Skin Tone Inclusive Clean, Sustainable Makeup Brands
By Malia Noll
Image source: Ilia Beauty
Arguably the most essential items in your makeup bag are the ones that match your skin tone perfectly. But finding a product you can rely on to conceal, blur and cover that’s clean and sustainable can be a bit trickier, especially when it comes to finding a brand with inclusive colors! We totally hear you, so we created the ultimate guide to sustainable makeup products with skin tone inclusive shades that are sure to become staples in your morning routine.
Below, we’ve gathered a list of SISTAIN approved brands that offer high performing shades for a wide variety of skin tones. We hope you’ll be able to find a product you love!
Lightweight Coverage
Check out our lightweight coverage picks for bare skin that’s craving a little something extra.
Image source: Ilia
Super Serum Skin Tint by Ilia Beauty
Ilia’s skin tint is famous for a reason, and even provides broad spectrum SPF 40.
30 shades, $48
Image source: Vapour Beauty
Soft Focus Foundation by Vapour Beauty
Buildable light to medium coverage that leaves skin with a natural glow—what’s not to love?
19 shades, $48
Image source: Beautycounter
Dew Skin Tinted Moisturizer by Beautycounter
Dewy, sheer coverage with mineral SPF 20 and brightening Vitamin C, this multitasking product is ideal for anyone who wants a streamlined morning routine.
6 shades, $45
Full Coverage
Meet your go-to for formal events, camera ready skin or days when you need a little extra oomph.
Image source: Kjaer Weis
Liquid Foundation by Kjaer Weis
Certified organic and packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and rosehip oil, you’ll be covered and moisturized all day long.
24 shades, $48
Image source: Ilia Beauty
True Skin Serum Foundation by Ilia
This velvety finish serum-foundation hybrid is a fan favorite for those wanting an au naturale finish that’s secretly put together.
18 shades, $54
Image source: Beautycounter
Skin Twin Featherweight Foundation by Beautycounter
One of the brand’s bestsellers, this long-lasting foundation feels weightless and offers buildable coverage for versatility.
18 shades, $45
Concealer
Our trusty concearler is finally available in clean and sustainable alternatives with endless shades to match any skin tone!
Image source: Ilia Beauty
True Skin Serum Concealer by Ilia
Ilia’s concealer will be your go-to for medium coverage touchups, and over time, it helps brighten skin with powerful Vitamin C.
20 shades, $30
Image source: Vapour Beauty
Luminous Foundation Stick by Vapour Beauty
This multi-use stick can conceal, contour AND highlight, or even be used as an all-over foundation stick!
19 shades, $46
Image source: Kjaer Weis
Concealer by Kjaer Weis
Perfect for those pesky dark circles or blemishes, this full coverage concealer literally has you covered all day long.
16 shades, $30
Meet The Brands
Image source: Vapour Beauty
VAPOUR BEAUTY
This skin-honoring brand prioritizes the transformative power of plant ingredients to deliver high performing skin care products. The company prioritizes sustainability from production to distribution, and even offers customers rewards for recycling four or more empties!
Sustainability Efforts:
95% of the brand’s products are anhydrous (waterless) in order to counteract water stress that affects 44% of the world population.
Uses 100% Daylight Solar energy at their headquarters, manufacturing, warehouse and research facilities in Taos, New Mexico.
Orders are packaged using eco-friendly and compostable materials and all paper, cardboard, glass and packing materials used at their facilities in New Mexico are reused or recycled.
Offers rewards to customers when they recycle 4 empties through the company’s recycling program.
Image source: Ilia Beauty
ILIA BEAUTY
Ilia’s real-life beauty brand resonates with us deeply, and their inclusive, real-life marketing strategy is one we can stand behind. Not to mention, their products are high performing, beautifully packaged, and are free from harmful ingredients!
Sustainable Practices:
Packaging made from recycled aluminum, glass components, and responsibly sourced paper.
TerraCycle Zero Waste Box: All customers can mail up to 5 beauty products per month (Ilia products or ANY other brand) and TerraCycle will break the containers down responsibly so they don’t end up in a landfill.
Image source: Kjaer Weis
KJAER WEIS
Beauty lovers will fall for KW’s line of luxury organic makeup that has proven to be as high performing as other established competitors in the market. After purchasing a starter product, you can opt to purchase the brand’s “intelligent refills” so you’re able to save money and opt out of receiving packaging that’s meant to be discarded. There is even a helpful guide on their website that details the refilling process!
Sustainable Practices:
The Intelligent Refill System: The Kjaer Weis compacts were created to be used again and again, so when it’s time to purchase more of your favorite product, you simply purchase a refill of the product. You place the new product inside of the refillable packaging and the new product’s carton can be recycled.
The Red Edition: Red packaging designed to have a leather look but is made of high gloss textured red paper. This packaging is 100% recyclable, compostable, and refillable.
All Kjaer Weis makeup is free of parabens, silicones, petrochemical emulsifiers and synthetic fragrance.
Certified Natural or Certified Organic
Image source: Beautycounter
BEAUTYCOUNTER
Beautycounter is a leader in the clean and sustainable beauty movement with a goal of providing makeup products that are safe for humans and the planet. We love that they prioritize inclusivity and relatability, too!
Sustainability Efforts:
Launched a comprehensive responsible sourcing program, focusing on high-risk ingredients such as mica, palm, and vanilla.
Launched a consumer-friendly recycling labels to help you properly dispose of and recycle our products.
Set a goal to have 100% recyclable, refillable, and/or compostable packaging 2025.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Malia Noll is a former public accountant turned self-employed copywriter who works with small businesses to build genuine connections to customers through strategic writing. Malia is based in Columbus, Ohio and specializes in promotional writing, email marketing and editing.
