Eco-Friendly Beauty Brands for Sustainable Living: A Comparison
In recent years, there has been a major shift towards eco-friendly and sustainable living. More and more people are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. This rising trend has extended to the beauty industry, with a growing number of brands offering natural, organic, and sustainably sourced products.
Choosing eco-friendly beauty products is an easy way to incorporate sustainability into your daily routine. But with so many options now available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
This article will compare some of the most popular eco-friendly beauty brands on the market right now. We’ll look at what makes them sustainable, their key products, price points, and more. Read on for a breakdown of the top eco-friendly beauty brands to help you make the switch to clean, green beauty.
Comparison of Top Eco-Friendly Beauty Brands
The Body Shop
The Body Shop was one of the first natural beauty brands on the market when it launched in 1976. They are a long-standing force for sustainability and ethics within the beauty industry. The Body Shop sources many fair trade ingredients and has saved over 31 million acres of forests from destruction through their Community Trade program. The brand has also partnered with EcoCert to utilize more sustainably sourced palm oil.
The Body Shop offers all the typical product categories like skincare, hair care, makeup, and body care. They use plant-based and naturally derived ingredients in their formulations whenever possible. The Body Shop has made great strides in reducing its use of virgin plastic packaging, opting for post-consumer recycled materials and wood-based options instead. Their makeup line is also certified by Cruelty-Free International and PETA as being cruelty-free.
Some popular picks from The Body Shop include their Vitamin E Hydrating Toner, Shea Nourishing Shampoo, Hemp Hand Protector, and Youth Concentrate Eye Roll-On. Their extensive makeup line offers many mineral-based and natural makeup products as well.
Ilia
Ilia is a popular clean beauty brand known for their line of multipurpose skincare and makeup products that fuse skin care benefits with color cosmetics. Their products are formulated with bioactive organic ingredients to nourish skin while providing buildable coverage. Ilia is certified carbon neutral and aims to use sustainable packaging. They also print the majority of their marketing materials on recycled paper using wind power.
Some best-selling Ilia products include:
Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 - Lightweight mineral SPF moisturizer and foundation hybrid.
Limitless Lash Mascara - A nourishing, buildable mascara infused with keratin.
Multi-Stick - Cream blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow balms made with avocado and coconut oils.
NightLite Overnight Recovery Oil - Retinol-free smoothing facial oil.
Ilia products range from around $26 for lipsticks to $62 for the SPF serum skin tint. While positioned at a luxury price point, the formulas pack a lot of skincare benefits into each product.
Pacifica
Founded in 1996, Pacifica has grown into one of the most established clean beauty brands on the market. They are 100% vegan and cruelty-free and avoid harsh ingredients like parabens and phthalates. Many of Pacifica’s products are made with coconut water, kale, and aloe vera.
Some noteworthy products from Pacifica include:
Coconut Probiotic Water Rehab Cream - Deep hydration cream with coconut and probiotics.
Wake Up Beautiful Super Hydration Sleepover Mask - Overnight serum-mask hybrid.
Mineral Color Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette - Shimmery mineral eyeshadows.
Perfume Roll-on - Alcohol-free perfume oils.
Prices range from about $12 - $20 for most Pacifica products, making them an affordable eco-friendly option compared to some pricier green beauty brands.
Juice Beauty
Juice Beauty is an eco-friendly brand that focuses on using certified organic ingredients in their formulations whenever possible. Their products aim to deliver visible results using the potency of organic juices, plants, vitamins, and nutrients.
Some of Juice Beauty’s top products include:
SPF 30 Oil-Free Moisturizer - Protects with zinc oxide while hydrating.
STEM CELLULAR Anti-Wrinkle Booster Serum - Peptides and fruit stem cells reduce fine lines.
Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation - Breathable medium coverage with a radiant finish.
GREEN APPLE Age Defy Moisturizer - Rich daily moisturizer with fruit acids.
As a premium brand, Juice Beauty’s prices range from about $30 - $75 for most skincare and makeup.
Dr. Bronner’s
Dr. Bronner’s is a popular brand known for their castle-based soaps. However, they have expanded their line to include lotions, balms, toothpaste, and other body care items. Dr. Bronner sources organic and fair trade ingredients whenever possible. Packaging contains post-consumer recycled plastic and their soaps are also fully biodegradable.
Top products from Dr. Bronner’s include:
Pure Castile Liquid Soap - Versatile castile soap is available in various scents.
Organic Hand & Body Lotion - Light non-greasy lotions.
Organic Lip Balms - Moisturizing lip balms in fun flavors.
All-One Toothpaste - Vegan fluoride-free toothpaste.
Prices for Dr. Bronner’s products generally range between $5 - $15, making them very affordable compared to most green beauty brands.
100% Pure
100% Pure focuses on providing cosmetics that are natural, non-toxic, and cruelty-free. Their products use organic and natural plant pigments as an alternative to synthetic colorants and fillers. Fruits, vegetables, and vitamins help nourish skin. The brand avoids harsh chemicals and uses recyclable packaging to reduce waste. They also offer carbon-neutral shipping.
Some top-selling 100% Pure products are:
Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream - Depuffs and brightens the under-eye area.
Retinol Restorative Overnight Balm - Gentle retinol alternative that supports cell renewal.
Fruit Pigmented Pot Concealer - Creamy full-coverage concealer.
Coconut Body Cream - Ultra-hydrating daily body moisturizer.
100% Pure’s products range from $30 - $90, positioning them in the luxury green beauty category.
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Botanicals creates effective, glow-enhancing skincare and body care products using thoughtfully sourced botanicals and vitamins. They formulate without synthetic fillers or harsh ingredients. Herbivore avoids synthetic preservatives by using steam distillation to naturally preserve their oils. For packaging, they use sustainable materials like glass, tin, and recycled boxes. The brand also gives back by donating 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits.
Bestsellers from Herbivore include:
Jasmine Body Oil - Hydrating dry oil infused with jasmine and vitamin E.
Bakuchiol Retinol Alternative Smoothing Serum - Plant-based retinol alternative targets fine lines and wrinkles.
Phoenix Facial Oil - Brightening and rejuvenating blend of antioxidant-rich oils.
Coconut Bath Soak - Hydrating calming bath salts.
Herbivore Botanicals prices range from $22 for lip balms to $72 for facial oils and serums.
Best Eco-Friendly Beauty Products Under $30
While some green beauty brands are on the pricier side, there are plenty of budget-friendly options for under $30 as well. Here are some of the top affordable eco-friendly beauty picks:
The Body Shop Body Butters - These ultra-rich moisturizers made with ethically sourced ingredients like shea and cocoa butters cost $20.
Pacifica Perfume Roll-Ons - Alcohol-free, lightly scented perfume oils for $22.
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap - Versatile organic soap starting at $10.
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lipsticks - Creamy nourished lipstick with organic fruit pigments for $28.
Pacifica Coconut Probiotic Moisturizer - Hydrating daily coconut cream face moisturizer for $17.
Ilia Limitless Lash Mascara - Smoothing buildable mascara with keratin for $28.
Herbivore Botanicals Lip Balms - Moisturizing, sheer lip tints made with nourishing oils for $12.
FAQ About Eco-Friendly Beauty Brands
How can I tell if a beauty brand is truly eco-friendly?
Look for specific certifications like USDA Organic, Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, or B-Corp. Check the ingredient list for natural plant oils, butters, and extracts versus synthetic ingredients. See if the packaging uses recycled, recyclable, or biodegradable materials. The brand should also disclose sustainability practices on its website.
Do eco-friendly beauty products work as well as conventional ones?
Many green beauty products are just as effective as traditional ones. Natural ingredients like plant oils and antioxidants can provide great skincare benefits. The creams, serums, and cosmetics should glide on and wear just as nicely. However, active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C may be less potent than synthetic versions.
Are all-natural makeup products better for the skin?
Not necessarily - “natural” is not a regulated term. But mineral makeup that is made with plant pigments and nourishing oils can be gentler for sensitive skin when formulated without irritants. Always check for certifications and read the ingredient list.
How much more expensive is green beauty compared to regular beauty products?
There is a range when it comes to eco-friendly beauty. Some products like Dr. Bronner’s soaps can be found for drugstore prices under $10. But most green beauty makeup and skincare range from $20-$100, which is more expensive than mass-market brands. Yet natural ingredients harvested sustainably do cost more to produce, so the higher price reflects that in many cases.
What are some easy swaps to make my beauty routine more eco-friendly?
Start by swapping out your shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, and body lotion for natural versions. Switch disposable cotton pads and rounds for reusable bamboo ones. Trade lip gloss and balms for nourishing natural versions. Once you get comfortable, move on to finding a natural moisturizer, cleanser, foundation, and mascara you like. Slowly keep replacing products until your routine is primarily green.
The Bottom Line
The eco-friendly beauty movement has made it easier than ever to make the switch to sustainable skincare and makeup. With so many excellent green beauty brands now available, you can easily build an earth-conscious beauty routine that leaves your skin looking and feeling its best.
Focus first on finding products that match your preferences and needs. Consult the comparison table and brand breakdown above to discover items aligned with your budget, skin type, and style.
With a little trial and error, you’ll soon discover your favorite natural products for gorgeous, guilt-free glam. Small green beauty swaps can make a meaningful difference for the planet when we all make more conscious choices.
