Best Clean Certifications To Look For In A Makeup Brand
When it comes to the search for clean beauty products, there’s nothing more confusing than a long label of impossible-to-pronounce ingredients. Thankfully there are now several verification groups that can help the 70%+ of American consumers who prefer to have clean skincare products know if one is clean(er) than most. These are a few of the top certifications we’ve rounded up that can indicate if a makeup brand is safe to use and free of harmful toxins:
USDA Organic
If a makeup brand has products that are labeled as USDA Organic, it means that the products have been certified to contain at least 95% organic ingredients. This certification ensures that the ingredients used in the product are free of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals. It’s important to note that the US Department of Agriculture is the certifying body for organic makeup and skincare products, not the FDA.
Why We Like | Highlights certified organic ingredients, USDA has four tiers for organic certifications
Red Flags | Ingredients that are not derived from agricultural products cannot be certified organic
EWG Verified
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is a nonprofit organization that evaluates the safety of personal care products, including makeup. Products that are EWG Verified have been reviewed by the organization and meet their strict standards for safety and transparency. Brands must prove that their products are free from harmful chemicals, provide full ingredient transparency, and prove that their products are manufactured properly..
Why We Like | Verification happens at the product level (not brand level), complete transparency
Red Flags | Difficult to actually find the list of harmful chemicals and ingredients they test against
Leaping Bunny
The Leaping Bunny certification indicates that a makeup brand does not test their products on animals at any stage of development. There are actually eight animal protection groups that came together to form the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) which awards the Leaping Bunny certification. This internationally recognized certification has become the standard for consumers who want to purchase ethically-made and cruelty-free products.
Why We Like | Brands must prove that even their third party ingredient suppliers and labs are cruelty-free, must be renewed annually
Red Flags | Does not necessarily mean that the product is free from toxic or harmful ingredients
COSMOS
Since its creation in 2011 by the 5 major European verification organizations, the COSMOS certification is an internationally recognized standard for natural and organic cosmetics. Products that are COSMOS-certified have met strict standards for ingredient safety, environmental sustainability, and ethical sourcing. This certification will label the percentage of organic ingredients in each product and requires brands to integrate green chemistry into their development practices.
Why We Like | There are two certification options to provide clarity to consumers, and they also can certify raw ingredients
Red Flags | Not clear how often products need to be re-evaluated to keep their certification