Everyone knows that you don’t need cosmetics to be beautiful. But when you choose to buy makeup or skin care to enhance your natural good looks you don’t want to feel like you’re doing so at the expense of the environment. Fortunately many companies have found that perfect balance so that you can be your most beautiful while also being kind to the earth we share. Here are some of the best brands.
Dr. Hauschka
This brand is all based on organic and natural botanicals. But the company is no flash in the pan: they’ve been setting the standard for gentle plant-based care since the 1960s. The product line first began with skin care products that had a cream base without synthetic or chemical emulsifiers. Then in 1999, Dr. Hauschka expanded to include a cosmetic line, which fans love because it’s as good for your skin as it is for your looks.
Josie Maran
Natural and eco-friendly cosmetics and skin care have long had a bit of a hippie reputation, where you would expect to find them in a health food co-op instead of a high-end department store. Former model Josie Maran set out to change that image when she created her own line of skin care and cosmetics. Many of Maran’s products contain argan oil, which is derived from the argan nut and has traditional uses for treating skin conditions. Fans of this sophisticated line love the skincare ritual products and the moisturizing lip stains.
Zoya
Most nail polish products contain a long list of dangerous chemicals, including toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate. Thanks in part to some high-profile stories about the health risks of nail technicians from working around these chemicals all day, consumer demand is making alternatives available. Zoya was of the first nail polish companies to create products without the most dangerous chemicals, and their colors are always right on trend.
Tarte
This product line is so popular that it’s sold in upscale cosmetic stores and has a long list of loyal fans, many of whom don’t even know that the lip balms and mascaras they love are as good for the environment as they are for their looks. The products contain mineral-based colors and super fruit extracts like goji, pomegranate, and açaí. What’s more, the products don’t contain ingredients linked to cancer such as phthalates, parabens and petrochemicals.
Cargo
This line focuses more on makeup than on skin care, and their Plant Love collection contains 100 percent natural ingredients. None of their products are ever tested on animals, and even the packaging is made out of corn.
Beautycounter
This newcomer to the eco-friendly cosmetic and skincare lineup contains natural ingredients like flower oils, leaf extracts, shea butter and fruit extracts. The product line includes nearly everything you need on your makeup table, from tinted moisturizers to cleansing balms. Most of the products come in recyclable packaging or the bottles and tubes contain post-consumer recycled content, so the commitment to being eco-friendly goes beyond just the products themselves. It’s only sold through their website or independent consultants.
