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Conventional Highlighters are made with harsh chemicals, nano particles, parabens, Bismuth Oxychloride, talc, synthetic dyes, fillers, fragrance, PFA, heavy metals, mica, titanium dioxide, and preservatives.
❌ Avoid Microplastic
Check that your makeup or cosmetics are organic and don’t contain plastic, according to Greenpeace Italy, these makeup companies contain microplastic Lush 99%, Maybelline 85%, Deborah 84%, Sephora 83%, Wycon 78%.
Found in Mascara 90%, Lipsticks and Lipglosses 85%, Foundation 74%, Highlighter 69% Face Powder 43% and in Glitter
Check the label, Microplastics are listed as Nylon, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polymethyl methacrylate.
Even if they are made with some natural ingredients, they may still contain controversial ingredients such as mica, titanium dioxide, or petroleum-derived ingredients.
❌ Avoid Titanium Dioxide CI 77891
Titanium Dioxide once considered by the FDA as GRASE (generally recognized as safe and effective) and not misbranded, Titanium dioxide is no longer considered safe.
Titanium dioxide: Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful. Toxic when it is ingested, so avoid sunblock lip balms or lipsticks with titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is classified as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, because of the potential of exposure through inhalation.
Banned in the EU for food application due to its potential carcinogenic effects. Titanium dioxide E 171 contains at most 50% of particles in the nano range (i.e. less than 100 nanometres) to which consumers may be exposed.
According to The Guardian: “The EU’s decision to phase out titanium dioxide came after a re-evaluation of the safety of the food additive conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), an agency that delivers independent scientific advice to the EU about food-related risks.
EFSA scientists screened nearly 12,000 scientific publications. They were particularly interested in recent research on the “genotoxicity” of titanium dioxide nanoparticles – their ability to damage DNA and lead to cell mutations, potentially causing cancer. In animal studies, nanoparticles have been found to affect microorganisms in the gut, which could trigger diseases like intestinal and bowel inflammation and colorectal cancer.
❌ Avoid Mica CI 77019
Mica is linked to child labor, often takes place in developing countries that may rely on exploitative practices. Plus mica can contain heavy metals.
In 2013, researchers in Japan tested cosmetics and found high levels of fluorine inside mica & talc. It turned out that some suppliers were fluorinating their raw ingredients in order to have the products last longer in the environment, i.e. on your face. The demand of having “long-lasting” and “waterproof” natural makeup has set up an industry for natural mica & talc coated with PFAS.
Pneumoconiosis may be caused by pure mica alone
Mica is toxic to the workers: pulmonary disorders of four employees who were exposed to high concentration of pure mica dust in a muscovite milling unit. Occupational exposure to mica dust is responsible for diffuse infiltrative lung disease by overload processes.
Synthetic mica: is a man-made mica, called also fluorphlogopite, or synthetic fluorine, made with
Mica is colored with yellow 10, blue 1, red 28, and many other FD&C food dyes that are derived from petroleum and banned in many countries due to potential links to cancer.
❌ Avoid petroleum-derived ingredients
“CI 77742/Manganese Violet” is petroleum-derived and its synthesis requires ammonium dihydrogen phosphate: Comstock MC.
CI 15850/Red 7 Lake synthetic colorant
CI 42090 is a synthetic compound that gives a brilliant blue color to products
🌿Many natural or even organic highlighters still contain mica or titanium dioxide.
I researched everywhere, and I listed the best organic highlighters on the market:
The best of the best highlighters are made with natural or even better organic ingredients and without titanium dioxide and mica. Plus PFAS-free.
🌿The Organic Highlighters listed here are made with organic and mineral ingredients.
Rich and vibrant colors, creamy, nourishing, cute, and they last long! 🍒 How amazing is to wear nature!
Their ingredients are by far the most natural available in the beauty industry, made from fruit pigmentations, antioxidants from fruit straight to your lashes, full hydration, and moisturizing.
My number one organic highlighter brand recommendation is:
Shop with my links to support my research!💖
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
💖 There are very few organic makeup brands that make their products mica-free and titanium dioxide-free. 💙PipereBlue is one of these!! I approve of her products made with the best organic ingredients available, making her one of the best organic makeup brands on the market! She has created an amazing collection using certified organic, nourishing, and healthy ingredients found in nature! 🌿Organic palette is made with organic jojoba to soothe and balance skin, organic fractioned coconut oil to moisturize, and the antioxidant vitamin E.
Plus, it offers sun protection thanks to the zinc oxide 🌿Organic Nourish Miracle Spray for priming and setting makeup is like a superfood for the skin. Made with organic aloe, minerals, vitamins, and organic herbal extract 🌿Organic setting Powder is a translucent soft powder for absorbing excess oils without drying or for a mattified look. 💖 Super cute pink hydrophilic makeup blender made from microfiber is capable of performing with very small makeup quantity.
Use it dry or wet! ⭐️ You can get all this with her “Ultimate Bundle”!
INGREDIENTS: Certified Organic Ingredients
💖100% Natural Vitamins, Minerals & Pigments in an Organic Botanical Base. Brighten areas that light naturally hits. After selecting your main foundation color, you will need 1 or 2 shades lighter than your Main Foundation Color depending on how much you want to brighten your face.
A breathable lightweight formula that leaves your skin looking flawless in just a few minutes with the 5-minute finger pallet system. For all skin types with options for dry to oily skin, and has adjustable light to full coverage.
🌿This antioxidant-rich formula features anti-aging benefits to help enhance youthful skin tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This natural foundation offers a lightweight SPF to protect your skin from environmental stress and free radicals. This promotes younger-looking skin longer.
💖 PiperBlue makeup does not contain nano ingredients or titanium dioxide, only vitamin and nutrient-rich ingredients for optimal skin nutrition.
Zinc Oxide - Reduces inflammation, protects against UVB and UVA, soothes the skin, and promotes youthful-looking skin longer.
Vitamin E - Anti-oxidant, supplies direct anti-oxidant to combat free radicals and protect the skin.
Jojoba - Anti-microbial, supports skin elasticity, moisturizes, soothes, and helps balance sebum production.
Fractionated Coconut Oil - Healing, moisturizing, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal.
INGREDIENTS: *Organic oil blend (Fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, and Vitamin E), zinc oxide(non nano), sericite, *carnauba wax, kaolin clay, candelilla wax, *arrowroot, silica, +/- iron oxides, *lethicin. *Certified Organic
15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
🌿River Organics is an amazing brand that is not only committed to delivering organic makeup made with the best organic ingredients but is taking extra steps to offer zero-waste packaging! River Organics Illumi Highlighter gives skin a refreshed a dewy look with golden reflective qualities. Your skin will look refreshed and hydrated with this creamy easy to use product.
This Organic Highlighter is made with certified organic ingredients plus in an amazing plastic-free packaging.
♻️ Considering how many makeup plastic containers are around, this step is necessary, making it for us easier to pick a more sustainable organic makeup brand!
✅ Certified Organic Ingredients
✅ 100% Vegan & Cruelty free Certified
✅ Eco-Friendly Paper Packaging
✅ Biodegradable Sugar Cane Label
✅ Zero Waste and Plastic-free
INGREDIENTS: *Shea Butter, *Cocoa Seed Butter, Candelilla Wax, *Grape Seed Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, Vitamin E. *Certified Organic
🌿 Lauren Brooke's organic skincare and organic makeup are made using 100% food-grade, certified organic ingredients and is the first Natural Cosmetics Company in the US to have products that are European Union certified, where more than 1,378 chemicals are banned or restricted.
🌿Lauren Brooke Luminous Crème Highlighters come in Warm, Neutral, & Cool shades to match every skin tone.
🌿 These organic highlighters are made with 100% certified organic and botanical ingredients to nourish, protect, and moisturize your skin
INGREDIENTS: Certified Organic Coconut Fractionated Oil Extract, All Natural Zinc Oxide, Certified Organic Beeswax, Certified Organic Jojoba Oil, All Natural Silica, Non-GMO Probiotic Lactobacillus (Coconut-derived), Certified Organic Argan Oil, Certified Organic Rosehip Fruit Oil, Certified Organic Neem Seed Oil, All Natural Clay, Certified Organic Green Tea Leaf Extract, Certified Organic Passionflower Extract, Certified Organic Raspberry Extract, Certified Organic Vitamin E (Sunflower-derived) Oil (+/- Naturally Derived Iron Oxides, Certified Organic Essential Oil Blend)
💖Omiana makes approved natural makeup using natural and organic ingredients, plus mica-free and titanium dioxide-free.
Many makeup brands contain these two controversial ingredients, including natural makeup brands!
🌿 Omiana Organic Liquid Foundation is sensitive skin approved, and it is made without Mica, Titanium Dioxide, boron nitride, clay, without water or cheap fillers.
Omiana Longwear Liquid Foundation Mousse is made with concentrated, organic ingredients and minerals.
This organic liquid foundation mousse has an all-day full-coverage foundation with a natural matte finish.
Humidity resistant. It can also be used as an organic concealer and organic highlighter to brighten around the eyes and above the cheekbones. Pair with organic mineral powders or pressed foundations.
Medium to buildable, intense coverage and moisture. It is anhydrous: concentrated, long-lasting.
Vegan, Clean and simple ingredients, Concentrated formula, long-lasting, Nourishes skin, Lightweight, silky coverage
INGREDIENTS: Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, High-micron Zinc Oxide, Organic Arrowroot, Olive Based Oil, Organic Aloe Leaf Juice, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Green Tea Leaf, Cetearyl Olivate (and) Sorbitan Olivate, Cetyl Palmitate (and) Sorbitan Palmitate (and) Sorbitan Olivate, Organic Olive Fruit Oil and Iron Oxide
I don't recommend Au Naturale Highlighter since it contains mica and titanium dioxide
INGREDIENTS: Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam Seed Oil), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ricinus Communis (Castor Seed Oil), Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Wax), Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed Oil), Organic Lavandula Officinalis (Lavender Oil), Manihot Esculenta (Tapioca Root Starch), Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Micas, Silica.
I don't recommend Ilia Highlighter since it contains mica, titanium dioxide, Phenethyl Alcohol, Alcohol, Benzyl Alcohol
INGREDIENTS: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Diisostearyl Malate, Mica, Isopentyldiol, Polyglyceryl-10 Eicosanedioate/Tetradecanedioate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Starch*, Benzyl Alcohol, Maris Aqua/Sea Water/Eau de Mer, Xanthan Gum, Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Dehydroacetic Acid, Pistacia Lentiscus (Mastic) Gum, Lecithin, Hydrolyzed Algin, Phenethyl Alcohol, Sucrose, Tin Oxide. May Contain/Peut Contenir (±): CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 (Iron Oxides).
Benzyl Alcohol, a synthetic ingredient used as a solvent and preservative; has been associated with contact allergy, Known human any toxicant or allergen, Human [[system]] toxicant or allergen - strong evidence, Associated with immunotoxicity or allergies, Classified as toxic or harmful, Dangerous for the environment.
According to pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
I don't recommend 100% Pure Highlighter since it contains mica
INGREDIENTS: Aloe Barbadensis (Organic Aloe Juice)* Leaf, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Citrus Aurantium Sinensis (Orange) Fiber, Silica, Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Persea Gratissima (Avocado)Butter, Curcuma Longa (Turmeric) Powder, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Powder, Camellia Sinensis (Black Tea) Leaf Powder, Mica, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium(Japanese Honeysuckle) Extract * Certified Organic