For the most part, I feel like there are usually two types of makeup buyers in the world: (1) those who will buy anything that looks pretty or smells good, no matter what’s in the formula, and (2) those who buy products based solely on their ingredients, opting for clean, natural, and organic makeup as a result. But what happens if you fall somewhere in the middle of the spectrum, like I do?
I mean, I obsessively research the ingredients in the products I use (and tend to pick clean and green formulas), but I also want my products to work really, really well. And annoyingly, those two things aren’t always mutually exclusive. Which is why I’ve done a ton of searching and testing to come up with my ultimate guide of the 21 best natural and organic makeup products of all time, below. Each one of these products uses clean ingredients from sustainable sources yet still has an amazing formula that doesn’t sacrifice on performance.
This is hands down my favorite tinted moisturizer—clean or conventional. The ultra-moisturizing lotion makes skin look instantly more dewy, and the sheer formula has a surprising amount of coverage—a few pumps easily hide my redness and discoloration without looking heavy.
Shimmery, sparkly, and incredibly long-lasting, this creamy gel pigment can be used on your eyes as an illuminating eyeshadow, or on the tops of your cheeks as a highlighter. I love this soft gold shade, but the formula comes in three other hues (copper, violet, and clear shimmer), so you can pick and choose for your vibes.
Whether you want to create a ~dramatic~ wing or a subtle flick, this natural liquid eyeliner has got you covered. It has a flexible felt tip that's super precise and easy to draw with, and the long-lasting, jet-black pigments won't smudge or smear after the liner dries.
Full disclosure: A lot of clean mascaras kinda suck. They run, smear, flake—it happens. But not this one. A few coats give lashes tons of length, volume, and definition that won't budge until you wash it off. I get that it’s a little pricey as far as mascaras go, but for a formula this good that’s made with safe, healthy ingredients, it’s totally worth the $$, IMO.
5
Best Natural Full-Coverage Foundation
Lawless Conseal The Deal Long-Wear Full-Coverage Foundation
5
Best Natural Full-Coverage Foundation
Lawless Conseal The Deal Long-Wear Full-Coverage Foundation
This natural foundation is super lightweight, but provides full and long-lasting coverage that sets to a soft matte finish. Even better? It's infused with plant-based ingredients like goji berry, ginger, and bisabolol to prevent oxidative damage, reduce signs of aging, and soothe inflammation too.
Keep this multitasking tint in your bag to add a hint of color to lips, cheeks, and even your lids on the go. The paraben-free formula is made with moisturizing and antioxidant-rich beetroot extract—plus it comes in two super-flattering shades.
The 10 gorgeous shades in this organic and sustainably made eyeshadow palette are seriously just as great as the ones you’d find in a trendy, conventional palette. They blend on super smoothly (honestly like butter) and look surprisingly rich on your lids. And because they’re made with gentle, all-natural ingredients, they’re safe to use on sensitive eyes.
This organic foundation for acne-prone skin is noncomedogenic (meaning it's tested to not clog pores), comes in 19 shades, offers buildable coverage (a little goes a long way), and gives your skin a gorgeous, even glow (can I get an amen?!).
You'll be hard-pressed to find a lip gloss—conventional or not—that's as good as this natural option from Tower 28. The clean, plant-based formula is totally non-sticky and non-tacky and leaves your lips with a juicy red tint for hours. I'm obsessed.
Pretty much every makeup artist I've ever interviewed raves about this natural lipstick from Bite Beauty. The crayon format makes lining and filling in your lips super easy, and the creamy matte texture (it's loaded with nourishing, all-natural ingredients like pomegranate extract and mango butter) feels comfy, never drying.
11
Best Natural Concealer
Kosas Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
11
Best Natural Concealer
Kosas Revealer Concealer Super Creamy + Brightening Concealer
I could be insanely tired, have hormonal acne taking over my chin, and redness spread around my nose, and I swear a little bit of this natural concealer makes me look like a new person. It seamlessly covers dark circles, breakouts, discoloration, you name it. Plus, the lightweight, liquid-y texture blends super easily and won’t cake or crease during the day.
I love this all-natural black eyeliner from W3ll People. It's infused with plant oils for creamy, tug-free application and ultra-pigmented minerals for intense color payoff. And DW, once it's on it's on (aka it won't smear, smudge, or fade).
This bronzer should be a staple in everyone's makeup bag. It goes on zero percent orange or streaky and has a matte, shine-minimizing finish, so you can use it as a contour powder too. It's all thanks to cocoa powder, mineral pigments, and oil-absorbing rice powder.
This organic tinted lip balm (it’s truly the perfect lipstick/balm hybrid) is basically the only lip product you need. The pretty pink formula is made with ultra-moisturizing organic castor seed, sunflower, and olive oils to get rid of flakes and give your lips a shiny berry tint.
Layer this organic makeup primer under your tinted moisturizer, BB cream, or foundation for extra staying power and major glow. It’s infused with light-reflecting mica to brighten your tone (without looking obvious) along with skin-smoothing coconut extract and glycerin to plump and hydrate.
Looking to transition to an organic powder foundation? Look no further than this award-winning option that’s exclusively made with minerals. Itcomes in 45 blendable shades and is ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin,so don’t be afraid to layer it on.
Want your skin to look fresh and rosy like a baby angel’s? Pls grab this organic cream blush stat. The 95 percent organic formula uses jojoba seed oil to moisturize and antioxidant-rich plant oils to help fight early signs of aging, like lines and dark spots. And it leaves you with a crazy-pretty flush.
There's a reason celebs, beauty editors, and makeup artists rave about this creamy highlighter. It's made with coconut oil and jojoba oil to make skin super dewy (not greasy), and it’s infused with a little bit of shimmer for a subtle, lit-from-within look.
This organic powder highlightercontains a blend of shimmer gold and pink pigments to brighten your skin and add a bit of warmth too. It’s formulated without questionable ingredients like parabens, formaldehydes, and phthalates—and instead contains all-natural mineral pigments.
I’ve been a religious user of Glossier’s Boy Brow for years, and I swear this organic alternative from Beautycounter is just as amazing. A few swipes of this brow gelmake my brows look full, fluffy, and just the right amount of defined. It comes in five shades (I alternate between clear and dark brown) that don’t budge or smear.
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for nine years at Cosmopolitan and has contributed to Women’s Health and Seventeen magazines as well. Follow her on Instagram.