For many women, applying makeup before leaving the house is a daily routine that comes as second nature. Cosmetics have gotten a bad reputation over the years for cruel animal testing practices, which is an environmental issue all its own. But in this article, we’re looking at what chemical-free makeup really is and why its beneficial.
Many people have begun to give natural makeup a try for the longevity of their skin or as part of an eco-friendly lifestyle. Makeup is particularly concerning because it comes in direct contact with the sensitive skin of the face and often remains in place all day long. The chemicals in traditional makeup can seep through the pores of the skin, enter the blood stream, affect the circulatory system, and contribute to the overall amount of toxins in the body over time.
Benefits of Natural Makeup
The goal of natural makeup is to eliminate synthetic ingredients in favor of pure ingredients that are derived naturally from the earth. You’ll commonly find foundations, powders, cleansers, and moisturizers that are made with organically grown plants. This type of makeup also uses the natural properties of plants, such as berries, to provide natural reddening properties to lip products.
When compared to synthetic and potentially toxic chemical products, natural makeup may even improve the long-term health of your skin and delay the appearance of aging. Natural products are also great for people with sensitive skin and acne because they have fewer irritants that can cause skin allergies and side effects.
Ingredients in Natural Makeup
The most popular type of natural makeup is liquid foundation because this common product serves as a coating over your skin to even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of blemishes. Natural foundations are often made with emulsifiers that were produced by natural ingredients like clay, flower essence, organic corn starch, and essential oils.
These are some of the most common ingredients you’ll find in natural makeup:
- Zinc oxide
- Arrowroot powder
- Clay powder
- Cinnamon
- Mica powder
- Cocoa powder
- Dried hibiscus flower
- Dried beet root
- Activated charcoal
- Vitamin E oil
- Aloe vera gel
DIY Natural Makeup Recipes
Wellness Mama provides some pretty easy homemade recipes for cosmetic products that are worth sharing. Here’s a sample one for natural foundation:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons zinc oxide
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
- 1 teaspoon gold mica dust
- 1/2 – 1 tsp natural clay powder
- 1 teaspoon finely-ground cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of translucent mica powder (optional for oily skin)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients to get desired color and coverage.
- Mix slowly and add more color as needed.
- Test on inner-arm to find your shade.
- Store in a small glass jar with a lid.
Store-Bought Organic Options
If mixing up your own makeup concoctions sounds like too much of a hassle, there are commercially-sold products that you can buy, wear, and feel good about too. While some cosmetics companies toss terms like “natural” and “green” around loosely, other brands have created truly organic options that are pure and 100 percent chemical-free. That’s why it’s so important to learn about different makeup companies before you buy their products for the first time.
Here are some brands to look into for organic cosmetic products that are chemical-free, cruelty-free, and use even recycled packaging:
One other suggestion is to consider trying to naturally keep your own skin looking healthy so that you may need just a minimum of makeup or ideally no makeup at all. Seagate Smooth Skin is an antioxidant omega-3 oil rich natural lotion in a base of coconut and olive oil that can help you restore that glow of youth.
Great post! I also visited pages you suggested and find some useful info there too! thank you very much for sharing 🙂
Thanks Sophia! We are trying.