Comments on: Best Organic Makeup Lines

By: Elizabeth Palm

Elizabeth Palm — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:17:06 +0000

Update: Sadly, I have found I was wrong about Renee Rouleau—although it doesn’t contain phathalates and isn’t tested on animals it DOES contain parabans. I will miss using their products, but I have hope that maybe enough people will speak up and they will get rid of the parabans and I can go back to using them. I am using Dr. Hauska right now and although I am happy it is chemical free, it is very expensive—$80 a bottle on average—and I find the products to be very astringent and harsh on my skin and the fragrance is unpleasant in my opinion. I am still not sure about Tarte (I am using some of their makeup). So far I like their eye shadow palates, but I am not impressed with their foundation (it is very heavy and cakey when applied, particularly when using their primer–which feels like a paste– as instructed) and their mascara was clumpy. (Regarding the mascara, I recently threw it away when I looked on the back label and found it is made in China.) I decided not to use Cover FX as it is for people who want full coverage (those with rosacea, scars, etc.) but it looks like a good brand—chemical free and not tested on animals. If anyone has any guidance on what organic (paraban and phathalate free) brands to use, please let me know.

By: Elizabeth Palm

Elizabeth Palm — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:53:26 +0000

I have been a vegetarian for almost two years and am just beginning my research into organic makeup (as I heard about the dangers of phthalates and it dawned on me that I should be just as concerned with what I put on my body as I do about what I put into it!) However, I have been using Beare Minerals for five years, an organic skin foundation line, and Renee Rouleau skin care products for about two years. Both are great product lines and have not been tested on animals and do not contain any synthetic fragrances or parabans. I especially love Renee Rouleau products as they and have lines of products for nine different skin types (including mine which is for oily, sensitive skin, which is hard to find products for). Also, in my research, I have found out about Tarte and Cover FX—which are organic as well and have good reviews. I am going to give a few of their products a try and will update you all. Hope this helps!

By: Stepp

Stepp — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:30:27 +0000

Hi Julena,
You write: “If you know other trusted, tested, and honest brands, please drop me a note.” I will… Right now
Paul Penders (www.paulpenders.com) is a company producing natural organic cosmetics. It has been on the market for more than 40 years and belongs to some of the most honest players on the cosmetic market. I am not saying this because I write their daily blog. I am saying it because I have got to know about the cosmetic business through my writing. I have learned how “easy” it is to get a “certified organic” label. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy! Paul Penders has recently written about his thoughts on the certification process on our blog http://www.paulpenders.com/ppblog. It gives an interesting insight in the certifying process.
On the blog there is also an entry about natural organic lipsticks, WITHOUT any synthetic color added – or other chemicals for that sake. It also tells what is used instead, and about the difficulties you run into, when it has to be pure organic without ANY chemicals added at all.
And, by the way: None of the products has EVER been tested on animals!

By: julena

julena — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 05:34:50 +0000

Dr. Anne Son:

Thanks for your comment. I wonder if all talc is known carcinogen? From my research the research on that is a bit contentious. But I’m not a scientist, so I cannot vouch either way. However I do know that the talc in Dr. Hauschka’s products is certified as asbestos free. FDA consideres non-asbestiform talc to be generally recognised as safe.

The brands I listed are the purest I could find. Dr. Hauschka is fully compliant with BDIH, so overall when selecting safer makeup products these are still much better choice than what you’d find in the mainstream. But it never hurts to raise these kinds of issues with companies in the hopes that they (or their competitors) continue looking for even better options.

By: Dr. Anne Son

Dr. Anne Son — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 01:31:19 +0000

I liked your website, and coverage of organic cosmetics a lot. However, I was disappointed that you did not mention toxicity as an important point while considering organic alternatives. Dr Hauschka for example lists talc in almost every powder and eye shadow formulation. Talc is a known carcinogen. This completely defeats the purpose of moving away from harmful synthetics. Hope next time you can include carcinogenicity/toxicity in your evaluation credentials as well, since I think a lot of women consider this as their primary reason to move to organics in the first place.

By: Erin Ely

Erin Ely — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:57:38 +0000

I would like to tell you about one more organic make-up line by Miessence. Miessence has a very nice and clean organic mineral powder. There is not Titanium Dioxide, no silicone coatings, no nanoparticles. It’s very simple and has a certification from the Biological Farmers of Australia.

Miessence Medium Mineral Powder
Complete Ingredients list:
Sericite Mica, Zinc Oxide, Organic Rose Otto Essential Oil, May Contain: +/- Iron Oxides

Regards,
Erin