The Best Natural Foundation (29+ Products Ranked!)
Last Updated: August 12, 2023
Over the past 4 weeks, we researched 29+ of the most popular foundations to find the best non-toxic choices for your beauty routine.
Today we’ll be looking at:
- The reasons to switch to a natural foundation.
- The concerning ingredients we found in our analysis.
- The different type of foundation.
- What Better Goods considers a clean foundation.
- How we chose the foundations we analyzed.
- Ratings for 20+ of the most popular natural foundations.
We dove deep into the ingredients of each one, analyzing the labels to ensure they contain natural and safe ingredients. As suspected, many of the foundations on the market—including those that promote themselves as clean—contain ingredients that could potentially harm your health.
The entire beauty industry in the US is woefully underregulated. Just because a product or ingredient is present in your makeup doesn’t mean it is truly harmless. Cosmetic products and ingredients do not require FDA approval before going on the market, except color additives, but are FDA regulated.
But fear not, beauty lovers! The industry is evolving, and a wealth of safer, clean, natural foundations made with skin-loving ingredients like plant-based oils, minerals, and waxes are now at our fingertips.
By switching to a natural foundation, you’re treating your skin with the care it deserves and gaining peace of mind knowing that you’re using safe, healthy products.
Want to jump straight to our list of recommended natural foundations? Click here.
Why Switch To a Natural Foundation?
Did you know that some of your favorite foundation’s ingredients could harm your health? It’s true – many beauty products, including foundations, contain ingredients that could be harmful. Carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and allergens are just a few of the hidden nasties lurking in the seemingly innocent bottles of our favorite cosmetic staples.
As our largest organ, our skin absorbs certain chemicals easily, and with foundation sitting directly on the skin for hours on end, it’s crucial to be mindful of ingredients we’re potentially introducing into our bodies.
By switching to a natural foundation, you can give your skin the care it deserves and have the peace of mind that comes with using safe and healthy products. It’s the perfect way to create a flawless base for your makeup routine!
The Ingredients of Concern in Foundation
Have you ever wondered what’s really in your foundation? After analyzing 20+ of the most popular foundations, we found that many contain potentially hazardous ingredients.
These ingredients have been linked to severe health concerns like cancer, reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, etc.
It’s time to take control of what you put on your skin and make informed choices.
Fragrance – Did you know that the term “fragrance” on a product label can hide many potentially harmful chemicals? That’s right, hundreds of undisclosed chemicals can be lurking under that one simple word, and many of them are known allergens, irritants, and endocrine disruptors.
But wait, it gets worse. Some fragrances can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even migraines. And if that’s not enough, some fragrances contain phthalates, a group of chemicals that can be absorbed through skin. Phthalates are toxic plasticizing chemicals linked to hormonal imbalances, birth defects, and a probable human carcinogen when exposed at high doses. Phthalates have been found in women’s urine after the use of phthalate-containing products.
Chemical sunscreens – Many foundations with SPF achieve this using chemical UV absorbers like avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate. These ingredients can penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, and some have been linked to endocrine disruption and cause dermatitis but what’s scarier are the unknown health impacts.
Parabens – You’ve probably seen these listed on product labels as methyl-, butyl-, ethyl-, or propylparaben. They are commonly used as preservatives in cosmetics, can be absorbed through the skin, and have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive toxicity.
Talc – This ingredient is tricky. Like coal-tar dyes, talc is used extensively in beauty products. While there is the risk that talc can be contaminated with asbestos, a recent study from the FDA of 50 products containing talc resulted in zero asbestos found. However, a 2020 study found asbestos in 3 out of 21 talc-containing makeup products tested. Either way, avoid inhalation of any and all talc-containing products as it causes lung damage.
Nevertheless, as talc is a controversial ingredient, we indicate all foundations that have the ingredient if you wish to avoid it.
BHA / BHT – The European Commission on Endocrine Disruption has found that BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) has the ability to disrupt the endocrine system. BHT has been linked to hormone disruption, and appears on California’s Prop 65 list as a potential carcinogen. Typically, BHA and BHT can be found together, and the effects of both chemicals (together) are still unknown.
Lead / Heavy Metals – Lead is a well-known neurotoxin that has been shown to cause reproductive and developmental toxicity. Unfortunately, this won’t always show up on the label and sometimes ends up in cosmetics as a contaminant. Lead is a well-known neurotoxin and can be dangerous at very low levels.
PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – PFAS are also known as the newly coined “forever chemicals” have been found in 63% out of 231 liquid foundations tested by researchers at the University of Notre Dame and have shown to be absorbed into the skin. PFAS have been linked to a variety of health problems, as well as being environmentally toxic.
The Different Types of Foundation
There are several types of foundation, each with its unique benefits and uses.
These include:
- Liquid Foundation: Liquid foundation is the most common type. It provides medium to full coverage and can be applied with a brush, sponge, or fingertips. Liquid foundation is versatile and can even out skin tone and cover imperfections.
- Powder Foundation: Powder foundation is a compacted powder with sheer to medium coverage. It can be applied with a brush or sponge and is ideal for those with oily skin or for touch-ups during the day.
- Cream Foundation: Cream foundation is thicker in consistency compared to liquid foundation and provides medium to full coverage. It’s ideal for dry skin and can be applied with a brush, sponge, or fingertips.
- Stick Foundation: Stick foundation is a solid foundation that can be used for spot or full coverage. It’s easy to apply and can be used on-the-go.
- Tinted Moisturizer: Tinted moisturizer is a lightweight, sheer-coverage foundation that hydrates the skin. It’s ideal for dry or sensitive skin and provides a natural, radiant finish.
- BB Cream: BB cream stands for “beauty balm” and is a multi-tasking product that provides coverage, hydration, and skincare benefits. It’s a good option for those wanting lightweight, natural-looking coverage.
- CC Cream: CC cream stands for “color correction” and is designed to correct specific skin concerns such as redness, dullness, and uneven skin tone. It provides light to medium coverage and is a good option for those who want a natural-looking finish.
Choosing a foundation that matches your skin type and coverage preferences is important. Experimenting with different types of foundation can help you find the one that works best for you.
What Better Goods Considers a Natural Foundation
At its most basic, a clean foundation should be free of harmful ingredients. However, much like there’s no set definition for “clean” or “natural,” there’s no universal list of which ingredients are safe.
Our philosophy is “better safe than sorry”, meaning if an ingredient is controversial and potentially harmful, we let you know. That way, you can decide for yourself.
We also consider other standards regarding what we consider a clean foundation. We prefer foundations that are cruelty-free, vegan, and eco-friendly. However, these factors play no role in the rating a product receives.
How We Picked These Natural Foundations
To find our list of clean foundations to analyze, we looked across social media, online stores like Sephora, and blogs. We chose only popular and trending brands to analyze, and only foundations that explicitly stated they were “clean,” “natural,” or “green.”
We also chose brands that have inclusive shades, meaning you’ll be able to find the best natural foundation for your skin tone.
The Best Natural Foundations: Ranked By Ingredients
After selecting the products, we examined each foundation’s ingredients and cross-referenced them with scientific studies and databases.
Products are ranked from best to worst, with the best having the fewest harmful ingredients and the worst containing many ingredients on our “avoid” list.
Below is our list of clean foundation ratings. They’re rated on this scale:
– These products are the best of the best. They contain great ingredients, are non-toxic, and are often the best choice for our environment.
– These products are typically quite good but don’t go above and beyond like our best choices.
– These products are typically okay but have some issues that make us unable to give them a “Good” rating. Often they contain ingredients or materials that are questionable.
– These products typically have toxic ingredients or issues that make them dangerous or unsuitable. These products should typically be avoided.
Natural Foundations Rated: Best
Only three of the natural foundations we analyzed deserved our Best rating. These natural foundations have 100% clean ingredients, and any of them is a great choice for your first clean foundation.
These include:
Ilia
The Ilia Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 is an award-winning tinted face serum that provides light coverage with non-nano zinc oxide sun protection to shield skin from UVA, UVB, UVC, blue light, and pollution. If you’re looking for a skincare-infused face tint with sun protection, this is a great option.
Pros:
- Comes in 40 shades
- Leaves a skin-like finish
- Great for dry and normal skin
- Has a dropper bottle for easier use
- Vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free
- Non-comedogenic
Cons:
- Transfers easily; doesn’t last a long time
- Not the best for combination and oily skin
- Has a slight scent; can irritate those with sensitive skin
- May oxidize on the skin due to the SPF
- Doesn’t provide enough coverage for those with scarring
- Higher price tag; comparable to foundation prices
Active Ingredients
Ingredients
RMS Beauty
The RMS Beauty “Un” Cover Up Cream Foundation is a rich cream foundation that offers a natural, medium to full coverage. It’s designed for all skin types, including dry, normal, combination, mature, sensitive, and acne-prone. This foundation hydrates and protects the skin from free radicals while improving texture and skin tone.
Pros:
- Fragrance-free, gluten-free, and alcohol-free
- Very hydrating for dry and normal skin types
- Provides good coverage
- Good lasting and holding power (4-8 hours)
Cons:
- Only comes in 16 shades
- Can cause breakouts due to coconut oil (highly comedogenic)
- May be hard to blend
- Can be oily due to the cream formulation
- Smell may be offputting to some
- May be too thick of a formulation for some
Ingredients
Natural Foundations Rated: Good
13 of the natural foundations we looked at received a rating of Good. While these don’t make our top grade, any of them should be a safe choice to bring into your makeup arsenal.
Kosas
The Kosas Tinted Face Oil is where foundation meets skincare. This tinted serum provides weightless hydration and sheer to medium coverage to even the skin tone and blur imperfections. It moisturizes and plumps the skin, balances and brightens the skin, and nourishes the skin for a natural, glowy, your-skin-but-better finish. This is formulated for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin types.
Pros:
- Light to medium coverage
- Very natural finish
- Feels light on the skin
- Comes in 16 shades
- Vegan product
Cons:
- Not the best for dry skin
- Emphasizes dry patches
- Can sit in fine lines
- Doesn’t last long
- Terrible packaging
Ingredients
Juice Beauty
The Juice Beauty Phyto-Pigments Flawless Serum Foundation is a medium to full coverage foundation that helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It provides a flawless finish while delivering a smoother and more youthful appearance. It’s good for all skin types including dry, oily, blemish-prone, and sensitive skin.
Pros:
- Buildable and light foundation
- Feels light on the skin, breathable
- Good for eczema or rosacea
- Good for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Very thin/watery consistency
- Only comes in 11 shades
- Can cause breakouts
- Can oxidize on the skin
Ingredients
Ere Perez
The Ere Perez Oat Milk Foundation is a lightweight, buildable liquid foundation that provides medium to full coverage. It gives a long-lasting, dewy finish, and is suitable for all skin types. This is a good for those looking for a foundation that provides a natural, even-looking complexion, while also protecting and renewing your skin barrier.
Pros:
- Provides good coverage
- Helps brighten the complexion
- Contains nutrients that nourish and moisturize the skin
- Easy to apply and blendable
Cons:
- Doesn’t have the best packaging
- Might cause breakouts
- Poor shade range: only 8 colors
Ingredients
Ilia
The Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation is a serum-infused foundation that targets skincare and color correction. It provides buildable medium coverage with a silky and natural finish. This serum foundation soothes skin irritation, plumps fine lines, blurs imperfections, and minimizes pores. This is a good option for those looking for a foundation that doubles as a skincare product.
Pros:
- Plumps the skin and provides a natural, skinlike finish
- Average staying power
- Works best for dry and normal skin
- Safe for sensitive skin
- Lightweight and buildable
- Vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free, and gluten-free
- Non-comedogenic
Cons:
- Comes in 18 shades
- Can get too oily
- Might not be the best for oily and combination skin
- Might not work well for mature skin
- Some shades may run too yellow or orange
Ingredients
Fitglow
This Fitglow Foundation+ is a herbal and organic photo filtering foundation that provides nutrients to the skin while creating a healthy-looking, flawless finish. It provides a buildable, medium to full coverage with a satin, demi-matte finish. This foundation works for all skin types and concerns.
Pros:
- Comes in 18 shades
- Brightens and evens out the complexion
- Feels great on the skin
- Good for problematic skin
Cons:
- Can settle into fine lines and dry patches
- May be difficult to blend
- Can be too oily for some
Ingredients
Suntegrity
The Suntegrity Impeccable Skin SPF 30 Foundation is a triple threat — skincare, sunscreen, and makeup all in one. It provides a smooth and youthful finish with medium coverage. Formulated with vitamins and peptide-rich technology and without oils and silicones, this foundation helps with anti-aging while providing SPF and blue light protection.
Pros:
- Provides a good amount of coverage without being cakey
- Oil-free, vegan, and reef friendly
- Great replacement for standard foundations
- Doesn’t leave a white cast due to the SPF
- Safe for sensitive skin
Cons:
- Very poor shade range; only comes in 6 shades
- May not mix well with other moisturizers
- Can be shiny and make the face look greasy
- Can feel heavy on the skin
Active Ingredients
Ingredients
W3LL PEOPLE
The Bio Stick Foundation by W3LL People is a creamy stick foundation that gives a fresh, healthy glow. It provides a weightless, satin, soft-focus finish while evening skin tone and blurring imperfections. It’s good for all skin types, including dry, oily, blemish-prone, and sensitive skin. For those wanting a quick and easy-to-use application, this stick foundation is a good choice.
Pros:
- Provides buildable coverage
- Very light on the skin
- Dermatologist-developed and vegan
- Fragrance-free
Cons:
- Coverage isn’t the best
- Doesn’t blend well
- Can sit on top of the skin
- Might be drying for some
- Limited shade range: only 14 shades
Ingredients
Kosas
The Kosas Revealer Skin Improving Foundation SPF 25 does exactly what its name suggests: improving the skin. It provides a natural finish to blur and visibly smooth texture while minimizing pores. It’s clinically proven to hydrate, brighten, soothe, plump, and protect the skin over time. This foundation is good for all skin types, including dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination, and normal.
Pros:
- Formulated with SPF
- Provides light to full coverage
- Good for those with olive undertones
- Comes in 36 shades
- Vegan product
- Dermatologist tested
Cons:
- Can break apart on the skin
- Clings to dry patches
- Not the best for textured skin
- Not the best for dry skin
Active Ingredients
Ingredients
Westman Atelier
The Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick is a cream foundation and concealer stick that combats redness, soothes and evens out the complexion, and boosts moisture. It provides buildable, medium to full coverage with a fresh and natural finish.
Pros:
- Medium coverage
- Creamy and easy to apply
- Lightweight on the skin
- Comes in 21 shades
- Vegan product
- Well-designed packaging
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a good undertone range
- Not long-lasting
- Can sit on top of the skin
- Can cling to dry patches
- On the pricier side: $68
Ingredients
Tower 28 Beauty
The SunnyDays Tinted SPF Sunscreen Foundation is a 2-in-1 mineral sunscreen foundation with SPF 30. It works to protect the skin from sun damage and blue light and soothes UV-stressed skin. It provides a light to medium buildable coverage, giving your skin a natural, skin-like finish. It’s good for all skin types: dry, mature, sensitive, blemish-prone, combination, and normal.
Pros:
- Non-greasy, non-white cast, and non-oxidizing
- Doesn’t irritate the skin
- Long-lasting
- Vegan product
- Fragrance-free
Cons:
- Only comes in 14 shades
- Thick and hard to blend
- Transfers very easily
- Can be drying
- Clings to dry patches in the skin
Active Ingredients
Ingredients
Rose Inc
The Rose Inc. Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum is a hydrating skin tint that provides skincare and sheer, radiant coverage. It plumps and smoothes the appearance of fine lines, hydrates the skin, and helps protect against environmental damage.
Pros:
- Gives a glass-skin finish
- Feels light on the skin
- Long-lasting
- Good for “no makeup” makeup looks
Cons:
- Only comes in 14 shades
- Shade undertones aren’t the best
- Can cling to dry patches
- Not great for dry skin
- Hard to shade match
Ingredients
Milk Makeup
The Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick is a buildable medium coverage cream foundation stick that provides a natural finish. It moisturizes, calms, and soothes the skin without creasing or caking. It’s formulated for all skin types: normal, dry, combination, oily, and sensitive.
Pros:
- Vegan product
- Very soft product and blends well
- Safe from chemicals and toxins
- Your-skin-but-better finish
- Comes in 36 shades
Cons:
- Doesn’t provide the best coverage
- Not the best for dry skin
- Not the best for oily skin
- Can cling to dry patches
Ingredients
Josie Maran
The Josie Maran Vibrancy Argan Oil Foundation is a breathable, lightweight, medium-to-full coverage skin care foundation that provides a vibrant glow to the skin. It works to enhance the moisture in your skin, while soothing, smoothing, and restoring the skin’s luminosity. This foundation is best for normal and dry skin types.
Pros:
- Radiant and youthful finish
- Great for dry skin
- Good for sensitive skin
- Vegan product
Cons:
- Comes in 14 shades
- Can be too oily for some
- Shades run too warm and yellow
- Can cause breakouts
Ingredients
Natural Foundations Rated: Iffy
Eight of the natural foundations we looked at received a rating of Iffy. These all contain ingredients that we consider too questionable to be able to recommend. These foundations should probably be avoided.
Kjaer Weis
Ingredients
Kjaer Weis
Variant: Lightness
Ingredients
tarte
Ingredients
CoverGirl
Ingredients
Pixi Beauty
Ingredients
Neutrogena
Ingredients
Wet N Wild
Both Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone and Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. This chemicals are a known carcinogen and possible carcinogen respectively, so for this reason we can’t recommend this foundation.
Ingredients
Mineral Fusion
Polysorbate-20 is a widely used emulsifier in beauty and personal care products. However, there have been increasing apprehensions regarding its safety due to possible contamination with 1,4-dioxane, a possible human carcinogen. For this reason, we can’t recommend this foundation.
Ingredients
Natural Foundations Rated: Avoid
Five of the foundations we looked at received a rating of Avoid. These contain ingredients on our banned list, and we strongly recommend avoiding them.
Milk Makeup
As one of the few foundations we analyzed that contains both fragrance and chemical sunscreen, we can’t recommend this product.
Active Ingredients
Ingredients
Wander Beauty
With several ingredients we recommend avoiding (cyclopentasiloxane, octinoxate) we can’t recommend this foundation.
Ingredients
Rimmel London
Because this foundation contains several ingredients we strongly recommend avoiding (BHT, octinoxate) we can’t recommend it.
Ingredients
Physicians Formula
This foundation uses chemical sunscreen to achieve the SPF. It also includes BHT, a preservative that we recommend avoiding. For these reasons, we can’t recommend this product.
Note: The ingredients below are for the shade LC1.
Active Ingredients
Ingredients
elf
With multiple ingredients we recommend avoiding, we give this foundation from elf a rating of Avoid.
Ingredients
Finding The Perfect Shade & Undertone For Your Clean Foundation
Choosing the right shade and undertone for your clean foundation might seem overwhelming, but it’s critical to get that natural, flawless look.
Here’s a simple guide to help you discover your ideal foundation match based on your skin tone and undertone.
- Figure out your skin tone: Your skin tone is the overall color of your complexion, ranging from fair, light, medium, tan, to deep. Check out your jawline and neck in natural daylight to pinpoint your skin tone. Compare your skin color with foundation swatches or samples to find the closest match.
- Discover your undertone: Undertones are the subtle colors beneath your skin’s surface. They can be warm, cool, or neutral.
Here’s how you can determine your undertone:
- Check your wrist veins: Blue or purple veins suggest a cool undertone, while green veins indicate a warm undertone. If it’s hard to tell, you might have a neutral undertone.
- Think about your sun exposure: If you burn easily and don’t tan, you probably have a cool undertone. If you tan effortlessly and rarely burn, you have a warm undertone. If you experience both burning and tanning, you likely have a neutral undertone.
- Notice which jewelry suits you: If silver jewelry looks amazing on you, you probably have a cool undertone. If gold jewelry is more your style, you have a warm undertone. If both gold and silver jewelry flatter you, you might have a neutral undertone.
Choose a Foundation That Matches Your Skin Tone & Undertone
Once you know your skin tone and undertone, search for clean foundation shades that cater to both. Many brands include undertone information on their labels, making finding your ideal match easier. For instance, if you have a light skin tone with a cool undertone, look for a foundation labeled “light” with a “cool” or “pink” undertone.
Always test foundation shades in natural daylight. When trying out foundation shades, always test them in natural light. Indoor lighting can be deceptive, so dab a bit of foundation on your jawline and blend it into your neck. The shade that vanishes and blends seamlessly into your skin is the one for you.
If all else fails, you can always get help from beauty experts. If you’re still uncertain about your skin tone and undertone, consider asking beauty professionals at makeup counters or clean beauty stores. Stores like Sephora and Mac will be happy to help you discover your perfect shade match.
In Conclusion: The Best Natural Foundations
Out of 29+ foundations we analyzed, 16 of them had great ingredients that are safe and non-toxic. The rest all contained questionable ingredients that we recommend avoiding.
At the end of the day, the beauty industry is rapidly evolving, and a plethora of safe, natural foundations are now available to consumers. By taking control of what you put on your skin and choosing clean, non-toxic products, you can be confident that you are making the best choices for your health, the environment, and your beauty routine.
For quick recommendations for all natural foundations we rated Best:
