A while back I tried to help untangle so many of the buzzwords used on cosmetics labels. Since I got a great response from you all, I wanted to do a part 2 of sorts and give highlights on my favorite sustainable/organic skin care lines (I’ll get to makeup soon). I’ve written about these lines and reviewed products from them, but this time it isn’t about products it’s about practice.
I’ll highlight each line’s CosmeticDatabase.com information, where to purchase, a few (not all) of their ‘green’ highlights meaning what they do and don’t use and their sustainable or organic practices, average prices, charity affiliates, and where the company is based.
All things being equal in product performance, it just feels good to find a brand that matches your personal values whatever they may be so I hope this is helpful.
Iintelligent Nutrients
Click HERE for their CosmeticsDatabase.com safety scores
Where to Buy: IntelligentNutrients.com, Barneys, Whole Foods, salons and spas.
Green Highlights: They use food-grade ingredients that are pesticide free, formulated without parabens, silicones, sulfates, and other common toxins, USDA certified organic, cruelty free, produced with renewable energy.
Average Price: $32 (within their skin care products)
Charitable Contributions: Though not specified, on their site it reads that they donate ‘all after-tax profits… to environmental and social causes.’
Where are They? Their office and farm where they source many of the ingredients used is in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Pangea
Click HERE for their CosmeticsDatabase.com safety scores
Where to Buy: Pangea.com, Vitamin Cottage, Whole Foods, Sephora, select natural foods stores.
Green Highlights: No synthetics or GMO’s, organic and raw when they can.
Average Price: $32
Charitable Contributions: Women for Women International
Where are They? Right down the road from me in Boulder Colorado.
Liz Earle
Not represented on CosmeticsDatabase.com
Where to buy: LizEarle.com, Fred Segal Santa Monica
Green Highlights: They use organic when possible, no mineral oils in anything, no synthetic (only mineral) sunscreens or Vitamin E, no animal ingredients, local when possible, ISO14001 certified – an international and independent certification that ensures a sustainable business practice right down to their light bulbs.
Average Price: Around $35
Charitable Contributions: None that I could find on their site, but I’m looking into it and will update when I know.
Where are They? Isle of Wight, U.K
Pomega5
Click HERE for their CosmeticsDatabase.com safety scores
Where to Buy: Pomega5.com, Bliss Spas
Green Highlights: Pomegranates sourced from biodynamic soil, manufactured in a certified green lab, vegan, cruelty free, between 98% and 100% biodynamic and organic.
Average Price: $50
Charitable Contributions: To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation, Green America, Farm Sanctuary, FINCA, Environmental Defense Fund, National Anti-Vivisection Society, Alley Cat Rescue.
Where are They? They’re located in San Anselmo, California.
Suki
Click HERE for their CosmeticsDatabase.com safety scores
Where to buy: SukiSkinCare.com, DermStore.com, various Whole Foods
Green Highlights: Made with natural, organic, biodynamic & food grade ingredients, cruelty free, glass packaging- no plastics. Their site does a fantastic job of explaining ingredients, check out their ‘what to avoid’ listing HERE.
Average Price: $30
Charitable Contributions: They have quite a few, click HERE for specifics.
Where are They: Northampton, Massachusetts
Nude
Click HERE for their CosmeticsDatabase.com safety scores
Where to Buy: NudeSkincare.com, Whole Foods, Sephora
Green Highlights: 40% of their packaging is made from recycled plastic, fair trade practices, free of Parabens, Propylene Glycol, Phthalates, GMOs, Mineral Oils and Silicones.
Average Price: $50
Charitable Contributions: None that I could find on their site, but I’m looking into it and will update when I know.
Where are They? Nude is based in London.
Other Notable Info: Nude’s focus is their own probiotics (milk based so it isn’t vegan) and replacing traditionally used chemicals with more natural ones. They use some organics, but being organic isn’t their focus.
Check out CosmeticsDatabase.com to find out the safety of your cosmetics and personal care items, and also The Environmental Working Group for cosmetics safety reports.
