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Are you tired of sacrificing your skin’s health as well as your overall health for a flawless complexion? The good news is that you do not have to anymore! There are better choices out there and I’d love to share with you some of the best clean makeup brands that I have found! About 5 years ago, after seeing cancer and other health issues impact many women around me, I really started to pay attention to what I was putting on my body since it ultimately goes into our body.
It was one of those things where once I learned about the lack of regulations in the beauty industry I knew I couldn’t ignore the facts AND I wanted to make sure to share with others since chances are there are a lot of other women like me who had no idea about safer ingredients.
You don’t know until you KNOW! And if you’re anything like me now that you know, you want makeup that not only makes you look fabulous but doesn’t come with a side of toxic chemicals. The struggle to find brands that are truly clean AND actually work is real, but don’t worry, I’ve done the legwork and the vetting for you. Ready to give your makeup bag a detox? Let’s dive in!
Why Clean Makeup Matters for Your Skin
When talking about the best clean makeup brands and products I find that it helps to first understand WHY clean makeup matters and what it actually is. There are all kinds of different definitions of clean beauty depending on who you ask but really in the most simple of terms and how I like to think of it is that clean beauty and clean makeup means using a product without risking your own health. Period!
There are unfortunately ingredients on the market that are harmful chemicals. Some of these include things like parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances that really should not be in our beauty products and clean brands pledge to not use any of these. It is helpful to look for third party certifications such as EWG Verified and Leaping Bunny Certified to understand the legitimacy of the brand. Many brands will have lists of their banned ingredients so you can see exactly where they stand.
Transparency from these clean makeup brands is key and is something that the clean beauty movement is really pushing for industrywide because you, as a consumer, deserve to know exactly what is in the products you purchase.
Clean makeup matters because YOUR health matters. Chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances are commonly found in beauty products and they can cause cancer, allergies, irritations, and are endocrine (hormonal) system disruptors meaning they mess with your hormones and can cause a wide array of health issues. No, thank you!
I know all of this can feel super overwhelming which is why I created a detailed guide to clean beauty to help you manage the overwhelm. It’s a free download created with you in mind because I’ve been there. 🙂 Okay, now that we know the what and why let’s get to the good stuff – the best clean makeup brands to try today!
The Best Clean Makeup Brands
Some of the best, top clean makeup brands I’ve found over the last few months are Crunchi, ILIA Beauty, and Kosas. Like the best clean skincare brands, these brands all prioritize safe, quality ingredients that nourish the skin, resulting in a flawless and radiant complexion.
Crunchi Makeup: Non-Toxic, Luxurious, and Totally Transparent
If you’ve never heard of Crunchi, it is time to become familiar with this brand and prepare to be obsessed! Crunchi is like that super-organized friend who always reads the fine print. They’re committed to giving us non-toxic makeup with full transparency—literally, every ingredient is listed on their site like a badge of honor. Transparency is so key in finding the best clean makeup brands. It was one of my favorite things about Beautycounter as well.
Crunchi is a leader in the clean beauty space, and for good reason. They are on a mission to create luxurious, non-toxic makeup products without harmful chemicals making it one of the best clean makeup brands available on the market right now.
Some of Crunchi’s best-selling makeup products include their Beautifully Flawless Foundation, which provides amazing coverage with a lightweight, non-toxic formula. Their Shattered Mascara is also a must-try, offering length and volume without the clumping or toxic chemicals found in conventional mascaras.
I also really like Crunchi’s Cheekmate Liquid Blush for just the right amount of cheek color. It applies easily and blends nicely into your skin. Their Hydrogloss Lip Oil is great, too!
Plus, Crunchi is dedicated to eco-friendly practices, using glass bottles and recyclable materials in their packaging.
One of the reasons Crunchi stands out as a top clean makeup brand is because they don’t just focus on being clean. They also focus on performance, ensuring that their products are not only safe but also effective so you can look and feel great without ever having to worry about what is going onto your skin which is exactly how it should be, don’t you agree?!
If you’re someone who prioritizes both ingredient integrity and performance, Crunchi will quickly become one of your go-to best clean makeup brands.
ILIA Beauty: Clean Beauty Meets Performance
Next up is ILIA Beauty which is another powerhouse in the clean makeup industry, known for marrying skincare with makeup. Their products are a favorite among women who want clean beauty without sacrificing performance or luxury. What sets ILIA apart is its focus on hybrid products—think skincare benefits infused into makeup.
ILIA Beauty’s Super Serum Skin Tint is a perfect example of skincare and makeup, combining SPF, skincare, and makeup all in one easy-to-use product. If you want that dewy, I-woke-up-like-this look, this product is a game-changer!
ILIA Beauty is progressive and their mission is to protect and revive your skin through “clean, skin centric beauty” and they are doing just that as one of the best clean makeup brands! I love the Super Serum Skin Tint as well as the Volumizing Mascara. They also have a really great bronzer that I have been using regularly and really liking.
ILIA is all about simplicity which is refreshing and one reason I consider them a top clean makeup brand!
KOSAS: Next Level Clean for Sensitive Skin
KOSAS is definitely the newest to me brand as I haven’t tried as many of their products but they are definitely worth mentioning as one of the best clean makeup brands. One of the things I really like about Kosas is their commitment to makeup that is quick, easy, and hard to mess up for those days when you want to get ready but don’t have a lot of time!
They are all about making clean beauty feel glamorous without the fuss. Their products are designed to be easy to use, skin-enhancing, and (of course) non-toxic. Kosas is also made by people with sensitive skin and they formulate their products to support sensitivities which is a huge plus! If your eyes are sensitive like mine, the best clean eyeliners for sensitive eyes include Kosas’ Soulgazer gel eyeliner, so you can define your eyes without the sting.
One of their standout products is the Revealer Concealer, which does way more than just cover dark circles. It’s packed with skincare ingredients like peptides to brighten and firm your skin. Then there’s the BB Burst which is a clean, fresh take on a tinted moisturizer. It leaves your skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Kosas makes clean beauty fun, easy, and chic—exactly what we all need!
Time to Make the Clean Switch
Are you ready to make the switch to clean makeup? It is time! Your skin and health will thank you! I know it can feel overwhelming at first to ditch and switch so my best advice is always to start small and take it one step (product) at a time. Start with the essentials you use everyday like foundation, concealer, and mascara and replace them with clean alternatives. Taking a gradual approach will allow you to phase out your current products and introduce clean options without feeling overwhelmed.
The experience can actually be fun since you get to try different products to see which ones you like best. You’ll be on the path to safer in no time.
These are the best clean makeup brands that are changing the game. Crunchi, ILIA Beauty, and Kosas are proving that clean beauty doesn’t have to be boring or lack performance. Whether you’re obsessed with foundations that feel like second skin (hi, Crunchi), multi-tasking serums (hello, ILIA), or effortless glam (looking at you, Kosas), these brands have got you covered. Have you tried any other clean makeup brands? What are you currently loving right now?!
