Best Ethical Makeup x Skincare Brands for a Conscious Queen

By Jenny Delgado

Buying ethical beauty products isn’t as simple as it seems. Consumers have to consider not only whether products are cruelty free and environmentally friendly, but they have to consider if materials are sourced ethically, and whether or not products or packaging are recyclable or biodegradable. This way we can ensure that when we buy products we are buying from brands that are genuinely making the world a better place, protecting the environment, and making skincare and beauty products that promote rather than harm our personal health and that of animals. 

Some companies focus on labeling products in a specific way to let consumers know that products are organic, vegan and plant based, or free of certain toxins. For example, brands labeled CLEAN AT SEPHORA are brands at Sephora that specifically exclude ingredients such as lead or mercury and limit synthetic fragrance to less than 1% (for people with chemical sensitivities). All products in this category have to be cruelty-free in Sephora. Buyers can also look for a leaping bunny logo on products to see if they are cruelty free or search a brand on the website “Ethical Elephant” to see how it ranks. To make it easier for our readers, we have compiled a list of ethical makeup, skin, and haircare brands to make your ethical shopping easier!

MAKEUP:

1. Ilia Beauty—creates clean, plant-based products that have bioactive botanicals as ingredients so your skin is getting health benefits while wearing their makeup products (I suggest their concealer and skin tint)! They are cruelty free and use a partnership with Pact Collective to return empty containers. 

2. Haus labs—-Haus Labs has skincare infused into its makeup products with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. One dollar from every sale on its website is donated to the Born This Way Foundation to support mental health care. I recommend their foundation, my current favorite)!

3. Tower 28–A TikTok favorite, the products in this brand were inspired by the founder’s trouble with her eczema-prone and sensitive skin, so she created these gentle products using the guidelines created by the National Eczema Association to prevent flareups.. We recommend their concealer and SOS spray! 

4. Westman Atelier—Want something with a high-end and luxurious feel that is still ethically made? Westman Atelier is your best bet, with beautiful sleek designs and products that work flawlessly and give you a natural lit from within glow. Skincare ingredients in its products include organic  jojoba and coconut oil. I highly recommend the highlighter and contour stick!

5. Lawless–Lawless is a brand whose products are cruelty free and safe for everyday use. Their products are always free of carcinogens, toxins, and hormone/endocrine dysrupting ingredients! So you can re-apply all day without worry! Their lip gloss is the best gloss that I have tried in my entire life!! One per bag! 

SKINCARE:

1. Weleda—Weleda skincare has strong anti animal testing policies, many vegan products, and is free of microplastics! Their mission is to respect all living beings. Their moisturizers and body lotions are a must, especially for long and cold winters, I always have one on my night stand. 

2. Lush—This brand’s products are not tested on animals, most products are vegan, and they also support humanitarian campaigns! Their bath bombs are a fun way to dip into their products! 

3. Youth To the People—Their products are 100% vegan and cruelty free as they are fully plant based. They also use superfood ingredients to improve skin and body health. They also support social and environmental justice through the fund. 

4. Kora Organics—Their products are toxin free, plant-based, cruelty free, and they support sustainable agriculture through organizations like OFRF, supporting farming that is both organic and sustainable! This supports ethical farmers and supports organic and clean agriculture for a healthier society. 

5. Purito–Purito is a cruelty free brand as confirmed by Ethical Bunny and Vegan Society. They practice no animal testing and use plant based ingredients. They also use eco-friendly packaging. h

HAIRCARE

1. Prose—their formulas are B Corp certified, meeting high standards for environmental and social performance, their output is climate neutral, and they have gentle ingredients to promote hair growth and strength. 

2. Amika–The brand is cruelty free, B-corp certified, and has the Sephora CLEAN and “Planet Positive” labels. 

3. Davines—Also B corp certified since 2016, it’s ingredients are sourced sustainably and it does not test on animals whatsoever. Their ingredients are also biodegradable, often being sourced from Italian farms that practice “slow farming.”

4. Love, Beauty, and Planet—Their products are affordable, vegan, cruelty free, and made with ethically sourced essential oils. They are very accessible and can be found at many drugstores. 

5. Crown Affair—Ethical and clean, it uses ethically sourced materials and ingredients, packaging that is mostly sustainable, and most products are plant-based.