Cosmetics

Popular brands like L’Oréal, CoverGirl, Neutrogena, Revlon, and Maybelline use ingredients that can disrupt hormones, irritate skin, or accumulate in the body over time. Additives like parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrance, and even PFAS are commonly included to improve texture or extend shelf life—but they come at a cost to your health.

What’s surprising is that these conventional products are often more expensive than the clean, skin-nourishing alternatives we recommend. We believe in beauty products made with real plant oils, herbs, and minerals—free from unnecessary chemicals, and often at the same or lower price.

While there are plenty of clean beauty brands to choose from, I’ve simplified it to three trusted picks that strike the right balance between cost, clean ingredients, and real results.

e.l.f. (short for Eyes, Lips, Face) is a budget-friendly brand that makes it easy to take the first step toward cleaner beauty. All e.l.f. products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, and their formulas are free from parabens, phthalates, triclosan, and sulfates. For instance, e.l.f. lipsticks are formulated without lead, carmine, or petroleum-based dyes, and they avoid synthetic fragrance in most of their core products.

It's a smart first swap for anyone moving away from toxic ingredients—affordable, accessible, and impressively clean for the price.