The Best Organic Makeup Brands You Need on Your Radar
TerraCycle Include USA Ilia
The influence of organic makeup has had a huge ripple effect on the beauty world. Over the past few years, we've seen a stream of new brands come out with labels like "clean beauty," "natural," and "sustainable"—a sign of how far the clean movement has grown, considering these same products were once considered "crunchy" or relegated to a dusty bottom shelf. It's partly because we're becoming more discerning and better informed about beauty. But it's also because of a handful of pioneering brands that have shown the rest of the industry exactly how it's done.
While FDA regulations around terms like "organic" and "natural" remain frustratingly vague, most experts agree that "organic" typically means ingredients in a product are USDA-certified food grade. "Natural" on the other hand typically refers to ingredients that aren't synthetic. These blanket terms don't necessarily mean a product is better for you, which is why the industry is moving toward adopting "clean beauty" as a catchall for products that are free of any potentially harmful ingredients.
Thankfully, more brands have taken it upon themselves to give us the information we need to determine what's going into their products. We now know what to look out for (controversial ingredients like parabens, phthalates, and PEGs) as well as what to look for (namely, sustainable packaging and cruelty-free certifications). And just like in the non-natural-beauty world, some brands just do it better than others. Below, we're shouting out the 13 best clean and organic makeup brands that don't compromise their quality payoff for a natural ingredients list.
Natural and organic: Yes
Cruelty-free: Yes
Safety: Non-GMO, non-nano, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic, and free of parabens, sulfates, phalatates, silicone, talc, petrolatum, and polyethylene/PEGs
Sustainability: Packaging features recycled glass pots and boxes made from 80% postconsumer recycled fiber
Known for: Dewy, second-skin makeup
We'd recognize RMS's signature makeup anywhere. From the minimal packaging to the telltale dewy finish its products impart, the brand has definitely made its mark on organic beauty. Each ingredient is carefully selected to have a stable shelf life and work in tandem with your skin—driven by the brand's mission to create a clean line that rivals your favorite luxury products. Makeup artists and models alike often cite RMS's cream products as favorites and for good reason. For the best introduction to the brand, dip a finger into its iconic Living Luminizer. We also love the creamy "Un" Cover-Up concealer, which never cakes up or clogs pores.
Natural and organic: Yes
Cruelty-free: Yes
Safety: Free of parabens, silicones, petrochemical emulsifiers, and synthetic fragrances
Sustainability: Refillable packaging and recyclable refill cartons
Known for: Luxury makeup that looks like jewelry
Kjaer Weis definitely wins when it comes to making clean beauty look ultra luxurious. Its shiny chrome cases look like something out of a jewelry box and also work with its refill system. The brand fills each case with the prettiest cream and powder products, all developed by its makeup artist founder. Like many of our other favorite clean-makeup brands, most of the launches combine color with skin-boosting ingredients. We're particularly fond of the Cream Blush, which blends right into your skin and gives your face a sun-warmed glow. The lipsticks, which pack plenty of pigment, are also a hit.
3. Ilia
Natural and organic: Clean; natural ingredients with some safe synthetics to increase performance Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Non-GMO and free of phthalates, sulfates, parabens, gluten, and talc Sustainability: Recycled aluminum, glass components, and responsibly sourced paper; works with TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box platform to prevent landfill waste Known for: Multiuse products you actually want to use everywhere Many clean brands make multiuse products, but Ilia is one of the few that actually nails it. Its signature multiuse serums, illuminators, and color sticks wear equally beautifully on your eyes, lips, and cheeks—no easy feat, considering the many good-but-not-great examples we've tried. Ilia formulates with added skin-care ingredients meant to protect from environmental stressors. The Polka Dots and Moonbeams highlighter has a permanent place in our hearts, as does the dewy Nova Liquid Light.4. Rituel de Fille
Natural and organic: Yes Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes or fragrances, and gluten Sustainability: No palm-oil-derived ingredients, to minimize environmental impact; sources raw materials from companies with ethical labor practices Known for: Witchy, celestial colors Rituel de Fille is a force of its own in the natural makeup world. Founded by three sisters who were inspired by the magical side of clean ingredients, the brand embodies a witchy, celestial aesthetic that truly stands apart. Every detail, from the constellation-inspired packaging to the creative names, will hook you in instantly. If you try only one thing from the brand, make it the glimmering Eye Soots. The highly pigmented, buttery eye shadows come in an otherworldly range of colors that light up on your lids. While you're at it, you might as well also pick up the Rare Light Luminizer in Solaris; it's a highlighter that legitimately makes you look like you're bathed in iridescent sunlight.5. Vapour Beauty
Natural and organic: Yes Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Champion safety status from the EWG and Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Sustainability: 50% renewable energy across facilities (100% daylight solar by 2022), 97% waterless products, reused or recycled packaging shipped in compostable materials Known for: Taking organic makeup to the next level If you haven't tried Vapour Beauty yet, you're really missing out. The under-the-radar favorite considers how to make its products more natural and sustainable at every single level, which is transparency we can appreciate, given how often brands attempt greenwashing. Vapour draws its inspiration from the elements. The founders wanted to capture everything they loved about nature and translate it into an edited line of makeup essentials. Fan favorites include the nonsticky Elixir Gloss and buildable blush. Having tried them both, we can confirm they live up to their reviews.6. W3ll People
Natural and O=organic: Yes Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of fillers, gluten, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, and petroleum by-products Sustainability: Handmade in small batches in the U.S. Known for: Subtle, versatile makeup W3ll People's philosophy stems from how much our skin is capable of absorbing. Its founding team consists of a makeup artist, cosmetic dermatologist, and eco-friendly entrepreneur. Together they've created a comprehensive line of basics that focus on lightweight textures and comfortable wear. Most of the products are infused with organic aloe vera, which helps soothe and moisturize any part of your face it touches. To see how gentle and effective their line is, we recommend testing out the creamy Optimist Lipstick, which totally negates the need for balm. Equally impressive is the Expressionist Mascara, which is one of the best subtly volumizing formulas we've tried (natural or not).7. 100% Pure
Natural and organic: Yes Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of commonly used FD&C colorants and heavy metal dyes Sustainability: Recycled packaging; partners with multiple organizations to make an environmental impact, including trees.org, Leaping Bunny, and more Known for: Creating everything you could need for a full natural beauty routine We'll definitely give 100% Pure props for its makeup, but the brand also deserves a mention for how comprehensive its complete line is. Aside from color cosmetics, the brand also formulates skin care, hair care, and body products—each one adhering to its strict natural standards. The brand easily functions as a one-stop shop for anyone looking to overhaul their entire routine. For those wanting to start smaller, its pigmented Long Last Liquid Eyeliner stays true to its name. Pair it with the Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder—it dries to the ideal, fluffy finish.8. Kosas
Natural and organic: Clean; natural ingredients with some safe synthetics to increase performance Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of parabens, phthalates, BHA/BHT, mineral oil, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, and petrolatum Known for: Flattering, wearable pigments Kosas made its mark with popular tinted oil foundations and blush duos that let you achieve a surprising amount of dimension on your skin. The brand focuses on feel-good formulations, like (chic) sweatpants for your face. Check out the aforementioned oil-foundation hybrids, which deliver a super-sheer and dewy finish, while subtly evening out tone. Wear it with any shade of its blush duo compacts; no matter which one you choose, the blush-highlighter combinations each layer together to create complexion-flattering results.9. Bite Beauty
Natural and organic: Clean; natural with less than 1% of synthetic fragrance
Cruelty-free: Yes
Safety: Non-GMO and free of sulfates, endocrine disruptors, parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, PEGS, triclosan, and tricarban
Sustainability: Uses ethically sourced ingredients
Known for: The most comprehensive range of lip products
Bite is a prime example of how brands can deliver formulations you'll love without sacrificing finish or pigmentation. Its ingredients and final products undergo review by licensed toxicologists for safety and allergens. While the brand is primarily known for its huge range of lip products, we're also fans of its newer complexion launches. The Changemaker Supercharged Micellar Foundation delivers a good amount of coverage and a smooth finish. But you truly can't go wrong with the Power Move Creamy Matte Lip Crayons, which will give you the velvety, nondrying finish of your dreams.