When we browse through the aisles in a makeup store, we tend to focus more on what we see from first glance: the purpose of the products, the pretty packaging, the variety of colors, etc. Not very often do we check the ingredients or whether or not the products are environmentally-conscious. But, this is easily fixable. By educating ourselves on certain eco-friendly terms and actively looking for them when shopping, we are able to distinguish makeup brands that aim to help the environment and, as a result, be able to support their causes. These are just some examples of terms that you can be on the lookout for when doing research on a brand and deciding whether or not to support it:
- Vegan: Does not contain animal or animal-derived ingredients (e.g., beeswax, gelatin, collagen, etc.). The vegan symbol comes in a variety of forms, the most popular being a green plant in the shape of a “V.”
- Clean: Does not contain harmful chemicals which could hurt both consumers and the environment (e.g., parabens, sulfates, phthalates, etc.). Each store may have their own version of this symbol. Sephora, for example, uses a green circular logo with a leaf and check mark inside it, with the words “Clean at Sephora.”
- Cruelty-Free: Not tested on animals. You’ve probably seen this as a face of a bunny with the words “cruelty-free” under it. However, the only internationally recognized symbol is an outline of a leaping bunny, with the words “cruelty-free international” under it.
That being said, here are five popular cosmetic brands to get you started on a sustainable lifestyle, which offers products ranging from skincare to fragrances. Bonus: You can easily find them at your local Ulta or Sephora!
- Milk Makeup
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Known for its minimalistic packaging and cool, pastel aesthetic, Milk Makeup creates products that are 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and free of any parabens or sulfates (some are even gluten-free, as well). Three of Milk’s most popular products include the Vegan Milk Moisturizer, the Hydro Grip Primer, and the Lip + Cheek, two of which come in the signature stick form. One of the best parts? All products are derived from all-natural ingredients, so you can treat your skin and the environment at the same time.
– Available at Sephora
- Origins
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“Powered by nature. Proven by science.” This is the motto of Origins, an eco-friendly brand known for producing naturally-derived makeup, skincare, and bath & body products. You may know this brand from the popular Ginzing Gel Moisturizer, made with coffee and ginseng, and free from animal-derived ingredients. Not only do Origins products use the, “highest-quality plant, earth, and sea-based ingredients” and are free of harmful chemicals (including parabens, sulfates, paraffin), but they also come in FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified packaging, which means the material comes from responsibly managed forests. As if Origins can’t do any more good for the planet, it has planted more than 1.3 million trees in collaboration with American Forests Global ReLeaf, and it plans to plant 625 thousand more this year.
– Available at Sephora and Ulta
- e.l.f. Cosmetics
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If you’re looking to buy 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free makeup on a budget, e.l.f. Cosmetics is definitely the place to go. One of its best-selling products, the Poreless Putty Primer, is only $8, and its skincare line ranges from $3 to only $24. Besides Ulta, you most likely have seen e.l.f. products at almost every drugstore and Target. This is an especially great brand for those who are just starting to use makeup. There is a wide variety of foundation, eye palettes, lipsticks, and tools. Did I mention that most of them are under just $20? I mean, who can resist a 12-piece brush set for $12?
– Available at Ulta
- Tarte Cosmetics
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Tarte Cosmetics prides itself on its mission to give back to the environment and create makeup that is good for both the skin and the environment. It emphasizes high-performance natural ingredients (including fruit and plant extracts) and provides cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, vegan, and paraben- and gluten- free products. CEO Maureen Kelly actually works with cooperatives in the rainforest to ensure that the ingredients, especially the two key ones, maracuja and Amazonian clay, are sustainably harvested. The brand also partners with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to protect sea turtles. Tarte is known for its signature Shape Tape Concealer, which you might have seen in Ulta or Sephora stores.
– Available at Sephora and Ulta
- Pacifica Beauty
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Pacifica has the widest range of products on this list. On top of skin care and makeup, the brand also sells hair products, fragrances, and nail polish. Of course, everything is vegan and cruelty-free. Pacifica actually has a recycling program to encourage consumers to save their empty (and rinsed out) products so that the brand can reuse it to create new products. The brand has partnered with Preserve to “reincarnate” the products that customers ship back into new toothbrushes and razors.
– Available at Ulta
It doesn’t take much to make planet Earth a better place. Simply by doing research, we can support companies that are taking action to use natural ingredients and processes in order to prevent damage to the environment. By producing vegan, cruelty-free, and clean makeup, these brands are making a difference one step at a time. It is up to us as the consumers to continue that cycle and be conscious of eco-friendly practices to make an even greater impact.