Earth Day is a time to consider our impact on the environment. There are the usual things like walking more and driving less, conserving electricity (hello, plugged-in tech devices) and minimizing water consumption. While you’re thinking about ways to cut down that 15-minute shower, it’s also worth taking a look at your beauty routine and figuring out ways to incorporate organic makeup and natural beauty products.
Green beauty might be one of the biggest talking points in the industry at the moment, but it’s more than a trend. Natural beauty products and organic makeup have come a long way from the days when we had to choose between an effective formula and an organic one. Now, eco-friendly beauty products are on par with — or better than— some of the chemically-derived stuff. Even better, green beauty products can be found everywhere from high-end department stores to your local drugstore.
Are you ready to go green? Take a look at the organic makeup and natural beauty products that have earned our best-in-class seal of approval for 2017.
[ Next: Earth Day Awards: The Best All-Natural and Organic Beauty Products of 2018 ]
Earth Day Awards: The Best All-Natural and Organic Beauty Products of 2017
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Best Multipurpose Product
Your skin needs "food" just like your belly. Slather on this cream from head to toe to help nourish dry, cracked skin. Organic sunflower seed oil, calendula flower extract and vitamin E boost moisture, while rosemary leaf extract and organic pansy offer antiseptic properties. Even notoriously dry elbows and knees will be soft and smooth once you start using the lotion.
Weleda Skin Food Skin Cream, $12.99 at Target
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Best Night Treatment
Apply this nourishing nontoxic serum before you hit the sheets and you'll wake up with a more radiant complexion. The nighttime treatment gently removes dead skin, dirt and oil that can cause pores to become congested. It also helps control excess oil, minimize enlarged pores and targets fine lines and wrinkles.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum, $90 at Drunk Elephant
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Best Face Mask
This could easily be one of the chicest masks in your vanity thanks to the recyclable green glass jar. That's not the only reason it is a fan favorite, though. The mask tackles the signs of aging and modern environmental stressors (think smog and pollution) without the use of synthetic ingredients. Instead, the mask is formulated with natural, nontoxic and effective ingredients that come from the brand's farm in Vermont.
Tata Harper Purifying Mask, $65 at Birchbox
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Best Eye Treatment
Organic? Check. Hydrating? Check. Vegan? Check. Cruelty-free? Check. Effective? Check, check, check. This Leaping Bunny-certified eye cream harnesses the power of edelweiss extract and chlorella to nourish and restore the eye area. Tap on a few drops for refreshed, hydrated eyes.
Acure Organics Eye Cream, $16.99 at Acure Organics
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Best Body Scrub
It's not just the chic minimalist packaging or the trendy rose gold color that has given this product a cult following. It's the fact that it's formulated with all-natural ingredients that gently buff away layers of dead skin cells. The brand uses the very best oil extraction methods for its small-batch products — and it shows.
Herbivore Botanicals Coco Rose Body Polish, $36 at Herbivore Botanicals
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Best Organic Deodorant
If you've been a slave to stick and spray deodorants, this cream will totally change your morning routine. It uses all-natural mineral- and plant-based ingredients to keep you dry and smelling fresh. (Read: no aluminum.) And because we know you're wondering, it doesn't feel like you're wearing body lotion. Apply a bit using the included scoop and the product will absorb into skin.
Schmidt’s Naturals Deodorant Jar, $8.99 at Schmidt’s Naturals
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Best Body Lotion
It may look more like a bar of soap than a body lotion, but this 100 percent organic and natural massage bar nourishes skin like the best of them. After all, the base is made out of Fair Trade cocoa butter and shea butter. Just rub it on and the butters will melt into skin for mega hydration without a sticky residue. The uplifting neroli, lavender and orange scent will be the clue you've used it.
Lush Organic Therapy Massage Bar, $12.95 at Lush
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Best Face Wipes
Facial wipes need to be tough on makeup, but gentle on skin. These cucumber and sage towelettes remove stubborn foundation and lipstick while cleansing, toning and moisturizing. Plus, they're formulated with 99.1 percent natural ingredients. They don't contain any petroleum, parabens or phthalates and they've been dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested.
Burt's Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes Cucumber and Sage, $5.99 at Ulta
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Best Sheet Mask
You don't have to choose between natural skin care and Korean beauty. Glow Recipe stocks the best natural K-beauty products around and this best-selling sheet mask is something you need in your masking collection. It is formulated with 95 percent organic ingredients that have been naturally fermented to keep their optimal efficacy. And we all know efficacy is key in K-beauty.
Whamisa Organic Flowers & Aloe Vera Fermented Hydrogel Sheet Mask, $9 at Glow Recipe
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Best Cleanser
Gwyneth Paltrow gained countless new Goop fans with the launch of this splurge-worthy cleanser made with certified organic ingredients. Paltrow teamed up with organic skin care brand Juice Beauty to create a cleanser that melts into skin on contact to work its magic. As it goes into pores, the balm removes any traces of makeup. Additionally, it contains an innovative antioxidant juice complex to brighten skin and fight the signs of aging. Think of it as a green juice for the skin, but way better.
Goop by Juice Beauty Luminous Melting Cleanser, $90 at Goop
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Best Facial Oil
Most of the facial oils out there are too heavy for day, but this fast-absorbing one is an exception. The calendula-rich oil helps control skin's own oil levels, so you don't have to worry about shiny T-zones. It also helps to minimize the appearance of pores and treat blemishes. Did we mention that it's certified to NATRUE standards to be 100 percent natural and/or organic?
Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Clarifying Day Oil, $45 at Dr. Hauschka Skin Care
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Best Moisturizer
Some of nature's best ingredients are found in this nourishing day cream including avocado, rosehip oil, calendula and chamomile. The result is a potent product that will keep dry skin at bay. FYI: It also helps give you that lit-from-within glow.
Jurlique Moisture Replenishing Day Cream, $44 at Sephora
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Best Sunscreen
Everyone should have a good sunscreen in their beauty arsenal and this one is effective and natural. It is made with 100 percent vegetarian ingredients, including green tea, aloe vera and sunflower seed oil. It offers broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and it's water-resistant for up to 80 minutes.
Alba Botanica Hawaiian Natural Sunblock SPF 45 Revitalizing Green Tea, $7.99 at Walgreens
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Best Self-Tanner
A natural self-tanner doesn't mean sitting out in the sun. Vita Liberata is the world's first organic and nontoxic fake tan. If you're fearful about a fake tan turning you orange, rest assured that this gradual formula looks completely natural. It slowly builds up the color with each application and is suitable for all skin types. No wonder they call it Fabulous.
Vita Liberata Fabulous Self Tanning Gradual Lotion, $30 at Vita Liberata
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Best Mascara
Not only does the leaf-inspired tube stand out compared to the average black mascara package, it sets itself apart thanks to the 100 percent natural origin formula and 100 percent recyclable eco-brush. It naturally delivers volume and length without the use of chemicals, preservatives or parabens. Therefore, it's safe for those with sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Mascara, $9.95 at Physicians Formula
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Best Lip Product
This lip conditioner is fancier than a balm, but not as fussy as a lipstick. The natural product is perfect for when you want a me-but-better lip color. It moisturizes, fights free radicals and deposits just the right amount of color thanks to organic jojoba oil, organic beeswax and vitamin E.
ILIA Tinted Lip Conditioner, $26 at Net-a-Porter
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Best Cheek Product
Wear it on cheeks, wear it on lips — or wear it on both, you can't go wrong. The multitasking cream really is foolproof thanks to the sheer finish. What's more, it's also made from food-grade, raw and organic ingredients.
rms beauty Lip2Cheek, $36 at Sephora
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Best Foundation
The real sign of an amazing natural beauty product is when people rave about the results as much as the formula. And that's the case with this mineral foundation. The product has been featured on almost every best foundation list for the last decade. It gives you natural-looking coverage, is noncomedogenic and it comes in an impressive 30 shades. What more could you ask for?
bareMinerals Original Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 15, $28.50 at Sephora
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Best Shampoo
Klorane combines pharmaceutical knowledge with botanical ingredients to produce amazing products. This cruelty-free shampoo gently cleanses hair without interfering with the scalp's optimal pH balance thanks to the oat milk formula. (And here you thought oat milk was just for smoothies.)
Klorane Shampoo With Oat Milk, $20 at Sephora
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Best Conditioner
Keep hair looking lovely with this hydrating conditioner. You can guess what the hero ingredients are based on the name. The 84.7 percent natural formula features organic extracts that are only found on the island of Crete. After a couple of washes with the hydrating conditioner, you will see just how good the ingredients are.
KORRES Almond and Linseed Hair Conditioner, $24.50 at HSN
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Best Hair Treatment
This plant-based formula's star ingredients are narcissus flower wax and macadamia oil. They turn dry, frazzled hair into smooth, silky hair without weighing down strands. Best of all, you only need to use the mask a couple of times a week to maintain gorgeous hair.
Phyto Phytoelixir Intense Nutrition Mask, $59 at Sephora
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Best Hairspray
You're free to spray away with this USDA organic hairspray. It's all-natural and plant-based, and it offers flexible hold without that telltale crispy finish. The soft-touch feel is enough to convert even those who typically loathe hairspray.
John Masters Organics Hair Spray, $24 at Ulta
