organic foundation

The Best Organic Foundations: 2024 Guide to Truly Clean Foundation

This article covers everything you need to know about natural foundations that use clean, organic ingredients. If it’s going to covering your entire face, make sure you’re applying healthy ingredients that actually nourish and improve your skin. So many people focus on covering up imperfections with conventional makeup filled with microplastics, harmful synthetics, petroleum derived ingredients and toxins and wonder why their skin isn’t improving. It’s 2024 and it’s easier than ever to switch to organic foundations that ACTUALLY WORK. This guide to organic foundation includes truly non-toxic makeup brands who use majority certified organic ingredients. So toss aside your BareMinerals foundation, and read on for the best non toxic foundations that give complexion perfection.

Ingredients to Avoid in Foundation

When you’re looking for a nontoxic foundation, be sure to avoid certain ingredients that may cause skin irritation or other potential health concerns. Here are some ingredients to avoid in your foundation:

  1. Bismuth Oxychloride: While the FDA has approved bismuth oxychloride as safe for use in cosmetics, it can cause skin reactions for a lot of people.
  2. Parabens: These are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics but have been linked to hormonal disruptions and potential reproductive issues.
  3. Fragrance: Synthetic fragrances can be a common allergen and may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Opt for fragrance-free or products scented with natural essential oils.
  4. Oxybenzone: This chemical is found in some foundations with SPF, but it can potentially cause skin allergies and hormonal disruptions. Try using foundations with physical sunscreens like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide instead.
  5. Synthetic Dyes: Artificial colorants, such as FD&C or D&C, can cause sensitivity and potential irritation. Look for foundations with natural or mineral-based colorants.
  6. Mineral Oil: This petroleum-derived ingredient can clog pores and may not be suitable for acne-prone or sensitive skin types.
  7. Talc: Linked to potential cancer risks. To this day, talc is still often found in powder foundations.
  8. Sulfates: These are cleansing agents that can be harsh and drying for the skin.
  9. Phthalates: These chemicals are used to enhance fragrance and texture but may be endocrine disruptors.
  10. Silicones: While not necessarily harmful, some individuals may be sensitive to silicones, which can give a smooth texture but may cause breakouts or irritation.
  11. Alcohol: High concentrations of alcohol, such as denatured alcohol, can be drying and irritating to the skin. Seek foundations without excessive alcohol content.

Best Clean Foundation Brands

We continuously update our articles, and sadly, one of my favorite organic foundation brands Vapour Beauty closed down in 2023. Some of their shades are still available here, but once it’s gone it’s gone. Since Vapour is no longer, this list is a little shorter now.

100% pure foundation

100% Pure Healthy Foundation

If you’re looking for an all natural foundation that allows your skin to still look like your skin but is buildable to provide more coverage when needed, 100% Pure Healthy Foundation is a great option to consider. This is one of the cleanest foundations on the market, made mainly of 100% Pure’s signature base of Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Rice Starch and fruit extracts and supercharged with Maqui Berry, Coffee Cherry, Muscadine Grape, and Mangosteen.

100% Pure Healthy Foundation is an all around great clean and natural foundation for skin of all ages and skin types.

  • For: Oily, Combination and Normal Skin
  • Finish: Matte
  • Number of Shades: 9
  • Coverage:  Light to medium
  • Wear: Long lasting

Here’s what OBL reader Mariela says about 100% Pure’s foundation:

Love this foundation so much, coverage is medium to full, leaves skin smooth, covers all my redness, and does not cling to my dry patches. Shade Creme is perfect for my fair skin with neutral undertones. Staying power is good for 6 to 8 hours i would say, and then you need to touch up a little.

my skin is dry to combination
i use this foundation almost 4 months on and off

Here’s what another reader says:

I’m a huge fan of 100% Pure and I love the non-toxic & natural ingredients in the foundation, but I find that it settles into fine lines and creases easily. I have oily/acne-prone skin with dry blemish spots here and there and the foundation clings on to the dry spots like crazy! I’m almost finished with the bottle, but I don’t think I will repurchase. My search for a green foundation continues!

Another OBL reader says:

I love this foundation, it’s formulated from plants and aloe Vera juice and it is my favourite foundation. I am tanned with combinated skin and I use the shade golden peach and it exactly matches my skin.It does have SPF 15 in it so when you first put it on it will look a little paler but once it sets in it will slowly blend into your skin. I use a damp beauty blender and I find that it applies seamlessly. It goes on matte with medium to full coverage and suits oily or combination skin best.if you have dry skin I would suggest blending it in with a drop of your favourite facial oil to give it a much fluid texture and dewy finish. My favourite way of wearing it during the winter is with one pump of my SeaBuckthorn best skin ever and this foundation mixed. it moisturises the skin and leaves behind fresh dewy appearance.I don’t need it feel thlike need the need to powder after as this foundation sets in dry. I have so far repurchased this 5 times to date from the first time I discovered it and I love it.

Check out OBL readers’ thoughts on 100% Pure here.

INIKA organic foundation

INIKA Organic Liquid Foundation

My top pick for an organic foundation for mature skin is Inika Organic Liquid Foundation. 100% of the ingredients used by Inika Organic are ethically sourced, natural and derived from botanicals or minerals. Inika is also certified organic and natural by multiple organizations, so you can be certain that 70%+ of the ingredients in each product is organic.

Inika foundation seems to have more of a drier, thicker formula though its formula is focused on hydrating with all natural and organic ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera Leaf Juice and a blend of oils.

Inika Liquid Foundation gives a little bit more coverage than their BB cream, but I would still consider the coverage to be light and maybe medium for some skin. The formula dries very quickly and leaves a matte finish.

If you’re looking for a majority organic and all natural (73% organic) product, Inika’s foundation is an option to look into. If you’re unsure and are looking to try a few of their foundations and primer, Inika offers foundation samples in the form of an introductory trial kit directly on their website

INIKA Foundation is a great non toxic foundation for mature skin and oily skin types.

Check out OBL readers’ thoughts on INIKA here.

100% pure full coverage foundation

100% Pure Full Coverage Water Foundation

100% Pure Full Coverage Water Foundation a fantastic full coverage natural foundation. The 100% Pure foundation is best for sensitive skin because it contains only gentle plant extracts and rice starch, which is SO soothing for irritated skin.

100% Pure has the most organic Foundation options that are truly all natural and is a great makeup brand to start your clean beauty journey with. They offer a handful of different kinds of face foundations to suit different skin types and coverage needs. Besides four different kinds of foundations, 100% Pure also has a BB cream and tinted moisturizer.

  • For: Dry Skin
  • Finish: The 100% Pure website says dewy but I found this to be more off a matte finish for me, similar to Healthy Skin Foundation’s finish
  • Coverage: Medium to Full
  • Number of Shades: 19
  • Wear: Long lasting

The 100% Pure Water Foundation offers the most inclusive shade range of 19 different shades, provides the most coverage out of all the 100% Pure foundations, and while thick doesn’t feel overly heavy on the skin. If you’re looking for an organic foundation that also provides lots of coverage, 100% Pure’s Water Foundation is it. This would be one of my top picks out of all the foundations, my other being the Healthy Foundation if you’re not looking for substantial coverage and would like your skin to look like your skin. And lastly, 2nd Skin Foundation if you love an oil serum foundation.

organic foundation swatches

Whie it says on the bottle and site that the finish is dewy, I find the 100% Pure Water Foundation finish is matte on my dry skin. One layer is all I need for good coverage. Any more and I feel the foundation would look too cakey. Instead of plastics, synthetics and possible toxins, 100% Pure Water Foundation begins in an organic Aloe Juice base and is enriched with fruit extracts, oils from Acai and Pomegranate, and skincare ingredients like Red Wine Resveratrol and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

SAVE: Affiliate discount code OBL saves 20% at 100 Percent Pure

fitglow beauty organic foundation

Fitglow Beauty Foundation

Fitglow’s organic foundation is best if you want a natural, skin like finish.

Fitglow Beauty Foundation is a very lightweight organic foundation with a silky smooth consistency. It applies flawlessly and simply feels fantastic on the skin, neither heavy nor drying. The wand applicator may or may not be an application you’d enjoy though. I love how Fitglow Beauty Foundation makes your skin look like your skin, but more beautiful and airbrushed.

fitglow foundation

The Fitglow Beauty foundation is truly skincare that acts as a foundation. It’s 98% Organic, 95% Whole Food Based and contains Vitamin C, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid,Seaweed Brighteners and Beta-Carotene to increase collagen production and boost skins ability to diminish spots, freckles, hyper-pigmentation, sun damage plus improve elasticity.

While Fitglow Foundation works for all skin types, this is a fantastic organic foundation for mature skin and oily skin types as it has the most skincare-like formulation and a natural finish.

Coverage: Light to Medium

Finish: Natural, satin finish

SAVE: Discount code OBL15 saves 15%

 

ilia beauty foundation

 

ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation

ILIA’s True Skin Serum Foundation gives skin a beautiful natural, satin like finish. Depending on the condition of your skin, True Skin Serum Foundation may give you somewhere between light to medium coverage.

The formula has added mastic gum, which helps fight oil production, and active levels of Niacinamide and Allantoin to improve skin barrier health, soothe inflammation and increase your skin’s ability to retain moisture.

I have to say the ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation is silky and smooth, feels lightweight and wears well throughout the day. Note that ILIA True Skin Serum Foundation does contain the silicone Dimethicone, which lends to its silkiness factor. If silicones cause you to break out I would proceed with caution.

Unlike the Super Serum Skin Tint and C Beyond Triple Serum (which I don’t recommend),  ILIA’s True Skin Serum foundation does not have a greasy or cakey factor to it. ILIA Beauty does include dimethicone in their foundation.

Check out OBL readers’ thoughts on ILIA here.

Araza Beauty foundation

Honorary Mention: Araza Beauty Coconut Cream Foundation

Araza Beauty makes nearly 100% organic makeup and their foundation comes in a cream format. I would only recommend this if you’re looking for a very rich, moisturizing cream foundation. I have a full Araza Beauty review here.

non toxic foundation

2 responses to “The Best Organic Foundations: 2024 Guide to Truly Clean Foundation”

  1. Nicbazz Avatar
    Nicbazz

    I wanted to say THANK YOU for this list. I have a severe tomato allergy, and until recently a few years ago I didn’t know that most organic/natural brands use tomato enzyme as a bonding agent. Lists like these make it much easier to sort through everything out there to narrow down the products NOT to use.

    1. Andrea Avatar
      Andrea

      Thank you so much! I’m so glad to hear that it helped you!?

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