A Panel of Dermatologists and Experts Think These are the Most Effective Green Beauty Products Out There
The best all-natural makeup, hair, and skin saviors on the market.
When ELLE kicked off our annual eco-beauty awards 10 years ago, we wanted to recognize the handful of companies that were committed to using all-natural ingredients and making the world a better place. Fast-forward a decade, and the earth-friendly offerings are harder working, more sophisticated, and more varied than ever. Here, a panel of experts votes on the very best green beauty products for your face, body, hair—and overall health.
This article originally appeared in the July 2016 issue of ELLE.
The Criteria
Our panel of top hair stylists, makeup artists, dermatologists, and wellness experts have test-driven the products you see here on photo shoots, red carpets, and runway shows—as well as everyday clients and patients. Each Green Star must be powered by natural ingredients; be free from parabens, phthalates, and sulfates; and be sustainable (that means responsibly sourced palm oil and no petrochemicals).
The Jury:
Annie Chiu, MD (dermatologist, Redondo Beach, CA); Mona Gohara, MD (dermatologist, Danbury, CT); James Corbett (hair stylist; owner of James Corbett Studio, New York, NY); Elisabeth Lovell (hair stylist; co-owner of Whiteroom, Brooklyn, NY); Jessa Blades (makeup artist; founder of Blades Natural Beauty); Amber Dreadon (makeup artist, Los Angeles, CA); Jenn Bandier (fitness entrepreneur; founder of Bandier activewear); Amanda Chantal Bacon (wellness expert; founder of L.A. wellness chain Moon Juice, Los Angeles, CA)
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Mascara
"Love. This. Stuff," says dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, of ultrablack Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Mascara, with soothing cucumber and aloe. "Volumizing, lengthening, and hypoallergenic? Music to my eyes."
Fat and the Moon Eye Coal
Makeup artist Jessa Blades says that Fat and the Moon Eye Coal, which contains just three ingredients—sunflower oil, black oxide powder, and beeswax—is an "excellent choice to achieve that effortless smoky eye," whether applied with a finger or a brush.
Ilia Lipstick
The lipstick that has been awarded more than any other in Green Stars history, Ilia Lipstick, rich with sesame and rose hip oils, has "a semimatte finish that still looks natural and soft," says fitness entrepreneur Jenn Bandier.
Tata Harper Bronzer
When swept across the cheeks, bridge of the nose, chin, and forehead with a powder brush, moisturizing coconut oil–based Tata Harper bronzer imparts a "beachy, luminous effect" that's subtle enough for everyday wear, says makeup artist Amber Dreadon.
EIR Surf Mud + Zinc
Beach essential EIR Surf Mud + Zinc, which combines SPF 30 with anti-inflammatory cocoa and glides on like a clear balm, was "inspired by ancient Mayan chocolate masks," says Gohara. Bonus: It can also be used to protect the scalp and hair.
Monk Oil
Bacon hydrates head to toe with Monk Oil "crafted only at the new and full moons." This blend of avocado, apricot kernel, cedar, lavender, and rose otto oils is enhanced with flower essences (yarrow, arnica, echinacea) and rose quartz crystal.
Odacité Ac+R Youthful Glow Facial Serum
Odacité Ac+R Youthful Glow facial serum "delivers the potent antioxidant effects of acai berries, boosted by calming rose oil," says Chiu, who recommends applying a few drops to damp skin (to maximize absorption) before bed.
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Defense SPF 30
Not only does zinc-based Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Defense SPF 30 guard against UVA and UVB, it's "packed with antioxidants like carotenoids that defend against oxidative damage, which can cause premature aging," Chiu says.
Weleda Skin Food
Chamomile- and calendula-powered Weleda Skin Food "does it all," according to Dreadon. For an on-the-go minifacial, she spritzes on Avène Thermal Spring Water and then liberally applies the moisturizer "to leave skin luminous."
Goop Luminous Melting Cleanser
"Ideal for dehydrated, sensitive, or rosacea-prone skin," says dermatologist Annie Chiu, MD, Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop Luminous Melting Cleanser is infused with redness-reducing lavender as well as sunflower seed oil, which "helps repair the skin barrier."
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel
The exfoliator that leaves Bandier's skin "cleaner and smoother" than any other? Alpha and beta hydroxy Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Full Strength, which contains brightening citrus and willow bark–derived salicylic acid.
Tela Curly Conditioner
Tela Curly Conditioner not only quenches dryness with organic Solomon's seal, marshmallow root, and plantain; Corbett says his clients swear "their color doesn't fade as quickly when using it."
Captain Blankenship Mermaid Sea Salt Spray
Bacon fakes full, beachy hair with just a couple of spritzes of Captain Blankenship Mermaid Sea Salt Spray, which adds volume with Pacific Ocean salt and moisturizes with organic aloe vera and sea kelp extract.
Rahua Elixir Daily Hair Drops
A simple blend of gardenia, palo santo, and ungurahua nut oil, Rahua Elixir Daily Hair Drops "soften hair, smooth flyaways, and provide shine," says Elisabeth Lovell, co-owner of Brooklyn's Whiteroom salon.
Reverie Shampoo
Free of silicones and glutens, Reverie Shampoo imparts gloss and strengthens strands with what hair stylist James Corbett calls "nursing ingredients," such as neroli oil, that support healthy follicles.
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