Blush (Powder)
Description
November 1, 2022
By Lisa Petrison
For the most part I have moved to using cream rather than powder blush, since the cream products seem to be working better with my dry skin in terms of giving me a natural lit-from-within type look.
I do feel that some of the powder blushes that I have tried recently have given me a nice look as well, though.
They seem especially well-suited for use where I just want to give the appearance of my skin having gotten some color from the sun, in very muted peach or pink tones.
TOP PICKS
♣ Living Clean Superstars:
Bare Minerals Bounce & Blur Powder Blush ($29)
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush ($25)
+HAN Pressed Blush ($18)
Honest Lit Powder Blush ($16)
Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush ($32)
Jones Road The Best Blush ($28)
Mineral Fusion Blush ($27)
RMS Pressed Blush ($24)
RMS ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush ($30)
♦ Additional Possibilities:
+100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush ($40)
Bare Minerals Loose Powder Blush ($23)
+Burt’s Bees Blush ($10)
♦ Not Yet Rated:
Kosas Color & Light Palette Powder ($34)
MOB Blush ($28)
♠ Trash Can:
Aveda Petal Essence Face Accents ($26)
♥ Lisa’s Choice:
Bare Minerals Bounce & Blur Powder Blush ($29)
√ Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush ($32)
RMS Pressed Blush ($24)
RMS ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush ($30)
Notes:
1) Living Clean Superstars – Products with high scores on both Performance Rating (5) as well as Ingredients Rating (4/5). + Clean Pick (Ingredients Rating = 5).
3) Lisa’s Choice – Products that I would purchase for my own personal use. √ Lisa’s Favorite
The next section contains affiliate links. Living Clean in a Dirty World may receive a commission if readers click on these links and then purchase products. Living Clean in a Dirty World also may accept product review samples but receives no other compensation from companies mentioned on this website.
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Blush – $40
Living Clean Rating: 8 out of 10
Performance Rating: 
(3 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
The description of this product reads, “Versatile range of blush makeup made from finely pressed rice powder and antioxidant-rich fruit pigments to give cheeks a healthy, natural flush of color. Gorgeous shades of fruit pigmented blush give cheeks a healthy, natural flush of color. Our antioxidant-rich formula softens skin while you wear it, with anti-aging rosehip oil and nourishing cocoa butter. Available in a versatile shade range to suit every skin tone, thanks to stunning natural pigments like pomegranate, peach, plum, cranberry, and strawberry.”
This blush from 100% Pure uses all fruit-based coloring agents (rather than artificial colors or mineral colors) and has a very clean ingredient list.
I tried the shade Primp (“coppery rosy blush with slight gold shimmer”) as part of the 100% Pure Rose Gold Palette.
The product felt fine on my skin and did not irritate it at all.
However, as has been the case with all of the other fruit pigmented products from 100% Pure that I have tried, the color in this one seemed really odd to me.
It’s not just that these colors are a poor match for my own particular skin, but that they seem to me to be colors that I think would look a little off on just about everyone.
Of course, upon reflection, there are many makeup products that use artificial colors or mineral-based colors that do not actually look natural either. Maybe it’s just because I am used to seeing those colors that they do not bother me.
Still, I am not going to be using this palette due to the colors not looking right on me, and I question whether I am going to be able to find a friend who would look good in those colors either.
Size: 0.32 oz.
100% Pure Rating: 4.8 Stars (611 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 0 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Rosa canina seed oil (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Rice Starch, Rosa Canina Seed Oil, Avocado Butter, Cocoa Seed Butter; Pigmented Extracts of Pomegranate, Cranberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Cherry; Pomegranate Extract, Goji Berry Extract, Sodium Ascorbate (Vitamin C), Tocopherol, Mica
Bare Minerals Bounce & Blur Powder Blush – $29
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: 
(4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: High
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Carmine
The description of this product reads, “Irresistibly touchable bouncy powder blush in 4 shades that build and blend effortlessly for a naturally healthy-looking flush. Blurring Mineral Complex creates a soft-focus, diffused finish while helping to blur the look pores and imperfections. Color Smart Pearls reflect and refract light for radiant, never-flat color that’s wearable on all skin tones. Botanical Blend, naturally derived from Moss, helps smooth skin’s appearance while providing a bouncy, blendable texture. Good-for-skin formula blurs the look of pores and imperfections. Choose between 4 shades inspired by the gorgeous tones of the sunrise and sunset. Fingertip-friendly. No brush needed. No dusting or fallout.”
This product from Bare Minerals is a dry powder blush, but one that contains silicones and that can be easily applied with the fingers.
The product is available in four muted desert-type colors. I tried Blurred Buff, which is the most neutral.
I think that this blush looked very nice on me, with less effort that I have needed to expend applying many blush products.
I really like this particular color, which is muted enough that it looks totally natural on me while still giving my face a bit of dimension and glow.
Although I was a little dubious about the ingredient list (especially the inclusion of moss), this blush seems to have worked out fine on my skin without irritating it.
The fact that it is rated as “Clean at Sephora” means that the BHT level is a maximum of 0.1% of the total formula.
Size: 0.19 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.5 Stars (1209 reviews)
Credo Clean: No
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Problematic Color)
Think Dirty Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), BHT (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Dimethicone, Silica, Ethylhexyl Isononanoate, Boron Nitride, Diisostearyl Malate, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, BHT, Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, Lycopodium Clavatum Extract, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Glycerin, Methicone, Nylon-12, Pyridoxine Cyclic Phosphate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tin Oxide, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Carmine, Red 7
Bare Minerals Gen Nude Powder Blush – $25
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: High
Problematic Colorings: Carmine, Red #7
The description of this product reads, “An ultra-silky, talc-free powder blush that builds and blends seamlessly, gives skin a diffused, soft-focus finish—and wears all day. Delivers a healthy wash of color with no harsh edges. Smooths the look of pores and imperfections. Provides all-day wear. Diffuses light for a soft-focus effect. Provides buildable, sheer to medium color and a natural soft-matte finish. Applies seamlessly with a silky, creamy feel.”
This straightforward pressed powder blush from Bare Minerals contains some silicone and looks nice on me.
Ten shades currently are available.
I have Call My Blush (“a delicate pink mauve”) and think that it is very pretty.
The product uses mostly natural coloring agents but does contain Red #7 as well as chlorphenesin (a preservative).
I think that the product feels fine to me and that it has not been irritating to my skin at all.
While I would prefer not to use any silicone on my skin, this blush is pretty enough that I have been using it occasionally.
Size: 0.21 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.6 Stars (185 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Chlorphenesin)
EWG Product Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Dimethicone (3), Chlorphenesin (3), Titanium dioxide (3). (Also contains Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydrogen Dimethicone.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Diisostearyl Malate, Dipentaerythrityl Hexahydroxystearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Triethylhexanoin, Sorbitan Sesquiisostearate, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Tocopherol, Barium Sulfate, Silica, Alumina, Tin Oxide, Chlorphenesin. May Contain: Mica, Carmine, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red #7.
Bare Minerals Loose Powder Blush – $23
Living Clean Rating: 8 out of 10
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Carmine, Ultramarines, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide
The description of this product reads, “Made with 100% loose minerals, this lightweight powder blush blends effortlessly into skin for fresh, vibrant, healthy-looking color. Creates a soft, radiant glow. Provides buildable coverage with a naturally luminous finish. Formulated without any unnecessary additives, binders, fillers or talc. Ideal for all skin types, including sensitive skin.”
This is a very highly pigmented powder blush in a loose powder form.
While it is a little messy to use, it does have a pretty clean ingredient list without the use of any added chemicals and so could be worth considering for some people.
I have the discontinued shade Luminary, which is a berry color that I would have thought would not be very well-suited to my skin tone.
It actually looks really pretty as long as long as I use only a very small amount, though.
Generally I will just shake a tiny bit of the powder into the lid of the container and then pick it up with a large fluffy brush or a fan brush, tapping the brush on the sink basin a couple of times before lightly brushing the product onto my face.
While I like the way that the product looks, I do find that this product tends to make a bit of a mess no matter how careful I am.
For instance, usually I get at least a little bit of the highly pigmented powder on my pajamas, with a wash required to remove it.
I certainly would never want to use this product after I have already gotten dressed for the day, therefore.
In addition, because there is not an inner lid to keep the powder contained inside the shaker, this product seems that it would be especially ill-suited for travel purposes.
While maybe a piece of tape could be placed over the shaker holes inside the container, I do not seem to be disciplined enough to remember to do stuff like that when packing for trips.
Size: 0.03 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.6 Stars (3725 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Ultramarines (3), Ferric ferrocyanide (4), Ferric ammonium ferrocyanide (4), Zinc oxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Carmine, Bismuth Oxychloride, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, Ultramarines, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Zinc Oxide
Burt’s Bees Blush – $10
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (4 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Carmine
The description of this product reads, “Our 100% natural, mineral Blush Makeup applies and blends easily and evenly to enhance your cheeks’ natural glow. The lightweight formula brings together Bamboo, Honey and Vitamin E to nourish skin for beautifully radiant results.”
This blush from Burt’s Bees is affordably priced and has an especially clean ingredient list, including only natural coloring agents.
I was especially hopeful about it since it contains both squalane and jojoba, which are moisturizers that usually work quite well for me.
The product does go on nicely, with a texture that has been good for my skin.
I have not found that it has caused any irritation at all.
Unfortunately, as has been the case with a number of Burt’s Bees makeup products, I have been less happy with the color of the product.
Although I feel like the color that I chose – Bare Peach – should have worked well for me, I feel like it instead tends to look rather muddy and artificial on my skin.
However, this blush still could be an option worth exploring for some people (especially those who want to avoid all artificial colors), since perhaps they will be able to find a color that works for them.
Size: 0.19 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.4 Stars (151 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 0 (green)
EWG Product Rating: 1 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 2 (green)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica, squalane, jojoba esters, calcium silicate, bambusa arundinacea stem extract*, honey, jojoba seed oil, glyceryl caprylate, tocopherol, maltodextrin, glyceryl undecylenate, soybean oil, alumina, silica, linolenic acid. May contain: titanium dioxide, iron oxides, tin oxide, carmine. *Bamboo
HAN Pressed Blush – $18
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 10 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (5 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: None
The description of this product reads, “Our all natural pressed blush is made with soothing rice powder instead of talc and enhanced with antioxidant ingredients and plant and vegetable pigments to impart beautiful color and nourish skin. Our talc free blush is alternatively made with oil-absorbing rice powder that delivers a smooth finish. Nutrient dense formula that delivers beautiful rich color from natural sources. Versatile and gentle blush that can be worn as eye shadow too.”
This is an especially clean powder blush using all-natural ingredients, without any artificial colors or other laboratory-created chemicals.
It also contains several kinds of higher-quality oils, including organic argan oil, organic shea butter, and cupaucu butter.
The product feels good to me, in terms of having all clean ingredients as well as a bit of moisture.
Especially considering the relatively low price, I think this is a good blush option.
Five shades are available, with most of them on the lighter side.
I tried this blush in two shades – Glory (“peachy-beige with a subtle shimmer”) and Coral Candy (“pinky-peach with accents of gold shimmer”).
I found that Glory works nicely on my light skin, giving it a very subtle wash of bronzy-type color.
I decided to try Coral Candy because someone told me that it was a good dupe for Nars Orgasm (which I think looks especially good on me), but I did not find that it looks all that similar or that the color works very well for my skin.
Size: 0.14 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.8 Stars (132 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Yes
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 3 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Grapefruit seed extract (4), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Acai fruit extract, cranberry fruit extract, sea kelp extract, carrot
All Ingredients: Rice Powder, Argan Oil*, Shea Butter*, Cupuacu Butter, Acai Fruit Extract, Cranberry Fruit Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Pea Peptide, Sea Kelp Extract, Tocopherol, Grapefruit Seed Extract, Carrot, May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Mica. *Organic ingredient.
Honest Lit Powder Blush – $16
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Red #7, Blue #1
The description of this product on the Honest website reads, “An award-winning, pearl infused powder blush with buildable color payoff for a luminous glow. Made with sustainably sourced mica pearl. Works for all skin types.”
I tried this product in the shade Flirty (“peachy coral with gold shimmer”). However, unfortunately I ordered it from Ulta, which packed it so poorly (in a soft envelope with no cushioning) that it arrived smashed into little pieces.
From what I could tell of it, I thought that the formula seemed nice.
I’m a little disinclined to order it again due to none of the colors seeming especially right for me.
Size: 0.138 oz.
Ulta Rating: 4.2 Stars (9 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #7 (6), Blue #1 (7)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Silica, Zinc Stearate, Corn Starch, Glyceryl Caprylate, p-Anisic Acid, Tocopherol, Soybean Oil, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7. May contain: Red 6, Blue 1.
Jane Iredale PurePressed Blush – $32
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #7, Red #30, Ultramarines
The description of this product reads, “A silky, easy-glide pressed blush that builds like a powder and blends like a cream for seamless, long-lasting color and a fresh, healthy glow. Weightless pressed blush offers a soft wash of just-blushed color. 14 long-wear shades for richer, truer color. Highly pigmented formula builds like a powder. Soft, creamy texture blends like a cream. Defines and highlights cheekbones. Brightens naturally with nourishing natural oils, butters and antioxidants. Gentle and safe for sensitive skin.”
This product has been a staple in the Jane Iredale line, but it was reformulated and given new packaging in early 2022.
While I found the old version to be overly hard and difficult to apply properly, the new version has been lovely for me.
I’ve found that this new product is much easier to apply lightly and to build up to more intensity, and it looks really pretty on me.
It includes some hydrating oils, including jojoba seed oil, pomegranate seed oil, and shea butter.
Fourteen shades are available.
I chose Cherry Blossom, which is described as “peachy pink with shimmer.”
As it turns out, to my eyes this blush has virtually no shimmer and is much more like a muted peachy buff color.
While the shade is not that different from the website product photo and while I like this color on me, the name of the shade (which suggests a delicate pink) and the shade description seems to me so wrong as to throw people off-track in terms of being able to guess what they are going to be getting.
This same problem also happened with the Jane Iredale lipsticks, making me think that the company needs to find someone who is good at assessing and describing colors to go through the website and re-write all the descriptions.
Pictures of people with different skin tones wearing each shade would be very helpful as well.
Size: 0.11 oz.
Jane Iredale Rating: 5.0 Stars (21 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #7 (6), Red #30 (5), Ultramarines (3). (Also contains Triethoxycaprylylsilane.)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Boron Nitride, Jojoba Seed Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Pinus Strobus Bark Extract, Shea Butter, Caprylyl Glycol, Zinc Stearate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Bismuth Oxychloride, Manganese Violet, Red 7, Red 30, Ultramarines.
(Information provided is for the Sunset, Copper Wind, Flawless, Mocha, Queen Bee, and Clearly Pink shades.)
Jones Road The Best Blush – $28
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red #7, Red #28, Ultramarines
The description of this product reads, “The Best Blush is a silky powder formula that adds a soft natural flush or a pop of bright color to cheeks. Easy to use and buildable, this talc-free powder blends seamlessly into the skin to wake up the complexion. Available in five curated shades developed by Bobbi to match and enhance the natural flush in a range of skin tones. Packed in a mirror compact.”
I tried this product in the color P.O.P. (“Pop of Pink”). It is described as “A universally flattering shade of pink. Subtle shimmer, adds a glow and not a sparkle.”
Especially considering how bright the shade looks when in the container, I really like the way that it looks on me.
I also think that the squalane in the formula likely is helpful in terms of allowing it to work well on my very dry skin.
It goes on very easily and has not been irritating at all.
The other initially available shades are all mattes – Peachy (“soft peach”), Berry (“deep plum”), Sandy (“earthy mauve rose”), and Rosy (“nude rosy pink”).
I might be interested in trying an additional color.
Size: 0.08 oz.
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #28 (5), Ultramarines (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients (POP): Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Myristate, Squalane, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Nylon-12, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol. May contain Mica, Iron Oxides, Red 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Red 28 Lake, Ultramarines.
All Ingredients (Peachy): Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Magnesium Myristate, Nylon-12, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Squalane, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Stearoyl Glutamic Acid, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Silica, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, May Contain: Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Red 6, Red 7 Lake, Red 28 Lake.
Kosas Color & Light Palette Powder – $34
Performance Rating: Not Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Yellow #7
The description of this product reads, “This is a super blendable, skin-cushioning blush + highlighter palette in perfectly paired duos that give a defined pop of color.”
Kosas announced that this product was being discontinued in early 2022, but then seemed to reconsider since all the colors came back into stock.
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Size: 0.32 oz.
Sephora Rating: 4.0 Stars (62 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Red #6 (6), Yellow #5 (6), Titanium dioxide (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Honeysuckle Flower Extract
All Ingredients (Blush): Mica, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Silica, Sunflower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauroyl Lysine, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tocopherol. May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 6, Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Yellow 5, Iron Oxides.
All Ingredients (Highlighter): Mica, Zinc Stearate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Boron Nitride, Nylon-12, Silica; Sunflower Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Lauroyl Lysine, Honeysuckle Flower Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol. May Contain: Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Red 6.
Mineral Fusion Blush – $27
♣ Living Clean Superstars
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Living Clean Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Carmine, Ultramarines
The description of this product reads, “Hello, sweet cheeks. Boasting sassy hues of instant radiance, Mineral Fusion Blush enhances your natural flush factor with a luxurious blend of skin-defenders—Pomegranate, White Tea, and Red Tea pack an antioxidant punch; Sea Kelp helps lock in hydration; and Vitamins C & E help your skin look its best at any age.”
This Mineral Fusion blush contains only natural color pigments and (despite containing the preservative phenoxyethanol) is EWG Verified as clean.
Three matte shades and three shimmery shades are offered. All of the shades look fairly muted or neutral in the website photos.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to tell from the website photos what the blush colors will look like in person. I wish that the company would put photos of people actually wearing the product on its website.
I decided to try the shade Pale (“shimmering peach”), which seemed the safest option for me. It is very similar to the HAN blush shade Glory and gives a subtly bronzy glow to my skin that I think is very pretty.
I would like to try more of these shades just to see the colors, but I’m a little hesitant to do that since $27 for this blush product seems pretty pricey to me.
Size: 0.10 oz.
Mineral Fusion Rating: 4.5 Stars (124 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: Meets Criteria
EU Compliant: Yes
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Phenoxyethanol, Problematic Color)
EWG Product Rating: EWG Verified
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Tocopheryl acetate (3), Aloe vera (3), Phenoxyethanol (4), Titanium dioxide (3), Ultramarines (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: Pomegranate extract, elderberry flower extract
All Ingredients: Mica, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, White Tea Leaf Extract, Rooibos Leaf Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Sea Kelp Extract, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract, Safflower Seed Oil, Elderberry Flower Extract, Phenoxyethanol. May Contain: Carmine, Iron Oxides, Manganese Violet, Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines.
MOB Blush – $28
Performance Rating: Not Yet Rated
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Yellow #5, Ultramarines, Red #6, Red #7, Red #28, Red #30, Red #40, Blue #1
The description of this product reads, “Buttery texture, non-drying matte finish. Soft focus color intensifies as you layer. Long wearing, free of talc, clean, and vegan. We formulated our blush with amino acid coated pigments to give our Blush formula buttery texture and non-drying finish. Layer to intensify from a sheer tint to a pop of saturated color.”
I have yet to try this product but hope to do so soon.
Credo Rating: 5.0 Stars (13 reviews)
Credo Clean: Meets Criteria
Clean at Sephora: Meets Criteria
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 6 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Yellow #5 (6), Ultramarines (3), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Red #28 (5), Red #30 (5), Red #40 (6), Blue #1 (7)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients: Mica, lauroyl lysine, silica, cetearyl ethylhexanoate, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, squalane, dehydroacetic acid, tocopherol, bisabolol, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, phytosphingosine. May contain: iron oxides, titanium dioxide, yellow 5, ultramarines, red 6, red 7, red 28, red 30, red 40 lake, manganese violet, blue 1
RMS Beauty Pressed Blush – $24
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Red #6, Red #7, Yellow #5
The description of this product reads, “RMS Pressed Blush is a concentrated blush that is buildable and hydrating to the skin. This natural blush is great for sensitive skin, and works to regulate skin balance for your most luminious glow.”
This powdered blush from RMS uses an all-natural formula other than a few artificial colors and contains some nice moisturizers (including buriti oil and squalane).
In addition, I’ve read in several places that this product in the Lost Angel shade is an almost exact “dupe” (duplicate) for the very popular Nars Orgasm blush, except with slightly less shimmer. Based on my own personal comparisons, I agree with that assessment.
Nars Orgasm (once described by Meghan Markle as a “perfect rosy flush tone that brightens the face”) contains talc, silicone (dimethicone) and phenoxyethanol.
What I usually do is to first apply a neutral cream blush – such as the Rituel de Fille Inner Glow Creme Pigment in Eros – on my cheekbones, and then use the RMS powder blush in Lost Angel to add just a tiny pop of color on the apples of my cheeks.
I feel like this gives my face a little more definition and healthy glow, without it looking like I am wearing any blush at all.
In addition to the color, I really like the softness of this blush (apparently from the buriti oil) since it goes on very nicely and looks pretty.
Lost Angel is described on the RMS website as “a seductive coral pink with lush golden undertones.”
This blush is also available in two other colors – Crushed Rose (“a vibrant modern pink”) and Moon Cry (“an unbeatable rich plum wine with a hint of golden sheen”).
Size: 0.17 oz.
Credo Rating: 4.7 Stars (26 reviews)
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
Think Dirty Rating: 3 (green)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 5 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #6 (6), Red #7 (6), Yellow #5 (6)
Fragrance Ingredients: Rosemary leaf extract
All Ingredients (Moon Cry): Mica, Zinc Stearate, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Squalane, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Rosemary Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Red 7. * Certified Organic. **Wildcrafted.
All Ingredients (Crushed Rose): Mica, Zinc Stearate, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Squalane, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Rosemary Leaf Extract, Titanium Dioxide, Red 6, Red 7, Yellow 5
All Ingredients (Lost Angel): Mica, Zinc Stearate, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vegetable Squalane, Tocopherol (non-GMO), *Rosemary Leaf Extract, Iron Oxide, Red 7
RMS Beauty ReDimension Hydra Powder Blush – $30
♥ Lisa’s Choice
♣ Living Clean Superstar
Living Clean Rating: 9 out of 10
Performance Rating: (5 / 5)
Ingredients Rating: (4 / 5)
Lisa Irritation Level: None
Silicone Level: None
Problematic Colorings: Ultramarines, Red #30
The description of this product reads, “Multi-dimensional, nourishing powder blush. It glides on effortlessly, infusing skin with multi-dimensional life as the bouncy, light-as-air gel blends and builds color. The sugar-derived wet powder technology combines a creamy texture with a long-lasting 3D finish. Skin-loving ingredients like wildcrafted buriti and organic jojoba oils nourish and smooth. The mirrored compact is 75% PCR, and refillable.”
This blush was introduced in 2022, and like other newer RMS products, it includes a long list of “safe synthetics” rather than the mostly natural ingredients used in the brand’s older products.
I don’t have a particular problem with this and really like the way that this formula performs for me. It applies easily to my cheeks, giving them a soft pretty glow, and does feel a little moisturizing.
My skin seems to have done fine with this product.
It does seem worth knowing that the brand has changed at a fundamental level since being sold in 2021, though.
While I like this blush formula, I’m not as sure about the color selection.
Although six shades are offered, I had a hard time choosing one that I thought would look good on me since they all seemed from the photos either quite bright, quite cool or rather weird to me.
I finally chose Maiden’s Blush (“soft cinnamon sparked with sweet pink”), and it has been at least wearable for me.
It could be that in time, my eyes will get used to the colors in this line and I will really like all of them.
However, since I am guessing that RMS may be planning to discontinue their old pressed blush line, I wish that they were offering the Lost Angel shade in this new line since that is still a color that I really enjoy using.
Size: 0.25 oz.
Credo Rating: Not Yet Rated
Credo Clean: Yes
Clean at Sephora: Yes
Drunk Elephant Clean: No
EU Compliant: Meets Criteria
Pregnancy Pick: Maybe (Problematic Colors)
EWG Ingredient Rating: 4 (yellow)
EWG Problem Ingredients: Titanium dioxide (3), Red #30 (5), Ultramarines (3)
Fragrance Ingredients: None
All Ingredients (Pomegranate Fizz): Mica, Silica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Water, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, *Jojoba Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopherol (non-GMO), Tin Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Red 30, Iron Oxides, Ultramarines.
All Ingredients (Maiden’s Blush): Mica, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Glycerin, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Squalane, Water/Aqua/Eau, 1,2-Hexanediol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Chloride, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Chondrus Crispus Extract, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Zinc Stearate, Lauroyl Lysine, *Jojoba Seed Oil, Sodium Citrate, **Buriti Fruit Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Sunflower Seed Oil, Tocopherol (non-GMO), Titanium Dioxide, Red 30, Iron Oxides.
Shopping List
This section lists products that seem that they may have potential and that I am hoping to try in the near future.
Readers are highly encouraged to bring other relevant products that they have tried to my attention so that I can add them to this list.
Lawless Make Me Blush Talc-Free Velvet Blush – $29
Trash Can
Aveda Petal Essence Face Accents ($26 + Case): I found this blush to irritate my skin. EWG rates this product as a 7 (red), flagging as problematic the dimethicone (3), linalool (3), titanium dioxide (3), ultramarines (3), red #7 (6), yellow #6 (6), red #33 (4), blue #1 (7), red #34 (5), yellow #6 (7), ferric ferrocyanide (4), and red #6 (6).
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).
Links on this page that may result in affiliate income may include – but are not necessarily limited to – those from the following companies: 100% Pure, Amazon, Antonym, Bare Minerals, Burt’s Bees, Credo, HAN, Honest, Huda, Jane Iredale, Jones Road, Lawless, Mineral Fusion, MOB Beauty, Pharmaca, RMS, Sephora, Target, Ulta, and Vapour.
Reader comments 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!
Links on this page are in orange (no underlining).
