Enhance your natural glow this season with these ethically sourced products
Summer is officially upon us which means it’s time to up our SPF, switch out heavier creams and foundations for lighter options, and make sure our skin is free of impurities as we spend more time in the outdoors. I’ve gathered some of my favourite products for the season that are packed with natural goodies and created with sustainability top of mind, so that not only are you keeping your face happy and healthy, but the planet too.
1. Shimmer Palette by KYPRIS
This gorgeous shimmer palette by KYPRIS is going to keep you radiant all summer long, thanks to its crushed crystals formula infused with hyaluronic acid, as well as moisturizing shea and mica. There are five highly-pigmented and long-lasting shades to pick from, such as gold aura and diamond fire. This holistic brand uses only organic ingredients that are vegan, naturally derived, synthetic-fragrance-free, sustainable and sourced from female-owned farms.
Available here
2. Tea Seed Elixir by LOLI
Keeping our skin nourished and hydrated is crucial during the summer months, so using a product to combat dryness is a must. Infused with flaxseed, apricot, sweet orange and more, LOLI's Tea Seed Elixir works to give you a dewy complexion, reduces blemishes, and brightens your skin tone. LOLI stands for “living organic loving ingredients”—and the brand is committed to being vegan and sustainable as well as supporting putting an end to human trafficking, and packaging all of its items in earth-friendly, compostable bags and boxes.
Available here
3. Silk Powder by Tatcha
This blend of silk powder, silk extract, mica and Japanese pearl powder gives your skin a smooth, velvet-like finish as well as protects it from blue-light damage and pollution. This is a great product, especially for the summertime, so you can set your makeup and not have to worry about it sweating off through out the day. Tatcha is on a journey towards sustainability, and the product is packaged in mono-material polypropylene which is easier to recycle.
Available here
4. Intensive Nourishing Oil by 100% Pure
I love using this oil as part of my bedtime routine because it’s super lightweight, but it can be used day or night. Made with vitamin E, grapeseed oil, lavender and rosemary, it’s very hydrating for the face and combats anti-aging as well. It’s quite concentrated so a little bit goes a long way, and is safe for all skin types even if you are acne-prone.
Available here
5. Cheeckslime by Freck Beauty
Small but mighty, this lip and cheek tint by clean brand Freck Beauty gives you buildable colour in a variety of shades. It’s very simple to use (apply and blend), dries fast, and lasts all day. What I love about it the most is that it’s made with plant collagen, which leaves you with a natural glow that’s just perfect for summer. You might as well grab a few colours because you will not be disappointed.
Available here
6. Sun Melt by Saie
When you wear clean beauty brand Saie’s latest Sun Melt bronzer, you don’t even feel like anything is on your face. It’s lightweight, has a creamy finish, and gives you a long-lasting, golden-hour glow. Available in four warm tones, its main ingredients include colloidal oatmeal, grapeseed oil and elderberry extract. Plus, the jar is made of 50 percent post-consumer recycled plastic.
Available here
7. Revealer Concealer by Kosas
Gone are the days about worrying if your makeup is looking dry and cakey. With feature ingredients like arnica, caffeine, hyaluronic acid and pink algae, this creamy concealer by Kosas gives you a smooth finish, brightens the skin, keeps blemishes away, and retains moisture the entire time. I also love that there are more than 20 shades to choose from, because all skin tones should be represented. This brand is committed to using the best of the best natural ingredients to create products that are vegan and free of parabens, silicone, talc, aluminum and more.
Available here
8. Cooling Water Deodorant by Milk Makeup
Deodorant is a must-have to keep you fresh this season, so make sure what you’re using is good for your skin and the planet. My top pick is Cooling Water by Milk, which is formulated with kaolin clay and a natural enzyme complex that works to absorb sweat and neutralize odour. It also includes eucalyptus oil which has a refreshing fragrance, caffeine and seawater. The best part? It’s aluminum- and baking-soda-free. Take a dime-sized amount and rub it on day or night. If you haven’t used a clean deodorant before, allow up to three weeks for your body to adjust to this product.
Available here
9. Balmy Gloss Tinted Oil by Ilia
I’m not a huge fan of deeply pigmented lip colours during the summertime and would much rather wear a shimmering gloss that pairs with a sun-kissed look—so I absolutely adore this tinted oil by Ilia which comes in six pretty shades. It goes on extremely soft, and gives your lips a naturally plump finish thanks to salicornia herbacea extract, hyaluronic acid and jojoba. Also, it has a subtle scent of ginger yuzu (so try your hardest not to lick it off). Ilia is not only committed to sustainable production, but encourages customers to mail back up to five empty products a month from any brand towards TerraCycle’s Zero Waste program so there is less ending up in landfill. What’s not to love?
Available here
10. Squalane and BHA Pore-Minimizing Toner by Biossance
Biossance’s newest toner has a variety of benefits, including minimizing pores, reducing inflammation, decreasing oil and smoothing your skin’s texture without drying it out. This product is non-toxic, vegan, cruelty-free, and has no added synthetic fragrances or alcohol—so you know you are only putting pure ingredients onto your face, like white willowbark extract that works as a natural exfoliant, squalene which delivers moisture, and caviar lime extract.
Available here
11. Glo Charcoal Detox Mask
A detox mask is another must-have for the summer because of sweat that can build up, as well as dirt and pollution from spending more time outside. Refresh and clean your skin with this product by Glo that features charcoal powder, kaolin clay and bentonite clay that will leave your face looking fresh, radiant and purified.
Available here