Gone are the days of clean makeup and nailcare meaning boring makeup and nailcare. This year’s best clean and eco-friendly base, eye, lip, cheek, and nail picks are packed with pigment for serious color payoff—plus, they’re delivered via indulgent and innovative textures that are genuinely fun to use. Just look at what our 8 clean beauty experts—including 3 doctors, 3 content creators, a cosmetic chemist, and a chemical engineer—have to say about the 21 winners below:
For your base:
Dermatologist Morgan Rabach, MD, gives this primer all the high praise, calling it “a hero” for “leaving your skin feeling deeply hydrated, plump, and primed for makeup.” Dentist and wellness expert Jaskaren Randhawa, DMD, says it’s “a game changer for hydrating and skin-smoothing” and that “the lightweight, non-sticky formula absorbs quickly, making it ideal for layering under makeup or other skincare products.”
This cream-to-powder foundation stick is travel-friendly and simple to use. Chemical engineer and clean beauty product formulator Kailey Bradt says it gives a “natural looking finish but still has coverage.” Beauty content creator Cyrus Veyssi is also a fan and says, “This foundation was able to cover discoloration and red marks on my skin while creating a blurring effect—as someone with texture I really appreciate that!”
“This skin tint gives you the perfect amount of coverage with a formula that is thin and creamy at the same time. It works for dry and oily skin types and doesn't contain any fragrances or essential oils, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin, too,” says dermatologist Kiran Mian, DO. “I am obsessed with this as an everyday skin tint and I like that the finish is dewy and gorgeous,” adds Veyssi.
Honest Beauty Clean Corrective With Vitamin C Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
The ideal of combo of skincare and makeup, this tinted moisturizer contains vitamin C and SPF and comes in nine shades to cover a range of skin tones, from fair to rich. “People should not sleep on this product! It‘s one of the best tinted moisturizers out there—I put it up against the best of the best and it performed just as well if not better,” says beauty expert Carly Cardellino.
“This radiant concealer delivers a natural, lit-from-within glow while effortlessly covering imperfections,” says cosmetic chemist Esther Oluwaseun. She notes that the brand “prioritizes clean throughout their messaging and eco-friendly packaging, making it a standout for sustainable and clean beauty enthusiasts.” Dr. Mian also recommends this concealer. “It blends so easily under the eyes, covering dark circles without creasing or looking cakey,” she says.
This hydrating mist functions as a primer, setting spray, and complexion refresher. Give the dual-phase formula a shake and apply before or after makeup to give your makeup more grip or create a long-lasting, glass-skin finish. As for the ingredients, “It’s alcohol-free and formulated with hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and niacinamide to brighten and balance the skin,” Dr. Rabach says.
For your eyes:
“I typically find that mascaras touting their ‘nourishing’ capabilities don’t have staying power, but Vast Lash is the exception. It stays put while also coating your lashes with good-for-you ingredients like Tahitian Sea Microalgae and vitamin B,” says content creator Lindsay Silberman. “I love how fluffy and volumizing the formula is. I’ve seen it on folks without naturally long lashes and it still pays off so well,” Veyssi adds.
“This richly pigmented eyeliner glides on effortlessly, thanks to a blend of plant oils and esters nourish the eye area,” says Oluwaseun appreciates the brand for its commitment to environmentally friendly practices, including recyclable packaging, and observing corporate social responsibility, an aspect that some clean brands neglect.
With protein-rich quinoa and a hair renewal complex, this gel gives brows shape while supporting long-term goals for thicker, fuller brow hairs, too. “It’s a lightweight and natural brow gel that easily sculpts and defines—plus, it lasts throughout the day without feeling heavy or stiff,” Dr. Randhawa says.
Doing your brows can take a village, which makes this multitasker so genius (and frees up extra space in your makeup bag).“This all-in-one tool combines a pencil, brush, and gel, allowing you to shape, fill, and set your brows with precision and ease, for a natural yet polished look that lasts all day,” Dr. Rabach says.
The cream-to-powder shadow easily blends over lids with a finger or a brush and comes in eight practical shades. Dr. Rabach calls it the “ultimate one-and-done eyeshadow,” because it delivers “rich, buildable color with a smooth, matte finish.” “The formula is lightweight and long-wearing, ensuring no creasing throughout the day,” adds Dr. Randhawa. “It provides a beautifully subtle yet defined look, making it an ideal choice for those seeking an effortlessly chic eye makeup option.”
For your lips:
If a high-shine, nonsticky gloss that comes in sheer natural tints is your jam, this tube is calling your name. “It glides on smoothly, providing a glossy finish that enhances lips without feeling heavy. The formula hydrates and subtly plumps lips without any uncomfortable stinging, leaving them looking fuller and more defined,” Dr. Randhawa says. Also cool? The plush, curved wand is specially designed to make application more quick and precise.
Lawless Forget the Filler Lip-Plumping Line-Smoothing Satin Cream Lipstick
With peptides, hyaluronic acid, and plant oils, this lipstick doubles as a pampering treatment for dry, chapped lips. “It combines rich color with a smooth, satin finish while plumping and hydrating lips for a fuller look,” says Dr. Rabach. “It’s the perfect blend of luxury and performance, leaving lips soft, conditioned, and beautifully defined,” she adds.
Dr. Rabach loves that this formula “delivers instant volume while smoothing and nourishing the lips with powerful, anti-aging ingredients.” Dr. Randhawa was impressed with its “incredible plumping and shine effect,” saying that it instantly gave her lips a “fuller, more voluminous look while leaving behind a nonsticky shine.” As for its premium price tag, Cardellino says, “I used to get lip filler and now I use this to keep my lips plump instead. It’s pricier than most lip plumpers but not pricier than lip injections—and it genuinely works!”
“Formulated with jojoba oil, this liner applies smoothly, offering effortless precision. The color is vibrant and long-lasting, so it lasts throughout the day without fading or smudging,” Dr. Randhawa says. Dr. Rabach agrees that "the clean, cruelty-free formula defines lips beautifully while hydrating and nourishing them, too.”
For your cheeks:
The best of both worlds, this skincare-infused blush harnesses the longevity of a liquid with the soft, diffused finish of a powder. “From the doe-foot applicator to the rich, high-pay-off formula, Caliray’s blurry blush has to be one of the most underrated clean blushes on the market. Copper peptides and niacinamide make for a delicious, skin-calming combination,” Silberman says. Available in five shades, the formula also features kaolin clay, which bestows a flattering, skin-blurring finish. “I love them because they specifically work for all types of undertones and the colors are incredibly flattering on textured skin,” Veyssi says.
Last year’s top pick for imparting a luminous, angelic finish to cheekbones and skin is on a winning streak. “It gives the skin the most beautiful dewy glow, whether under foundation or on the high points of the face,” Dr. Mian says. It’s also perfect for makeup minimalists and beginners. “This product is so breathable and easy to use for everyone without sacrificing the type of payoff you see from bigger artistry brands. Definitely a go-to,” Veyssi says.
Snag this stick for snatched cheeks or a post–spring break glow. “Like shapewear for your face, the easy-to-blend color comes in beautiful rich hues, and has nourishing ingredients, like rosehip oil,” Dr. Mian says. Veyssi calls it “a holy grail.” “The formula is perfect, the coverage is fantastic, the bronzing effect is so natural but so intentional—it’s incredible,” they say.
“This zero-waste beauty essential provides a smooth, blendable color for lips, cheeks, and lids in a convenient crayon form. The brand set an excellent standard for eco-friendly beauty with its clran formulas and fully compostable packaging,” Oluwaseun says. Likewise, Bradt “loves the sustainable packaging” and found the formula “very easy to use.”
For your nails:
There’s no tradeoff with this high-performance, 10-free, vegan polish. “Côte’s Nail Polish gives clean, even streaks with a buildable color payoff. The formula is really durable—I didn’t spot any chips after one week and even a full day of cleaning my apartment,” says beauty journalist and content creator Kristina Rodulfo. “I also love that Côte plants a tree for every order placed—a planet-conscious touch on top of offering safe formulas that give me peace of mind,” she adds.
According to Rudolpho, this nail strengthener is “a godsend if you struggle with brittle nails that constantly break.” “After consecutive gel manicures and acetone removals, I used the S.O.S. Nail Mask to saturate my natural nails with a nourishing formula. I left it on overnight and peeled off the dried layer in the morning to reveal fresh-looking, healthy nails. I plan to keep this in my routine to help my nails grow stronger and thicker!” she says. “This mask is surprisingly mess-free (no drippy cuticle oils needed!) and definitely felt hydrating to my nails and nail beds,” adds clean beauty scientist Christina Ross.
Stylist: Kaia Carioli. Hair: Chika Nishiyama. Makeup: Sophie Hartnett using MAC Cosmetics. Manicure: Mamie Onishi at See Management. Models: Tashi at Heroes Model Management; Gracen Wilkins at Supreme Management.
On Tashi: Ferragamo dress; Patricia Von Musulin earrings. On Tashi (second look): Norma Kamali top; Justine Clenquet earrings. On Gracen: Off-White dress; Justine Clenquet earrings.
