Our top picks for the best clean makeup and beauty brands
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As we all grow more aware of the ingredients in the products we use, it is a priority to many people to choose clean makeup and beauty brands. Very few ingredients have been banned for use in cosmetics in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – only 11 out of more than 1,000 ingredients that are commonly used. So for many years, beauty products have contained chemicals and other ingredients that customers were not happy to learn were a part of their products. After studies citing their potential harmful effects, many discerning customers are looking to avoid ingredients like parabens, phthalates, PEGs, propylene glycol and synthetic fragrance in their beauty routine.
The demand for safe products with trustworthy ingredients has been on the rise in conjunction with the growing popularity of clean eating and a general trend toward health and wellness. With this growing demand, many clean products have entered the scene and consumers can now choose from a number of brands with reputations for safety and honesty. We found some of the top picks for the best clean makeup and beauty brands on the market today.
Bare Minerals
One of the longest standing brands for clean beauty products is Bare Minerals. They’ve been around since 1995, and the brand was launched by including just five basic mineral ingredients in their popular skin-friendly foundation. Since their launch, Bare Minerals has expanded into all types of makeup and skin care with a wide range of safe, cruelty-free products that consumers love.
Biossance
Starting out as a biotechnology company aiming to cure malaria, Biossance transitioned to the skin care industry, where they put their experience in science and sustainability to work making beauty products without harming animals or the environment. The company also focuses on carbon neutral shipping by funding reforestation projects.
Drunk Elephant
Though it’s only been around since 2013, Drunk Elephant has already made a significant impact in the clean beauty space. The company’s founder, Tiffany Masterson, started the brand by identifying six common ingredients widespread in the industry that she called the “Suspicious 6” for their bad reputation for irritating skin. Instead their products are focused on balancing skin Ph levels. Drunk Elephant made such a big impact that Japanese beauty giant Shiseido acquired the brand – though Masterson assured fans that their vision, formulas and team all remained. So, we can still count on the same product and reputation that’s gained so much trust.
Honest Beauty
The well-received beauty line from Jessica Alba, Honest Beauty was founded with the purpose “to create safe, effective products for our families and yours.” They work to bring products to the market that have no “chemicals of concern” and that are completely safe for human health. They have an evolving list of more than 2,500 ingredients not allowed in their products and continue to rigorously assess proposed new formulas. Honest Company also promises that their labels are entirely transparent for every product.
Ilia Beauty
Though the company has been around for less than a decade, Ilia Beauty is already a popular choice for clean beauty products. Ilia promises to deliver products with conscious, carefully-selected ingredients and is also working toward ensuring they use sustainable packaging that won’t pollute the planet.
Love Beauty and Planet
For widely available clean beauty products, Love Beauty and Planet is an accessible and affordable choice as their products are available at most drugstores. The company’s mission is to be good for beauty and good for the planet. All of their products are housed in recycled and recyclable plastic bottles, and they use ethically sourced ingredients to promote fair wage jobs around the world.
The Ordinary
The Ordinary is a company committed to excluding harmful ingredients and advancing the inclusion of the newest and best skin care innovations. Their mission is to bring clinical technologies to everyday products. They offer makeup foundation and all types of cleansers and skin treatments to bring out the best in your skin.
Saie Beauty
A newer line available, Saie Beauty was founded with clean beauty, wellness and sustainability in mind. They strive to make clean beauty products accessible and affordable with rigorous standards including more than 2,000 ingredients that are banned from their lines.
Summer Fridays
In the mid-to-high price range, Summer Fridays is an aesthetic delight for skin care formulated with super high standards. All of their products are vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free. They also strive to include ingredients that are proved to work – and quickly.
W3LL People
This brand brought clean makeup and beauty products to the market over a decade ago and W3LL People has been committed to providing chemical-free, cruelty-free beauty to customers ever since. Its products are made in the United States and use natural ingredients – while banning fillers, propylene glycol, petrochemicals and petroleum byproducts.
Youth to the People
Though they’ve only been around since 2015, Youth to the People has already become a favorite of beauty editors and bloggers alike. All their products are 100% vegan, and the company is focused on sustainability and environmental preservation.
WIth so many clean brands out there today, there are plenty of ways to augment your routine with more conscious choices. These are the best clean makeup and beauty brands around today, but the market is ever expanding. Whether you are concerned with being vegan, cruelty-free, focusing on sustainability or just avoiding harmful chemicals, the industry is evolving to meet your priorities and offer choices that are good for you and the planet.
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