Seventeen picks products that we think you'll love the most. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

Going green is getting easier.

With the eco-friendly beauty industry seemingly growing every day, it can be hard to decipher what is actually good for you and the earth. That's why we're taking the guesswork out of clean beauty and not only naming the 10 best sustainable beauty brands to add to your shopping cart and routine in 2022 but also giving you the 411 from experts on what exactly sustainable means.

At the most basic level, the word 'sustainable' means that something can maintain or support a process continuously over time. Specifically going for the environmental definition, the word 'sustainable' has related to being a method of harvesting or utilizing resources so that the main source (typically the earth) is not depleted or permanently damaged.

The definition isn't as clear-cut when it comes to the beauty industry. Clean cosmetic chemist and found of KKT Consultants Krupa Koestline says that "Like a lot of terms in beauty, there is no regulated or industry-standard definition for sustainable beauty. Any brand can say that they are sustainable."

Krupa tells us that "Sustainable beauty should mean that everything that goes into making a product and getting it to consumers should have sustainable components that help reduce waste and plastic usage, and reduce soil and water toxicity," she says.

For sustainable ingredients, brands can choose to include plants that are grown and harvested sustainably (and ethically, ofc) and don't degrade the earth. Some brands are even using upcycled ingredients, meaning that these ingredients would have ended up in a landfill if not used in a product. "Another option is to source ingredients via bio-fermentation where you have microbes that require minimal natural resources to synthesize ingredients," says Krupa. "We're doing this already with squalane and coenzyme Q10, for example."

To manufacture a beauty product sustainably, the process used should aim to create less waste and mitigate water usage. The method of chemical extraction should not produce toxic waste. Krupa also tells Seventeen that water-free or freeze-dried ingredients should be considered as an option during manufacturing as water is heavy to transport and store.

When it comes to sustainable packaging, we turned to package experts Nolan and Brandon Frank of Pacific Packaging Components, Inc. (you've definitely seen their work in big retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty!) for the lowdown on what makes the exterior of a beauty product sustainable.

"We approach sustainable beauty packaging by first discussing our client’s own unique sustainable goals, but almost every conversation revolves around beauty packaging that is safe for humans, creates as minimal-as-possible environmental impact, and promotes circularity through a seamless and closed-loop life cycle," they say.

While most packaging that holds the product is made out of plastic (think compacts for blushes and lipstick tubes), recycled glass, recycled aluminum, compostable packaging, Forest Stewardship Council-certified cardboards, and plant-derived or post-consumer recycled plastic are becoming the future of sustainable beauty.

Depending on each brand's green objective (for example, a brand could choose to reduce its carbon emissions or decrease its water output), the packaging types and recommendations change. However, Nolan and Brandon say that they "Promote utilizing recycled plastics called Post Consumer Resin (PCR) wherever possible," as "PCR uses about 75% less energy, water, and resources to manufacturer versus new resins."

Nolan and Brandon add that their Los Angeles-based company founded in 1970 has seen an uptick in brands being interested in recycled, reusable, and refillable packaging. "Sustainable beauty packaging requires small steps for [a] big change... these requests create a level of excitement and optimism as well as an opportunity for a more sustainable future."

If you have any questions about recycling makeup or skincare, the duo recommends How2Recycle to check your local recycling regulations.

Ahh yes, the word that pops up whenever internet users accuse a brand of not being eco-friendly. While it is correct that this term typically means that a brand or product is presenting itself as being green and good for the planet, there are a lot of nuances to this term.

Mia Davis, clean beauty retailer Credo Beauty's Vice President of Sustainability and Impact, says that "Greenwashing means to overstate the "eco-friendliness" of a product. For example, to use recycling arrows on a product that is not recyclable. Or imagery on product packaging to evoke “naturalness” that may not be present within the formula."

Davis also adds that "Greenwashing makes it hard for customers to trust brands, and makes it much harder for the brands formulating with safer, more sustainable materials to show they're doing it right."

Speaking of consumer awareness, Nolan and Brandon agree with Mia's sentiments saying that "Consumer attitude, awareness, and education are key. The greater the awareness by consumers, the greater the action by brands. We also applaud efforts by retailers like Credo Beauty to educate consumers on the reality of packaging and how to achieve sustainability with circularity."

"When Credo was founded in 2015, clean beauty was virtually unknown. It was referred to as a “niche” or a trend. Fast forward to 2020 when "clean" became a full-blown movement," Mia says. "After emerging from 2020 — when the world was stuck at home – we learned that customer sentiment was focused on the product safety of course, but also how their purchases and that product's end of life ultimately impacts the environment. Less plastic has been probably the loudest consumer demand we’ve heard consistently."

Ahead, find the best, expert-recommended sustainable beauty brands that offer clean skincare, makeup, and wellness products.

ILIA Beauty is well known for its clean beauty products and "Cool Girl" aesthetics, but did you know the brand also advocates for sustainability? Yep! ILIA utilizes recycled aluminum and glass components in its packaging, as well as post-consumer recycled paper printed with vegetable-based dyes. The brand has also partnered with Pact Collective, a non-profit organization that allows you to recycle up to 10 beauty product packaging from ILIA or any other brands you use.

Editor's Pick: Multi-Stick in "Fine Romance" BUY HERE

Krupa recommends checking out caliray, the brand new, dreamy wellness brand inspired by California living. caliray makes sustainability downright sexy, with their fun marketing campaigns — but don't let the bright colors fool you. The brand means business, primarily using post-consumer recycled materials and bioplastics to make their packaging.

Editor's Pick: Come Hell or High Water Volumizing Tubing Mascara BUY HERE

"UpCircle uses leftover natural ingredients like coffee grounds and brewed chai tea that would otherwise end up in the landfill and brings them back to life as beauty products," Davis says, adding that it's at a "nice price point, too."

It's good to see that practicing sustainability doesn't mean you have to go broke. Consider it going green and keeping your green at the same time!

Editor's Pick: Hand + Body Lotion with Bergamot Water

By Rosie Jane was founded in 2010 by celebrity Australian makeup artist Rosie Jane Johnston. Each vegan and cruelty-free perfume is formulated by Rosie in her LA studio and is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and phosphates. As for the packaging, the long-lasting scents are housed in recycled and recyclable bottles alongside sustainably-sourced paper printed with vegetable-based inks — no plastic here, TY!

Editor's Pick: Rosie Eau de Parfum BUY HERE

"Clean Circle makes the most luxurious reusable pads for skincare and makeup removal that allow you to replace so many different single-use items like cotton balls and makeup removing wipes," says Davis. "The reusable bamboo pads can be tossed into a little washable pouch and thrown into the washing machine and used hundreds of times!"

Editor's Pick: Bamboo Velour Skincare Pads BUY HERE

Not to be confused with the HBO show Euphoria, Youthforia is a beauty brand that's perfect for people who love bright colors. The playful products do have a serious and sustainable side, with each of their products being biobased. This means that each formula is made with 90% renewable ingredients, instead of fossil fuels sometimes found in beauty goods. Certified by the USDA BioPreferred Program, Youthforia also follows the Green Chemistry principles which aim to reduce the number of dangerous toxins that we put on our face and wash down the drain, making their way into our oceans.

Editor's Pick: BYO Blush - Color Changing Blush Oil

"OSEA is an OG in sustainable beauty, they have been formulating good-for-the-environment products since the mid-'90s," Mia says, "OSEA uses plant-based ingredients, thoughtfully sourced to ensure the quality and ethical treatment of those involved in the harvesting process. The products are packaged in glass which can be recycled over and over again."

Editor's Pick: Essential Hydrating Oil BUY HERE

This buzz-worthy beauty brand is walking the walk and making sure that it sets clear goals when it comes to sustainability. While you can read more about Saie Beauty's efforts to become completely plastic-free here, what you need to know is that they come up with some cool eco-friendly solutions. For starters, instead of using packing peanuts to pad shipped items, the brand uses organic cotton ball pouches that you can actually reuse, meaning your mailer is fully recyclable. Plus, their Liquid Lip Balm's tube is made of 100% post-consumer recycled resin — nifty!

Editor's Pick: Glowy Super Gel in "Starglow" BUY HERE

"Water-free toothpaste, soap tablets, serums, and cleansers are all sustainable options as well," Krupa says, "They're much lighter, can be packaged in more eco-friendly options because they won't spill, and again, reduce the need of transporting water."

Her recommendation? Hello products. "Their toothpaste tablets in aluminum cans are fantastic, as are their refillable foaming hand soap tablets. You just add water," she says.

Editor's Pick: antiplaque + whitening toothpaste tablets

"Kjaer Weis is the leader in luxury, refillable beauty, which has been a core brand tenant since inception," says Davis. And why exactly are refillable beauty products considered sustainable? according to Krupa "Refillable products reduce the use of packaging and hard-to-recycle components like pumps."

So when you run out of product, there's no need to purchase the whole package again, just the refill tin (which is typically cheaper, making it a huge win-win situation!).

Editor's Pick: Refillable Cream Foundation BUY HERE