Cherry picked makeup for ultra sensitive skin

Are you Celiac or gluten-sensitive? Have you been diagnosed with rosacea or eczema? Is your skin sensitive? If your answer is a resounding, “Yes!” I have some makeup recommendations for you.

You may already know from personal experience that most products labeled “natural” do not come even close to being natural or non-toxic and often contain chemicals which cause allergic reactions when applied to the skin. Anything from hives, slight redness, tingling or burning is definitely not a good sign and an indication that you should discontinue using a product. You might think that most companies would have our health and best interest in mind when they make and market their products, but the truth is, they don’t. I have gone down many a rabbit hole to find truly natural, clean, non-toxic products that won’t cause a reaction on my ultra sensitive skin. Here are a couple of things I considered when trying a product:

• Is it fragrance free or naturally scented? (Anything labeled with “fragrance” or “parfum” can have up to 200 undisclosed chemicals in it, which can wreck havoc on your skin!) 
• Does it contain silicone or other plastics? (Microplastics cross the skin barrier and can adversely affect our health.)
• What color additives were used? (Synthetic dyes are artificially created colorants, often derived from petroleum or coal tar sources -not good!)
• Does it contain anything to which I am allergic? (This is obviously highly individual. For instance, I can’t use anything with beeswax in it directly on my skin). Be sure to read all labels for each product. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s allergy free if you happen to be allergic to a specific ingredient!

With the above mind, I was able to rid my makeup vanity of products which were causing me harm and replace them with products that are safe and just as importantly, work well, feel great and look amazing! Here are my picks:

BLUSH

As I’ve gotten older, I am no longer a fan of powders. My skin needs moisture. So, I have turned to cream blush and I wish I had done so sooner. I get so many compliments on my skin when all I have on is a light foundation and cream blush! 

Burt’s Bees All Aglow Lip & Cheek Stain

This product is super simple to apply and gives off a very slight glow to your skin. It’s not shimmery by any means (I’m not a fan of shimmer-I like the natural look), but you look a bit dewy after it is applied. All 5 color variations are formulated without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS. For those allergic to beeswax, this product does contain it, but I have not had a problem with this on my cheeks or lips. I am unfortunately unable to wear Burt’s Bees lip balms, so it may be the amount of beeswax present in each product. One large tube is fairly priced at $12.99.

Beeoch Organics Shimmer BaeBees

I discovered this company over the summer, and am so glad I did! Made with simple organic ingredients, this lip/cheek/eye shimmer comes in 5 colors in a “lip balm style” tube. It’s highly pigmented and easy to apply. They are $9.50 each. I use one of the colors as a darker blush and a little goes a long way. Note: This product does contain beeswax, but I have not had a reaction to it despite my allergy.

EYESHADOW AND EYELINER

Red Apple Lipstick Eye Shadows and Pencils are amazing! I was suffering from red, puffy eyelids from eye makeup and had to stop wearing it for a while until I could figure out what was safe. Red Apple Lipstick came through! What’s great about this line is that you can purchase the shadows in individual pans and create your own palette – no more unwanted colors! Their magnetic palettes come in two sizes: One case contains enough room for 5 pans, which comes with one free shadow ($60 total), the other has room for 9 pans which comes with two free shadows ($106 total). You can also choose from their starter palettes: matte neutrals, warm neutrals and cool neutrals, which each contain 4 pre-chosen colors after which you choose 5 more colors ($106 total). Shadow pans are also sold individually for $13 each. There are 36 colors in total which come in a variety of beautiful and highly pigmented matte and shimmery shades. Their website states, “Red Apple eyeshadows are Made-In-The-USA with carefully chosen, ethically sourced ingredients like mica for a soft, silky texture, zinc oxide for soothing properties, and titanium dioxide for natural UV protection. No talc, no fillers, no harsh chemicals—just clean beauty that works”. 

Red Apple Lipstick eye pencils come in seven shades and are easy to apply and remove. In my experience, they last fairly long (though I do have to apply if wearing it all day). They are vegan, cruelty free, gluten, soy and talc free, do not contain any synthetic fragrances and can be used on the eyes and brows. They cost $25 each. I use the pencil in the taupe color, which on me looks like a medium gray/brown. I love the color!

FOUNDATION

Bee-och Organics Tinted Moisturizer is a game changer! This super easy to apply tinted moisturizer acts more like a light foundation. It comes in a small dropper bottle. You simply add some product to your fingers and rub it on your face the way you would a moisturizer. Though the product doesn’t contain any shimmer, it gives your skin a natural glow that won’t go unnoticed. Even better is that this product is organic and provides protection from the sun (SPF 28). Made from only five natural and organic ingredients, this product is a no-brainer addition to your make-up routine. I ordered sample sizes in two colors and loved them, so I now subscribe for delivery, which saves me a few dollars (a full bottle normally runs $36.00). If you’re between shades (which I think I will be, come winter) you can simply mix two colors together to customize your shade. This company is fairly new (about 10 years) and small, and so the customer service definitely has more of a personal touch (I receive a handwritten thank you note for each of my purchases!). 

Gabriel Cosmetics Moisturizing Liquid Foundation 

Note: This product does not include sunscreen. 

Gabriel Cosmetics is a gluten free makeup line that creates products made from 100% natural ingredients with no synthetic chemicals or animal by products.I have loved and used this company’s foundation for years during the winter months as the coverage is medium to full, so it’s slightly “heavier’ albeit without a heavy feel. In fact, I don’t even feel like I’m wearing it. It evens out any redness/discoloration and is easily applied with a foundation brush. One glass bottle containing one ounce of product costs $32.20. Because I fall between two colors (they offer a choice of 11), I buy two bottles and mix them in a separate glass container (one of those mini honey jars you get at restaurants sometimes). Tip: Always save little glass jars for storing cosmetics! Try to avoid plastics!

LIPSTICK, GLOSSES AND LIP LINERS

Mineral Fusion Sheer Moisture Lip Tints are cruelty free, paraben and gluten free and free from artificial fragrance and they come in six beautiful colors. They are FD&C Dye free which means they are free from synthetic, petroleum derived colors. They are also 78% naturally derived. They provide sheer, but buildable color and are fairly long lasting. What I like about them is they have a consistency that’s between a lipstick and a gloss, which makes for easy “no-mirror-needed” application. It’s almost like applying a lip balm, but with color. They are very hydrating as well. I keep a few in my makeup bag and in my vanity. They are my lip color go-to.

Red Apple Lipstick is one of the only lipsticks I can wear which doesn’t cause my lips to crack and peel. It comes in 47 beautiful colors. The coverage is full, the feel is creamy, as these lipsticks are hydrating. They also offer seven different colors of lipliners, which are creamy and do not irritate my lips either. Amazing! Both products cost $25 each, but they do offer a lipstick bundle (buy 3, get 1 free). It’s totally worth it to be able to wear lipcolor without any allergic reaction. The company states these products are 100% gluten free and non toxic. They are also vegan and cruelty free. I particularly love their glosses for everyday wear, though they don’t last long and therefore must be reapplied often. That being said, they are moisturizing and the “mint 2-be” versions are refreshing on my lips, as they smell and taste like mint..

MASCARA

Burt’s Bees Nourishing Mascara

This mascara comes in brown/black and black. It stays put and is easy to apply. It also happens to be inexpensive in relation to other natural products ($12.99). This mascara does contain beeswax (see beeswax free option from Red Apple Lipstick below). On the plus side, this product is formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, petrolatum or synthetic fragrances, is ophthalmologist tested and is not tested on animals.

Red Apple Lipstick The Lash Project Mascara

I love this company because they know how to make products for sensitive skin. This mascara comes in black or brown, (I have tried both and love them!) stays put after it’s applied, and washes off fairly easily. It also acts as a conditioner for your lashes! When you touch your lashes after applying it, they don’t feel hard the way other mascaras make them feel. This product creates a natural look while still managing to make your eyes pop. On the company’s site it states the product comes in a recycled plastic container, has a bio-based brush, is gluten free, soy free, contains no phenoxyethanol, is vegan and Leaping Bunny Certified. One tube costs $32.

Though it can be a challenge to find clean, non-toxic makeup suitable for sensitive skin, know that there are options out there. It is important to do your own homework and keep track of personal reactions so you can figure out what works specifically for you. The companies listed above all have reasonable return and exchange policies, so if something doesn’t work out for you, you do have options.

Happy shopping, and enjoy making over your makeup and your look!

Note: This article contains some affiliate links. Please know that I take using affiliate links very seriously. I only recommend products I have used and trust.