Natural cosmetic brands

Why buy natural cosmetic brands?  What's wrong with regular make-up and skin care products?  Isn't it safe to assume that beauty products, which are designed to be applied to the face on a daily basis, are good for the skin, or at least, not dangerous?

Cosmetics have historically been manufactured with a host of harmful, synthetic, toxic substances.  Heavy metals, plastics, synthetic dyes, carcinogenic preservatives, and petroleum-based synthetics are all found in typical cosmetic products — even the expensive ones.  Only companies who make natural make-up  and skin care a priority, are truly healthy and eco-friendly.  The majority of the industry is, in essence, polluting the environment, and polluting your face. 

Natural cosmetic brands that are safe to use

• Burt's Bees is a North Carolina-based company, with a focus on providing the most natural products possible, and educating people on the benefits of natural ingredients, for human beings, and the environment.  They are a green company, from the top down, using recycled materials for packaging, and emphasizing sustainability, not excess.  Burt's Bees makes everything from facial cleansers and shampoos to natural make-up.  They are reasonably priced, and today are widely distributed.
• Aveda is a well-respected natural cosmetics company.  They diligently provide plant-based natural care products, with a wide range of eco-friendly, herbal-smelling hair products, make-up, skin care, and even botanical perfumes.  Aveda uses fair-trade, sustainable, environmentally-safe ingredients and packaging. They take green to a whole new level, supplying energy for their manufacturing with 100% certified wind power!  Aveda products can be found at their retail stores, and online. 
• Jane Iredale is the natural cosmetic brand for mineral make-up.  They have a wide range of colors for eyeshadows, blushes, and other products.  Everything is safe for even sensitive and allergy-prone skin.  This line of natural make-up can be found in some spas and salons, or online.  

Not all natural cosmetic brands are made the same.  Some are more eco-friendly than others, some are more pure.  They all have something more to offer beyond non-toxic make-up and beauty products — precedent. 

photo by Ana Filipa Machado