Real examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know in 2025

First, some real examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know

Let’s start with what you came for: real brands that walk the talk. When people ask for examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know, these names show up again and again in 2024–2025 conversations among makeup artists, dermatologists, and ingredient nerds.

Instead of a sterile list, think of this as a tour through your future makeup bag.

RMS Beauty – Coconut oil–based classics with organic color

RMS Beauty is one of the best examples of a brand that made organic makeup feel chic instead of crunchy. Founded by makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift, the line leans hard on certified organic ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter in many of its hero products.

People love their “Un” Cover-Up concealer/foundation and Lip2Cheek pots because they behave like regular makeup while avoiding many conventional additives. RMS is a good example of how organic oils and plant waxes can replace mineral oils and synthetic emollients without sacrificing that glossy, editorial finish.

If you want a first example of switching to organic complexion products, RMS is a great starting point.

ILIA Beauty – Clean color with skincare-level ingredients

ILIA sits in that sweet spot between natural and performance. While not every single product is 100% organic, many of the base ingredients are organic botanical oils and waxes, and the brand is very transparent about what’s in the bottle.

Their Super Serum Skin Tint SPF is a favorite for people who want makeup that doubles as skincare. It’s a best example of how brands are blending organic plant ingredients with mineral sunscreen and lab-tested actives like niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

ILIA is often mentioned when people look for examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know that still feel modern, polished, and Sephora-shelf ready.

Kjaer Weis – Refillable luxury meets certified organic

If you like the idea of organic makeup but want it to look and feel luxury, Kjaer Weis is your brand. Many of their complexion products contain a high percentage of certified organic ingredients (like organic sweet almond oil and jojoba oil), and the packaging is refillable metal that’s meant to be kept and refilled, not tossed.

This is one of the best examples of how organic formulas and sustainability-minded packaging can coexist without feeling like a compromise. The Cream Blush and Cream Foundation are cult favorites for a dewy, skin-like finish.

If you’re building a capsule makeup collection, Kjaer Weis is a real example of investing in fewer, better, more sustainable items.

100% Pure – Fruit-pigmented color and high organic content

100% Pure is one of the more literal examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know if you want color from plants, not synthetic dyes. Many of their products are fruit-pigmented, using ingredients like pomegranate, blackberry, and cocoa to create color.

A lot of their base ingredients are organic (check each label), and the brand is vocal about avoiding common synthetic colorants and fragrances. Their Fruit Pigmented® Ultra Lengthening Mascara and Healthy Skin Foundation are go-to products for people transitioning from conventional to more natural formulas.

If you’re looking for an example of a brand that leans heavily into plant-based pigments, this is it.

Juice Beauty – USDA Organic roots and Gwyneth-approved

Juice Beauty has been around longer than many newer “clean” brands and has USDA-certified organic products in its lineup. Their Phyto-Pigments makeup range uses plant-based pigments and organic botanical juices as the base.

This brand is a good example of how the organic movement in skincare naturally expanded into makeup. Their foundations and cream blushes are popular with people who want something that feels more like skincare with color added in.

If you want a brand with third-party organic validation on some formulas, Juice Beauty is worth a look.

Ere Perez – Botanical, minimalist, and sensitive-skin friendly

Ere Perez is often found in green beauty boutiques and is a great example of a minimalist, plant-forward brand. Many formulas highlight single hero botanicals like oat milk, carrot, and quinoa, often sourced organically.

Their Oat Milk Foundation and Carrot Color Pots are beloved by people with sensitive skin who still want real payoff. Ere Perez is a best example of how a brand can keep ingredient lists short and still deliver performance.

If you want makeup that feels like a gentle skincare routine with color, this is a strong example of what to look for.

Alima Pure – Mineral makeup with a cleaner ingredient deck

If you prefer powders to creams, Alima Pure is one of the best examples among mineral makeup brands. Their loose powder foundation is made with a short list of ingredients and avoids common irritants like synthetic fragrance and certain preservatives.

While “mineral” doesn’t automatically mean organic (minerals aren’t agricultural products), Alima Pure often pairs mineral pigments with plant-based, sometimes organic, oils and waxes in their pressed products. It’s a good example of how you can move toward simpler, more skin-friendly formulas even if every ingredient can’t be certified organic.

Well People – Target-available and budget-friendlier

Clean and organic-leaning makeup used to be a luxury-only space. Well People (formerly W3LL People) helped change that by landing in mainstream stores like Target. Many of their products use plant-based ingredients, including organic ones, and skip common synthetic additives.

Their Bio Tint Tinted Moisturizer and Expressionist Mascara are often mentioned when people ask for examples include more affordable, everyday options. This brand is a best example of how cleaner, more organic-conscious formulas are becoming more accessible.

How to tell if a brand really belongs on a list of best organic makeup examples

Seeing examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know is helpful, but how do you judge new brands you discover on your own? Instead of memorizing ingredient dictionaries, focus on a few practical checks.

Look for real certifications, not just leafy logos

In the U.S., the term “organic” is regulated for agricultural ingredients by the USDA. That matters more for skincare and makeup than most people realize. If a product is labeled “USDA Organic,” it has to meet specific standards for how those ingredients were grown and processed.

You can learn more about what “organic” means at the USDA National Organic Program site:

• https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic

For makeup, you’ll often see:

• Products with a USDA Organic seal (usually skincare-like items, lip balms, oils).
• Products where a percentage of ingredients are certified organic, listed on the back label.

In Europe and internationally, you might see COSMOS Organic or Ecocert logos. These are examples of independent standards that can give you extra confidence when you’re comparing brands.

Read the first 5–7 ingredients

In every product, the first several ingredients make up the bulk of the formula. If you’re aiming for organic makeup:

• Look for organic plant oils, butters, hydrosols, and waxes (often marked with an asterisk and a note like “*certified organic”).
• Expect to see some non-organic ingredients like minerals (iron oxides, zinc oxide) and safe synthetics for stability.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publish research and databases on ingredient safety, which can help you understand what you’re seeing on labels:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (search cosmetic ingredient names)
• https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/

These aren’t perfect or one-size-fits-all, but they’re helpful starting points.

Be realistic about preservatives and performance

Here’s the honest part: truly preservative-free, 100% organic makeup is rare and often not safe. Anything with water in it needs a preservative system to prevent mold and bacteria.

Health authorities like the FDA and CDC emphasize that contamination in cosmetics is a real risk, especially around eyes and lips:

• https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-products
• https://www.cdc.gov/hygiene/index.html

So when you see examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know, understand that most of them use a mix of organic plant ingredients plus carefully chosen preservatives. That’s a good thing.

2024–2025 trends shaping the next wave of organic makeup brands

The organic makeup space is changing fast. If you’re shopping now, you’ll notice a few clear trends.

Skin-care-first makeup

Many of the best examples today blur the line between skincare and makeup. Think:

• Tinted serums with organic oils and hyaluronic acid.
• Cream blushes that include organic aloe, green tea, or chamomile.

Brands like ILIA, Juice Beauty, and Ere Perez are perfect examples of this hybrid approach, where color is almost a bonus on top of a skincare-style formula.

Refillable and low-waste packaging

Kjaer Weis and some newer indie brands are pushing refillable compacts, glass bottles, and recyclable components. When you look for examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know and care about waste, watch for:

• Metal or hard plastic compacts designed for refills.
• Glass or recycled plastic bottles.
• Clear recycling or take-back programs.

This is where organic formulas and environmental responsibility really start to support each other.

More shades, more undertones

Early organic and “clean” makeup lines were notorious for offering four beige-ish shades and calling it a day. That’s changing.

Brands like ILIA, Alima Pure, and newer entrants are expanding shade ranges, adding warm, cool, and neutral undertones. When you’re evaluating the best examples of organic makeup brands, shade diversity is now part of the standard—not a bonus.

Better transparency around testing and safety

Consumers are asking sharper questions about safety testing, allergen disclosure, and contamination (like heavy metals in mineral pigments). In response, more brands are publishing:

• Third-party lab testing summaries.
• Heavy metal testing for color cosmetics.
• Allergen disclosures for common triggers like nuts, gluten, or soy.

If a brand is open about testing and sourcing, that’s a strong sign it belongs on any list of examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know.

How to choose the right organic makeup brand for you

Reading about examples is helpful, but your skin, budget, and lifestyle matter just as much as a brand’s ingredient philosophy.

Start with the products you use daily

Instead of trying to replace everything at once, focus on what sits on your skin the longest:

• Foundation, tinted moisturizer, or skin tint
• Concealer
• Lip products (since you end up ingesting some)

These are smart places to prioritize higher organic content and cleaner ingredients. For instance:

• Try RMS Beauty or ILIA for base products.
• Look at 100% Pure or Ere Perez for lip and cheek color.

Match formula style to your skin type

• Dry or mature skin: Creamy, oil-based products from brands like RMS Beauty, Kjaer Weis, and Juice Beauty often feel more comfortable.
• Oily or combo skin: Mineral powders from Alima Pure or lighter gel-serum textures from ILIA may sit better.
• Sensitive skin: Shorter ingredient lists (Ere Perez, some Well People items) can be kinder, but always patch test.

When in doubt, check with a dermatologist, especially if you have a history of allergies or skin conditions. Sites like Mayo Clinic and WebMD offer reliable, plain-language information on common skin issues and irritants:

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions
• https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/default.htm

Decide what “organic enough” means for you

Not every product needs to be 95% organic to be a win. You might decide that:

• Base products and lip colors should have a high percentage of organic botanicals.
• Eye products can be more about performance and safety than organic content.
• You’re okay with some safe synthetics if the overall formula is gentler and more transparent than conventional options.

Your comfort level is what matters. The examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know all sit somewhere along this spectrum—none are perfect, but many are significantly better than old-school formulas.

FAQ: Real questions about organic makeup brands

Q: Can you give some quick examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know if I’m totally new to this?
If you want a simple starting lineup, an example of a beginner-friendly mix would be: RMS Beauty for concealer, ILIA for skin tint and mascara, 100% Pure for lip color, and Well People for an everyday tinted moisturizer. These are real examples that balance organic content, performance, and availability.

Q: Are there examples of organic makeup brands that are fully certified organic?
Very few color cosmetics are 100% certified organic because pigments, minerals, and certain stabilizers can’t be certified. However, examples include products (especially balms and oils) from brands like Juice Beauty and some smaller indie labels that carry the USDA Organic seal on specific items. Always check the individual product, not just the brand name.

Q: What’s an example of an ingredient I should avoid if I’m trying to go cleaner, even if it’s not about being organic?
Everyone’s triggers are different, but many people start by limiting synthetic fragrance, which can be irritating for sensitive skin. Some also choose to avoid certain parabens or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. For a deeper dive into ingredient safety, the NIH and FDA have helpful overviews you can search by chemical name.

Q: Do organic makeup brands last as long or work as well as conventional ones?
The best examples today absolutely do. Early formulas could be waxy, oily, or under-pigmented. Newer brands like ILIA, Kjaer Weis, and Alima Pure have shown that you can have strong color payoff, decent wear time, and a more organic-leaning ingredient list. You may notice slightly shorter shelf lives or a different texture, but performance is no longer the trade-off it used to be.

Q: Are there examples of organic makeup that are safe for acne-prone skin?
Yes, but “organic” doesn’t automatically mean non-comedogenic. Look for lighter formulas with non-comedogenic oils (like jojoba) and avoid heavy coconut oil in leave-on face products if you’re breakout-prone. Mineral powders from brands like Alima Pure and some lighter tints from ILIA or Ere Perez can be good examples to test, but patch testing and a chat with a dermatologist are always smart moves.

Q: Is it worth switching everything to organic at once?
You don’t have to. Many people start with one or two key products—often foundation and lipstick—and slowly swap as they run out. Using the examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know as a roadmap, you can build a collection over time that feels better for your skin and your values without blowing your budget.

If you take nothing else away from this guide, let it be this: you don’t need a perfect, all-organic makeup bag to make meaningful changes. Start with a few of the real examples of best organic makeup brands you need to know, pay attention to how your skin responds, and build from there. Progress, not perfection, is the goal—and your future self (and your skin) will thank you.