They say beauty comes at a price, but heavy metals, parabens, and formaldehyde?! No thanks. We’re keeping our eyes out for non-toxic eyeshadow instead.
Eyeshadow is one of the most creative forms of makeup after all, so if we want to keep that creativity in our morning routines, we need to find a safer way to achieve that perfect splash of color.
In other words, let’s take our natural makeup remover to synthetic-based powders, and stick with natural and organic formulas that are better for us and the planet.
So in the spirit of smokey eyes to cut crease colors, we’ve curated our favorite eyeshadow made by brands who not only prioritize safe ingredients but also low-waste packaging and sustainable sourcing.
We’ll soon be expanding our eco-considerations using our new Brand Rating System which will look through the lens of 22 different criteria, including chemical use and climate impact. Ingredients are just the start, so take a look at our explainer here for the rest.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
An (Organic Eyeshadow) Primer Of The Best Brands
We love using Dab Herb’s Organic Jasmine four-shade palette (which doubles as an anti-wrinkle cream) providing the perfect blend of botanicals and light mattes to match.
INIKA Organic defines non-toxic eyeshadow as that made with 100% natural ingredients and pure mineral pigments all contained in paper compacts.
Index: Organic & Natural Eyeshadow
- Antonym Jump to brand
- Dab Herb Jump to brand
- INIKA Organic Jump to brand
- Elate Cosmetics Jump to brand
- 100% Pure Jump to brand
- Bee You Organics Jump to brand
- Vyana Beauty Jump to brand
Antonym
Antonym’s Eyeshadow
For red carpet-worthy eyes, consider that Antonym’s matte shadows have graced the faces of some of Hollywood’s elite. Choose between two color palettes: the warm and earthy eyeshadows in Croisette or the midnight-chic To The Moon & Back.
Like the rest of their cosmetics, these contain over 90% natural ingredients, 11% of which are Ecocert-certified organic.
In addition to mica, they “may contain” iron oxides, titanium dioxide, and ultramarines. We’re hoping to clarify what they mean by this. While not mineral-free, they are free of mineral oils, fillers, synthetic preservatives, and other toxic petrochemicals (like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, fragrances, and GMOs).
About Antonym
Antonym is an eco-friendly makeup brand that crafts clean beauty products for the face (blush and foundation) and eyes (eyeshadow, pencils, and mascara), along with animal hair-free brushes to apply it all.
Their Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free and vegan friendly products are made in either France, Italy, or the Czech Republic, though we’re not certain about their sourcing policies (especially of the mica). Some products contain palm oil of unknown origin.
Aside from the bamboo used in their all-natural eyeshadow palettes, they package in glass bottles and FSC-certified cardboard.
Dab Herb
Dab Herb’s Organic Eyeshadow
The best organic eyeshadow palettes are arguably made by Dab Herb. Made with ingredients like unrefined and organic jojoba seed oil, shea butter, turmeric, and rosehip, they’re almost natural enough to eat.
Take for example the Organic Fragrant Jasmine palette which contains four organic cream eyeshadows that double as anti-wrinkle cream infused with the natural antioxidant vitamin E, which is excellent for aging eyes or those of us who just want to get a jump on fine lines.
If you want to mix and match different shades to make your own palette, Dab Herb offers powdered organic matte eyeshadow in several different bright and neutral colors. Made from organic petals, roots, leaves, and seeds, you’ll flatter your eyes with earthy shades, natural and organic ingredients, and a healthy splash of color.
It comes in either reusable glass or tin containers, which you can send back to be sanitized and refilled.
About Dab Herb
With a “Nature to Nurture” mentality, Dab Herb was born when founder Crissy wanted some natural alternatives for her own personal makeup routine. They’re now one of our favorite zero waste makeup brands—and they really tick all of the boxes.
Their complete makeup line is cruelty-free, vegan, free of palm oil, and composed of mostly organic and food-grade ingredients. Ingredients are sourced fair trade when possible and still ethical when not, including their USA-processed mica.
Giving is just as important as clean beauty, and the brand regularly contributes to Made In A Free World to support victims of human trafficking.
My Personal Review of Dab Herb’s Fragrant Jasmine Cream Eyeshadow Palette:
“Dab Herb has a knack for creating awesome, skin-friendly makeup, and their eyeshadow creams are no exception. I gave them a try, and for me, they’re a game changer. Normally, I can’t stand the heavy, creasy look that eyeshadow gives me, but this creamy, lightweight formula blends right into my skin, leaving a gorgeous shimmer that stays smooth all day. It comes in two palettes, one for cool tones and one for warm tones, so there’s something for everyone.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
INIKA Organic
INIKA Organic’s Eyeshadow
INIKA Organic highlights the beauty in your eyes and in nature with a selection of eyeshadow quad pressed powder palettes—and brushes specifically designed to give you the perfect smokey eye look. The Flowers quad, for instance, combines lighter matte shades with floral highlights to draw out the warmth of your eyes.
While none are certified organic, they are 100% natural and free from synthetic pressing agents. Instead, you’ll find pure mineral pigments like mica, silica, and iron oxide combined with nourishing cocoa seed extract and Carnauba wax for long-lasting wear.
Each one comes in a durable compact made from paper.
About INIKA Organic
INIKA Organic is the world’s first Certified Plastic Neutral makeup brand. That means 90% of the packaging is made of either sustainable or post consumer recycled materials.
Having decreased their use of virgin plastic by 84%, any plastic they do use is offset by collecting and recycling an equivalent amount into fence posts for disaster stricken farming communities. So far, they’ve repurposed 4.7 tons through this initiative.
This award-winning Australian brand holds certifications from Ecocert’s COSMOS Natural, PETA Animal Test Free, and Vegan Society, but we’re unsure of their palm oil stance and mica sourcing policies.
Elate Cosmetics
Elate Cosmetics’ Eyeshadow
If colors like Ethereal and Earthen sound like your vibe, open your eyes to the subdued color shades from Elate Cosmetics which embody all aspects of the natural look.
Not only are their Pressed EyeColors (which double as lip colors) made with natural and organic ingredients like bamboo stem extract and nourishing jojoba oil. They do contain ethical mica, titanium dioxide, and other non-nano minerals, but it’s sourced fair trade from members of the Responsible Mica Initiative.
Each natural color eyeshadow comes minimally packaged in a recyclable aluminum pan within a compostable envelope. You can add this pan to a palette of your own or to Elate’s reusable bamboo palettes—which are FSC-certified, not chemically treated, and fair trade.
Alternatively, the Creme Eye Color satisfies your need for organic cream eyeshadow in a portable bamboo tube.
About Elate Cosmetics
Canadian cosmetics company Elate has become a leader in organic makeup with their PETA vegan, Cruelty-Free International-certified line of foundations, mascaras, lipsticks, brushes, and more.
They’re well on their way to going completely organic (they’re about 90% now) and have ethical sourcing practices to match. Everything is gluten-free and synthetic and chemical-free, but not everything is palm oil-free.
To further bat your eyelashes, Elate is a Certified B Corp, offsets emissions with bulldog power, and donates funds to plant trees, support social projects, and help the environment (1% of profits for each).
100% Pure
100% Pure’s Eyeshadow Palette
Whether you’re after a palette or a single Fruit Pigmented eyeshadow, 100% Pure can help with your organic eye makeup routine. You’ll find 100% pure (gee imagine that!) ingredients like vitamin E, rice starch, red wine resveratrol, cocoa butter, and avocado butter.
The only mineral-based ingredient is responsibly sourced mica in makeup for shimmer shades. Some products contain beeswax and palm oil, but not their eco-friendly eyeshadow.
If you’re looking for some natural brown eyeshadow, try the Better Naked palette, filled with unique shades infused and created with coffee and carrots, not a test tube.
Aiming for petrochemical-free packaging by 2024, the palettes are made of cardboard, though the singles still come in plastic compacts which can be recycled at 100% Pure stores. You’ll get a free trial-size product for doing so.
About 100% Pure
100% Pure has strict standards to ensure their products are free of toxic ingredients, colorants, and heavy metal dyes. They are also completely cruelty-free, gluten-free, made-in-USA, and sourced using principles from the Ethical Training Initiative (ETI).
Giving back to our furry friends besides not testing on them, each sale gives customers the choice to either plant a tree or donate a bowl of vegan dog food to an animal shelter in China. By using eco-friendly dog food, 100% Pure saves the lives of at least two livestock animals, and preserves 60 square feet of rainforest.
Orders are shipped in recycled packaging with compostable peanuts, and the brand’s HQ runs totally on solar power on the road to becoming Carbon Positive.
Bee You Organics
Bee You Organics’ Eyeshadow
Bee You Organics’ offers some of the best non-toxic eyeshadow for those who love bright colors and statement-making looks. If you prefer your natural eyeshadow colors a bit more subdued, they have neutral colors too.
They offer both cream eyeshadow and pure mineral powders in a compact glass pot. Regardless of what catches your eye, you’ll enjoy the crease-free, smudge-proof, and water-resistant color from just three ingredients: kaolin clay (powder) or jojoba oil (cream), mica, and iron oxides.
No questionable ingredients like sulfates, parabens, synthetic dyes, phthalates, or petrochemicals.
About Bee You Organics
Bee You Organics comes from the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest where all products are made. Combining her passion for holistic healing with sustainable ingredients, founder Larissa creates some of the most natural non-GMO skincare essentials, like sustainable sunscreen.
All products are made with mostly organic ingredients that are ethically sourced, though we still haven’t heard back specifically regarding their mica sourcing.
While some contain responsibly-sourced beeswax, the majority are vegan. They also support ethical beekeeping through contributions to Washington State University’s bee research and other local charities.
Vyana Beauty
Vyana Beauty’s Eyeshadow Colors
Before we talk about what Vyana Beauty’s chemical-free eyeshadow is, we’ll talk about what it isn’t: a formulation of toxins, palm oil, plastic, titanium dioxide, waste, and harsh chemicals.
Instead, you’ll find powders made of organic kaolin clay, vitamin E oil, and roasted coffee oil—which provides a jolt of caffeine to sleepy or screen strained eyes. With different and earthy shades offered, you’ll also find tinting ingredients like organic cornstarch, organic rosehip powder, non-nano zinc oxide, and mica.
About Vyana Beauty
Doing makeup in the plant power way, Swedish brand Vyana offers everything from sustainable concealer to lipstick—all made with 100% natural, cruelty-free, and vegan ingredients and typically not more than 5-8 per product.
They use kraft paper boxes and unbleached paper shred filler for inside the boxes, and no longer use recycled plastic bottles as they once did. Instead, they have switched to rose gold aluminum jars (eyeshadow included) and glass dropper bottles, some of which are available for refill.
Why Choose A Non-Toxic Eyeshadow Palettes?
We’re going to tell you something that might make your eyes pop.
Conventional eyeshadow is awful for you.
But why? What is eye shadow made of, and why are some eyeshadows not eye safe?
Simply because it is typically formulated with a plethora of toxic and unsafe ingredients to avoid in skincare like parabens, aluminum, thimerosal, talc, formaldehyde, acetate, benzalkonium chloride, asbestos, and heavy metals.
They make you feel flirty on date night, but they’re also risky in terms of cancer, eye disease, reproductive problems, and more.
Is mineral eyeshadow safe?
You’ll notice that even the best natural eyeshadow brands still rely on mineral pigments like mica, iron oxide, silica, and titanium dioxide.
Minerals aren’t inherently bad. They are natural and 100% earth-derived, after all.
Aside from creating shimmery colors, some are actually beneficial, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which provide sun protection for the eye area’s delicate skin—think of it as zero waste sunscreen.
The problem arises with the form these minerals take, namely whether they’re nanoparticles or non-nano.
Nanoparticles (those smaller than 20 nm) have been shown to permeate intact skin and while there is still little research on the effects these have once absorbed by the body, we’d rather avoid absorbing anything like that, especially around areas as sensitive as the eyes.
The best mineral eye shadow will use non-nanoparticle ingredients and those that are ethically sourced (since the mining industry is particularly prone to child labor and other human rights abuses).
