Did you know that skin care is the largest category in the cosmetics industry, accounting for approximately 40% of the market share? The need for organic makeup brands has been increasing now more than ever. And the global cosmetics market size was valued at USD 532.43 billion in 2020 and is expected to advance at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2021 to 2028.
Makeup has been with us forever in different forms around the world. The South Africans used to put kohl to line their eyes, while the Greeks used crushed berries to color their lips. Gradually with the advancement of humans and technology, makeup also revolutionized. In the 20th century, makeup became more widely available and popularized in the film and fashion industries. Today, makeup has evolved to become a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide.
Organic and natural makeup emerged when women started getting irritations from all the chemicals used in their products. And it was not limited to just ordinary brands. Chemicals were involved in every product, from luxury makeup to drugstore products. Women had no choice but to continue with the existing products. Seldom did they question the use of chemicals in their everyday products.
But, our curiosity did not let us live with the question of why chemicals are used in the products used to beautify our faces. If you are wondering about the same, then continue reading.
Why are chemicals added to makeup products?
Preservatives:
Chemicals are commonly used in cosmetics to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage due to the presence of water and other natural ingredients in cosmetics.
Emulsifiers and Stabilizers:
Many makeup products contain a combination of water- and oil-based ingredients that can separate without using chemical emulsifiers and stabilizers.
Pigments and Frangrance:
Chemicals are commonly used in makeup products to provide colors such as blushes, eye shadows, and even foundations. And the ingredient that makes our makeup smell like a dessert out of the oven or a fresh flower plucked from the garden is also a chemical.
Texture and Consistency:
Chemicals can create the desired texture and consistency of makeup products and are used to control the thickness or thinness for a smoother application.
Active ingredient:
Some chemicals are used as active ingredients in cosmetics, like the protectant of your sunscreens or an anti-aging compound that protects your skin from fine lines.
The presence of chemicals does not stop the use of the products. While most people are accustomed to these products and do not care much, some saw a significant gap in the industry and took it upon themselves to revolutionize the makeup industry. And that’s how organic and natural makeup started coming into the picture.
If you have been looking for some beauty brands that are completely natural or organic, you are at the right place. But first, know the difference.
Kirsten from the iconic brand Kjaer Weis explains that a natural ingredient is taken from the field. However, for an ingredient to be organic, it has to come from a field that has been chemical-free for at least 3 years.
Now that you know the difference, let’s dive into the top five organic makeup brands and the science behind their products.
Top 5 Organic Makeup Brands
Kjaer Weis by Kirsten Kjaer Weis
Starting with the luxury beauty brand, Kjaer Weis is an award-winning brand that uses natural or organic ingredients for its products. Made in Italy, they create products free of parabens, silicones, petrochemical emulsifiers, and synthetic fragrances. They manufacture high-performing and long-lasting products.
Key Ingredients: The prime ingredients used in their products are Shea Butter, Dios Corea Batatas, Rosehip Seed Oil, and Sweet Almond Seed Oil. They are very transparent with their ingredients and have listed the entire list on their website.
Get to know the brand: “Kjaer Weis is leading the movement with high-performing, luxury makeup that is, as everything should be, organic and sustainable.” It is “Simple but not plain. Beautiful but always genuine.” Founded by Kirsten Kjaer Weis, a Danish Makeup Artist living in NYC, this beauty brand has just the right ingredients and perfect packaging. KW blended the two most compromised things in the beauty industry – quality and packaging – and has become a leading name in the organic beauty industry. Even their packaging is sustainable and, at the same time, gives you a luxurious feel when you hold it.
Their best-selling products include Cream Blush, Tinted Moisturizer, Eye Balm, Im-Possible Mascara, and The Beautiful Oil.
W3LL PEOPLE
This clean and natural beauty brand was acquired by E.L.F. Cosmetics in 2020. They create their products from plant-powered ingredients and manufacture cruelty-free products. Their aim is to make clean and natural beauty accessible to everybody.
Key Ingredients: Their key ingredients include ethically sourced botanicals like Green Tea, Turmeric, Pomegranate, Rosehip, and Broccoli Seed Oil which make revitalizing cosmetics that are nourishing and soothing.
Get to know the brand: Founded in 2008 by Shirley Pinkson, James Walker, and Wendi Berger, W3LL PEOPLE is a cosmetics brand that is natural, organic, and environmentally conscious. Before working together for WP, the three founders were involved in their ventures. Pinkson was a celebrity makeup artist, Walker had a background in marketing and branding, and Berger brought business development skills to the table. Today, WP is a leading brand that caters to manufacturing clean, natural, and organic makeup for people worldwide. And their products are free from toxicity entirely.
Their best-selling products include Mascara, Foundation, Stick Blushes, and the Power Palette Eyeshadow. They also have a skincare range along with brushes and tools.
AU Naturale Cosmetics
Founded by Ashley Prange, a former nuclear analyst in Washington, Au Naturale is a bold and long-lasting color cosmetics brand free from harmful chemicals that cause breakouts or irritation.
Key Ingredients: Their prime ingredients include Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, and Mica.
Get to know your brand: Ashley left her job and took the matter into her own hand when harmful chemicals found in makeup products caused her to break out. She replaced all her makeup from her daily routine and gradually launched Au Naturale in 2011. She started her venture to use exclusively healthy, naturally derived, and ethically sourced ingredients for her makeup brand.
The best selling products from the brand include the Completely Covered Creme Concealer, the Super Fine Powder Eye Shadow, and the Eternity Lipstick.
ĀTHR Beauty
Tiila Abbitt founded Aether Beauty, another successful luxurious, vegan, and organic beauty brand. They use organic, ocean-safe, biodegradable, ethically-sourced ingredients and ban over 3000 ingredients that could harm you, animals, or the planet.
Key Ingredients: Aether’s ingredients list includes Organic Coconut Oil, Rose Quartz, and Organic Jasmine.
Get to know your brand: From ingredient sourcing to packaging and shipping, sustainability is at the heart of this brand. Abbitt was a Product Developer and Head of Sustainability at Sephora and founded Aether Beauty to “bridge the gap between ethical beauty, sustainability, and truly high-performing, innovative, and luxurious vegan formulas.”
Aether Beauty uses desert-derived ingredients like prickly pear seed oil that thrive in harsh, moisture-starved desert climates and bring their resilient, restorative magic to your skin. The result is highly pigmented, intentional beauty inspired by the desert. When you choose Aether, you choose a brand that is good for you, your skin, and the planet, and 1% of the sales from every product goes to environmental charities.
Their best selling products include Moonlight Crystal Palette, Rose Quartz Crystal Gemstone Palette, and the Big Bang Mascara.
Juice Beauty
Juice Beauty is a premium organic skincare and makeup brand founded by Karen Behnke. The brand’s philosophy is to provide high-performance beauty products that are good for the environment and good for you, using only the best plant-based ingredients. The brand uses organic, vegan, cruelty-free ingredients that are sustainably sourced and made in the USA.
Key Ingredients: Juice Beauty products include key ingredients such as organic grape juice, aloe vera, jojoba oil, and antioxidant-rich fruits such as pomegranate and goji berry. These ingredients are combined with the latest skincare technology to provide an effective formula that nourishes and protects the skin.
Get to know the brand: Juice Beauty is committed to sustainability in every aspect of their business. The brand uses only recycled and recyclable packaging, and products are shipped using carbon-neutral shipping methods. Juice Beauty also works with organizations such as the Organic Trade Association and the Environmental Working Group to ensure their products meet the highest sustainability and safety standards. Juice Beauty’s skincare products are designed to address a wide range of skin concerns, from aging and dullness to acne and dryness. The makeup line includes foundations, concealers, and lip products with the same premium and organic ingredients as their skincare line.
Their best sellers are the Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum, Green Apple Peel Full Strength, Stem Cellular CC Cream SPF 30
Bottom Line
In conclusion, organic makeup is more than a trend, it’s a lifestyle choice. It’s a way to not only look good but feel good about what you’re putting on your skin. As the saying goes, “you are what you eat,” but the same goes for what you put on your face. So why not switch to organic makeup and treat your skin to some healthy and nourishing ingredients? So go ahead and embrace the world of organic makeup; your skin will thank you for it.
