By Lisa Petrison
Throughout the holiday season, many of us find that we need or want to be able to give little gifts of some kind to many of the people in our lives, in addition to buying stocking stuffers for family members.
The suggestions on this page are all things that I think could make appropriate little gifts that would be appreciated by people who already are using clean beauty products, as well as by those who have not yet become convinced that clean beauty is for them.
I’ve tried nearly 1000 products over the past couple of years, and these are some of the ones that have performed the best for me and that I would enjoy getting as gifts myself.
While a few of these include non-synthetic fragrances derived from botanicals, artificial colors, or other ingredients that EWG considers to be mildly problematic, many are totally free of problematic ingredients and all of them are much better than the average product out there that is labeled as “clean.”
Soon I will be releasing another article focusing on more substantial clean beauty gifts costing $20-30, and so I hope you will check back on this site to take a look at it.
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Canary Whiskers Soaps – $9+
Canary Whiskers makes a variety of unscented natural soaps from organic ingredients that may be especially appreciated by those with chemical sensitivities.
Full-size bars cost around $9-12, and 5-bar mini sets start at around $18. Minis can be purchased individually as well.
I feel good about using these soaps and can see why so many people like them.
For gift-giving purposes, I might try the Confetti or Swirl soaps since those are a little more festive-looking.
Shipping is a flat $5 no matter how much is purchased.
For those who think that quality natural soap would make a good gift but who would prefer soap with a natural scent from essential oils, I suggest looking at another company whose products I also have really enjoyed, Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Cocokind My Matcha Moisture Stick – $9
This balm stick contains only organic coconut oil, organic beeswax, and organic matcha powder.
It can be used as a lip balm or for general-purpose skin moisturizing (including in the eye area).
I have enjoyed this product and think that it would be a good present for other matcha lovers.
Note that Target is currently selling a version of this product with a different all-organic formula that includes sunflower seed oil. I’ve yet to try that one but hope to do so soon.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Cocokind Revitalizing Eye Cream – $19
This is a pleasant, gentle eye cream with all clean ingredients, including a fermented one (leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate).
My experience is that the quality is just as high as that of most other eye creams that I have tried, including those costing three times as much.
I think that it would make a nice little gift for anyone, including for men.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Cocokind Rosewater Facial Toner – $17
This rose hydrosol comes in a 4-oz. glass bottle and has a lovely smell of roses.
Hydrosol is the liquid that remains during the distillation process for essential oils. It retains the same scent as the essential oils, but is much less irritating for use on the skin.
It can be sprayed on the face as a refresher or toner, and also can be mixed with face oils before applying them to the face.
Rose hydrosol is especially appropriate for dry/mature skin but would make a refreshing gift for anyone.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lip Balm – $4
These high-quality lip balms contain only organic avocado oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, organic hemp seed oil and tocopherol. (The flavored versions also contain essential oils.)
I think that these are likely the best reasonably priced lip balms on the market and have used them frequently.
I like the fact that they can be given individually or combined into a set.
Putting the balms in little mesh gifting bags – such as these from Amazon with little moons and stars on them – would make this a more festive gift.
EWG Problem Ingredients (Naked): None. (Flavored versions may contain Lemon Oil (6), Lime Oil (4), Orange Oil (5), Peppermint Oil (4), and Ginger Root Oil.)
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Magic Balm – $10+
This all-organic product contains a variety of high-quality ingredients, consisting of avocado oil, jojoba oil, beeswax, coconut oil, hempseed oil, and tocopherol.
I’ve found the unscented version to be quite useful for dry skin issues during the winter months.
The arnica-menthol version (which also contains peppermint and camphor) is meant to help to relieve aches and pains. I haven’t tried that one yet but hope to do so soon.
I found in my explorations that this product appears to be available in Japan in sandalwood/jasmine and cherry blossom versions. I would like to try those!
EWG Problem Ingredients (Unscented): None.
Evanhealy Whipped Shea Butter for Lips – $10
The ingredients for this product consist of sunflower seed oil, beeswax, coconut oil, olive oil, vanilla planifolia oil, shea butter, red raspberry seed oil, argan kernel oil, almond oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, and Vitamin E.
Everything except for the Vitamin E is listed as organic.
I think that this is a wonderful product that feels and tastes really good to me.
It could be used as a general-purpose skin balm as well as on the lips.
Although I have found some of Evanhealy’s products to be on the expensive side or to contain oils (like rose geranium) that my facial skin does not tolerate, this one is such good quality that it seems like a real bargain to me.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
Glossier Ultralip – $18
The Glossier Ultralips (released in 2021) are among my favorite lipsticks.
The colors range from sheer to saturated, but I have been able to wear all the versions that I have purchased so far.
They feel clean and very hydrating to my lips, and all five colors that I own so far look really nice on me.
I’ve heard very good reports about these from a variety of people and think that they likely would be a well-received gift for pretty much anyone who ever wears any kind of lipstick-type product.
They are available only from the Glossier website, which has a $30 minimum to get free shipping.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Lactic acid (4), Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Blue #1 (7), Red #28 (5), Yellow #5 (6), Yellow #6 (7).
HAN All Natural Multistick – $18
These little blush sticks have an especially clean ingredient list (including only natural colors) and feel really good to me.
Unlike many supposed lip/cheek sticks, these feel clean enough that I actually am willing to use them on my lips.
The only flavor ingredients are coconut oil, acai fruit extract, green tea leaf extract, cranberry fruit extract, rosa gallica flower powder, beet root powder, and vanilla planifolia extract.
Several of the oils used (shea, argan and coconut) are organic.
They are available in eight different shades, including more neutrals than I typically see in most blush lines.
I think that for the quality offered, the price of this product is very reasonable and that many people would enjoy getting one of these as a gift.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
HAN Tinted Lip Gloss – $16
Although I am not too crazy about most lip glosses, this one has worked out great for me.
Argan oil is listed as the first ingredient, and I do feel that it has been very nicely moisturizing for my lips.
I also feel that the shade that I have tried (Nude Rose) has given me the milky refined sort of look that I have otherwise found pretty much only in much more expensive lip glosses (like the Westman Atelier or Victoria Beckham ones).
I’ve not found this product to be sticky at all, but it holds up pretty well on my lips and tastes really good to me.
The only flavoring ingredient is vanilla planiflora extract (real vanilla extract).
Several of the ingredients are organic.
The product comes in five shades, and I would like to try some of the others.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Grapefruit seed extract (4), Titanium dioxide (3).
Honest Bubble Bath – $13
Because bubble baths tend to be thought of as a fun or indulgent experience, I think that a bottle of bubble bath can make a nice gift.
The Honest bubble bath products have clean ingredient lists and are appropriate for children and adults.
They are rated with 4.8 stars by 27,204 reviewers (and counting) on the Amazon site.
The Sensitive version contains no scent, while the other versions (lavender, citrus vanilla, and almond) contain milder essential oils or other processed natural scents.
I am pretty picky about scents but think that all the versions smell good to me.
EWG Problem Ingredients (Sensitive Version): Aloe Vera (3). (Also contains Citric Acid. Other versions also contain natural fragrances such as Linalool (3) and lavender oil.)
Honest Cream Cheek + Lip Color – $16
This hidden gem from Honest contains an unusually clean ingredient list and holds up much better than most natural blushes – or actually most other blushes – on the cheeks.
Probably this long-lastingness is part of the reason that Meghan Markle wore this product on her wedding day.
It also gives a very pretty, soft-looking flush to the cheeks, and it looks and tastes nice on my lips.
The flavoring agents are just apple fruit extract, raspberry fruit extract, vanilla planifolia fruit extract, blackberry fruit extract, and grape extract.
The product is currently available in four shades. I have tried all of these and think they all are lovely.
The shade that the Duchess of Sussex used – Truly Exciting – is no longer available, but an Honest rep told me that Rose Pink is similar.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #6 (6), Blue #1 (7)
Honest Gloss-C Lip Gloss – $15
This is a shiny clear lipstick that is quite different from the HAN one but that I also really like.
It’s not sticky at all and looks really pretty on my lips.
It has a mild, pleasant, slightly fruity flavor that I guess must be from the pomegranate flower extract since I don’t see anything else listed that would give it a flavor.
The product is available in seven shades. I tried Poppy Topaz (an orange red) and thought it looked really pretty on me.
I would like to try some more shades.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #6 (7).
Honest Hand Cream – $9
This shea-based hand cream also contains desert date oil, cocoa butter, avocado oil and a number of other quality ingredients.
It seems to me quite similar (in terms of the ingredient list as well as my recollection of the product) to the L’Occitane shea butter hand cream that I used to buy about 20 years ago – except that this one is much less expensive and does not include “parfum/fragrance” or other undesirable ingredients.
All three versions of this product do have natural scents, but other than that have ingredient lists that EWG considers to be totally clean (with no ingredients rated higher than 2).
The unscented version of the Honest Face & Body Lotion (which I have not tried) is a lighter product often used as a hand cream that also seems like it might be a good gift.
EWG Problem Ingredients: The Sweet Almond version contains Lemon Peel Extract (5), Benzaldehyde (3), Limonene (5) and Vanillin. The Lavender version contains Linalool (3) and Vanillin. The Sweet Orange/Vanilla version contains Limonene (5).
Honest Tinted Lip Balm – $9
These little lip balms are available in 7 shades (including clear), but give just a hint of color to the lips.
I really like that because it means that I can easily wear all of the shades in the line without feeling overwhelmed by the bright colors being too saturated.
The product feels naturally very hydrating on my lips and has just a slight taste of vanilla and fruit.
The only ingredients giving the product a flavor are cocoa seed butter, pomegranate sterols and vanilla planifolia fruit extract (i.e. real vanilla extract).
I think that one or more of these makes a nice cheerful gift that anyone might enjoy.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #7 (6), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Blue #1 (7), Yellow #6 (7). (Also contains Vegetable Oil, Citric Acid.)
Kosas Kosasport Lipfuel – $18
These lip balms contain a small amount of sodium hyaluronate, as well as a mix of other moisturizers such as castor seed oil, lanolin oil, jojoba esters, sunflower seed oil, cocoa butter and grape seed oil.
I do feel that this product is especially moisturizng for me and that my lips are in good shape when I use it.
The product has a little bit of a lemonade taste from the limonene, but it is very mild.
It is available in four shades (including clear).
Kosas is offering a Lipfuel Winter Warmup Set this year with three of these balms for $25, which would make gift-giving more affordable regardless of whether the kit is split up or all given to one person.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina oil (3), Tocopheryl acetate (3), Limonene (5), Red #6/7 (6), Red #30 (5).
Mad Hippie Hydrating Nutrient Mist – $19
I think that this is a nice little hydrating spray that is good to use when on the road or after exercise.
It contains sodium hyaluronate (a hydrator), Vitamin C (an antioxidant), and a variety of other botanically derived ingredients with high levels of polyphenols, anti-oxidants and other components that are good for the skin.
I think that this product feels good on my skin, and I also mix it with quality oils (such as argan or jojoba) to give some moisturizing benefits to my hair before shampooing.
The product is sold in a plastic bottle and so is easy to transport.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None
MOB Eyeshadow – $16
Mob Beauty was started last year by two of the people (a founder and a key makeup formulator) who originally started MAC back in the 1980’s.
Their goal is to provide clean and sustainable quality products that are especially useful for makeup artists but also available to general consumers.
I have tried a variety of products from this company and have been especially impressed by their eyeshadow formula, which does not contain any talc and which goes on much more easily than most of the other “clean beauty” powder shadows that I have tried.
Even better, the MOB refillable palettes (which fit between 1-12 shadows) allow users to choose their own shades in order to create the “color story” of their dreams.
The palettes also may include a mix of any combination of powder shadows, cake eyeliner, powder blush, powder bronzer, powder highlighter, cream blush, cream bronzer, and cream shadows.
A single eyeshadow with a refillable single case is only $16, and so I think that is an affordable way to get started playing with this brand.
There are 24 shades available so far. I have a shimmery olive and a shimmery lilac taupe sheen, and I think they both have worked well for me as “one and done” shades.
EWG Problem Ingredients (Matte): Titanium dioxide (3), Ultramarines (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #40 (6), Ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (4).
EWG Problem Ingredients (Shimmer): Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Ultramarines (3), Yellow #5 (6), Red #40 (6), Ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (4).
RMS Beauty Straight Up Volumizing Peptide Mini Mascara – $13
This mascara (introduced in 2021) has an unusually clean ingredient list and has performed very well for me.
I’m impressed at how easily it has gone on for me and how well it’s held up over the course of the day.
This mascara contains only ingredients rated by EWG as green (1 or 2), and it does seem to me to be especially non-irritating to my easily annoyed eyes.
I was really surprised at how much I liked it!
Since the level of preservatives in this one seems to be low, using a mini that can be replaced fairly quickly seems to me to be a good idea.
EWG Problem Ingredients: None.
Saie Dew Balm – $18
A new makeup trend that has emerged just over the past couple of years is to use a tinted balm to give the cheeks or other areas of face a glossy highlighted appearance.
This can be especially helpful when the skin is dry (as may be the case during the winter months or for more mature women).
Of all the “miracle balm” products that I have tried, I feel like I have had the most success with this one.
Unlike some of the others, it does not include essential oils that irritate my skin.
In addition, it comes in a small container that is appropriate for use on the go, and the squeeze-tube dispensing seems a little more hygienic than dipping my fingers in a pot.
This product is also a little less sticky than some of its competitors, meaning that users are less likely to find their long hair stuck to the product.
The product is available in three shades. The rose gold one looks good on me, and I also would like to try the bronze one. There also is a lilac one that looks super-pretty, though I’m not sure that it would work well with my own warm complexion.
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3).
About This Website
The Living Clean in a Dirty World shopping website is designed to provide guidance to those seeking out products that are relatively low in toxicity and that provide generally positive user experiences.
Although the skincare and makeup sections have a particular focus on products appropriate for women who are in their 40’s or beyond, the information provided may be useful for other people as well.
The products are curated by Lisa Petrison, who has been focused on helping people to improve their health by avoiding toxicity since 2008 and who heads the Paradigm Change organization.
Her Living Clean in a Dirty World blog site discusses a variety of topics of relevance to those who are working to pursue a more natural lifestyle with less exposure to harmful toxicity.
Lisa is the author of several books, including A Beginner’s Guide to Mold Avoidance (co-written with Erik Johnson).
She also runs the Paradigm Change website (focusing on issues related to toxic mold illness) and the Mold Avoiders Facebook group (designed for the discussion of all topics of interest to those pursuing the mold avoidance approach described in the “Beginner’s Guide” book).
Lisa was born in August 1964 and has yet to try cosmetic surgery, Botox or other cosmetic treatments requiring interactions with a physician, or beauty products containing retinoids.
In her former life, Lisa worked as a business school professor, as a marketing consultant to a variety of large companies, and as a reporter covering the advertising industry.
She holds a Ph.D. in marketing and social psychology from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University as well as B.S./M.S. degrees from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern.
Lisa would like to extend a special note of appreciation to Ellen Kleiman-Redden for her help in trying out products and discussing issues related to this project.
She also would like to thank the many members of the Mold Avoiders community who have shared suggestions of products to be included here.
A Note From Lisa
Products that I have tried or researched and that I have not found to be acceptable from a toxicity standpoint have been omitted entirely from the discussions on this website.
However, since a goal of this project is to introduce people to a range of options in terms of price and functionality, some products discussed on this site include ingredients that may not be appropriate for everyone.
It’s my hope that all individuals making their way to this site will find at least a few options from each product category that meet all of their own needs and wants from a variety of perspectives.
The vast majority of cosmetics marketers now offer affiliate programs in which Internet content creators may earn commissions if people who are referred to the companies’ sites by clicking on links end up making purchases.
I participate in quite a few individual affiliate programs as well as in the Sovrn/Viglinks program (which automatically converts regular links into revenue-generating links).
Reader comments (positive or negative) about products discussed on this website are very welcome.
Thoughts may be shared either by posting them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or by sending them directly to me at the following email address:
info at paradigmchange dot me
Companies that would like to offer me complimentary products to try out may contact me at this address as well.
Individuals who are seeking out less-toxic products or who are interested in pursuing a cleaner and healthier lifestyle may want to sign up to receive occasional email newsletters from Living Clean in a Dirty World.
Thanks very much for visiting the Living Clean shopping site!
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