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BY JENNY SMITH MATTFELDT Published September 19, 2024
I have loved makeup my whole life and it was my best friend when I was struggling with cycstic acne. But here’s the not-so-pretty side: a lot of the traditional beauty products we use every day come packed with ingredients that can screw up our hormones, which can actually work against you if you're trying to heal your skin. We’re talking about things like parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances— endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that sneak their way into our routine and throw our hormones out of whack. Today we’re diving into some products and brands that are hormone friendly without sacrificing any of the effectiveness, which can't be said for all non-toxic products.
If you're anything like me when you start learning about hormone disrupting makeup you'll want to impulse buy a whole new beauty routine and trash the one you already have. Not only will that be overwhelming but it's also a very expensive impulse buy. My best advice is to research the brands and producs you're interested in (or let me do the researching for you) and slowly replace your products one at a time as you run out. It's important to have some grace for yourself and realize not every product you use has to be "clean" but any step towards less hormone disrupting chemicals in your life is a step in the right direction.
Best Overall — Ilia
I have a soft spot for Ilia because it was the first line I tried that actually worked when I ventured into this section of beauty products. My favorite product by far is the Super Serum Skin Tint. I was hesitant at first because (be warned) the product doesn't smell very good, which is sometimes what you sacrifice when the products don't contain fragrances. The Skin Tint is very dewy which would perform so beautifully on dry skin, with my oily skin type I like to finish it with a little powder on top. I also love their Limitless Mascara because my lashes love to clump and the stiff double sided brush combs them right out. One of their newer products that is quickly becoming a cult classic are their Kim K style nude Lip Crayons, I'm not much a of a lipstick person so these crayons are a convenient substitute.
Best For Sensitive Skin — Youngblood
I was introduced to Youngblood while working at Jade Hair Studio & Day Spa, which carries amazing non-toxic products. The products have a reputation of working for even the most sensitive skin. One of their standout products is the Pressed Mineral Eyeshadow Palette. The palettes are only four colors but I'm completely fine with a smaller selection, sometimes less is more. The shadows are a velvety texture and easy to work with. One of their newer products that I think will be very popular are the Crème Blush Sticks. A cream blush is so easy to work with and is especially great for mature skin, it gives a dewy glowy finish.
Best For Staying On Trend — Kosas
When looking for hormone friendly you will find a lot of beige, demure, natural packaging. Kosas completely breaks the mold with their "comfy glam" aesthetic which gives it a very trendy vibe, you'd never know they were a clean beauty company until you read their backstory. I found Kosas when searching for a concealer that could compare to my Tarte Shape Tape. Similarly to Shape Tape their Revealer Concealer has a very creamy, buildable consistency, accompanied by a very impressive shade range. The product I'm stocking up on is their Air Brow Gel which comes in clear or 10 color shades. It's the gel you want if you like a fluffy, laminated look. I did find quite a few reviews that their mascara doesn't have a very long shelf life which can be a trade off you face in products without preservatives.
Best Classics — Lily Lolo
Lily Lolo is a small but veteran brand that originated in Europe. While I don't own any of their products myself they are mentioned on every non-toxic message board I've found so I wanted to make sure and include them. Their powder Mineral Foundation is said to be silky soft and water resistant, I've also found that powdered foundations are the easiest way to touch up your makeup throughout the day. One thing I found so unique about this company were the $2.75 samples of their mineral foundation, shimmer, bb cream, and bronzers which is an amazing way to try out the company without a big money commitment. Another product that really intrigued me, and would be such a great tool if you have dark circles or redness you want to cover, were their Color Correctors. A little of the yellow or green corrector underneath your foundation would soften any discoloration in your skin.
Best Quality On A Budget — Honest
Created by Jessica Alba this company is primarily known for clean baby products. The packaging follows the same simple minimal feel as their other product lines. Their hit product is the adorable Tinted Lip Balm. It feels great and is the perfect daily lip product if you want a little something but don't love a lipstick, and for $9 it's tough to beat the price. It's worth noting when doing my research I saw their Eyeshadow Palette described multiple times as "unicorn" for the great price and high quality. Another one of their steals were the hypoallergenic makeup remover wipes, which again for around $7 is hard to beat.
Best For Effortlessly Cool — Saie
Pronounced "say" this brand puts off an effortlessly chic, clean girl vibe from top to bottom. They have very reasonable prices for the quality of the products. Their Glowy Super Gel gives a perfect pearly glow that I love to use not only as a highlighter on my cheek bones but also on my collarbones and the tops of my shoulders when I get dressed up. The Glow Gel pairs perfectly with their Dew Blush, these creamier products blend beautifully for a dewy finish which keeps skin looking hydrated and youthful. I'm just obsessed with the laid back yet polished aesthetic all of their products give off.
In the world of "clean" beauty, it’s important to stay mindful of greenwashing and companies using clever marketing to appear more natural than they are. Since "clean" isn’t a regulated term, it’s up to us as consumers to dig deeper. While these hormone-friendly makeup options often have a shorter shelf life due to fewer preservatives, it’s all about balance. I love my Skin Tint but still reach for my full-coverage Estee Lauder foundation or waterproof mascara on occasion—sometimes, it’s just about what feels right in the moment. If you don’t use a lot of makeup, opting for mini versions is a smart move. And because these brands can be pricey, I recommend doing your research, getting samples where you can, and swapping out one product at a time. There's no rush— just find what works for you!
So full of information!!!