It's officially Earth Day and as attention turns to awareness about our environment, it's the perfect time to support ethical fashion and beauty companies that are doing their bit to benefit the Earth along with our wardrobes and our skin. While there's a slew of fashion brands making sustainable strides, we're also giving flowers to the changemakers in beauty who are just as committed to the environment as well as our skin. Clean beauty is not the latest beauty fad, it's a movement, and in an industry filled with imposters claiming to be "all-natural", we salute the brands and celebs like Rihanna (Millie Bobby Brown, Miranda Kerr, Hailey Bieber, and many others) for crafting clean, cruelty and toxic-free cosmetics. Not that clean is only about skincare, there's even a new TikTok-approved trend that endorses cult-favorite green makeup brands.
Clean Girl Makeup TikTok Tutorial
@badblaura Replying to @j a q u e l i n e 🤍 sorry for the late post i was in the process of moving back to college but i hope yall enjoy 😘🤭🎀 #beauty #makeup #grwm #acneskin #cleangirlmakeup
♬ Chopin Nocturne No. 2 Piano Mono - moshimo sound design
What Exactly is Clean Beauty?
Clean beauty defines cosmetics and skincare products that are specially made with certified organic ingredients, instead of harmful chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances. And far from being another beauty buzzword, clean beauty is a wildly growing category in beauty. In the US alone, 38.50% of industry share is made up of clean beauty and it's being propelled by consumer awareness as we demand organic, sustainable skincare and beauty products. There are now so many incredible clean non-toxic beauty brands out there that you'll want to invest in including celebrity-owned and celebrity-loved ones, like Kosas and Saie have taken the clean beauty concept to another level with various eco certifications like 1% For the Planet, Climate Neutral Certified, and Carbon Neutral Club. Tower 28 Beauty also champions cruelty-free makeup that's praised by Bieber and Khloe Kardashian. Below, here's a roundup of some of our favorites.
Clean Beauty Brands We Love
Ilia Beauty
Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40, $48 at Amazon
Beloved by the likes of Cindy Crawford, Miranda Kerr, and Vanessa Hudgens, Ilia offers vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free makeup in sustainably sourced packaging. Their super serum skin tint that works as a light foundation and sunscreen, is made with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide that improves the skin's moisture levels and its appearance.
Saie
Saie Dew Lightweight Liquid Blush, $25 at Amazon
Founded by The Moment wellness blogger Laney Crowell, the popular brand is known for its sustainable high-performance formulas that give consumers a lasting natural glow. With strawberry makeup still going strong, Saie's Dew Blush melts seamlessly into the cheeks for the perfect touch of color and contains licorice root which brightens the skin.
Kosas
Kosas Revealer Concealer, $30 at Amazon
Featured in many TikTokers GRWM ("get ready with me") tutorials, the Kosas concealer truly lives up to its purpose. A natural-looking coverage that looks like skin, the peptide-based product conceals dark circles and blemishes instantly.
Tower 28 Beauty
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush, $20 at Amazon
Tower 28 Beauty not only understands the importance of sustainability, but also two-in-one products. As one of the few brands approved by the National Eczema Association, the brand crafted a lip and cheek cream blush that's made with skin-loving ingredients like Aloe Vera Extract and Castor Oil for maximum hydration and moisture.
Summer Fridays
Summer Fridays Jet Lag Eye Serum, $26 at Amazon
Didn't get a full night's rest? Look no further than Summer Fridays' holy grail eye serum. The brand's award-winning formula featuring Cucumber Extract and Allantoin helps to renew and comfort tired, stressed skin as well as create a brighter tone and texture.
Clean Celebrity Beauty Brands
Florence by Mills
@florencebymills sundays are for self care 💜 mills morning routine is our ultimate sunday vibe! ☁️ #florencebymills
♬ original sound - florence by mills
Inspired by her great-grandmother, Millie Bobby Brown launched her clean brand Florence by Mills in 2019. "Florence was born from my passion for self-expression and the lack of brands to choose from that aligned with my values — clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and accessible," Brown told Fashion Times content director Natasha Silva-Jelly. "I believe that each individual should feel comfortable and confident in their own skin and that beauty products should enhance this natural beauty rather than mask it."
S'ABLE Labs
@sabrinaelba It’s finally here! The @sable.labs Okra Face Serum 💚 So much heart and passion has gone into this, I can’t wait for everyone to try it. Powered by our Hyperprevent™️ technology, this revolutionary formula enhances radiance, boosts elasticity, and significantly reduces hyperpigmentation by 120%. Okra: Referred to as ‘Nature’s Botox,’ it stimulates collagen and addresses the mechanical factors contributing to expression lines. The African Resurrection Plant: Acts as a potent antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitor, effectively combating hyperpigmentation. SymRenew™️ HPR: A cutting-edge, bio-available retinol that rejuvenates the skin and fights visible signs of aging without causing irritation. SK-INFLUX®️ Technology: Replenishes the skin’s barrier with essential vitamins and ceramides, promoting overall skin health and resilience. This is the skincare tool you need in your kit. Try it today, and please let me know what you think 🥰 Available @sable.labs and @spacenk
♬ Storytelling - Adriel
Created by Idris and Sabrina Elba, S'ABLE Labs is dedicated to creating products that specifically cater to melanated skin through the use of healing African botanicals and unique ingredients like Qasil and Baobab. "Melanin-rich skin is more sensitive. I was just tired of this relentless repetitive cycle of using products that caused irritation and redness which turned into hyperpigmentation," the model, media personality, and goodwill ambassador of the United Nations told NSJ.
Kora Organics
@koraorganics Shop our Founder & CEO’s favorite double cleansing duo now on koraorganics.com ✨🧡 @Miranda Kerr #KORAOrganics #Turmeric #Cleansing #fyp #trend #doublecleansing #gentlecleanser #skintok
♬ original sound - KORA Organics
Model and wellness expert Miranda Kerr founded her certified organic skincare brand, Kora Organics in 2009, after the model's mother was diagnosed with cancer. "Our skin is the largest organ so when you put certified organic ingredients on your skin, it's not only healthy, but you are getting up to 60 percent more antioxidants because the products aren't grown on depleted soil," Kerr told NSJ. Beloved products include the Noni Glow Face Oil and Turmeric Glow Moisturizer.
Rhode
@haileybieber Hello 2024! To More self care, and More intention. ✨🫶🏼 @rhode skin
♬ Creme's Interlude - Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin
Hailey Bieber's Rhode skincare has become a cult favorite in just two years of business. The brand's commitment to science-based items that are accessible to everyone, is shown through products like their Glazing Milk and Peptide Lip Tint. "I've always been obsessed with skincare and grew up listening to all of my mom and grandma's skincare regimens and advice. As I got older, I worked with many different products, but felt like I couldn't find a brand that focused on curated essentials," Bieber told NSJ. "I wanted to make products that work together in a small routine and Rhode was founded with a "one-of-everything really good" philosophy."
