6 Best Non-toxic Foundations without Microplastics or PFAS
Foundation is one makeup product many of us put on before leaving the house. It evens our skin tone, boosts confidence and helps us feel more put together. But beneath the flawless effect, many foundations contain ingredients that are not healthy for our skin or the environment.
Recent research shared in this article has confirmed that PFAS (also known as “forever chemicals”) and microplastics are used in foundation, often without being listed on labels. That means that for many of us, we are applying chemicals to our skin every day. Understanding what these ingredients do and how to avoid them, can help you make more conscious decisions towards your health and the environment.
The Hidden Problem With Microplastics in Foundation
Microplastics are used in foundations more commonly than we realize. A 2022 report by The Plastic Soup Foundation – Beat The Microbead Campaign (1) found that thousands of beauty products contain plastic added to improve texture, spreadability and long-wear.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Plastic in Cosmetic report (2), microplastics from personal care products like cosmetics (mascara, lipsticks, body scrub etc.) are a recognized and growing environmental issue globally. The UNEP found that microplastic particles released into waterways persist for decades, contributing to long-term contamination of aquatic systems and soil.
What are PFAS and Why Are They In Foundation?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals designed to resist water, oil, and heat. They are also referred to as “forever chemicals”. In foundation, they are often added to improve durability, create water-resistant formulas, and prevent makeup from breaking down throughout the day. These properties make PFAS appealing to manufacturers, but they come with serious downsides.
A study published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology Journal (3) found that multiple different PFAS compounds are present in a significant number of personal care products, with make-up categories like foundations among those where PFAS are most frequently detected. Researchers identified dozens of fluorinated chemicals across product types and noted that certain PFAS such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorodecalin (PFD) appeared relatively often in makeup formulas, illustrating that PFAS are not uncommon ingredients in beauty products marketed for daily use.
How Do I Know If My Foundation Contains Microplastics or PFAS?
Identifying microplastics and PFAS in foundation can feel overwhelming, but there are reliable tools that make it much easier.
- The Beat the Microbead (4) database by the Plastic Soup Foundation is one of the most comprehensive resources available for identifying microplastics in cosmetics. Their guide to microplastics explains which ingredients are considered plastic-based and why they matter. They also offer an app that allows you to scan products while shopping.
- For ingredient transparency, INCIDecoder (5) is a practical everyday tool. By copying and pasting a foundation’s ingredient list, you can quickly see which ingredients are synthetic polymers, potential microplastics, or PFAS-related compounds.
6 Best Non-Toxic Foundations That Don’t Shed Microplastics and are free of PFAS
At I’m Plastic Free we help you eliminate the issue at the source. For all the reasons outlined above, we provide our readers with alternative solutions that are plastic free or close to.
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Please Note: Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical or scientific advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health. Please read our disclaimer.
1. Axiology Skin Loving Fungdation – Hydrating Vegan Cream and Plastic Free Foundation
Don’t you also love the pun “fungdation” as the mix betwen fungus and foundation? It a world’s first mushroom-powered foundation makeup, with Reishi and Snow Mushrooms! It applies smoothly on the skin without feeling like a foundation! Our founder, Simona, who is not big on makeup, uses this foundation every day and recently she received compliments on the skin texture and glow (in her late forties!).
The formula is creamy, lightweight and breathable. It offers light-to-medium coverage, and what we absolutely LOVE, it comes in plastic-free packaging!
Shades: 15 shades to choose from!
Vegan: yes
Made in: Handmade in the USA
Microplastics ingredients: The Beat The Microbead App scanned all 22 ingredients and found it totally plastic-free!
PFAS ingredients: none listed
Packaging: globally sourced biodegradable tubes made of cardboard
Shop from Axiology
Shop from Amazon USA
Related: 6 Non Toxic Mascara without PFAS and Microplastics
2. ATTITUDE Oceanly Plastic-free Makeup Foundation Stick Made With 99.9% Natural Origin Ingredients
ATTITUDE’s Oceanly foundation is designed for people who want clean ingredients without sacrificing performance. The formula is made with a high percentage of natural origin ingredients and avoids PFAS, microplastics, and synthetic polymers commonly found in conventional foundations.
Shades: Cream, Dune, Nude, Caramel, Moka, and Espresso
Vegan: yes
Made in: Made in Canada
Microplastics ingredients: We used the Beat The Microbead App to scan all 35 ingredients (at least in the Cream version, as every shade has slightly different ingredients) and found it totally plastic-free!
PFAS ingredients: none listed
Packaging: plastic-free, and made of FSC-Certified biodegradable cardboard from responsibly managed forests.
Shop from Amazon USA – Canada – UK
Related: 6 Plastic Free Makeup Brands Creating Zero Waste Cosmetics without Microplastics
3. River Organics Zero Waste Foundation and Organic Concealer
River Organics offers a truly low-waste option for those seeking a minimalist, plastic-free base product. Their vegan concealer and foundation-style products are made with nourishing plant oils and mineral pigments. The finish is natural and breathable, making it ideal for sensitive skin and those who prefer lighter coverage. They also have removed titanim dioxide from their ingredients!
Shades: Porcelain, Pale, Light with beige undertones, Light with pink undertones, Medium Light with yellow undertones, Tan with warm undertones, Medium Dark with warm undertones and Medium Dark with cool undertones
Vegan: yes
Made in: Handmade in the USA
Microplastics ingredients: We used the Beat The Microbead App to scan all 12 ingredients and found it totally plastic-free!
PFAS ingredients: none listed
Packaging: Compostable paper packaging
Shop from River Organics
Related: Why You should Switch to Plastic-free Skincare Brands
4. Ere Perez Natural Arnica All-Cover Pot Concealer for a Clean Beauty
Ere Perez blends performance makeup with botanical ingredients. Their Arnica All Cover Pot works as both foundation and concealer, using plant extracts and mineral pigments instead of plastic-based fillers. The formula is free from PFAS and microplastics and offers buildable coverage with a skin-like finish.
Shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Deep and Dark
Vegan: yes
Made in: Made in Mexico
Microplastics ingredients: We used the Beat The Microbead App to scan all 22 ingredients and found it contains 1 sceptical microplastic: polymethylsilsesquioxane, which is classified as orange by the app. (Red microplastic ingredients are the worst)
PFAS ingredients: none listed
Packaging: Glass jar with an aluminum lid that are easy to separate and recycle.
Shop from Amazon USA – Canada – UK – Australia
Related: 12 Plastic Free Shampoo Brands You Can Feel Good About Using
5. Scoop Whole Beauty Pure Mineral Powder Foundation SPF24+
Scoop Whole Beauty is an Australian make-up brand that focuses on transparency, simplicity, and low-waste, circular design. Their mineral powder foundation avoids PFAS, microplastics, and synthetic additives, while still delivering reliable coverage. It’s a great option for those looking for a clean, everyday foundation aligned with circular beauty values. We tested this product and it performs well. We also love that it contains natural non-nano mineral SPF 24+ which is great to have in the harsh Australian sun (on top of a plastic-free sunscreen of course!).
Shades: Light, Maca, Walnut, Medium and Tan
Vegan: yes
Made in: Made in Australia
Microplastics ingredients: We used the Beat The Microbead App to scan all 9 ingredients and found it totally plastic-free!
PFAS ingredients: None
Packaging: It comes in a refillable bamboo pot. The refills are made with home compostable FSC Certified paper.
Shop Scoop Whole Beauty
Image Credit: I’m Plastic Free / Simona Paganetto testing the Scoop Whole Beauty mascara, mineral powder foundation, mineral blush, and the eye shadow.
Related: Plastic Free Glitter: Which Cosmetic Glitter Brands are Biodegradable and Compostable?
6. Bomonde Vegan Mineral Foundation
Bomonde’s mineral foundation is made with 100% natural ingredients and relies on mineral pigments rather than synthetic polymers. This makes it completely free from microplastics. It’s especially well suited to reactive or acne-prone skin and offers a lightweight, breathable finish.
Shades : Chloe – Light Cool tone, Kat – Light Olive tone, Kimberley – Light to Medium Beige tone, Paige – Medium Warm tone, Natalie – Medium to Warm tone and Hollie – Medium Neutral tone
Vegan: yes
Made in: Made in the United Kingdom (UK)
Microplastics ingredients: We used the Beat The Microbead App to scan all 7 ingredients and found it totally plastic-free!
PFAS ingredients: None listed
Packaging: Refillable bamboo pot
Shop Bomonde on Etsy
Related: 10 Best Toothpaste Without Plastic and BPA
Q&As
– Why should I worry about PFAS and Microplastics in Foundation?
Because foundation is used on your face every day, exposure can add up over time. Both microplastics and PFAS harm ecosystems and may have long-term health implications, as outlined in our articles with links to the scientific research.
– Is Clean Foundation Effective?
Yes. Many natural foundation formulas offer great coverage and benefit your skin without the harmful ingredients.
Related: 6 Eco-Friendly Hair Brushes Not Made of Plastic
Conclusion
Foundation is one of the most frequently used beauty products, which makes ingredient awareness especially important. Microplastics and PFAS are not just environmental issues, they are present in beauty products we apply directly to our skin and wash into waterways every day. Small, conscious swaps add up, and choosing cleaner foundation products helps protect both your health and the planet.
References and Scientific Research Sources:
(1) https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Plastic-TheHiddenBeautyIngredients.pdf (2) https://wedocs.unep.org/rest/api/core/bitstreams/e4125826-c525-46f1-8db4-6f37b6fda6da/content
(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691524001911
(4) https://www.beatthemicrobead.org/
(5) https://incidecoder.com/
This article was written by Ella Matthews, and reviewed by I’m Plastic Free Editor, Simona Paganetto
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