“Sustainability,” “Green” and “Clean” are more than just popular buzzwords. These words have everything to do with how we are treating our planet (which is not so great, right now) and ourselves on the daily. These said “buzzwords” are steps toward creating an environment that provides a safe and healthy habitat for future generations... and for you now.

These brands are taking the lead on ensuring their packaging, ingredients and mission aligns well with sustainability and overall human and animal health. As as conscious consumer, you have the power to support brands that are doing good in the world by thinking eco-friendly. Not only are you helping Mother Nature, but you are reducing the toxins in your body when using clean, thoughtful beauty products. These clean products avoid ingredients like: phthalates (which can trigger endocrine disruption, infertility and birth defects), aluminum (which can mess with our central nervous system) or BHA (which is considered a human carcinogen).

Doing a little research into the products you are using doesn’t take much time, but it does make a huge impact on your overall health and our environment’s health. We did a little of the legwork for you and came up with some phenomenal brands worth checking into.

Ethique Beauty

Founder of Ethique, Brianne West via Medium

Brianne West founded Ethique Beauty when she noticed the absurd amount of packaging used in the beauty industry. So, she took charge and set out to change that. This is when Ethique Beauty was born in 2012. Ethique Beauty is the world’s first zero waste and zero plastic personal care brand. She says in an interview that one of the best days since launching was when Britney Spears shared Ethique Beauty on her Facebook page.

Superstar! Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover

Removing your makeup at night is super important if you’re looking to have clear, happy skin by morning. The Superstar! Cleansing Balm & Makeup Remover will work to moisturize, remove makeup and cleanse your skin in one fell swoop! This bar is good for all skin types, but really great for dry skin! This product is plastic free, vegan, cruelty free, sustainable and palm oil free! Yay!

Saving Face Serum

The Saving Face Serum is going to give your dry skin a hydration boost! Ingredients like cupuacu, shea, pomegranate and rosehip oil work to smooth, hydrate and firm your skin. All you have to do is trace the bar over your face allowing the product to melt a bit and then rub in. You’re good to go on about your day after that. How easy!

LUSH

LUSH Cosmetics was founded in 1995 in Poole, U.K. Founders Mark Constantine and Liz Weir are two cosmetic fans that met by chance in a little beauty salon. The two realized they wanted to create a beauty brand with “strong ethical values” and are completely against animal testing. Their products are 100% vegetarian, handmade, and cruelty free. They believe that “that every ingredient we buy should have a positive impact on the community from which it's harvested.”

Sea Spray

Who doesn’t love a little beach wave even if you can’t make it to the beach that day? The Sea Spray will give you the look you’re trying to achieve. This spray will work to volumize and give texture to your locks. All you have to do is spritz the product onto your hair, scrunch and head out the door!

Emotional Brilliance

If your T-zone is giving you makeup nightmares, then get the Emotional Brilliance formula. This product will help to reduce shine and mattify your skin. The light scent is not overwhelming, but welcoming. You will notice a little brightening skin effect and end your makeup routine with a flawless finish! Voilà!

Indie Lee

Indie Lee discovered she had a brain tumor in 2009 and given 6 months to live. Happy ending: she survived the ordeal and the tumor was removed successfully. After this hardship and diagnosis, she decided she wanted to live her life educating other on living healthy, happy lifestyles. She makes sure that the ingredients that go into her products are clean, safe and effective. Indie Lee products are “grounded in nature, supported by science and inspired by life.”

Purifying Face Wash

Some face washes are too harsh, while others don’t really do the job. The ‘Purifying Face Wash’ will remove makeup gently. The foaming cleanser is antioxidant rich and removes impurities. Using this face wash will get you clean skin and a bright complexion!

Banish Stick

Blemishes be gone! The ‘Banish Stick’ fights to rid redness and irritation on your skin. Some key ingredients include: salicylic acid, witch hazel and zinc sulfate. If you’re trying to manage large pores, blackheads, and blemishes then this stick is your solution.

Lawless Beauty

Ok, when you’re last name is as cool as “Lawless” you’re pretty much destined to become a badass in some way. CEO Annie Lawless started Lawless Beauty after selling 50% of her first brand, Suja, in 2015. True to her entrepreneurial nature, she kept brainstorming beauty ideas. Annie created Lawless Beauty with clean beauty in mind. She lists 39 ingredients on the website that are not included in Lawless Beauty products. When she came up with the tag idea of “Clean AF,” she really means it.

Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick

When you’re in search of the perfect daily lipstick then the ‘Soft Matte Liquid Lipstick’ is a great one to check out. This lipstick is highly pigmented and lightweight. The smooth finish will make your lips look soft and gorgeous. Don’t worry about this being cakey or cracking throughout the day. This formula is made to fade and not turn into a hot mess throughout the day.

The One Eyeshadow Palette

It can be tough to find an eyeshadow palette that meets all your needs in one case. ‘The One Eyeshadow Palette’ is pretty perfect with your daily and nightly shade choices. With 18 shades you can create countless eyeshadow looks. From pinks to browns to black - you will have everything you need in one place. We love when simplicity and getting ready align.

Vapour Beauty

The story of Vapour Beauty began in Taos, New Mexico. Co-founders Krysia Boinis and Kristine Keheley dreamt up the beauty brand together. Vapour Beauty prioritizes “personal and planetary health.” They make sure to choose the highest quality ingredients that are eco-conscious and safe for our skin. The result of choosing their ingredients consciously are products that blend on the skin effortlessly and that you can feel good about wearing.

Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation

The ‘Atmosphere Soft Focus Foundation’ can be described as “flawless, breathable and high performance” product. The formula is antioxidant-rich and will brighten your skin. Available in 19 colors, you’re sure to find one that adheres to your skin type. If you have rosacea then this formula will help to reduce redness.

Rescue Skin Recovery Serum

If you have sun or skin damage the ‘Rescue Skin Recovery Serum’ is going to be your magical elixir. This formula is formulated to give major hydration and promote a healthy glow. The ingredients include rhubarb root to help lighten dark spots. Dermaxyl® is a peptide that will assist in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

P/Y/T Beauty

Co-founders Mary Schulman and Amy Carr met in college. Fast forward to when they had daughters who became interested in makeup. That’s when the two BFF Moms noticed that the beauty products their daughters were using were full of chemicals they couldn’t even pronounce. The duo set out to create “Beauty without the BS” to allow people to wear clean beauty that looks gorgeous on. This is when P/Y/T (which means Pretty Little Thing) Beauty was born! P/Y/T Beauty is cruelty free, clean and hypoallergenic.

All + Nothing Concealer

This vitamin rich All + Nothing Concealer is buildable coverage that will brighten your under eyes and reduce redness. The concealer comes in 11 colors to match your skin tone. Oh, and the design doubles as a sculpting tool to help you define your nose and cheekbones. Just apply wherever you need coverage and blend in with your finger or brush for ultimate coverage.

Upgrade / Highlighter

This highlighter has some power player ingredients: Jojoba seed and vitamin C work to smooth and brighten your skin. The finish is satin smooth. You can apply the ‘Upgrade / Highlighter’ to your cupid’s bow, collar bone, brow bone and cheeks to look glowy AF in all your Insta pics.

Farmacy

Mark Veeder didn’t have a formal background in skincare, but he did have a fiery passion that led the way to the creation of Farmacy. Born in Maine, Veeder moved to Green County, N.Y. when he was a young boy. This rural area had a profound effect on the CEO and Founder. He found a great love for gardening and plant life that Farmacy is inspired by. Farmacy was launched in 2015 and quickly became a buzz worthy line...literally. Veeder uses honey that is only cultivated on the brand’s land in a loving way. Their packaging is made with sustainable FSC certified paper and their jars are recyclable!

Honey Potion

The Honey Potion face mask is going to work to hydrate your skin, renew your skin cells, and give you a clearer complexion. 100% of women said their skin appear smoother and more youthful. 97% said they noticed a clearer complexion after use. Get that healing honey mask on and soak in the goodness.

Honeymoon Glow

This 3-in-1 night serum will work to clarify and hydrate dull skin. If you are worried about fine lines and wrinkles then this formula will work to help reduce the signs of aging. This product is great for someone who is looking to reduce pore size, as well. After 1 use, 92% of people said their skin felt softer and more hydrated.

Clove + Hallow

CEO Sarah Biggers found herself bedridden for 6 months with an illness that doctors couldn’t seem to diagnose. That is when she discovered naturopathic medicine. Through dietary changes and lifestyle changes, she thankfully improved. After this health scare, she realized that paying close attention to ingredients we use plays a major key in our overall health. She created Clove + Hallow to make sure that people had access to safe products that wouldn’t put their health at risk.

Hydraglow

Hydraglow is a gorgeous luminizing serum that will leave you with lovely glowing skin. This water-based formula is PETA-certified, cruelty free and vegan! You can mix hydraglow with foundation, use it as a moisturizer in addition to using the product as a highlighter.

Lip Glaze

Available in 6 everyday wear shades, the Lip Glaze is going to become your favorite natural lip gloss. The formula is stickiness free, hydrating and creamy. Ingredients include jojoba oil and shea butter which will make your lips feel soft. This award winning gloss is sure to have your friends exclaiming, “What are you wearing on your lips? I love it!.”

Cover image via Standard

Sustainable Beauty: These Brands Are Created With Earth's Health In Mind