The Best Non-Toxic Makeup For Teens, Tweens & Young Adults
I’m sharing over 120 non-toxic makeup products for teens, tweens and young adults without harmful chemicals. You’ll find budget-friendly products, eye makeup, lip makeup, cheek and face makeup and non-toxic makeup remover.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Cosmetics companies are targeting teens, tweens and young adults with an onslaught of social media marketing for makeup and skincare. The worst part is that it’s commonplace for companies to add harmful ingredients like talc and phthalates to their formulas simply because they’re cheaper to manufacture and blend well with other ingredients. What’s good for the company does not mean it’s good for you. It’s important for teens, tweens and young adults to use makeup and skincare without harmful chemicals like endocrine disruptors during this crucial time of development.
A 2020 study of college age women found that they used more cosmetic and skincare products compared with pregnant and postpartum women. On average, the participants from this study used eight different personal care products per day containing endocrine-disrupting chemicals, but the product number went as high as 26. Over 80% of respondents did not know if their personal care products were free of endocrine disrupting chemicals.
If makeup products contain endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), these EDCs can disrupt normal hormonal function, potentially leading to a range of health issues such as reproductive problems, thyroid disorders, and even neurological effects. Additionally, since teens often use makeup daily, frequent exposure to these chemicals can amplify the risks.
Research indicates that it really does matter what types of products teens are using in their beauty routines. The HERMOSA study surveyed 100 Latina teenagers about their recent use of skincare and makeup and then measured urinary metabolites for endocrine disrupting chemicals. They found that teenagers who recently used foundation, blush, eyeliner and mascara had higher urinary concentrations of phthalate, paraben and benzophenone-3 metabolites.
When it comes to my teenage daughters and myself, I make a conscious decision to buy cosmetic products that don’t contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals. After reviewing ingredients from specific products, I found that there aren’t really any specific brands with 100% clean products (for example, W3LL People Lip Gloss contains questionable dyes and a preservative that I wouldn’t want on my lips, but they have some other really great products).
Ingredients To Avoid In Makeup
- Aluminum Powder
- BAK
- BHA & BHT
- Carbon Black
- Coal Tar Dyes
- Ethanolamine compounds
- Formaldehyde
- Lake Dyes
- Parabens
- Phenoxyethanol
- Synthetic Fragrance
- Talc
Beyond non-toxic makeup for teens, teens should use also non-toxic skincare and fluoride-free toothpaste.
Below you’ll find over 120 non-toxic makeup products for teens, tweens and young adults, including budget-friendly products. The categories include eye makeup, lip makeup, cheek makeup, face makeup and makeup remover.
Eyeshadow
1// Mineral Fusion Speakeasy Eyeshadow ($10.99 for 4 shades)
2// Burt’s Bees Eyeshadow Palette Trio ($12.99 for 3 shades)
3// Lauren Brooke Cosmetics Cream Matte Eyeshadow $13 (comes in 12 colors)
4// Lily Lolo Prime Focus Eyelid Primer $15
5// Clover by Clove Cream Eyeshadow $16 (comes in 5 colors)
6// Lauren Brooke Cosmetics Pressed Eyeshadow Duo $17 (comes in 11 colors)
7// Pacifica Pink Nudes Eyeshadow Palette $17.51 for 10 shades (only this palette color is non-toxic)
8// Kaja Whipped Dream Liquid Eyeshadow & Blush $19.06 (Comes in 4 colors)
9// BaeBlu Eyeshadow $19.19 (comes in 21 colors)
10// Honest Eye Catcher Lid Tint ($20 per tube)
11// Hynt Beauty Pressed Eyeshadow ($22 for 1 shade)
12// Honest Beauty Eyeshadow Palette ($27 for 10 shades)
13// Nudestix Matte Eye Color Stick $27 (comes in 15 colors)
14// Ilia Liquid Powder Chromatic Eye Tint ($28 per tube)
15// Honeybee Gardens Eyeshadow Palette ($29.99 for 4 shades) only the palettes Earth & Moon, Moons & Stars , Skinny Dip ll are okay)
16// Lily Lolo Eyeshadow Palette ($34 for 8 shades)
17// 100% Pure Eyeshadow Palette ($55 for 5 shades)
Mascara
1// Maybelline Green Edition Mega Mousse Mascara $5.49 Blackest Black, Brownish Black, Very Black
2// Mineral Fusion So Classy Volume Mascara $14.39
3// Honest Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer $17 (Black)
4// Dime Beauty Volume Mascara $18
5// Zuzu Luxe Mascara $19.35
6// BaeBlu Mascara $21.19 (comes in 2 colors)
7// Lily Lolo Big Lash Mascara $22 (Black)
8// Ilia LimitLess Lash Mascara $28 (Black)
Eyeliner
1// Burt’s Bees Nourishing Eyeliner Pencil $9.99 (comes in 2 colors)
2// Gabriel Eyeliner $13.20 (comes in 4 colors)
3// Mineral Fusion Eye Pencil $14.73 (comes in 5 colors)
4// Zuzu Luxe Eye Pencil $15 (comes in 8 colors)
5// Lauren Brooke Cosmetics Eyeliner $16 (comes in 5 colors)
6// Lily Lolo Natural Eye Pencil $16 (New Black)
7// W3LL People Eyeliner $17 (2 shades)
8// Jane Iredale Eyeliner $19 (comes in 6 colors)
9// RMS Beauty Eye Pencil $19.80 (Black, Bronze, Plum)
10// Antonym Eye Pencil $25 (Black)
Liquid Eyeliner
11// Florence by Mills Double Ended Liquid Eyeliner $16
12// Zuzu Luxe Liquid Eyeliner $17 (8 shades)
13// BaeBlu Gel Eyeliner Pot $21.19
14// W3LL People Liquid Eyeliner $17 (Black)
15// BaeBlu Liquid Eyeliner $21.19
Brow Pencil
16// Flower Draw The Line Eyebrow Pencil $7.49 (comes in 3 colors)
17// Burt’s Bees Brow Pencil $8.39 (comes in 2 colors)
18// W3LL People Expressionist Brow Pencil $14 (comes in 4 colors)
19// Zuzu Luxe Eyebrow Pencil $15.95 (comes in 6 colors)
20// Alima Pure Natural Definition Brow Pencil $22 (comes in 3 colors)
21// W3LL People Expressionist Brow Gel $17 (comes in 2 colors)
22// Lily Lolo Eyebrow Duo Powder $15
23// BaeBlu Brow Powder Compact $19.19 (comes in 4 colors)
Lipstick, Lip Gloss & Lip Crayon
1// Burt’s Bees Lip Shimmer $4.99 (comes in 11 colors)
2// Mineral Fusion Hydro-Shine Lip Gloss $5.50 per tube
3// Burt’s Bees Lip Shine $7.79 per tube
4// Burt’s Bees Lip Crayon $9.99 (comes in 6 colors)
5// Lauren Brooke Cosmetics Lip Gloss $10 (comes in 7 colors)
6// W3LL People Tinted Lip Butter SPF 15 $15
7// BaeBlu Lip Gloss $18.19
8// Lily Lolo Natural Lipstick $19 per tube
9// Zuzu Luxe Lip Gloss $19.05 (comes in 12 colors)
10// Mad Hippie Cheek & Lip Tint $19.80 (comes in 3 colors)
11// Kari Gran Tinted Lip Whip $21 per tub
12// Axiology Multi-Stick Crayons $24.95 for 2 shades
13// W3LL People Optimist Lipstick $25 per tube
Lip Liner
14// Honeybee Gardens Lip Liner $9.99 (comes in 2 colors)
15// Gabriel Lip Liner $13.20 (comes in 7 colors)
16// Lauren Brooke Cosmetics Lip Liner $15 (comes in 8 colors)
17// Zuzu luxe Lip Liner $15.20 (comes in 9 colors)
18// Lily Lolo Natural Lip Pencil $16
Powder Blush
1// Burt’s Bees Blush $8.99 (comes in 3 colors)
2// Lily Lolo Coming Up Roses Pressed Blush, Lily Lolo Tickled Pink Pressed Blush, Lily Lolo $20
3// BaeBlu Blush Crush Compact $24.19 (comes in 3 colors)
4// Zuzu Luxe Mineral Blush $24.85 (comes in 6 colors)
5// Gabriel Cosmetics Blush $21.20 (comes in 6 colors)
6// Lauren Brooke Cosmetics Cheek Blush Duo $21.50 (comes in 3 colors)
Cream Blush & Stick Blush
7// Neutrogena Multi-Use Stick $13.35
8// Kaja Whipped Dream Liquid Eyeshadow & Blush $19.06 (Comes in 4 colors)
9// BaeBlu Cheek Tint $19.19 (comes in 8 colors)
10// Mad Hippie Cheek & Lip Tint $19.80 (comes in 3 colors)
11// Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm $20 (comes in 6 colors)
12// W3LL People Multi-Use Stick Blush $22 (comes in 3 colors)
13// Han Multistick $22 (comes in 8 colors)
14// Axiology Multi-Sticks $24 (comes in 3 colors)
15// Inika Organic Lip & Cheek Tint $35 (comes in 2 colors)
Highlighter & Primer
1// Flower Seal The Deal Luminizing Setting Spray $14.92
2// Honest Beauty Balm $15.99
3// Flower Supernova Celestial Skin Primer $17.92
4// Tower 28 Superdew Highlighter Balm $18
5// BaeBlu Highlighter Stick $19.19
6// W3LL People Supernatural Highlighter Stick $19.41 (2 shades)
7// Lily Lolo Rose Illuminator $26
8// Rare Beauty Positive Light Liquid Luminizer $28.20 (comes in 6 colors)
9// Juice Beauty Illuminating Primer $32.40
10// RMS Beauty Highlighter $40 (comes in 3 colors)
11// Ilia Liquid Highlighter $42 (comes in 3 colors)
Bronzer
1// Pacifica Sundreams Matte Cream Bronzer $11.29 (5 shades)
2// W3LL People Supernatural Stick Bronzer $16 (4 shades)
3// Flower Heatwave Bronzing Essence $17.75
4// Han Bronzer $18 (comes in 2 colors)
5// Mineral Fusion Pool Party Bronzer $20.87 for 4 shades
6// Tower 28 Bronzino Illuminating Bronzer $22 (5 shades)
7// Milk Makeup Bionic Bronzer $32 (comes in 4 colors)
8// Zuzu Luxe Mineral Bronzer $32.80 (comes in 2 colors)
9// BaeBlu Bronzer $33.59 (comes in 2 colors)
10// Kosas Bronzer $35 (comes in 4 colors)
Concealer
1// Honest Everything Primer & Glow $15.74
2// Lily Lolo Mineral Concealer $18
3// Zuzu Luxe Concealer $19.35 (comes in 6 colors)
4// BaeBlu Concealer $21.19 (comes in 8 colors)
5// Honest Fresh Flex Concealer $21.99 (16 shades)
6// W3LL People Bio Correct Concealer $22 (20 shades)
7// Kosas Concealer $28 (comes in 28 colors)
8// RMS Beauty Uncoverup $34.20 (comes in 16 colors)
Foundation
9// Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free + Balance Foundation $8.98 (comes in 15 colors)
10// Honeybee Gardens Pressed Foundation Powder $12.99 (6 shades)
11// Tower 28 Sculptino Soft Cream Contour $20 (4 shades)
12// Lily Lolo Loose Mineral Foundation $22 Scroll past 1st Row
13// Clover by Clove Serum Foundation $22 (comes in 14 colors)
14// Lily Lolo Cream Foundation- $26 (7 shades)
15// Honest CCC Clean Corrective Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 $26.99 (9 shades)
16// W3LL People Bio Stick Foundation $27 (11 shades)
17// W3LL People Bio Powder Foundation $27 (12 shades)
18// Zuzu Luxe Oil-Free Liquid Foundation $34.45 (comes in 6 color)
Makeup Remover
1// Acure Seriously Soothing Jelly Milk Makeup Remover $7.77
2// Honest Beauty Makeup Remover Wipes $6.28
3// Clean Skin Club Makeup Removing Towelettes $8.96
4// Beauty by Earth Makeup Remover $19.79
5// Ursa Major Essential Face Wipes $23.40
What Ingredients Should Teens Avoid In Makeup?
- Aluminum Powder- Aluminum powder is a metallic compound used as a cosmetic colorant in eye makeup. It’s a byproduct of aluminum manufacturing and is considered a neurotoxin. It is listed on makeup labels as aluminum, LB Pigment 5 or pigment metal.
- BAK- Benzalkonium chloride (BAK) is a preservative found in eyeliner, mascara and makeup remover. A 2009 study found BAK to be toxic to the epithelial cells of the eyes. BAK may be listed as benzalkonium chloride, quaternium-15 or guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.
- BHA and BHT- Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHT) are preservatives derived from petroleum and found in some mascara formulas. BHA is an endocrine disruptor and a possible carcinogen. BHT is a respiratory irritant and is considered toxic or harmful to human organ systems.
- Carbon black- Carbon black delivers color to traditional mascara and other eye makeup. It’s been linked to cancer and organ system toxicity. Look for labels with carbon black, D & C Black No. 2, pigment black 6 or 7, acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black and thermal black.
- Coal Tar Dyes- Coal tar is recognized as a human carcinogen and may be contaminated with low levels of heavy metals. These dyes are used as a colorant in eye makeup. You may find them listed as CI followed by a five digit number. (includes FD&C Blue No. 1 or Blue 1, Green 3, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 33, etc.) They may also be labeled as Aminphenol, Diaminodenzene or Phenylenediamine.
- Ethanolamine compounds (labelled as DEA, TEA and MEA)- Ethanolamines may be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are cancer-causing chemicals.
- Formaldehyde- Diazolidinyl urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, DMDM hydantoin, methenamine and quarternium-15 are formaldehyde-releasing preservatives found in cosmetics. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen as well as a skin irritant.
- Lake Dyes– In general, lake dyes are petroleum derived colorants that may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) Specifically, the dyes Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 can be contaminated with benzidine or other carcinogens.
- Parabens- Parabens are a type of preservative used to prevent the growth of bacteria and prolong the shelf life of lip balm, deodorant, lotion, and other beauty products. The most commonly used are methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isobutylparaben and butylparaben. Parabens disrupt hormone function and are linked to increased risk of breast cancer and reproductive toxicity. A 2004 study found high concentrations of parabens in breast tumor samples. The European Union banned the use parabens in cosmetics in 2012.
- Phenoxyethanol– Phenoxyethanol is a preservative found in skincare and cosmetics that is an ethoxylated ingredient. Ethoxylates can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, both of which are associated with reproductive, developmental and endocrine effects, and these compounds can be carcinogenic.
- Synthetic fragrance- Beauty products can list fragrance as one ingredient and don’t have to disclose the fact that these formulations may contain hundreds of ingredients. Synthetic Fragrance may contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens, respiratory irritants and neurotoxic chemicals (14). Synthetic musks like galaxolide and tonalide, are linked to hormone disruption. Fragrance formulations also contain phthalates, which are hormone disruptors.
- Talc– Talc can be contaminated with carinogenic asbestos.
More Non-Toxic Inspiration For Teens, Tween & Young Adults
