They're Here: The Winners of Byrdie's 2020 Eco Awards

TerraCycle Include USA Weleda Josie Maran Ilia

When we were deciding whether to move forward with Byrdie's 2020 Eco Beauty Awards in the face of a pandemic, it boiled down to one question: Does beauty still have a place in times of adversity? The answer—resoundingly, from our team and our readers—was yes. As a website that covers all things beauty, Byrdie has always existed to spread the message that beauty isn’t vanity; it's self-expression, exploration, armor, rebellion, comfort, and a way to spread joy. Those last two feel especially relevant right now given our current circumstances, and they’re the reason why we’re unveiling our fourth annual Eco Beauty Awards today. We hope reading about these eco-conscious brands—all of which are doing thoughtful and innovative things in the world of sustainability, and proof that "clean" is the new normal—will bring you comfort and joy during this uncertain time. Another thought: What better time than now to lift up smaller brands in the current economic climate? We hope as you scroll, you discover new favorites. A little about our selection process: Our editors and guest judges (more on them later) tested hundreds of products throughout the year and nominated over 300 that qualified as “clean” by Byrdie’s Clean Beauty Pledge. From there, we narrowed down the winners based on three things: ingredients (are they high-quality and non-toxic?), sustainability (does its creation take into account environmental impact or are there charitable elements?), and efficacy (does it work?). We placed a heavy emphasis on ingredients and sustainability this year, choosing to highlight brands that are really going above and beyond to formulate with sustainably-sourced, clean ingredients while minimizing their carbon footprint—and lucky for us and our planet, there are so, so many. To help us spotlight the best in eco beauty, we recruited four clean beauty experts to serve as guest judges. Learn a little about them below:

Braina Laviena

A model, photographer, and clean beauty buff, Braina Laviena is an expert on all things clean, especially when it comes to products for sensitive skin. She also writes and photographs a monthly column for Byrdie highlighting the best in clean beauty.

Katherine Martinko, Senior Editor at Treehugger

Katherine writes about sustainable, low-impact living for Treehugger, a website dedicated to all things green and eco-conscious. With her eco expertise, she also played tiebreaker for certain categories, judging a product's sustainable practices and ingredient quality.

Romain Gaillard, Founder of The Detox Market

Romain Gaillard is one of the first purveyors of the natural beauty movement and the founder of The Detox Market, the leading green beauty retailer in North America.

Tennille Murphy, Blogger and Sustainable Living Expert

Tennille is a clean beauty advocate and sustainable living expert. Her blog, The Tennille Life, was created as a place to uplift, inspire, and promote clean beauty and wellness routines.

The Praise: "This cleanser is my holy grail. It removes makeup so I don't have to double-cleanse on nights when I feel lazy (which is most nights), has a pleasant, faint scent of flowers and citrus, and leaves my skin clean, soft, and hydrated—never too tight. I recommend it to everyone." - Faith Xue, editorial director The Eco Factor: All Alpyn Beauty products are made with sustainably-harvested, wildcrafted ingredients and the brand donates 1% of all brand sales to Grand Teton National Park in their hometown of Jackson Hole, WY.

The Praise: "I love how effective Cocokind’s prebiotic Oil to Milk cleanser is at breaking down oil, sunscreen, and even eye makeup. Once mixed with water, it creates a lovely milky wash that gently rinses away, leaving my skin clean and refreshed without feeling tight and stripped." - Tennille Murphy, creator of The Tennille Life The Eco Factor: The brand uses only clean ingredients and opts for packaging is completely plastic-free—instead, it uses recyclable tubes made from sugarcane materials.

The Praise: "This is our number one cream cleanser year after year. It's alcohol and detergent-free and when used with the muslin cloth that comes with it, leaves no trace of dirt behind." - Romain Gaillard, founder of The Detox Market The Eco Factor: Pai products are Cosmos Nautural certified and made with sustainable vegan ingredients. The brand also works with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which promotes responsible management of the world's forests and produces recyclable packaging.

The Praise: "We launched Naturopathica one year ago and this product has solidified it as one of our fastest growing brands. The blend of ingredients is so lush—royal jelly, manuka honey, and sea buckthorn to name a few. The Manuka Honey Cleansing Balm feels like a spa treatment every time I wash my face." - Romain Gaillard The Eco Factor: All of the ingredients in Naturopathica products are sustainably and responsibly sourced, with most of the packaging made from glass or recycled material.

The Praise: "I was surprised the first time I used this product—I was expecting a gritty scrub, but it was so much gentler and still somehow left me with bright, smooth, calmed skin. I love that I can use this elderflower and castor oil-infused exfoliating wash as often as I want without fearing over-exfoliation. Plus, the smell and creamy texture makes it feel like a treat." - Faith Xue The Eco Element: All of Codex's products contain sustainably sourced ingredients housed in plant-based polyethylene tubes, which reduce each product's carbon footprint from about 50% to 80%.

The Praise: "Before using this, I had been using diluted ACV as a toner and it seemed like the only thing that could keep my allergic reactions and eczema under control. One week after putting the ACV down and using this regularly, I noticed that my skin texture and moisture had improved significantly. After using it for a longer period of time, it even helped fade stubborn acne scars—plus, my allergic reactions and eczema felt more under control than they'd ever been. The sweet orange scent that helps wake me up every morning is a very pleasant bonus." - Braina Laviena, model and clean beauty advocate The Eco Factor: All LOLI products are food-grade, fair-trade, organic and ethically made, with the brand donating $1 for every $75 spent to organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking.

The Praise: "This is the definition of a luxury product. When I use Blue Cocoon, it’s a full holistic experience—from the beautiful packaging to the way it melts into my skin to the blue tansy, which soothes my skin and reduces any redness or inflammation. It's pricey, but a little goes a long way!" - Tennille Murphy The Eco Factor: This balm-to-fluid moisturizer is made with fairtrade, wild harvested blue tansy (as well as marula, baobab, and myrrh oils) to provide relief to irritated skin. All May Lindstrom products are made with organic, responsibly-sourced ingredients housed in Miron violet glass to protect their potency.

The Praise: "My skin is incredibly dry and for this reason, I have tried many, many lotions and creams. For me, I need a moisturizer to truly hydrate without being too heavy or clogging my pores. Enter: Moisture Riser, a silky and decadent formula made with all-natural botanicals that's truly everything and more I've ever wanted in a moisturizer. Applying it in the mornings has even become a sort of meditative ritual; I take deep breaths of its calming scent to get ready for the day ahead of me." - Braina Laviena The Eco Factor: Noto is transparent about its focus on reducing its ecological footprint, with a goal of fully compostable packaging, synthetic-free tints, and less overall waste in its production process.

The Praise: "This. Product. Does. Everything! It's an incredible moisturizer, can be dabbed onto the high points of the face like a highlighter, soothes cuticles, and rough zones on the body, and so much more. The full-size is a must, as is the travel-size, which is always in my makeup bag." Leah Wyar, editor-in-chief/GM The Eco Factor: What's more eco than one product that replaces 13? You can use this to soothe dry skin on your elbows, hands and feet, but also as a face cream, highlighter, eye cream...the list goes on. Weleda prioritizes raw ingredients that come from organic or biodynamic farming. In 2013, the brand reduced its water consumption by 25%, with 50% of its direct energy coming from renewable sources. You can also recycle your empties through the brand’s TerraCycle Recycling Program.

The Praise: "After a week of consistent use, my skin looked plump, even, and visibly smoother along my forehead and crow’s feet. And not once did I suffer from any negative effects—no irritation, no redness.” - Hallie Gould, senior editor The Eco Factor: The brand recently started conversion to carton packaging made of 100% post consumer waste material, saving over 95,000 pounds of wood and 142,000 gallons of water in the process.

The Praise: "I'm on my third bottle of Circumference's Vital-C Antioxidant Day Serum and that's saying something, considering that I generally never get through even a full jar of any other product before moving on to try something else. This bouncy serum comes with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide and provides a moist, even baseline for me to layer my makeup on top of—not to mention the protective barrier it provides against daily pollution and UV rays. The application is like an herbal aromatherapy session—I'll take any excuse to add some deep breathing into my morning routine." Elspeth Velten, group editorial director The Eco Factor: Circumference uses natural, toxin-free ingredients sourced from their own native growing regions for higher potency. The brand also keeps a close eye on its supply chain, noticing when certain botanicals are at risk for over harvesting and swapping in more affluent crops that are just as effective when necessary—pretty rad.

The Praise: "While I've used eye creams on and off in the past, I didn’t make one a permanent part of my routine until I tried one in balm form. The way this thick, peptide-packed formula sinks into my under eyes makes me feel like it’s working immediately, and massaging it into my skin just feels luxurious. It’s truly one of the only eye products that's ever made a noticeable difference in the appearance of my dark circles." - Karli Bendlin, newsletter editor The Eco Factor: All of Tata Harper's products are made with organic ingredients from her own farm in Vermont and come with a batch number that allows you to see how fresh your product is, who made it, and more.

The Praise: "I trust everything True Botanicals makes—each of its products is thoughtfully formulated and has never done my skin wrong. I particularly love this orange-tinged oil for patting on top of serum as the final step in my routine. It balances my skin and helps unclog pores for an overall smoother and more radiant complexion (which is quite fitting, given its name)." - Lindsey Metrus, senior editor The Eco Factor: Every True Botanicals formula is MADE SAFE® certified, meaning its free of 5,000+ ingredients known to cause human and environmental health.

The Praise: "“This is our best selling acne treatment product and one of my favorites from Odacité. It is so easy to use and so effective as both a spot treatment and a serum. It's truly magical." - Romain Gaillard The Eco Factor: The California-French brand uses only organic, non-GMO ingredients grown without environment-damaging chemicals. The brand is also pledging to plant 20,000 trees in 2020, which we can def stand behind. The Praise: "The first time I tried this mask was just after spending a week with family in arid Arizona. My normally-dry skin was drier and duller than ever, so I was more than impressed when I used this mask and my skin suddenly felt ridiculously soft and supple, with all my congestion gone. It's truly a facial in a bottle that's gentle enough for sensitive skin. I love using it regularly in between facial appointments to keep my skin in check and help brighten my skin tone." - Braina Laviena The Eco Factor: African Botanics sources its botanical ingredients from Fair Trade communities in South Africa, allowing it to help local communities invest in the preservation of their land.

The Praise: "I'm a fan of so many Youth to the People products, and one of my favorites is this brightening and hydrating mask (which is really more of a rich night cream). I swear I see a noticeable difference in the tone and texture of my skin after just one use, and with continued application, my skin looks exponentially dewier and more even. It doesn't hurt that it smells great, too." - Lindsey Metrus The Eco Factor: Youth to the People excludes over 1,300 ingredients that are banned in the EU from its products and opts for recyclable glass packaging. The Praise: "I had high expectations the first time I dipped my finger into this little blue pot, based primarily on its steep price tag and partially on its Miranda Priestly-approved name (cerulean!). While a lot of masks make my skin look great for a day or two, this is one of the only ones I’ve tried that has made a major long term difference in my skin’s hydration and texture. Tip: try leaving it on overnight for maximum benefits. " - Karli Bendlin The Eco Factor: Kypris uses natural, clean ingredients from small farms and co-ops throughout the world, which supports communities and provides a source of additional income.

The Praise: "I love peppermint in every form, so you can imagine how excited I was to find it paired with geranium in this fabulous body wash. The scent is fresh and zingy, but not overpowering, and it stays on my skin long after the shower has ended. Better yet, all of Plant Apothecary's products are vegan, cruelty free, GMO-free, and made in the USA." - Katherine Martinko, Senior Editor at Treehugger The Eco Factor: PLANT products contain no silicones, which can build up in soil and water, and prioritizes glass packaging when possible; when the brand does use plastic, it ops for PET plastic, which can be recycled many times over.

The Praise: "This isn’t just a body moisturizer—it’s now one of my favorite rituals. I love picking up my Body Stone and smoothing it over my limbs before bed. It soothes my eczema-prone legs and arms, has a really soothing rose and neroli scent, and leaves a really subtle sheen behind, which makes it great for daytime too. I introduced my boyfriend to it recently and used it on his dry, cracked knuckles—it soothed them instantly and he’s hooked now too." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: A lot of moisturizers are made with over 80% water and filler ingredients—the Body Stones are made with 80% pure cocoa butter and come housed in bamboo canisters that can be reused (you can order Body Stone refills that come packaging-free). The organic, unbleached linen cloths they come wrapped in can be upcycled as gentle cleansing cloths. The Praise: "If the shiny purple packaging doesn't hook you first, just try to resist the luxurious oil inside. The rosehip-jojoba-grapeseed dry oil blend melts into your skin in a way that's so therapeutic. This was a gift during my pregnancy and will forever be a part of my body pampering routine." - Leah Wyar The Eco Factor: MUTHA's products are made out of glass and are recyclable; the brand is moving to using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper for future packaging. The brand also donates 5% of all its website sales to International Medical Corps, which helps educate nurses and midwives in places where maternal mortality rates during childbirth are the highest. How's that for a brand living up to its name?

The Praise: "This body scrub has blown every other body scrub I've tried out of the water. It's the perfect amount of scrubby (but not abrasive), and I love that the bamboo charcoal and pumice physical exfoliators melt into my skin as I scrub. I have really sensitive skin on my body and it's so rare to find a fragrance-free product that feels luxurious, looks chic, and is just an all-around indulgent experience to use from start to finish. Plus, my skin always feels ridiculously soft afterwards." -Faith Xue The Eco Factor: Beyond having strict, EWG-guided clean ingredient standards, Necessaire also invests in 100% recyclable and 85% post-consumer waste materials (including recycled ink) and avoids using any virgin forest materials in its packaging. The Praise: "Caring for my body and my mind has never felt more important. To remedy all my aches, pains, and dry patches, I’ve been reaching for Kopari’s CBD Balm—an otherworldly mix of full-spectrum CBD, coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and aloe.” - Hallie Gould The Eco Factor: All Kopari products are made with coconut oil sustainably sourced from the Philippines, where the brand introduced the Sustainable Agricultural Network (SAN) standard to over 2,500 farmers. The Praise: "I've been using more hand cream than ever given the fact I'm also washing my hands more. I'm obsessed with this one from Juara, which smells like coconut and is made with shea butter, buriti oils, and sea algae extract to be intensely hydrating. Another reason I love it: the cream sinks in instantly and doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy or oily, which is a must when I'm constantly typing." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: Juara is a brand founded on the idea "jamu," an Indonesian herbal tradition that's all about wellness from the inside out. The brand uses traditional ingredients like anti-inflammatory turmeric, candlenut, ginger, rice bran oil in its products, along with a slew of other NPA, Ecocert, Cleangredients, or Cosmos certified ingredients.

The Praise: "As someone who writes regularly about clean beauty products, I feel like I've tried most of the green deodorants on the market. None works as well as PiperWai, which is why I keep coming back to it. It feels dry and non-oily, lasts all day (even through a sweaty CrossFit workout) and has a super fresh, gender-neutral scent. Bonus points for the glass jar." - Katherine Martinko The Eco Factor: Instead of the aluminum found in most antiperspirants, PiperWai uses activated charcoal to absorb sweat and a blend of 11 essential oils to keep your underarms smelling fresh. The Praise: "Whether I need to add a lick of moisture to my visibly dry lips or I'm going for a thick protective layer before heading out into harsh weather, Biossance's Rose Vegan Lip Balm does the trick. It's petroleum-free and lists hyaluronic acid and ceramides as actives, meaning that the plumpness I perceive after application is actually real. Applying it is addictive." - Elspeth Velten The Eco Factor: Biossance ships all of its products carbon neutral, thanks to the brand’s funding of tree planting and reforestation projects. All of the brand’s products are made with vegan, non-toxic, EWG Verified formulas and come in renewable sugarcane packaging and compostable boxes.

The Praise: "My favorite part of this turmeric-infused, microbiome-balancing sunscreen is the finish—the formula adjusts to your skin tone and blends easily, then leaves the most flattering, light-reflecting sheen behind. If I really want to blind people with my glow, I’ll use a face oil before applying this in the morning, then wait for the compliments to pour in. Plus, I love that the brand is super open about its sustainability goals when it comes to packaging." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: Many of Kinship's products are made with Ocean Waste Plastic that's been collected from the shores of Indonesia; the brand aims to use 100% OWP in the near future. The Praise: "It’s hard to choose which of the scents in Michelle Pfeiffer’s clean fragrance line Henry Rose I love best. Honestly, I love them all. But Queens & Monsters is a new favorite, with notes of violet leaf, neroli, vanilla and sandalwood all blending together for a woodsy, cozy, intoxicating scent. Spritzing it is an instant mood-boost." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: All Henry Rose fragrances are EWG Verified and offer complete transparency around what goes in each one (only 300 ingredients made the cut as being safe to use, as opposed to the 3,000 traditional perfumes are made with). The Praise: "I can not say enough about this brand! I love that Cocokind is thoughtful with every detail of their products. They use minimal, organic ingredients and I appreciate how much effort goes into the sustainability of their packaging. Most of all, they make effective products that are affordable and accessible to all." - Tennille Murphy The Eco Factor: The brand is super open about its sustainability initiatives, which include using organic, sustainable ingredients whenever possible to "powder coating" their bottles, a pollution-free and way less energy-consuming way to add color than traditional means.

The Praise: "As someone with bleached hair, I choose my shampoos very carefully—anything too harsh, and my hair starts looking (and feeling) like straw. I was intrigued by this Davines shampoo for its sustainability claim as the the brand’s first 100% carbon neutral shampoo, but nervous it might be too drying. Instead, it left my hair feeling clean (and nicely scented), but not stripped. I also just love using it and knowing that I’m leaving no environmental footprint behind." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: Davines created this shampoo with 95% ingredient from a natural origin and a 98.2% biodegradable formula. The brand also recently launched an initiative called Beauty from The Ground Up, a commitment to raise awareness and funds for Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) in all 50 states. The Praise: "I’m very particular when it comes to conditioners—my hair is ultra-fine, and I normally avoid anything with 'oil' or 'butter' in its name. I was pleasantly shocked when this conditioner made my hair melt-through-my-fingers soft, without any of the dreaded post-shower residue that's left behind with a lot of hydrating products. I found out after it's actually designed to rinse out faster than the average conditioner, so it doesn’t weigh down my hair and helps me save water without even really thinking about it. Plus, it makes my shower smell like a rose garden, which is an absolute dream." - Karli Bendlin The Eco Factor: This formula is 97% naturally derived and 100% cruelty-free. And how's this for sustainability goals: Love Beauty & Planet tracks greenhouse gas emissions across every stage of production and distribution, contributing $40 per carbon ton to third party programs that help reduce carbon emissions and landfill waste. The Praise: "This mask is beloved by The Detox Market staff for its ability to soften coarse hair, as smoothing fine hair without weighing it down. Our customers love it for providing them the perfect at-home deep conditioning treatment." - Romain Gaillard The Eco Factor: Rahua was founded by environmentalists, so sustainability is at its core. The two co-founders work with the indigenous people of the Amazon to gather rainforest-grown ingredients from self-sustained forests, with a promise to never harvest non-regenerative ingredients. The Praise: "This is a cult classic in eco-friendly hair care and is great for anyone who uses heat to style or has breakage. I use it daily after I shower when I'm heat styling and when I'm not—it helps to give my dry, damaged ends a bit of moisture and my hair dries feeling soft and hydrated." - Kelly Gallagher, senior social media manager The Eco Factor: Aveda is an OG eco hair brand and has now been manufacturing products in its primary facility using 100% wind power for over10 years. This April, the brand pledged to offset carbon emissions from all shipping orders by working with a renewable energy partner called 3D. The Praise: "This product is 100% my go-to for achieving my very best wash-and-go results. It always surprises me how smooth and hydrated my hair feels, even after rinsing. While I'm detangling in the shower, this conditioner provides perfect slip and has an uplifting citrus-y scent. It makes my wash-and-go last longer, because my curls stay smooth and defined. All curly girls should give this product a try!" - Star Donaldson, associate social media editor The Eco Factor: All Bounce Curl products are made with botanical, mostly-natural ingredients and oils. The brand also focuses on giving back to and supporting female founders who come from challenging circumstances. The Praise: "Since I have white hair, scalp care is very important to me. Briogeo’s entire scalp revival line is amazing. The charcoal in this product does a wonderful job of removing build up, while the peppermint has such a wonderful aromatherapy experience and is so soothing." - Tennille Murphy The Eco Factor: Briogeo products are all sulfate-, silicone-, and cruelty-free, while the packaging is made with at least 25% post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.

The Praise: "The Ritual Oil from Playa is a dry hair savior. I apply it to the ends of my hair at night and leave it on while I sleep as an overnight treatment and wake up with soft, hydrated ends. It smells great and I feel confident that I'm putting only the best, cleanest ingredients in my hair." - Kelly Gallagher The Eco Factor: Playa currently offers a product recycling program for its customers to help reduce virgin plastic production.

The Praise: "With so many brands entering the natural beauty space, you would think finding clean stand-ins for my favorite products would be a breeze. But so often when I find a clean product I love, it costs eons more than it’s non-clean counterpart would, or it has an ingredients list that's longer than a pharmacy receipt. Love Beauty & Planet’s products check off all the boxes for me; they actually work, cost less than I spend weekly on coffee, and every aspect of their production is sustainable (or aiming to be), from the ethically-sourced ingredients they’re made with to the recycled-plastic packaging they’re housed in." - Karli Bendlin The Eco Factor: We stan a budget-friendly beauty brand that's upfront about its six biggest sustainability goals, prioritizes natural, ethically-sourced ingredients, and uses recycled materials for its packaging. Plus, the brand is constantly innovating on the sustainability front--try their shampoo and conditioner bars, an eco, plastic bottle-free way to cleanse your hair.

The Praise: "Byrdie HQ has collectively fallen head over heels for this lightweight tinted serum from ILIA. I'm generally a full-coverage-or-bust kind of girl, but this glow-inducing formula helps smooth and even out my skin so well that I don't miss my usual thick foundation. A huge added bonus is that it also has a whopping SPF 40, which is rare for a product of this consistency." - Lindsey Metrus The Eco Factor: ILIA's been making clean makeup products before clean makeup was cool, prioritizing skin-loving, non-toxic ingredients in all its formulations. Sustainability-wise, the brand uses recycled aluminum, glass components, and responsibly sourced paper in its packaging and recently partnered with Terracycle on a recycling program. The Praise: "As an early adopter of no makeup-makeup, I’m always looking for products that combine the offerings of skincare and makeup. This tinted moisturizer with SPF hydrates, protects, and gives my skin a slight suggestion of coverage that keeps it looking natural, but backlit. Plus, unlike a lot of other skin tints I’ve tried, it passes my phone test (does it transfer to my screen the minute I place the phone to my ear?) and actually stays put." - Karli Bendlin The Eco Factor: Beautycounter has a "Never List" containing over 1,800 ingredients the brand has deemed harmful and will never use, and is doing some pretty cool things when it comes to cosmetic ingredient regulation and advocacy. The brand also recently redesigned its packaging without any additional plastic parts, which saves an estimated 800,000 parts from being made in the next year.

The Praise: "I didn’t like primers until I tried this primer. Unlike silicone-y, grippy primers, this texture melts into a water the second you apply it to your skin. It’s extremely soothing and cooling when you apply. The best part is how it makes my foundation (or just a few dabs of concealer, if I’m having a good skin day) apply so much more smoothly. Plus, since I live in NYC, it’s nice to know I’m using a product that’s protecting my skin from the city smog and dust." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: Grown Alchemist products are made with certified organic botanical ingredients and come in glass, aluminum, or PET plastic packaging.

The Praise: "W3ll People created a concealer that feels so light on the skin, yet can cover the darkest of under-eye circles and the reddest of spots. Bio Correct blends so easily and is made with algae to soothe and caffeine to brighten, so it also acts as a treatment for the skin." - Romain Gaillard The Eco Factor: W3ll People products are EWG-verified, cruelty-free and made with no fillers, propylene glycol, and non-renewable petrochemicals or petroleum by-products.

The Praise: "I love dark eye makeup and am often frustrated by how thin and light many natural mascaras can be. That's not the case with this product. It makes my lashes look long, dark, and thick with no clumping, and an extra layer makes it even more dramatic. Thanks to clean ingredients, it never irritates my eyes or contact lenses, and I like how it washes off easily without leaving dark smudges on my skin. The company has a wonderful philosophy of striving to "heal humanity and the Earth." - Katherine Martinko The Eco Factor: Dr. Hauscha's manufacturing facilities have run on 100% certified green electricity for years, and the products are only made with ingredients from certified organic cultivation and under fair trade conditions. The brand also cultivates a sustainable "biodynamic plant garden" in Germany—field trip, anyone?

The Praise: "There are very few clean liquid liners that last all day—this is it! Plus, it glides on so smoothly, creating the tightest, neatest line along my lashes. I love that it doesn't irritate my eyes—a big plus, especially during spring allergy season!" - Leah Wyar The Eco Factor: Naked Poppy creates all of its products under its super-strict ingredient standards, allowing just 700 clean, highly-vetted ingredients into its formulations (for reference, there over 12,000 usually used in the cosmetic industry).

The Praise: "Nothing makes me happier than a shimmery eye shadow palette, but most can be filled with some sketchy ingredients beneath (or because of) the sparkle. I was first introduced to this rose quartz-inspired palette from Aether a few years back, and I still use it to this day. The colors are super wearable for everyday but still offer a sizable shimmer factor, thanks to the real rose quartz infused into the coconut oil- and shea butter-based formulas. I also love that the palette itself is fully recyclable, which is rarely ever the case." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: Aether was started by the ex-head R&D for sustainable materials at Sephora and only uses ingredients that are ethically & sustainably sourced, certified organic, and certified fair-trade whenever possible.

The Praise: "I've tried so many cream blushes over the years, and still keep coming back to this one. Not only is it the creamiest consistency (so many others take forever to warm up in your hand, while this one melts on impact), but it comes in the most flattering shades. It's incredibly easy to apply, wakes up my face instantly, and I love knowing that it's free of any sketchy ingredients." - Faith Xue The Eco Factor: This blush is CCPB Certified, which means a minimum of 95% of the naturally-derived ingredients in it come from organic farming. Also, all Kjaer Weis products are refillable to help save on excess packaging.

The Praise: "If I could only use one makeup product for the rest of my life, it would probably be this highlighter-serum hybrid. The first time I tapped it on, I literally could not stop looking at my cheekbones in the mirror. I like to apply it on days where I'm not wearing any other makeup, or I'll sometimes layer it on another highlighter when I want to take a really good selfie; I swear it makes me 1000% more photogenic." - Karli Bendlin The Eco Element: Maya Chia gives back by serving as corporate sponsor of Adopt-a-Village Guatemala, a grassroots organization that helps Mayans by providing them the tools for a better education.

The Praise: "In what has become signature for so many RMS products, this cream-gel combo does triple duty: swipe it along your cheekbones, eyelids, even lips for the perfect sun-kissed glow. I used it directly on top of just-moisturized skin when I want it super dewy and even over powder bronzer as a more glistening topcoat." - Leah Wyar The Eco Element: RMS products are made with organic, food-grade ingredients and come in minimal, mostly-glass packaging (the rest can be recycled or upcycled).

The Praise: "Vapour recently rebranded and I'm loving the sleek new packaging. What I love even more is this easy-to-use, does-everything stick, which I swipe on my cheeks and lips (and sometimes even eyes) to wake up my face. It's creamy, hydrating, and silicone-free—insead, it's made with organic avocado and jojoba oils for a super-moisturizing effect." - Faith Xue The Eco Element: The brand earned a "Champion Safety Status" from the EWG for its responsibly sourced and organically farmed ingredients. Plus, it's got a great recycling program for empties.

The Praise: "Saie’s Brow Butter rivals all my holy grail gels—only it’s softer, more flexible, and the formula is entirely clean. It makes my unruly brows look polished, feathered, and fluffy. I love itss liquid pomade formula, which holds your brows without any flaking or stiffness.” - Hallie Gould The Eco Element: Saie is hyper-transparent about its stance on sustainability (it admits the brow brush is made of plastic, and says it hopes to develop its own plastic-free bristle someday) and is open about the ingredients in (and not in) its EWG certified, non-toxic products.

The Praise: "I find it absolutely remarkable how well the Bite Beauty colors work on my skin tone. Aesthetically, I’m obsessed with their perfectly color matched packaging. The lip crayon provides a hydrating matte finish without drying my lips; I love the rich, saturated finish that applies easily. The shades Negroni, Hard Cider and Acai Smash are my top three." - Tennille Murphy The Eco Element: Bite Beauty uses natural fruit pigments like pomegranate oil, African mango, and orange peel wax instead of sketchy ingredients and makes sure all of their ethically sourced ingredients are reviewed by licensed toxicologists for safety, allergens and efficacy.

he Praise: "From what I remembered, lip gloss always had a strange taste and felt sticky and unpleasant. It wasn't until I found Tower 28 and its Jelly Lip Gloss in subtle but buildable colors that I fully embraced lip gloss. Not only is it not sticky (the biggest selling point for me) but it has clean ingredients created for sensitive and allergy-prone skin in mind. Now I find myself reaching for it constantly to finish a look and will even apply it on eyelids for a wet look when I'm feeling adventurous." - Braina Laviena The Eco Element: All Tower28 products are free of potentially sketchy and irritating ingredients, allergy and dermatologist-tested, and formulated to be non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and gluten- and fragrance-free. The Praise: “Sundays Nail Polish offers a really beautiful curation of shades that are entirely non-toxic. So, you can look good and feel good the entire time. No. 15 is my forever favorite—a perfect siren red that’s classic, full-bodied, and gorgeous.” - Hallie Gould The Eco Element: Sundays polishes are 100% cruelty-free, vegan, 10-free, and non-toxic. The Praise: "W3ll People was the first clean makeup brand I ever tried and loved; i's been instrumental in swapping my routine to consist of mostly-clean makeup products. I particularly love the Narcissist Foundation sticks, the Bio Brightener highlighter stick, the Expressionist eyebrow gel, and the Expressionist volumizing mascara. I love that the brand is affordable, so I never feel guilty stocking up. Also, the formulas feel high quality and the products actually do what they promise, which is essential." - Kelly Gallagher The Eco Factor: W3ll People is one of the few makeup brands that's completely EWG Verified, skipping toxic, non-renewable petrolatum and petroleum-based ingredients and favoring plant-based ingredients that are safe, renewable and biodegradable. Plus, all the products just work really well.

The Best Organic Makeup Brands You Need on Your Radar

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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.

10. P/Y/T Beauty

Natural and organic: Clean; formulated according to EU guidelines Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, PEGs, and petrolatum Sustainability: Reducing excess packaging, with plans to launch postconsumer recycled and recyclable packaging in 2021 Known for: Straightforward, thoughtful essentials P/Y/T's founders decided to put the FDA's restrictions aside in favor of the more stringent regulations from the E.U., resulting in a much longer list of banned ingredients. Its products are straightforward—the brand's tagline is after all "no-B.S. clean makeup"—and are made to move seamlessly between your daily kit and your travel carry-on. To see them at their multitasking best, check out the brow pencil (it gets rave reviews for its spot-on color range) and double-sided lipstick and gloss combos.

11. Lawless

Natural and organic: Clean; natural ingredients with some safe synthetics to increase performance Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of carcinogenic and hormone- or endocrine-disrupting ingredients Known for: Highly Instagrammable makeup Lawless is the clean beauty brand that—in its words—feels anything but natural. By this, Lawless means its line is full of bright colors, glistening finishes, and the kinds of palettes you would expect to see from IG-hyped brands. Despite that, its ingredients lists banish the common culprits (like parabens, phthalates, and PEGs) and also take out anything that could be carcinogenic or hormone- and endocrine-disrupting. Consider it proof that you can get both in one sleek package. Its pigmented soft matte liquid lipsticks and 18-pan eye shadow palette deliver selfie-worthy results.

12. Tower28

Natural and organic: Clean; natural ingredients with some safe synthetics to increase performance Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Free of parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, talc, PEGs, phthalates, solvents, irritants, and allergens Known for: Making natural makeup fun (and safe for sensitive skin) Tower28's sunny, beachy vibe is a callback to its namesake: the crossroads of the Santa Monica pier and Venice Beach. The bright Lucite packaging is an Insta girl's dream, and the formulas are like grown-up versions of your ’90s beauty favorites. The line goes beyond the classic hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and dermatologist-tested trinity that are standard for products aimed at sensitive skin. Inspired by the founder's journey with eczema, the products have been formulated so that they're all free of sensitizing irritants (like essential oils) and full of calming ingredients. Luckily, none of the fun has been removed—as you'll see with the squishy Shine On Lip Jelly glosses and Beach Please Luminous Tinted Balm compact.

13. Juice Beauty

Natural and organic: Yes Cruelty-free: Yes Safety: Non-GMO and free of parabens, petroleum, pesticides, propylene or butylene glycols, silicones, talc, carbon black, phthalates, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances Sustainability: Operates with solar and wind power where possible, uses recycled packaging, prints with soy ink, and provides support to EWG Known for: Skin-care-backed makeup and being one of the O.G. organic brands Juice Beauty needs no introduction. It's one of the first organic skin-care brands to have set the standard for the rest of the industry. Its ingredients are USDA-certified organic, meeting one of the most rigorous organic farming standards in the world. The brand also monitors its clean promise from start to finish, from solar-powered facilities to cutting down on fuel waste. Plus, its products deliver noticeable results and are generally a joy to use. Juice's eventual expansion into makeup was well worth the wait. The formulas are just as good as its signature serums and peels while maintaining its organic standards. For great takes on the basics, we recommend the lightweight Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation and feathery Ultra-Natural Mascara.

Introducing ELLE's Green Beauty Stars 2020

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Last February, ELLE editors along with a team of experts reviewed hundreds of submissions for our thirteenth annual recognition of the best in eco-friendly and sustainable beauty. From Dove’s bottled products, now made from 100% recycled plastic packaging, to French heritage brand Guerlain’s goal to help save a billion bees in the next ten years, the 2020 Green Beauty Stars not only deliver results, they also leave a lighter footprint on the planet in the process.

While the COVID-19 crisis has drastically changed the current state of our world, its future remains in the balance making these beauty brand’s efforts to be more sustainable all the more critical. The need to treat each other and the planet with kindness is now.

The Best Green Beauty of 2020

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Last February, ELLE editors along with a team of experts reviewed hundreds of submissions for our thirteenth annual recognition of the best in eco-friendly and sustainable beauty. From Dove’s bottled products, now made from 100% recycled plastic packaging, to French heritage brand Guerlain’s goal to help save a billion bees in the next ten years, the 2020 Green Beauty Stars not only deliver results, they also leave a lighter footprint on the planet in the process.

While the COVID-19 crisis has drastically changed the current state of our world, its future remains in the balance making these beauty brand’s efforts to be more sustainable all the more critical. The need to treat each other and the planet with kindness is now.

6 Clean Beauty Brands Actually Worth Adding to Your Stash

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Whether you buy your beauty products online or in person, drugstore or high-end department store, there’s no denying that "clean beauty" is omnipresent. What was once a very small part of the industry featuring indie brands that you could only get at health food stores has gone massively mainstream. Huge retailers such as Sephora and Target all have clean beauty categories, retailers that sell exclusively clean beauty (such as Credo) offer an entirely new type of shopping experience, and it seems like every day another thousand brands hop aboard the clean beauty bandwagon. It’s no longer just the patchouli-wearing, health food store-shopping customer that’s looking for more natural beauty alternatives; these days, it seems like everyone wants to "clean up" their products. And that’s not a bad thing—according to the Environmental Working Group, women use 12 personal care products per day on average, exposing themselves to 168 chemical ingredients. The only issue? As popular as it’s become, the clean beauty arena is essentially the wild, wild west. There are no industry-wide regulations or even agreed-upon guidelines as to what makes a product “clean.” Not to mention that it’s a completely lawless space as well; pretty much any manufacturer can slap the word "natural" on a label, even if it’s full of chemical ingredients. So if you are looking to make the switch to clean beauty, it’s more important than ever to be an educated, savvy shopper. First and foremost, don’t be swayed by product alone; take the time to actually read the ingredient label. There are a few, more well-known categories of chemicals to steer clear of, parabens and phthalates being two of the big ones. It’s also about avoiding fragrance or perfume/parfum, says clean beauty expert Jenny Duranski, owner and founder of Lena Rose Beauty in Chicago. “Synthetic fragrance can be loaded with other ingredients and still be labeled as just fragrance,” she explains. Duranski also recommends avoiding formaldehyde, toluene, and any ingredient that starts with PEG-. Searching for third-party seals is another good idea. Duranski likes the EcoCert seal, as well as the Made Safe certification, the latter of which has the highest standard when it comes to ingredients. But you may want to think beyond just the ingredients. “Clean beauty to me means that products are crafted with intention so that the ingredients, packaging, and life cycle of the product are good for both the people and planet,” says Duranski, who adds that she also seeks out certified B-corp companies as an indication of the brand’s ethos. Hopefully these tips are a helpful starting point for your next clean beauty shopping trip. But when in doubt, you can also pick up goodies from any of the six clean beauty brands we’ve vetted below. This standout skincare and body care line gets our vote for a variety of reasons. The products are next-level great, all things clean beauty aside. Effective yet gentle, the brand utilizes largely plant-based, botanical ingredients (the majority of which are also organic, to the clean beauty point). You truly can’t go wrong with any of them, but we’re especially partial to Skin Savior Multi-Tasking Wonder Balm ($49), Skin Dew Coconut Water Cream ($58), and Gardenia + Tea Antioxidant Body Serum ($39). There are no questionable chemicals in any of the products, which are so clean they also have the EcoCert stamp of approval. Plus, per Duranski’s point about thinking beyond ingredients, all of the products are housed in recyclable glass packaging, and the company itself is a Green America Gold Certified Business. Try: One Love Organics Skin Savior Multi-Tasking Wonder Balm ($49; oneloveorganics.com). This female-owned, Chicago-based company is tiny but mighty, featuring a small array of vegan facial oils and skincare tools. Not only are all of the ingredients non-toxic and natural, but the brand also places a huge emphasis on where and how it sources those ingredients. The brand never uses conventionally grown ingredients, and instead use only organic, cold-pressed oils that are ethically harvested in the wild with fair-trade practices. Sustainability is a huge emphasis for Town & Anchor as well; the packaging is recyclable and it also sells earrings made from old product bottles. Try: Town & Anchor Vegan Anti-Aging Face Oil ($39; townandanchor.com). “This brand sets the standard for plant-powered skincare,” says Duranski of one of her favorite clean beauty brands. “They source sustainably from their own garden or from farms within 100 miles of their lab, then they hand harvest and make their formulas in house. It’s an unadulterated product line so you’re getting the most nutrient dense skincare out there.” Given this attention to detail and quality, it’s impressive that the range is so wide; no matter your complexion concern or what type of skincare product you need, the brand has you covered. Try: Laurel Skin Antioxidant Mask ($68; laurelskin.com). It can be tricky to find clean makeup that actually delivers the same type and level of results as you get from conventional brands, but Ilia manages to do just that. Not only are the makeup products clean, but the brand also includes lots of skincare-centric ingredients in the formulas. The end result? Products that are not only clean, but also give you a two-for-one bang for your buck. On that note, try the cult-favorite Limitless Lash Mascara ($28) and brand new Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 ($46) and thank us later. We also appreciate the brand's commitment to minimizing its impact on the environment. Thanks to its partnership with TerraCycle, customers can mail in up to five empties each month (for free) and Ilia will handle recycling them. Try: Ilia Beauty Limitless Lash Mascara ($28; sephora.com). This brand offers both skincare and hair care, the latter of which we’re especially big fans of. The 100 percent vegan formulas are free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and petrolatum (just to name a few things), and are also cruelty-free. Not to mention that there’s a large selection of shampoos, conditioners, and stylers (25 different SKUS, to be exact) to fit any and all of your hair wants and needs. But perhaps one of the best parts? The prices are super affordable, which isn’t always the case when it comes to clean beauty. Try: Acure Ultra Hydrating Shampoo ($10; ulta.com). Another one of Duranski’s picks, she lauds this brand for its use of active ingredients that deliver real results. Created as a solution for the founder, who found conventional products to irritate her rosacea-prone skin, all of the products are free of a long list of questionable chemicals. Instead, they tout ethically-sourced, vegan ingredients in the skincare and makeup. We also appreciate that you can easily find the ingredient list for each and every product on its website. Try: Fitglow Beauty Lumi Firm Highlighter ($39; fitglowbeauty.com).

Eco-Friendly Makeup Brands to Use For All of Your Wedding Events

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Planning an eco-friendly wedding can feel daunting at times. There are so many moving parts involved, which makes it difficult to ensure you’re being sustainable at every turn. One of the more attainable steps you can take is to use eco-friendly makeup with sustainably-sourced ingredients and recyclable or reusable packaging at your pre-wedding events. You'll likely hire a professional makeup artist for your actual wedding day (beauty pros tend to use their own products), but using eco-friendly makeup for the events leading up to your nuptials is an effective way to cut down on your wedding's overall waste and carbon emissions. The beauty industry accounts for a great amount of waste in landfills, which is why these brands are making a change. If you’re looking for even more tips on how to throw a green wedding, we’ve broken down other approachable ways to host a sustainable wedding (or even a zero-waste wedding if you’d like). Check out 17 eco-friendly makeup brands you can use for all of your pre-wedding events (think: engagement party, bach bash and rehearsal dinner).

1. LUSH

LUSH may be best known for their bath bombs, but they’re also known for their eco-friendly and ethical practices. On a mission to reduce their impact on the earth, LUSH is taking several measures with their packaging. Nearly 35 percent of their products are sold “naked,” meaning package-free. The brand also uses 100 percent post-consumer plastic which can be recycled. In 2012, LUSH also made their plastic bottles 10 percent thinner. (In four years, the company saved nearly 13,500 pounds of plastic through this initiative). The brand has also phased out gift wrapping and excess packaging, offering reusable scarves made from recycled plastic and plant-based, compostable packing peanuts. Their partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation allows them to use recovered plastic from the ocean for their packaging as well. In addition to their sustainable packaging, the company also sources their ingredients ethically and responsibly so ecosystems are not harmed. Whether you pick up a face mask, a shampoo bar or a mascara, you’ll know that your pre-wedding purchase is ecologically responsible.

2. Ethique

Ethique (French for “ethical”) is on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste. This brand makes solid bars—everything from shampoo to face wash to body wash—that are packaged in 100 percent naturally-derived and biodegradable paper packaging. The company also goes the extra mile to ensure that their paper is chlorine- and acid-free to mitigate pollution of waterways. Ethique also ships their products in biodegradable packaging so that you can compost the waste and sleep well knowing it will disappear in a matter of months (just in time for your wedding).

3. NakedPoppy

NakedPoppy is a beauty company founded to provide customers with the cleanest clean beauty products possible. But in addition to their commitment to human health and animal health, NakedPoppy is passionate about the planet’s wellbeing. Minimizing their environmental impact is a top priority for the company. They make sure that their ingredients are sourced ethically and sustainably—and that they’re supporting the ecosystems they tap. Give your makeup bag a makeover by working with this company’s algorithm, which suggests products that are perfect for you.

4. True Botanicals

The founder of True Botanicals started the company after her thyroid cancer diagnosis. She channeled her fear and frustration with the beauty industry into research—and a passion for creating pure, potent and proven products that are good for people and the planet. The ingredients are clean and sustainably-sourced, while the glass packaging can be easily recycled or upcycled. Get a glowing, refreshed complexion before you exchange vows with their popular skincare products.

5. Cocokind

Cocokind, a natural skincare company, is also focused on sustainability as well. Most of the brand’s packages are domestically-sourced flint glass jars—meaning their carbon footprint is low, as they require less additives and they can be reused or recycled. The company also created their tubes out of sugarcane instead of plastic, use shipping materials approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council and print soy-derived ink on their products. Cocokind also strives to use less water in their product formulations to help conserve the previous natural resource. Whether you try out their new resurfacing mask (it contains a plant-based retinol alternative), their popular watermelon hemp oil or their tinted face stick, this sustainable beauty brand has everything you need to prep for your pre-wedding parties.

6. Herbivore

Herbivore creates clean beauty products made with ethically-sourced ingredients. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, as they use recyclable and reusable packaging. Shop through their extensive collection of facial oils, serums, moisturizers and toners. The founders of the company believe that skincare is a perfect opportunity for self love and relaxation—making their products perfect for to-be-weds who need extra TLC.

7. Ilia

Ilia, a clean cosmetics company, is dedicated to reducing the makeup industry’s impact on the planet. They use sustainable packaging options such as recycled aluminum, glass components and responsibly-sourced paper. But Ilia is also focused on what happens after a product is finished, so they’re using TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box platform. To-be-weds who live in the U.S. can mail in five empty beauty products per month to Ilia (psst: they can be any brand) and TerraCycle will break them down responsibly so they don’t end up in a landfill. If planning your wedding is making you stressed out, this eco-friendly decluttering method might be perfect for you.

8. Tata Harper

Tata Harper is an especially sustainable beauty brand, as their products come straight from their own farm to your face. But the company also strives to be as eco-conscious as possible with their packaging. Almost all of their packaging is recyclable and reusable glass, while the small amount of plastic they use is made from sugar cane. They also use soy-based ink to print on their products, use shipping materials approved by the Sustainable Forestry initiative and use 100 percent post-consumer materials whenever possible. Their luxe skincare products will turn your own bathroom into a full-blown spa.

9. RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty uses natural products that are intended to heal the skin and improve its health over time. The brand is also committed to bettering the planet’s health as well with their eco-friendly practices. The brand makes a conscious effort to keep packaging as minimal as possible and uses recyclable and reusable materials for their products. Unleash your inner glow with their creamy luminizers, concealers and blushes.

10. Vapour

Focused on using plant-based ingredients, Vapour offers to-be-weds clean, natural makeup. The brand has everything from foundation to eyeshadow to deodorant (yes, really). The team is also deeply committed to being as sustainable as possible, so they are actively searching for the best packaging ingredients and methods. In the meantime, they’ve created their Empties Recycling Program, where customers can mail back four or more empty containers. Why four or more? So that customers can cut down on carbon emissions from shipping and handling.

11. Coola

Whether you’re having a spring, summer, fall or winter wedding, sunscreen is an absolute must. Coola, best known for their SPF, also offers clean, plant-based skincare and bodycare. They use naturally effective and sustainably-sourced ingredients that are responsibly farmed. Beyond the product formulation, the product packaging is eco-friendly too. Coola believes in composting and recycling whenever possible and is on a mission to lower their impact on the environment. This year, their tubes used 30 percent less plastic than before. Stock up on their assortment of warm weather essentials before you exchange vows.

12. Hourglass

Hourglass is a beauty brand loved by celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jasmine Tookes and Janelle Monae. The company produces high-end luxury products (which are mostly all vegan), but they’re also focused on sustainability. They’re helping to cut down on makeup packaging waste with products like their refillable lipstick. Once the actual lipstick is used up, customers can keep the wand and use it again.

13. Beautycounter

Beautycounter is not only producing clean beauty products, they’re also fighting for political change in the beauty industry—calling for more regulation and higher standards. They’re also making an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible with their packaging. As glass is easier to recycle than plastic, they aim to use as much glass as possible and reduce any additional plastic add-ons (think: spatulas, overcaps and lid inserts). They also include directions on how to recycle all of the packaging on the container, so you don’t have to do any guess work. Pick up their best-selling foundations or highly-coveted velvet eyeshadow palettes.

14. Tarte

This brand is popular among beauty editors and influencers alike. Tatre is known for their powerhouse ingredients, like Amazonian clay and their Rainforest of the Sea complex. The brand ensures that their products are sustainable—but they also make an effort to give back to the communities they tap. Tatre works with cooperatives in the rainforest to ensure that the ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the ocean ecosystem through their partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. If you’re a fan of glitter, you’ll love their selection of eyeshadows, lip glosses and highlighters.

15. Sol de Janerio

Known best for their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and signature scent, Sol de Janerio is also on a mission to be more sustainable. The brand uses eco-friendly and recyclable materials whenever possible and they select manufacturing partners who efficiently utilize resources through renewable energy, recycling and hazmat waste programs, and water filtration. They also have promising goals for 2020 (like reducing their overall plastic consumption by 25 percent, for example). Pick up any of their luxurious products and be immediately transported to your honeymoon.

16. Josie Maran

Josie Maran, famous for their argan oil products, is also known as an eco-friendly makeup brand. The company is currently converting to carton packaging made of 100 percent post-consumer waste material. They’re also focused on water conversation and have saved nearly 143,000 gallons of water with their sustainable practices. Load up on skincare, body care and makeup for all of your pre-wedding events.

17. Lilah b.

Lilah b. was founded with the goal of decluttering makeup routines. Their minimalist line—with its all-white packaging—is perfect for nearlyweds. But they’re also committed to decluttering in a sustainable way, which is why they started their Recycle Program. Send any unwanted beauty products (lilah b. or otherwise) and they’ll work to process and recycle the goods to make room for only what you need.

Eco-Friendly Makeup Brands to Use For All of Your Wedding Events

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Planning an eco-friendly wedding can feel daunting at times. There are so many moving parts involved, which makes it difficult to ensure you’re being sustainable at every turn. One of the more attainable steps you can take is to use eco-friendly makeup with sustainably-sourced ingredients and recyclable or reusable packaging at your pre-wedding events. You'll likely hire a professional makeup artist for your actual wedding day (beauty pros tend to use their own products), but using eco-friendly makeup for the events leading up to your nuptials is an effective way to cut down on your wedding's overall waste and carbon emissions. The beauty industry accounts for a great amount of waste in landfills, which is why these brands are making a change. If you’re looking for even more tips on how to throw a green wedding, we’ve broken down other approachable ways to host a sustainable wedding (or even a zero-waste wedding if you’d like). Check out 17 eco-friendly makeup brands you can use for all of your pre-wedding events (think: engagement party, bach bash and rehearsal dinner).

1. LUSH

LUSH may be best known for their bath bombs, but they’re also known for their eco-friendly and ethical practices. On a mission to reduce their impact on the earth, LUSH is taking several measures with their packaging. Nearly 35 percent of their products are sold “naked,” meaning package-free. The brand also uses 100 percent post-consumer plastic which can be recycled. In 2012, LUSH also made their plastic bottles 10 percent thinner. (In four years, the company saved nearly 13,500 pounds of plastic through this initiative). The brand has also phased out gift wrapping and excess packaging, offering reusable scarves made from recycled plastic and plant-based, compostable packing peanuts. Their partnership with the Ocean Legacy Foundation allows them to use recovered plastic from the ocean for their packaging as well. In addition to their sustainable packaging, the company also sources their ingredients ethically and responsibly so ecosystems are not harmed. Whether you pick up a face mask, a shampoo bar or a mascara, you’ll know that your pre-wedding purchase is ecologically responsible.

2. Ethique

Ethique (French for “ethical”) is on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste. This brand makes solid bars—everything from shampoo to face wash to body wash—that are packaged in 100 percent naturally-derived and biodegradable paper packaging. The company also goes the extra mile to ensure that their paper is chlorine- and acid-free to mitigate pollution of waterways. Ethique also ships their products in biodegradable packaging so that you can compost the waste and sleep well knowing it will disappear in a matter of months (just in time for your wedding).

3. NakedPoppy

NakedPoppy is a beauty company founded to provide customers with the cleanest clean beauty products possible. But in addition to their commitment to human health and animal health, NakedPoppy is passionate about the planet’s wellbeing. Minimizing their environmental impact is a top priority for the company. They make sure that their ingredients are sourced ethically and sustainably—and that they’re supporting the ecosystems they tap. Give your makeup bag a makeover by working with this company’s algorithm, which suggests products that are perfect for you.

4. True Botanicals

The founder of True Botanicals started the company after her thyroid cancer diagnosis. She channeled her fear and frustration with the beauty industry into research—and a passion for creating pure, potent and proven products that are good for people and the planet. The ingredients are clean and sustainably-sourced, while the glass packaging can be easily recycled or upcycled. Get a glowing, refreshed complexion before you exchange vows with their popular skincare products.

5. Cocokind

Cocokind, a natural skincare company, is also focused on sustainability as well. Most of the brand’s packages are domestically-sourced flint glass jars—meaning their carbon footprint is low, as they require less additives and they can be reused or recycled. The company also created their tubes out of sugarcane instead of plastic, use shipping materials approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council and print soy-derived ink on their products. Cocokind also strives to use less water in their product formulations to help conserve the previous natural resource. Whether you try out their new resurfacing mask (it contains a plant-based retinol alternative), their popular watermelon hemp oil or their tinted face stick, this sustainable beauty brand has everything you need to prep for your pre-wedding parties.

6. Herbivore

Herbivore creates clean beauty products made with ethically-sourced ingredients. The brand also prioritizes sustainability, as they use recyclable and reusable packaging. Shop through their extensive collection of facial oils, serums, moisturizers and toners. The founders of the company believe that skincare is a perfect opportunity for self love and relaxation—making their products perfect for to-be-weds who need extra TLC.

7. Ilia

Ilia, a clean cosmetics company, is dedicated to reducing the makeup industry’s impact on the planet. They use sustainable packaging options such as recycled aluminum, glass components and responsibly-sourced paper. But Ilia is also focused on what happens after a product is finished, so they’re using TerraCycle’s Zero Waste Box platform. To-be-weds who live in the U.S. can mail in five empty beauty products per month to Ilia (psst: they can be any brand) and TerraCycle will break them down responsibly so they don’t end up in a landfill. If planning your wedding is making you stressed out, this eco-friendly decluttering method might be perfect for you.

8. Tata Harper

Tata Harper is an especially sustainable beauty brand, as their products come straight from their own farm to your face. But the company also strives to be as eco-conscious as possible with their packaging. Almost all of their packaging is recyclable and reusable glass, while the small amount of plastic they use is made from sugar cane. They also use soy-based ink to print on their products, use shipping materials approved by the Sustainable Forestry initiative and use 100 percent post-consumer materials whenever possible. Their luxe skincare products will turn your own bathroom into a full-blown spa.

9. RMS Beauty

RMS Beauty uses natural products that are intended to heal the skin and improve its health over time. The brand is also committed to bettering the planet’s health as well with their eco-friendly practices. The brand makes a conscious effort to keep packaging as minimal as possible and uses recyclable and reusable materials for their products. Unleash your inner glow with their creamy luminizers, concealers and blushes.

10. Vapour

Focused on using plant-based ingredients, Vapour offers to-be-weds clean, natural makeup. The brand has everything from foundation to eyeshadow to deodorant (yes, really). The team is also deeply committed to being as sustainable as possible, so they are actively searching for the best packaging ingredients and methods. In the meantime, they’ve created their Empties Recycling Program, where customers can mail back four or more empty containers. Why four or more? So that customers can cut down on carbon emissions from shipping and handling.

11. Coola

Whether you’re having a spring, summer, fall or winter wedding, sunscreen is an absolute must. Coola, best known for their SPF, also offers clean, plant-based skincare and bodycare. They use naturally effective and sustainably-sourced ingredients that are responsibly farmed. Beyond the product formulation, the product packaging is eco-friendly too. Coola believes in composting and recycling whenever possible and is on a mission to lower their impact on the environment. This year, their tubes used 30 percent less plastic than before. Stock up on their assortment of warm weather essentials before you exchange vows.

12. Hourglass

Hourglass is a beauty brand loved by celebrities like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jasmine Tookes and Janelle Monae. The company produces high-end luxury products (which are mostly all vegan), but they’re also focused on sustainability. They’re helping to cut down on makeup packaging waste with products like their refillable lipstick. Once the actual lipstick is used up, customers can keep the wand and use it again.

13. Beautycounter

Beautycounter is not only producing clean beauty products, they’re also fighting for political change in the beauty industry—calling for more regulation and higher standards. They’re also making an effort to be as eco-friendly as possible with their packaging. As glass is easier to recycle than plastic, they aim to use as much glass as possible and reduce any additional plastic add-ons (think: spatulas, overcaps and lid inserts). They also include directions on how to recycle all of the packaging on the container, so you don’t have to do any guess work. Pick up their best-selling foundations or highly-coveted velvet eyeshadow palettes.

14. Tarte

This brand is popular among beauty editors and influencers alike. Tatre is known for their powerhouse ingredients, like Amazonian clay and their Rainforest of the Sea complex. The brand ensures that their products are sustainable—but they also make an effort to give back to the communities they tap. Tatre works with cooperatives in the rainforest to ensure that the ingredients are sustainably harvested and supports the ocean ecosystem through their partnership with the Sea Turtle Conservancy. If you’re a fan of glitter, you’ll love their selection of eyeshadows, lip glosses and highlighters.

15. Sol de Janerio

Known best for their Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and signature scent, Sol de Janerio is also on a mission to be more sustainable. The brand uses eco-friendly and recyclable materials whenever possible and they select manufacturing partners who efficiently utilize resources through renewable energy, recycling and hazmat waste programs, and water filtration. They also have promising goals for 2020 (like reducing their overall plastic consumption by 25 percent, for example). Pick up any of their luxurious products and be immediately transported to your honeymoon.

16. Josie Maran

Josie Maran, famous for their argan oil products, is also known as an eco-friendly makeup brand. The company is currently converting to carton packaging made of 100 percent post-consumer waste material. They’re also focused on water conversation and have saved nearly 143,000 gallons of water with their sustainable practices. Load up on skincare, body care and makeup for all of your pre-wedding events.

17. Lilah b.

Lilah b. was founded with the goal of decluttering makeup routines. Their minimalist line—with its all-white packaging—is perfect for nearlyweds. But they’re also committed to decluttering in a sustainable way, which is why they started their Recycle Program. Send any unwanted beauty products (lilah b. or otherwise) and they’ll work to process and recycle the goods to make room for only what you need.

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