The pandemic caused most of us to stay indoors for an extended period of time, and with restrictions slowly being lifted, there’s no better time than now to revamp your makeup collection. We say out with old, expired makeup, and in with eco-cosmetics!
HOW CAN WE CHOOSE MORE ECO-CONSCIOUS MAKEUP?
All-natural ingredients that are ethically sourced
Support local brands and businesses
Check for the company’s sustainable practices and green initiatives
Choose reusable, refillable or biodegradable packaging
Treat anyone on your list to some goodies from our top picks of Canadian clean beauty brands you can get behind:
Toronto, Ontario
With a focus on sourcing ingredients from small, local growers, Toronto-based Graydon Skincare creates products rooted in plant-based superfood formulas. They also work with local manufacturers and distributors, in an effort to support local whenever possible. The acknowledgement of their presence on traditional territory, through the First Nations Land Acknowledgement, shows their respect for the land they live on.
The results-driven products of this Canadian skincare brand are suitable for a wide range of skin tones and are predominantly vegan. All packaging is recyclable, except for the pumps and droppers. Aside from being Leaping Bunny certified, sustainability is at the core of their operations from packaging, upcycled ingredients, carbon offsetting and tree planting.
Stand-Out Product: Face Glow Tinted Moisturizer, Primer + Illuminator $46. This convenient, multi-functional beauty product is the Winner of the 2020 Eco Excellence Awards Best Skin Care: For Her. Because it is multi-purpose, it reduces the steps in your beauty regimen, while still giving you a dewy, radiant complexion for that natural, make-up-free look.
Toronto, Ontario
Pure + Simple is a spa, self-care and health centre devoted to sustainable, all-natural wellness. Their skincare philosophy is based on the holistic Ayurvedic perspective on mind, body, and spirit connection. A comprehensive selection of skincare, haircare, bodycare, as well as, makeup is available, and are made with simple, safe and natural ingredients - free of harmful additives - geared towards those looking for products that support a healthy, natural lifestyle.
Their commitment to sustainability is through their bottle return program, and by supporting local environmental organizations. They have partnered with Terracycle, an eco-friendly company that recycles ‘non-recyclables’. Each used yet cleaned bottle can be returned to Pure + Simple Zero Waste Recycling Boxes, earning you $1 in-house credit.
They have also connected with local environmental organizations like Planet in Focus, an environmental media arts organization that raises awareness, discussion, and engagement on a wide range of environmental issues - through film, and Environmental Defense, Canada’s leading environmental advocacy organization, that challenges and inspires change by working with the government to ensure a greener and healthier communities.
We love their Flawless Complexion Foundation $40.95, a nut-free liquid foundation that conceals and moisturizes. Pair with the lightweight Pressed Powder $30.95 in their eco-friendly refillable compact $12.95.
Piedmont, Quebec
Founded on the principles of the creator’s childhood in The Bahamas, Lyla Naturals fully embodies the meaning of its name - an organic way of life, from the islands. With a mission to promote the importance of wellness and the belief that luxury self care should be accessible to everyone, they’ve created simple, yet award-winning and effective, beauty products.
Included in the 2021 Clean Beauty Awards line-up are their Fresh Mint Curl Defining Crème and Hair Mask, as well as, Sugar Crush Body Polish. Each product is made with certified clean ingredients and are registered with Health Canada. Formulated with plant leaf extracts and superfood ingredients, their 100% vegan and cruelty-free products do not contain parabens nor artificial fragrances.
Shereen Sands, creator of Lyla Naturals, pays homage to her roots and offers safe, eco-friendly solutions for your hair and skin. These products are perfect for a luxurious, relaxing spa day at home or a quick and clean routine, and make for great eco-friendly corporate gifts.
Toronto, Ontario
Affordable, conscious makeup and self-care products, fueled by kindness - this is what Evio Beauty stands for. Envisioned by Brandi Leifso in 2014 from a women’s shelter, her business was backed by people who were looking for cosmetics companies that did good. Her inspiring story resonated, redefining inclusivity in the makeup sector. They currently have collections of judgement-free, gender-neutral, and good-for-you makeup and skincare products aimed at people of all demographics.
Evio Beauty is a collection of affordable luxe makeup for all skin types, including a Cream Concealer $16 and Cream Blush $14. Made with naturally derived ingredients that are vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, toxin-free, and paraben-free, and focused on conscious packaging, production and manufacturing practices. They have clean and green beauty products that break stigmas for a kind and conscious future, with a recycling program currently in the works!
Some of their other efforts include local manufacturing, minimizing water use in their formulas, creating multi-use products in one packaging mould, using sustainable natural ingredients and biodegradable materials. They have also partnered with Green Story - an interactive, integrated and intuitive online platform calculator, that uses algorithms and data to analyze each product’s carbon footprint.
In 2020, the 1 for 1 program was launched - where they donate 1 product for every product purchased, with more than 1,000 already having been donated. Because of the influence that the Women’s Shelter had in the success of the business, $1 from every Evio product sold is donated to Canadian Women’s Foundation. Some other organizations they support include WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound Program and YWCA.
near Cambridge-Narrows, New Brunswick
Skin-positive messages, filler-free products, and a foundation in nature Grounded Sage believe in a clean, effective and personalized journey of caring for the skin. You can choose from a variety of their products including natural, organic, holistic skincare products, soaps and cosmetics, as well as skincare counselling and problem skin solutions. All of their products are ethically handcrafted in small batches, and are Leaping Bunny and PETA-Certified Cruelty-Free.
Since 2009, Founder Jamie Sabot believed in getting to know and developing a healthy relationship with her skin and sharing what she’s discovered by solving skincare concerns with products that are healthy for you and the planet. They carefully and sustainably select plant-derived ingredients and handcraft small batches of natural, homegrown beauty products that work with your skin.
Rooted to nature, their makeup comes from their line of clean cosmetics. Their Clean Slate Natural Black Mascara $29.95 is a 2-in-1 dream stick that is not only a long-wear, smudge-proof mascara but also a nourishing lash serum with lengthening, thickening and nourishing properties. We also love their 3-Shade Pink Mineral Pressed Matte Blush $32.95 for its blendable, lightweight and long-lasting nature that complements an array of skin tones.
As an example of their efforts to contribute to sustainability, Grounded Sage utilizes reusable, recyclable, compostable and biodegradable packaging materials, which include glass jars, cardboard tubes, and recycled kraft paper.
The Annual Soap Drive is a unique initiative, in which each November the proceeds of the sale of full-size soap bars are donated to a selected charity. Various local animal charities, rescues, and sanctuaries benefit from their charitable donations.
Vancouver, British Columbia
When an Emmy-nominated and Leo Award-winning makeup artist creates a green beauty line, it’s safe to say they know a thing or two about what works for your skin. Having been in the film and television industry for over 20 years, veteran makeup artist JoAnn Fowler, worked with more makeup brands than you can think of - including natural skincare products that promised results.
Although some brands can work for regular use, for the cameras it is often a different story. None of which she tried worked for her clients’ needs and so she began experimenting with her own products. Soon after launching SAPPHO, she was getting calls from stores asking to carry them in stock as they were gaining notoriety on production sets. Now SAPPHO New Paradigm is available to everyone looking for sustainable, vegan, and organic makeup that performs.
Green beauty enthusiasts rave about the brand’s Maximum Intensity Vegan Mascara $36. It is deeply pigmented and lasts all day without giving you ‘raccoon eyes’ while washing off easily with water. The product is made with over 70% certified organic content, has low heavy metal minerals which is ethically sourced and certified child labour free. Their products are also PETA certified vegan and cruelty free.
SAPPHO New Paradigm’s products are formulated and manufactured in Canada, in a zero carbon footprint facility. They are packaged using sustainable materials such as metal, biodegradable plastic, and recyclable glass.
Toronto, Ontario
How great would it be to take one eye shadow stick with you and be able to use it for multiple functions? That’s exactly what Nudestix’s Magnetic Eye Luminous Colour $29 does! One stick is your eyeshadow, eyelid primer, eyeliner, and cream highlighter stick all in one. Giving you intense colour and moisturizing ingredients in one convenient product. Talk about the perfect makeup brand for minimalists.
This multi-functional idea spans across multiple products in Nudestix’s cosmetics line; safe for use on lips, cheeks, and eyes. They are known for their natural, fresh-face look - free from parabens, preservatives, and gluten, and has never been tested on animals.
Many of their products come in a reusable tin with a built-in mirror, making it easy to carry around and use when out. Their Save-a-Tin program helps customers recycle their used tins and tubes responsibly with a postage-paid bag (you can choose to add this when making your purchase online) and it will be sent to a recycling facility. Their Nudeskin line comes in eco-friendly packaging like biodegradable cartons and recycled tubes.
Victoria, British Columbia
Elate Cosmetics’ mission is to change the face of sustainable makeup through innovative products. They are all about minimizing your beauty regime by helping you create a customized capsule makeup collection.
Follow their interactive capsule makeup guide to determine your makeup essentials. By consuming less, you are creating less waste and spending less mental and physical space each day to create the look you want. Their Brow Balm $28 is the world’s first vegan, sustainable, and cruelty-free brow product. It comes in a reusable bamboo compact or seed paper refill packaging, ready to be planted!
Kindness is at the forefront of their values: kindness to yourself, the environment, and those who are in this world with you. Their Conscious Beauty Principles are founded on 5 pillars: impact, ethics, community, future, and mission. Every step in the brand’s decision-making is intentional. Elate has partnered with Plan International, One Tree Planted, and Sheldrick Wildlife Fund for their ongoing charitable donations.
St. Catharines, Ontario
If you’re like us and lip gloss is your go-to lip product, you’ll love the Full SUSTAIN Lipgloss Collection $119 from Cheekbone Beauty, a Canadian-made, vegan, and cruelty-free assortment of their hydrating gloss. Ingredients are always sustainably sourced locally (when possible) and crafted with premium 50% PCR - Post Consumer Recycled/Post Consumer Resin plastic, an upcycled packaging alternative.
An Indigenous-owned cosmetics brand hailed for their premium, cruelty-free liquid lipsticks, contour, and highlight palettes, Cheekbone Beauty combines their products with advocacy and funding for Indigenous youth across the country.
Creator, Jennifer Harper, strives to educate Canadians about the Residential School System and its effects on families in the Indigenous communities. She is a frequent speaker at universities, colleges, and high schools covering topics such as social entrepreneurship, empathy, and her First Nations family. The Cheekbone team founded and donates 10% of their profits to the First Nations Child & Family Caring Society.
With a goal of being zero-waste by 2023, they define their success not by how much you “attain for yourself, but instead in what you give back to your community”.
Check out these Indigenous brands, along with Black and BIPOC-owned businesses that deserve your support.
LIPPY GIRL
Whistler, British Columbia
Super fun and playful brand, Lippy Girl, has eco-friendly, vegan lipsticks $24 that pack a punch. Never tested on animals, this cruelty-free makeup brand’s award-winning, organic lipsticks are made with natural mineral pigments that are vibrant with just one swatch. They also come in the cutest 100% recyclable aluminum tubes. It’s truly a guilt-free way to feel fabulous.
Darcey Diehl, the founder of Lippy Girl Makeup, started her cosmetics line after being frustrated with the limited availability of products on the market that were not only organic, but also earth and animal-friendly. Her mission since starting the brand is to be part of a movement: that chemical and animal additives are not required to make top quality products. Their messaging is, “makeup not madness” - a mentality that we wish more brands would adopt.
Northbrook, Ontario
Birch Babe’s premium skincare line is certified all-natural, plant-based and plastic-free. They use minimal to no packaging for their products including soaps, hair and shave bars. We especially love their Organics Collection featuring skin moisturizers, makeup, and dental care.
The Clean Makeup Kit $46 has their most popular beauty basics: natural mascara (in black), bamboo mascara wand, and two lip & cheek tints (in Skinny Dipper and Fireside Temptation). Their natural mascara is ethically made and free from toxins, gliding on smooth with its creamy texture. The Skinny Dipper is actually a lip and cheek balm (vs. tint) that’s versatile enough to be used on your lips, cuticles, elbows, or any part of your body that needs a good hydration. It makes for a great gifting kit for your fellow clean beauty enthusiast!
Their goal to one day become plastic-free applies not only to their business but in daily living is something that resonates with many of us looking to be more sustainable. Birch Babe celebrates all the small steps in this humble journey with their ever-growing community.
A family-run small business in Northbrook, Ontario - the members are founder, Debbie, and her two daughters: Kelsey and Lindsey. They are committed to handcrafting all their products to ensure every step is intentional; keeping the environment in mind, right down to their packaging.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Makeup enthusiasts who are looking to simplify their beauty routine with natural and minimalist products need to check out Harlow Skin Co. All items in their skincare lineup are made with under 12 ingredients!
The brand’s pursuit in clean and sustainable cosmetics can be seen throughout their conservative design and packaging. Harlow is all about empowering their users to learn more about their individual bodies and needs through education in skin health and general wellness.
We adore their Mini Brush Set $62 - it’s the perfect travel companion with its compact size and carrying pouch.
Midhurst, Ontario
One look at Two Sisters Naturals and their quirky, down-to-earth vibes makes them immediately relatable and easy to fall in love with. Their full line of plant-based bath and beauty products are just as swoon-worthy as they are.
Not only is it important for Two Sisters Naturals to use all natural ingredients, but they also ensure everything is packaged sustainably. Focused on putting their community first, they are always seeking input from their following to determine what new products to introduce and how they can better the user experience.
One of our favourite products (among the many others they carry) is their best-selling Facial Mist $24 to soothe, hydrate and tone the skin. Made with base ingredients, aloe and witch hazel, choose from 2 aromatic scents - Rose or Lemongrass. With all the environmental stressors, a hydrating mist does the trick when skin needs a little pick-me-up!
Peterborough, Ontario
What’s a great make-up remover without a reusable facial cloth to use it with? Cheeks Ahoy is a favourite of ours for zero-waste products for the home. All products are handmade with natural fabrics including 100% cotton flannel, hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton. Absolutely perfect for super soft makeup removal cloths.
Based in Peterborough, Ontario, Cheeks Ahoy began after founder Leah Black had her first child. She was so excited to practice sustainability with a newborn starting with cloth diapers. She quickly realized that although she was eliminating waste on one end, she was still using a lot of single-use wipes after each diaper change. This included the endless plastic packaging the wipes came in.
Her solution? Handsewn wipes from old flannel bed sheets. They worked remarkably well and before she knew it, she started getting orders from fellow moms. Now her team of moms (and a dad) fulfill all orders from their hometown using only sustainable fabrics and have grown to include more than just baby wipes.
Their beauty wipes are an absolute must-have. No conscious beauty collection is complete without a responsible way to remove makeup and Cheeks Ahoy’s Black Hemp Facial Rounds (made from 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton) is our top pick. Hemp creates one of the most sustainable fabrics in the world and is hypo-allergenic and non-irritating to the skin. It provides all the warmth and softness of a natural textile and is an exceptionally durable and strong fabric.
Hemp requires no pesticides, crowds out weeds without herbicides, controls, and the Facial Rounds are made with over 70% certified organic content. Their products are also PETA certified vegan and cruelty free.
Edmonton, Alberta
Adewunmi believes that everyone should have access to well-made, natural and toxin-free products to care for your own skin. Aside from carrying all your everyday body essentials in store, they have also developed their boutique as a space where you can individualize your own skin care products and watch these being created right there and then.
Because skin care is not one-size fits all, they custom make products through a simple 3-step process by involving you in choosing the base, the raw materials or ingredients, and the essential or fragrance oils. All products are safe and free from harmful chemicals, including GMO, gluten, parabens, phthalates and solvents.
We are intrigued with their Oil Balancing and Purifying Black Soap - a gentle face and body cleanser with a clarifying blend of botanical extracts, to cleanse and help heal skin.
Also for safety and hygiene in a low footprint workplace, these Natural Hand / Body Wash and Hand Sanitizer Gel reduce the spread of harmful bacteria and would work well as stocking stuffers or useful additions to employee appreciation corporate gift bags.
Not only are they committed to their customers, they also pay-it-forward by putting a child in school with every product purchased. With personalized skin care and social responsibility at the heart of their operations, Adewunmi is literally made for you.
Guelph, Ontario
Suncoat’s founder (and chemist), Yingchun Liu, Ying for short, started Suncoat after her seven-year-old daughter’s curiosity in nail polish grew. Ying felt apprehensive about the idea, knowing the harmful chemicals found in conventional polish (like formaldehyde, toluene, and acetates). With an educational and working background in chemistry, she decided to create her own.
Because each nail polish bottle is made up of 70% water, replacing the toluene and formaldehyde, its application does not emit any chemical fumes. Not only is this healthier for the body, but also for the environment. Its natural properties keep your nails from going yellow; its colours are derived from minerals and natural colourants.
All products are formulated and manufactured in Guelph, Ontario. A pioneer in non-toxic nail polish, Suncoat’s water-based polish is inspired by nature and creates harmony by bringing Mother Nature back into products used in our daily lives.
Their Water-Based Nail Polish $12 was awarded the 2019 Earth Day Beauty Awards by Healing Lifestyles and has won recognition in Canada, US, and the UK. Their Natural Hair Style Spray and Natural Liquid Eyeliner have also been prized in magazines around the world. Get your best friends, family members and even yourself, a chance to glam up and hit the town, or get comfortable hanging out in fresh natural faces. Express your inner artist or brush up on your skills. Treat them (and yourself!) to one or all of these eco-friendly makeup products that are sure to make your skin happy.
Morden, Manitoba
With a range of products from makeup to skincare, Pure Anada has products for every member of the family. They truly do it all and they do it with love by paying it forward through supporting various charities, including donating $2.00 to Compassion Canada from proceeds of every Princess Pack sold. To date, Pure Anada has donated over $5000 to rescue children from poverty.
Pure Anada products are formulated and handcrafted in the beautiful Canadian prairies, using natural, organically grown ingredients. They have their own certified organic lab and manufacturing facility, giving them full control of their formulas, productions and processes. While they source ingredients from around the world, they ensure that each one is:
Child labour-free and fairly-traded
Ethically harvested
PETA cruelty-free including suppliers they purchase from
If you prefer a traditional eye liner try their Pureline Eyeliner Pencils $16. These are made with plant oils and mineral pigments. Ingredients are vegan, organic, free from common allergens, and approved by Eco-cert.
With a goal to create products of great quality, lively colours and an affordable price point, what’s not to love? If you’re looking for an affordable clean makeup brand, Pure Anada is definitely worth checking out.
Toronto, Ontario
Founded by Susanne Langmuir in 2011, and acquired by luxury beauty powerhouse Kendo in 2014, Bite Beauty has established itself as a cult favourite.
With a revamped product line in 2020, Bite went 100% vegan, offering their following a cleaner and cruelty-free beauty option. We love that they are fuelled by skin-loving superfoods and good-for-you ingredients.
We love their lippies, especially the Mini Nude Lip Crayon Duo $20 - the perfect travel companion! Winner of 2020 Byrdie Eco Beauty Award, it’s an easy-to-apply, matte lipstick with a bold colour that lasts.
Visit their Lip Lab and create your very own lipstick! Work with their colour experts in-store or virtually, from the comfort of your home to create swoon-worthy shades you’ll love. Choose a colour, finish, and flavour, then personalize and engrave your own lippie.
With so many Canadian eco-conscious brands emerging onto the scene, it's a true testament to the consumer movement towards clean beauty and the desire for natural and recognizable ingredients. At Good Earth Gifting we are so honoured to be a part of the shift towards intentional purchases by spreading awareness of the many local brands out there that are doing good for their customers and the planet.
Good Earth Gifting aims to educate and give businesses options to think outside the box when it comes to corporate gifts. Check out these Indigenous, Black and BIPOC-owned businesses that deserve to be supported! Other great resources include online directories like Black and Indigenous Businesses and Black Biz Global.
Don't forget to share your favourite products with us on Good Earth Gifting's Facebook page, Instagram @goodearthgifting, and on TikTok @goodearthgifting.
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our team. Should you make a purchase from the included links, we may earn a small commission.