the 100% PURE, the nano-spinning method is very safe and will not be delivering particles into your skin that would negatively affect your health or act as an endocrine disruptor.
Cruelty-free: Yes, their products are certified cruelty-free. We go through a painstaking process to make sure each ingredient sourced is never animal sourced.
Vegan: Yes, most are vegan. They are moving to become a fully vegan brand. Some products contain animal-derived ingredients, like milk enzymes, beeswax, or honey.
Gluten Free: Most of their products are gluten free.
Mineral Fusion – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Cosmetics, skincare, haircare, body care, and nail care
Non Toxic Ingredients (EWG Verified™ ): Mineral Fusion products are not certified organic; however, they try to use organic ingredients wherever possible. Their primary focus is on health and safety and their products are EWG verified. The EWG VERIFIED™ seal is awarded to safer cosmetics that EWG’s (Environmental Working Group) rigorous criteria, which includes compliance with strict ingredient standards, good manufacturing practices and robust labeling.
Colorants: They use the high quality and broad spectrum of pure mineral pigments.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, Mineral Fusion rejects the use nanoparticles in all of its products. They use particle sizes within the naturally occurring range of minerals.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are Leaping Bunny certified.
Vegan: They offer a wide variety of Vegan products in all categories.
Gluten Free: Yes
ILIA – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup
Natural, Organic Ingredients and Safe Synthetic Ingredients: They formulate their products using natural, organic ingredients and safe synthetic ingredients. They disclose all ingredients and derivatives in their ingredient lists, which is not a requirement in the US.
All ILIA products are free of Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, petroleum, mineral oil, talc, BHA/BHT, propylene glycol, PEG, cyclomethicones, chemical screens and many other substances. They are registered in the European Union whereby they must submit every ingredient document for review before being approved to sell. They must also list all trace elements and allergens when selling in the EU and have decided to change all of their ingredient lists globally to reflect this and be fully transparent.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, they use non-nanoparticles in their formula. This includes their non-nano zinc oxide in their SPF formulas.
Colorants: The majority of the product is made up of natural mineral dyes, yet some do contain low percentages (2% or less) of food grade dye. Food Grade dye is a synthetic form of color and the choice to use Food Grade Dye was preferred over the use of Carmine (crushed beetle skin) when formulating certain shades in order to obtain a stronger hue.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are cruelty-free and have the Leaping Bunny certification.
Vegan: Yes, many of their products are vegan.
Gluten Free: ILIA products that are certified gluten-free are Balmy Days, Balmy Nights, Multi-Stick, Illuminator, Radiant Translucent Powder SPF 20 (Brush & Jar), Soft Focus Finishing Powder, Tinted Lip Conditioner. All other ILIA products are formulated without gluten but they don’t call them certified gluten-free because they’re not produced in a certified gluten-free manufacturing environment.
P/Y/T Beauty – Non Toxic Makeup
Products: Makeup
Non Toxic Ingredients: PYT Beauty formulate their products without over 1,300+ harsh chemicals (including gluten, parabens, phthalates, talc, PEG, petrolatum, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde, carbon black, triclosan & triclocarban, hydroquinone, isododecane, oxybenzone, GMO’s, etc.) and they also add skin nourishing ingredients that are vegan and hypoallergenic. Additionally, they follow the Credo Clean Standard, which prohibits the use of 2,700+ specific ingredients that are used in some mainstream beauty products.
Colorants: Their colorants are not naturally derived.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, no nanoparticles are used.
Cruelty-free: Yes
Vegan: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes
Kosas – Non Toxic Makeup
Products: Makeup, bodywash
Non Toxic Ingredients: Kosas is a clean beauty line with many natural ingredients, but they are not 100% natural. They are PFA-free and ban over 2,700 ingredients. They also follow the EU, Sephora and Credo clean standards, and formulate without: Parabens, Phthalates, Sulfates, Talc, Formaldehyde, BHA/BHT, Propylene Glycol (PPG), Polyethylene Glycol (PEGS), Phenoxyethanol, Petrolatum, Aluminium, Undisclosed “Fragrance”, Dimethicone, Cyclic Silicones.
Colorants: All of their cosmetics that have color tones will contain some kind of pigment. They choose not to use carmine and instead use select clean synthetic ingredients (such as Lake Red 7) in their products.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, they do not include nano-pigments or nano-particles in their formulas.
Micas: They use 100% ethically sourced mica.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are 100% cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified.
Vegan: Not all of Kosas’ products are vegan (meaning that some of their products contain animal-derived ingredients), but they have some vegan options.
Gluten Free: Yes, All Kosas products do not contain gluten.
Alima Pure – Non Toxic Makeup
Products: Makeup
Non Toxic Ingredients: Alima Pure products are made using clean, non-toxic ingredients. Their products are free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, dimethicone, petroleum, talc, bismuth oxychloride, and nanoparticles.
All of their ingredients are pharmaceutical grade, and their products follow both the FDA Requirements and the European Union’s Cosmetics Regulations. Their products and ingredients are approved for use and sale in the EU, Japan, Canada, and the United States.
Colorants: Their powder products are all created from a mineral base.
Use of Nanoparticles: Alima Pure do not use nanoparticles.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are Leaping Bunny Certified. Absolutely none of their products are tested on animals without exception.
Vegan: Almost all of their products are!
Gluten Free: Yes, all of their products are formulated without gluten-containing ingredients.
More Info
W3LL PEOPLE – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare
Botanical, Organic Ingredients (EWG Verified): They use botanical and organic ingredients like Green Tea, Pomegranate, Rosehip, and Broccoli Seed Oil to deliver high-performance products that support long-term skin health. They have a list of harmful over 1,700 ingredients that they don’t use for their products. They stay far away from synthetic fillers, sulfates, preservatives, parabens, coal tar, formaldehyde, propylene glycol, dimethicone, silicone, phthalates, petrolatum/ mineral oil, lead, DEA/ TEA/ MEA, fragrances, etc. 35+ of their products are verified by the EWG.
Well People receives heavy metal analysis on any clays or mineral ingredients such as iron oxides, mica, kaolin, etc. The common heavy metals that are tested include: lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium, cadmium, antimony, and selenium that are found naturally occurring in the earth.
Colorants: They use both natural pigments and nontoxic food grade dyes. They prefer food grade dyes over carmine to achieve the vibrant hues. The level of iron oxides used in their color cosmetics are proven to be safe and within global regulations.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, they do not use nanoparticles in any of their products. The particles of zinc and/or titanium dioxide are non-nano sized.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are Leaping Bunny and PETA certified.
Vegan: They offer several vegan products.
Gluten Free: Yes
Omiana – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare
Certified Organic Ingredients: Omiana uses Certified Organic ingredients as much as possible. Some ingredients cannot be certified as organic. One example is vitamin E. Vitamin E is not available in an organic form, which is why they pay close attention to its origins (i.e., rice bran, soybean, Tocopheryl acetate, wheat germ). They also pay equally close attention to non-agricultural product origins, such as minerals that are inorganic by nature to make their products as non-toxic as possible. All Omiana ingredients are carefully selected & sourced to be free of toxic heavy metals. They don’t use harmful ingredients such as talc, artificial fragrance, perfume, chemical fragrances, etc. They also carry products that do not contain ultramarines, titanium dioxide, mica. Their products are rated as low hazard at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
Use of Nano particles: No. All minerals and pigments Omiana uses are cosmetic-grade particle size or even high-micron.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Vegan: Most products are vegan, although some contain beeswax (in only a few formulas they use beeswax). When they use beeswax, it is kosher. The bees’ natural ecosystem is sustained with their USA-based supplier’s kosher harvesting. All products are cruelty-free.
Gluten Free: Omiana does not use gluten, not even via their vitamin E. If there is ever a trace amount, they will disclose so in the product description.
RMS Beauty – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare
Living Ingredients (Raw, food grade, organic, wildcrafted and natural ingredients): RMS Beauty has been setting the standard for clean ingredients since 2009. RMS Beauty products are formulated using raw, food grade, organic, wildcrafted and natural ingredients that are as close to their natural state as possible. RMS beauty does not use harmful ingredients such as parabens, sulfates, phalatates, silicones, talc, petrolatum, GMO’s, polyethylene/PEGs, fluoropolymers/PFA’s, and BPA’s, etc. They recommend all of their products for those with sensitive skin such as eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and acne.
The minerals used in RMS beauty products are in their raw, uncorrupted form, without silicon, paraben preservatives or other chemical coatings. Heavy metal testing is conducted on each individual ingredient used in their products.
Colorants: A majority of their colorants are naturally derived from plants. They use approximately .5% (1/2 %) of FDA approved, food-grade, synthetic color in some their products, which are listed to contain it. RMS Beauty is very selective with their ingredients for safety. Their use of synthetic colorants is due to the fact that some shades are unable to be created with natural colors. As science advances, they will continue to reformulate until we find a natural source for those colors.
Use of Nanoparticles: They do not use nano particles nor do they use minerals that may be of concern in their loose form in order to avoid health risks. When it comes to their titanium dioxide, rest assured they only utilize the rutile crystalline form, an opaque version that is used as a colorant for cosmetics. Due to its structure, their titanium dioxide is safe to use and won’t wreak havoc on your skin cells according to the RMS Beauty.
Cruelty-free: yes
Vegan: yes
Gluten Free: yes
Juice Beauty – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Certified Organic Ingredients: All Juice Beauty’s organic ingredients are certified by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved agency. The majority of Juice Beauty’s ingredients are from local West Coast USDA Certified Organic farms so they can monitor the quality and limit fuel waste. They also hold organic certificates from the state in which each organic ingredient is grown, including CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers), Oregon Tilth, Quality Assurance International and Washington Department of Agriculture. They also have unacceptable ingredients list (417 ingredients that are harmful to humans, animals or the planet and commonly found in other consumer products). Their raw materials/ingredients undergo a testing process and are tested for impurities such as heavy metals, ensuring that they are no higher than trace amounts.
Use of Nanoparticles: They formulate with non nano zinc oxide in all of their sunscreens.
Cruelty-free: Yes, Juice Beauty is PETA Cruelty-Free certified and their Company was recognized with a Courage in Commerce Award for reaffirming its commitment to compassion by promising that tests on animals will never be conducted for products, formulations, or ingredients anywhere in the world. They are also certified by Leaping Bunny.
Vegan: Yes, Juice Beauty is certified vegan from the American Vegetarian Association (AVA).
Gluten Free: Yes, Juice Beauty products are 100% gluten free.
Gabriel Cosmetics – Non Toxic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare, nails
100% Natural Ingredients: Gabriel products are made from 100% natural ingredients. No synthetic chemicals are used. For example, they do not use synthetic parabens in their products. They currently use a natural preservative, Potassium Sorbate (plant/sorbic acid/unripe berries). Their products are formulated free of animal ingredients, coal tar derivatives or FD&C agents, DBP, formaldehyde, gluten, hydrogenated oils, lanolin, mineral oil, lead, nanotoluene/ micro sized particles, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, soy, talc, toluene, peanuts & tree nuts, sulfa, nickel, corn, and castor oil.
Colorants: Iron oxides and St. John’s Wort Extract
Use of Nanoparticles: No, they do not use nanoparticles.
Cruelty-free: Yes, no testing is ever done on animals or use any animal by products in their products. (With the exception of their makeup brushes which are cruelty free.)
Vegan: Yes
Gluten Free: Yes, their products certified gluten-free by the Gluten Intolerance Group.
Honest Beauty – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Makeup, skincare
Naturally Derived Ingredients: Honest Beauty create natural makeup made from a safe formula and naturally derived ingredients. They also have their NO List™, a list of over 2,500 chemicals/materials they choose not to use in their products. Their NO List™ is made up of category-specific lists, because what causes a chemical/material to pose a risk is dependent on how and where it’s used. They select their manufacturers carefully and have a rigorous protocol in place to ensure that all products meet their Honest Standard.
Colorants: They have an in-house toxicologist that reviews the health and safety of ingredients. They always try to use naturally derived iron oxides to achieve the base shade and then supplement with lower levels of organic pigments to add intensity and vibrancy. They try to minimize colorants produced from coal tar or petroleum.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, they do not use nanoparticles in any of their products.
Cruelty-free: Yes
Vegan: Not all products but many of their products are vegan.
Gluten Free: They do not actively test for gluten in their beauty and skincare products but a good portion of their products have been formulated without any wheat-based ingredients.
True Botanicals – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: skincare
Certified Organic and Wild-Harvested Ingredients: They prioritize both certified-organic and wild-harvested ingredients, and they take sourcing seriously, tracing ingredients to their origins and ensuring that their cultivation and production are sustainable for the local community as well as the environment.
All of their products carry the MADE SAFE® seal, the respected, comprehensive safety standard available, which certifies they are made without 6,500 toxic chemicals known to harm human and environmental health. Their products are also free of genetically modified organisms. They ethically source vegan ingredients from the vibrant intelligence of nature, without any toxins or fillers. They use natural or nature-identical ingredients that are hypoallergenic, non-irritating and small-molecule so that the skin can easily absorb and use them.
Use of Nanoparticles: No, they do not use nano particles. Their products are Made Safe certified and Made Safe does not permit nano particles.
Cruelty-free: Yes, they are Leaping Bunny and PETA certified.
Vegan: All of their products are vegan besides the Everyday Sheer Coverage, which contains pearl and silk powder.
Gluten Free: Their ingredients do not contain gluten. However, they are not certified gluten-free, as they do not formulate them in a gluten-free facility.
OSEA Malibu – Non Toxic, Organic Makeup
Products: Skincare
Natural-Derived Ingredients: OSEA is a natural-derived brand. They also strive to use organic ingredients when possible. For twenty five years, they have made their products without artificial colors or dyes or questionable, synthetic ingredients. They do not formulate with synthetic fragrances, animal-derived ingredients, synthetic ingredients, food coloring, PEGs, parabens, SD alcohol, phthalates, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, artificial dyes, SLS/SLES, formaldehyde, aluminum, and sulfates. OSEA is Climate Neutral Certified and in 2020, they offset 100 percent of their carbon footprint.
Nanoparticles: Titanium dioxide they use is non-nano.
Cruelty-free: Yes, all OSEA products are vegan-certified by PETA and Leaping Bunny-certified by Cruelty Free International.
Vegan: Yes, all OSEA products are vegan-certified by PETA.
Gluten Free: Yes, all their products have been tested to be gluten-free.
Final Thoughts
There are many things to consider when choosing makeup products. For clean makeup products, you would want ingredients to be non toxic. You would not want harmful ingredients that are known to be toxic in your makeup. Yet, harmful chemicals are often used as ingredients in makeup or skincare. Clean makeup companies often have a list of harmful chemicals they prohibit used as ingredients. Some companies use certified organic ingredients as much as possible. Organic ingredients can ensure that no GMO, harmful fertilizers or pesticides are used. Some companies use natural ingredients as much as possible to benefit from antioxidants or an array of nutrient benefits which are natural to our body. Some companies use safe synthetic ingredients as their ingredient options. Whether the ingredients are natural or synthetic, the ingredients should be safe as long as the they are non toxic. Not all natural or synthetic ingredients are toxic or non toxic. Avoid chemicals of concern in makeup and skincare products. Some Lakes, FD&C or D&C colorants are synthetic colorants that can also be harmful. Inhalation of nanoparticles (which you can be exposed from loose powder, pressed powder, eyeshadows, blush or spray form of sunscreens) can be possibly carcinogenic. Cruelty-free products with PETA or Leaping Bunny certification can ensure no animals were used for testing for makeup & skincare products or their ingredients. Vegan products can ensure that no animal or animal-derived ingredients are used if you do not want ingredients sourced from animals. Look for gluten-free products if you have Celiac disease, a gluten allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity. I hope this post can help you find non toxic, clean makeup or skincare brands that are right for you.
If you want to find out which bottled water brands are safe, please read my post ‘Safe Bottled Water Guide: Which Bottled Water Brands Are Safe?‘
If you are interested in non toxic dinnerware, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic Dinnerware – Which Dinnerware Is Lead-Free?‘
If you are interested in non toxic cookware, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic Cookware Guide – What Is The Healthiest And Safest Cookware?‘
If you are interested in non toxic, solid wood platform bed frames, please read my post ‘Solid Wood Bed Frame – What To Look For When Buying A Solid Wood Platform Bed‘.
If you are interested in organic latex mattress, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic, Organic Mattress – The Best Organic Latex Mattress Brands‘.
For non toxic sofa companies that you can shop from, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic Sofa Guide – Which Sofa Brand Is Non Toxic?‘
