7 Affordable Organic Makeup Brands Creating Natural & Budget-Friendly Beauty
“Organic” is often associated with “expensive”.
Which for the most part is true, because, let’s face it, you get what you pay for.
Organic products (whether they be food, beauty, or otherwise) mean quality ingredients, ethical sourcing, and reduced impact… all of which costs money.
Sure, that 99¢ lipstick might seem like a bargain, but how cheap do the ingredients have to be to make it at that price? And what price might you pay for exposing your body to that later on?
In our book, investing in safe and sustainable makeup brands is well worth the extra bucks.
However, we also believe clean beauty products should not be out of reach, which is why we’re looking for the most affordable organic makeup.
Thanks to these budget beauty brands, anyone can enjoy consciously made cosmetics in a way that won’t cost an arm and a leg—or put our planet in debt.
Brands like Alima Pure, with their refillable containers, and Dab Herb, who carry zero waste makeup in every category, have us hooked.
We’re also elated by Elate’s elegant bamboo containers and affordable range.
Organic ingredients and affordability were the foundation (pun intended) for this list of brands but, as always, we made sure to put the rest of our sustainable beauty criteria to work, too.
*This post contains affilate links
QUICK LINKS FOR AFFORDABLE NATURAL ORGANIC MAKEUP
1. ALIMA PURE
*Note: While some vegan options are available, not all products are vegan.
Alima Pure’s Affordable All Natural Makeup
Their name says it all: Alima Pure is out to purify your makeup routine.
Everything is chemical-free and made from natural minerals and mineral pigments, all of which meet standards set out by the European Cosmetic Directive and the FDA.
That means only pure and untreated zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
All powder products are vegan, though some of the liquid products (i.e. mascara) contain beeswax.
Many are free of gluten and nuts, though we’re not sure about their stance on palm oil or its derivatives, so we’ll be reaching out on that front.
They have several different options available, including affordable natural makeup for the face, cheeks, eyes, lips, and sets. Some are available in refillable compacts for less mess and minimal waste while others come in reusable/recyclable glass jars.
About Alima Pure
Alima Pure is a Portland, Oregon-based natural cosmetics brand prioritizing clean, non-toxic ingredients.
For a brand aiming to keep their products accessible to all, they appropriately got their start in a humble attic.
Kate O’Brien was a mother and kindergarten teacher and, while she didn’t have beauty industry experience, she believed that makeup should be able to naturally enhance who we are without hiding it.
The mostly-women-led Certified B Corp makes products that are free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum, talc, bismuth oxychloride, dimethicone, and nanoparticles.
The company has also been carbon neutral since 2008, and they offset 100% of corporate emissions through the carbon offset provider, Carbon Fund.
Additionally, they source energy from renewables including solar, wind, biomass, hydro, and geothermal.
Through their membership with1% for the Planet they plant five trees for every purchase.
Available: Alima Pure
2. ELATE COSMETICS
*Note: Elate does not use palm oil directly but their Stearic Acid is palm derived from an RSPO certified supplier.
Elate Cosmetics’s Organic Makeup
We hope your makeup bag is ready—because Elate Cosmetics will fill it with all you could need for eyes, face, and lips.
This means mascara, eyeliner, brow balm, eye color pencils, pressed eye color, foundation, primer, concealer, blush, bronzer, lip color pencils, lip balm, lipstick, and lip gloss.
They even carry the tools you’ll need to apply it all, AKA vegan makeup brushes!
Each product is made with 100% vegan and cruelty-free ingredients, many of which are also fair trade and/or organic.
In fact, their ingredients are about 75% organic. Though one is palm-based (stearic acid) ingredient, and is sourced from RSPO certified suppliers.
They also use responsibly sourced mica and titanium dioxide, which are free of nano-sized particles.
Many items are housed in either glass bottles with a recyclable plastic pump and compostable bamboo or recyclable aluminum tins. Even the eyeliner pencils (compostable in some areas) are made from PEFC-certified sustainable California cedar wood.
About Elate Cosmetics
Elate is a Canadian cosmetics company driven by five conscious beauty principles: impact, ethics, community, future, and mission.
Founder Melodie Reynolds aims to change the beauty industry from the inside.
Their belief is that a makeup routine can have a positive global impact and they’re making it possible through transparency, sustainable packaging, consciously chosen ingredients, inclusion, and the desire to continue reducing their impact.
Elate isn’t afraid to share ingredients and sourcing policies with customers. They may help you hide a pimple, but that’s the extent of their concealing!
Their affordable natural makeup products are packaged in compostable or recyclable containers, 75% of which are free of plastic. Some even come in seed paper envelopes which can be planted to grow wildflowers.
Thanks to Elate’s partnership with Bullfrog Power, you’ll also be supporting a carbon-neutral company when you buy their affordable all natural makeup.
Available: EarthHero | Flora & Fauna (AU)
3. RIVER ORGANICS
River Organics’ Organic Makeup
River Organics is one of our favorite zero waste beauty brands because they’ve got everything you could need to look and feel your best without the hidden cost.
Their affordable organic makeup range covers it all: natural lip gloss, blush, concealer, eyebrow products, bronzers, highlighters, facial oils, brushes, sets, and more.
Making some of the most affordable organic makeup even more affordable, they also have an imperfect section at exceptionally good sale prices.
Imperfect or not, you’ll see a lot of recognizable, organic, and EWG-verified ingredients in the product descriptions like shea butter, arrowroot powder, moringa seed oil, apricot kernel oil, cocoa seed butter, and conflict-free lab-made mica.
You won’t see any artificial colors or fragrances.
Most products are housed in an eco friendly paper package with a biodegradable label.
About River Organics
River Organics may be based in North Carolina, but their products are inspired by travels far and wide.
Inspired by trips in the Middle East and Europe, the independently-owned brand prioritizes plant oils over the traditional use of creams.
You’ll see that all of their oil-based products are natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and free of palm oil.
One of the founders was a former Chanel chemist—so you can be sure they know what they’re doing.
Aside from zero waste product housing, they use recycled shipping envelopes and sugarcane labels.
In order to make the world more beautiful in every way, they support smaller charities throughout the year, like Florida’s Coral Restoration Foundation and Panama’s The Sloth Rescue. Animal based rescues are of special importance to them because they “feel these are the most in need of support and do some of the hardest jobs out there”.
Available: Etsy
4. VYANA PLANT BEAUTY
Vyana Plant Beauty’s Organic Makeup
Cruelty free concealer, lipstick, blush, eyeshadow, eye cream, foundation, oh my!
Vyana Plant Beauty creates affordable natural makeup products worth checking out.
Instead of chemicals, their ingredient lists contain the likes of grapeseed oil, coconut oil, candelilla wax, castor oil, organic nettle, licorice root, and iron oxides and micas (almost all organic!).
Their minerals are non-nano and sustainably mined.
They recently stopped using magnesium stearate (since their supplier couldn’t guarantee it to be palm oil-free) and instead use cetyl alcohol and stearic acid which are both palm oil-free.
About Vyana Plant Beauty
Vyana is committed to using Earth’s most natural gifts to create luxury vegan and cruelty-free products.
As founder Daisy says, “Who says you can’t save the earth and look pretty while doing it?!”
Everything is 100% handmade in small batches in their Swedish headquarters and they prioritize local suppliers for sourcing ingredients. And they always consider the sustainability of an ingredient before selecting it.
Taking sustainability even further, their Refill Project provides customers with the opportunity to return empty jars to the brand for refills at a 25% discount.
They also use recyclable and biodegradable packaging like packing peanuts that can be fully dissolved in water.
Available: Etsy
5. BEE YOU ORGANICS
*Note: Some products are vegan but most contain beeswax and are thus not vegan.
Bee You Organics’ Organic Makeup
Bee You Organics is good for you and good for the earth.
They have makeup and skincare products for any skin, any budget, anyone.
Whether you’re after zero waste mascara, foundation, blush, eyeshadow, lip stain, BB cream, zero waste sunscreen or brushes—this brand will have you buzzing.
They’re formulations are also concentrated, so the products will go a long way.
Regardless of your choice, they’re a good option for sensitive skin because of their natural, food-grade, and certified organic ingredients.
Every single item is free from water, alcohol, gluten, palm oil, alcohol, water, synthetics, fragrances, preservatives, fillers, SLS, SLES, parabens, talc, and more.
In other words, they only use ingredients that you could eat.
If powder products are what you’re after, know their ethical mica is locally sourced in the United States and is non-micro, cosmetic-grade, and has a traceable supply chain that backs up ethical work practices.
About Bee You Organics
After an accident left her with scars on her face, founder Larisa started using makeup to cover up scars and wrinkles.
Ultimately, this left her with irritated skin and breakouts.
Realizing that many of the ingredients in conventional cosmetics were causing these problems, she decided to create and test her own formulas.
And so, Bee You Organics was born.
All of her handmade affordable natural organic makeup is free of GMOs, preservatives, and palm oil. Though, some contain beeswax or emu oil, so not everything is vegan friendly.
Many of the products come in paper board, tin, or glass containers (which can be returned for refills) and the brand is well on its way to getting rid of plastic completely.
You will receive your order in recycled or handmade seeded paper, along with recycled/recyclable shipping labels. The shipping is also 100% carbon neutral and they plant a tree per order.
It’s easy to see why Bee You Organics is one of our favorite sustainable and ethical beauty brands!
Bee You Organics supports their worker bees well.
They have plans for expansion that include hiring economically disadvantaged women and providing them and their families with an on-site daycare.
Available: Etsy
6. DAB HERB
Dab Herb’s Organic Makeup
Dab Herb has made it on our site several times, and for good reason.
They’re an affordable natural makeup brand with cult status.
From sustainable eyeshadow to organic foundation—they have all your organic and pregnancy safe makeup needs covered.
Like compostable paper tube lip tint and an innovative mascara bar for those focusing on zero waste.
Not only does their affordable vegan organic makeup make earth look good, but you’ll feel great when you apply formulations made from natural ingredients like raw shea butter, unrefined avocado oil, red raspberry, cornflowers, spirulina, coffee seed extract, elderberry extract, and unrefined plum oil.
Many of which are certified organic, food-grade, or wildcrafted.
During processing, (most) products are not heated, which retains all of their beneficial healing properties so as to support the health of your skin.
About Dab Herb
Dab Herb’s website greets shoppers with “Welcome to the healthiest decision you’ve made yet.”
It’s a big call we know, but this natural beauty brand can back it up.
The “nature to nurture” approach promises that every one of their products are made with organic, wild-crafted, cruelty-free, and vegan ingredients.
Making our world a little healthier too, they only use recyclable paper mailers and plastic-free shipping materials. This is on top of the fact that all products come in reusable/recyclable glass or metal containers, your entire order will come sans plastic!
They’re also supporters of Made in the Free World, a global organization working to end human trafficking and provide support to those who have fallen victim to it.
Available: Etsy
7. CLEAN-FACED COSMETICS
*Note: Some cosmetics contain iron oxide pigments (like Red No. 40 FD&C Lake and Yellow No. 5 Fd&C Lake) but they are FDA batch certified and supposedly non-toxic.
Clean-Faced Cosmetics’ Organic Makeup
Whether you’re getting ready for a night out or dressed up for that zillionth Zoom meeting, Clean-Faced Cosmetics can provide…clean cosmetics, of course!
Their extensive range includes mascara, makeup palettes, lipsticks, eyeshadow, lash lengthener, foundation, concealer, lip balm, eyeliner, makeup primer, and blush.
Even better, many products can double up—like the mascara that also happens to be a great eyeliner or the lipstick cheek and tint combo.
You’ll find appetizing ingredients in their formulations, like organic coconut oil, organic shea butter, organic candelilla wax, organic vitamin E, kaolin clay, organic castor oil, ethical mica, and sustainably-sourced activated hardwood charcoal.
They do use some iron oxide pigments (like Red No. 40 FD&C Lake and Yellow No. 5 FD&C Lake) but they are FDA batch certified and non-toxic. You can request products are made without these ingredients.
For the most affordable organic non toxic makeup that’s even better for our bank accounts, there’s a sale section that’s on rotation!
About Clean-Faced Cosmetics
Michigan-based Clean-Faced Cosmetics is everything we look for in a zero waste beauty brand.
And we’re not the only fans; this Etsy shop clears over 16,000 sales and an average five-star review.
Their products are cruelty-free, vegan, palm oil-free, mostly organic, and consciously packaged in biodegradable or reusable materials. In fact, many items can be refilled, which is even more impressive when you consider everything is handmade in a spare kitchen.
Shop founder and owner Laura loves formulating low waste and eco friendly cosmetics. She’s committed to making “really good makeup that won’t hurt your skin or the environment.”
Clean-Faced Cosmetics regularly contributes to charities like the Environmental Defense Fund, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and Rainforest Trust.
Available: Etsy
HOW WE FOUND AFFORDABLE NATURAL MAKEUP BRANDS
Ethical beauty can mean a lot of things.
To be able to sort through greenwashing and the false claims of “natural” and “clean,” we’ve narrowed down the industry to only the brands who can tick the following boxes for us:
- Non-toxic natural & organic ingredients
- Vegan (or vegan options available)
- Cruelty-free
- Palm oil-free
- Ethical ingredient sourcing policies
- Thoughtful packaging (at the very least recyclable but ideally zero waste).
FINAL THOUGHTS ON AFFORDABLE NATURAL MAKEUP
All that glitters may not be gold, but it sure is good for you and your wallet.
And these affordable natural makeup lines have it all.
Ethical sourcing practices and sustainable business initiatives. Choosing non-toxic ingredients that are natural, organic, and food-grade (and avoiding toxic skincare ingredients). And prices that won’t break the bank.
Ultimately, just a few tweaks to our makeup routine can have a surprisingly big impact.
If you know of anyone who’s in need of budget-friendly organic natural makeup, feel free to spread the word and let’s support these brands who are saving the beauty industry’s face.
Happy New Year to all at Sustainable Jungle. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to helping the rest of us be inspired to do more, in large and small ways, to caretake our world.
We would be honored if you would take a peek at our preliminary line of body care items we have just released. We are very small, but committed to uncompromising standards. As such, we are always researching and learning – what a journey this has been! We are eager for questions, advice, comments, guidance. Blessings on you and your Mission.
Kelly Layne – founder and formulator,
Wiley Women Body Care,
EvoQuelle.com and WileyWomen.com
Hey Kelly, please shoot us an email on this 🙂
i would love to see some brands that are actually affordable. i understand there probably aren’t many, if any at all. but still, i wouldn’t label $20 for a 5oz “sample” of mascara or $35 for foundation as affordable when all the of them brands that were giving me headaches costed half that price. i honestly cannot afford $20 for each of my separate makeup products.
Hi Marc, it’s an important questions. We’ve laid out the way we think about this in this article: https://www.sustainablejungle.com/sustainable-beauty/sustainableconsumer/
Hope that helps!