Make the “green” Switch! Alternatives for Mario badescu, YSL, Anastasia brow, and Nuxe

Jan
16

Make the “green” Switch! Alternatives for Mario badescu, YSL, Anastasia brow, and Nuxe

 

And the green switch it back! I decided to make officially a series of this. Thank you for all your feedback and support, it means the world! Apologies it took me some time between the first post (here) and this one, but this is the series requiring the most work. Just like the previous post, I’m looking for potential green alternatives* to some popular beauty products.

Mario Badescu drying lotion
A fast-acting spot treatment, formulated with salicylic acid, Calamine and Camphor among the ingredients. Mario Badescu incorporates natural elements into his line, and I’ve read numerous positive reviews about this line. However, as you can see in the ingredient list, it contains talc. Some talc contain asbestos, a potentially harmful substance. Unless Mario Badescu specifies it’s asbestos-free, I know some prefer to avoid talc in beauty products.
Price: 18$-18Eur.
Ingredients: Isopropyl Alcohol, Aqua, Calamine, Camphor,Sulfur,Resorcinol, Salicylic Acid, Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Glycerin
The alternative: Indie Lee’s blemish lotion
Indie’s Lee’s blemish lotion treats acne and blemishes, and it has been my spot atomizer of choice for the pesky blemishes. Read my full review (here). It’s a dominating piece in my spot-attack arsenal. Both lotions look strikingly similar, color – and ingredient wise. Among the common ingredients, there’s Zinc Oxide, Isopropyl alcohol, Camphor, all of which contribute in drying blemishes. However, the noticeable difference is that Indie lee’s lotion is talc free.
Price : 26$ (bottle will last ages)
Ingredients: Purified Water, Isopropyl Alcohol, Colloidal Sulfur, Zinc Oxide, Salicylic Acid, Magnesium, Aluminum Silicate (Clay), Camphor, Iron Oxide

Anastasia beverly hills dipbrow pommade
I don’t think an introduction is needed, Anastasia’s extensive brow products line is extremely popular in the mainstream beauty industry and her brow pencils are among the best-selling beauty products. The brow pommade is praised on Cult beauty, it’s a smudge-free and waterproof cream that fills in your brows neatly. My main concern is that there’s still paraben in the ingredient list. I steer clear of parabens.
Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Silica, Polyethylene, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Ozokerite/Synthetic Wax, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Mica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Propylparaben, May Contain/Peut Contenir: (+/-) Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163).

Paraben-free, it’s a lightweight and smudge-free coloring wax. I’m very intrigued by this product, and while I have thick dark brows (think Angry Birds lol) I could use something to fill in the end of the brow arch. There are currently 4 shades available, and the one that seems more fitting for me is actually named “Liz”. What a great coincidence ;)Price: 26$

Ingredients: neopentyl glycol diheptamate, silica, cetyl acetate, acetylated lanolin oil, ceresin, polyethylene cera microcristallina (microcrystalline wax), nylon-12, cetyl recinolente, dimethicone, natural fragrance, tocopherol (vitamin e). May Contain (+/): Iron Oxides (CI77491/77492/CI77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI77891).

Yves Saint Laurent Touche éclat under eye concealer
You can always recognize YSL makeup counter at Sephora by its gorgeous display. All the products are beautifully packaged, and I salute the idea of a concealer pen. So much more convenient. I’ll be brief by saying the main reason I can’t purchase it, is because it still contains parabens.
Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Glycerin, Talc, Paraffinum Liquidum (Mineral Oil), Peg/ Ppg-18/18 Dimethicone, Magnesium Sulfate, Trideceth-3, Methicone, Methylparaben, Squalane. [+/- May Contain: Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Ci 77019 (Mica), Ci 77492 (Iron Oxide), Ci 77491 (Iron Oxide), Ci 77499 (Iron Oxide), Ci 77007 (Ultramarines), Ci 77510 (Ferric Ferrocyanide), Ci 77742 (Manganese Violet), Ci 75470 (Carmine),”NF8897″]

The alternatives:

I’d normally pick just one alternative, but since I haven’t tried any of these, I decided to include them all. By the way, I’d love to hear if any of you have used any of these.
AnneMarie Borlind Natural Liquid Concealer:
A light-reflecting concealer ideal from German brand AnneMarie Borlind. It contains a blend of healing and soothing ingredients such as silica, calendula, meadowfoam and jojoba oil. The reviews are quite positive, however there’s only one shade available.
Price: £13.50
Ingredients: Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, limnanthes alba (meadowfoam) seed oil, ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, silica, dextrin palmitate,castor isostearate succinate, phytantriol, sodium potassium aluminium silicate, mica, euphotbia, cerifera cera (calendula) phenoxyethanol, hydrogenated letchitin, bisabolol, hydrogenated castor oil, ascorbyl palmitate, lechitin, tocopherol, hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate May Contain: Cl 77891 (titanium dioxide), Cl 77489 (iron oxides), Cl 77492 (iron oxides), Cl 77491 (iron oxides)
Jane Iredale Active light under eye concealer
Jane Iredale Active Light
Under-Eye Concealer is a concealer and brightener in one. Ingredients such as cucumber, white tea
extract will calm tired eyes and reduce puffiness, while avocado and sunflower oil hydrate the eye area. Six shades are currently available
Price: £24
Ingredients: Isopropyl Jojobate, Isostearyl Neopentanoate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Cera Alba (Beeswax), Hydrated Silica, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Ozokerite, Boron Nitride, Polygonum Fagopyrum (Buckwheat) Seed Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Bisabolol, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate. [+/- (May Contain) Mica, Iron Oxides (Ci 77489, Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Chromium Oxide Greens (Ci 77288)]
I had never heard of La Bella Donna until I browsed the Detox Market. It’s an US mineral makeup line, a bit à la Jane Iredale. I’m really intrigued by the whole line and the sleek packaging. There are currently six shades available. It’s a tad more expensive than the two previous alternatives, but it might be worth checking out though.
Price: 44$
Ingredients: Isododecane, Dimethicone, Ricinus Communnis (castor) Seed Oil, Disteardimonium Hectoride, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, Soybean Lipid, Phytosterols, Hydrogenated Olive Oil, Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil, Tocopherol Acetate, , Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Seed Oil, Triticum Vulgare (wheat) Extract, Helianthus Annuus (sunflower) Seed Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Extract, , C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Tribehenin, Ceramide 2, Peg-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, , Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Diacetyl Boldine, Copernicia Cerifera (carnauba) Wax, Euphorbia Cerifera (candelilla) Wax, Rosmarinus Officinalis (rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Olea Europaea (olive)) Fruit Oil, Persea Gratissima (avocado) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Glycine Soja (soybean) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (wheat) Germ Oil, Bisabolol, Hypericum Perforatum Flower/leaf/stem Extract, Tocopherol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Capryloyl Glycine, Ethyl Vanillin. May Contain (+/-) :, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI77499).


NUXE Huile Prodigieuse OR Multi-Usage Dry Oil – Golden Shimmer  
I know NUXE is “labelled” as natural, but there are still some unanswered questions regarding the parfum/fragrance: there are no indications of where it’s coming from, which is why ewg gives it a score of 8! I also wish it would be easier to find the complete ingredient list because it took me some time before finding it.
Price: 28.97 Euros, 50ml
 Ingredients: isopropyl isostearate, macadamia ternifolia seed oil, dicaprylyl ether, coco-caprylate/caprate, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, corylus avellana (hazel) seed oil, mica, camellia oleifera seed oil, silica, parfum/fragrance, tocopherol, ci 77891/titanium dioxide, borago officinalis seed oil, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, ci 77491/iron oxides, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, hypericum perforatum flower/leaf/stem extract, solanum. 
The alternatives:

African Botanics Marula Shimmering Gold Oil
Pure luxe, the Marula shimmering gold oil can be used on face, body and hair. It packs a vitamin punch to say the least. Infused with exotic ingredients such as African Marula,
Moringa, Baobab and Kalahari Melon seed oils. Add to that an aromatic cocktail composed of Gardenia and macerated Magnolia, Neroli and
Vanilla Bean. This product is quickly sold out, which I guess is a testament of how gorgeous that product is.

Price: 85$ 100 ml /3.4 fl oz 85

Ingredients: Capric/Caprylic Triglyceride, Dicaprylyl Ether, Isostearyl Isostearate, Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil**, Silica, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Kalahari Melon) Seed Oil, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Tocopherol, Mica, Citrus Aurantium (Neroli) Essential Oil, Gardenia Jasminoides (Gardenia) Oil, Magnolia Fargesii (Magnolia) Oil, Vanilla Bean (Vanilla planifolia) Essential Oil, Citral*, Citronellol*, Farnesol*, Geraniol*, Hexyl Cinnamal*, Hydroxycitronellal*, Limonene*, Linalool*, Iron Oxides. May Contain ± [Ci 77019, Ci 77891, Ci99491].*Consists of a 100% natural blend of essential oil constituents/isolates. **Certified Organic. 100% Vegan.


Elemental Herbology Gold Shimmer Body oil
I spotted this one during Christmas on Naturisimo. Not sure if it’s still available on the website. It’s a special shimmering edition of their best selling body repair oil. A gorgeous blend of argan, sweet almond, macadamia and rosa mosqueta oil, scented with frangipani, jasmine and mandarin. Does sound lush, doesn’t it?
Price: £24 (original price £34) 100ml
Ingredients: Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*, Vitex Agnus Castus (Chasteberry) Fruit Extract*, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil*, Mica*, Rosa Canina (Rose Hip) Fruit Oil*, Equisetum Arvense (Horsetail) Leaf Extract*, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil*, Mauritia Flexuosa (Buriti) Fruit Oil*, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil*, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Peel Oil*, Plumeria Rubra (Frangipani) Flower Oil*, Jasminum Grandiflorum (Jasmine) Oil*, Tocopherol*, Eugenol**, Geraniol**, Benzyl Salicylate**, Linalool**, Limonene**, Benzyl Alcohol**, Benzyl Benzoate**, CI 77891 (Titanium dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron oxides).

Take care,
Liz

*Disclaimer:This post was based on my opinion and my researches. I have not personally tried the non-green versions, and I’m not claiming the green alternatives would be identical, I can speak for them, because I have tried almost all of them. I’m not making the green switch an imperative, you’re free to decide for yourself. If you enjoy any of the non-green product listed, it’s fine. These are only suggestions, in case there are some people looking to gradually switch to more gentle and natural alternatives.

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22 Comments

    • Thank you Megan! Totally agree, Indie Lee is genius, and I hope you get to try the others soon 🙂 xx

      Reply
  • The Touchup Skin Concealer pen from BeautyCounter is extremely similar to the YSL Touche Eclat in terms of look, application, and use, and I would HIGHLY recommend it

    Reply
    • Thank you for the info. BeautyCounter is not available outside of the US, but I had only been interested by their lip products so far 🙂 xx

      Reply
  • ooo un autre belle article Liz sur le green switch 🙂 Wow, a lot of people think nuxe is "natural" hum #NOT .. Continue tes articles du genre, c'est vraiment cool! xox

    Reply
    • Merci Julie pour ton soutien! Yes, everytime I walk into a store they put Nuxe into the natural and organic section, but like you say it's questionable 😉 xx

      Reply
  • Loved this! I haven't tried any of these – the originals or the green alternatives – but I've got my eye on Ecobrow and the Jane Iredale concealer pen 🙂

    Reply
  • Hi Liz ..great post . have you tried osmia spot treatment if yes which one do you prefer osmia or indie Lee ..I am using osmia one but its not working these days on my stubborn pimples ..and does it works on old blemishes too

    Reply
    • Thank you my dear Anusha. I wish I could answer about Osmia, but the shipping costs are too expensive for Europe, therefore I still haven't tried anything from this brand. Indie Lee works great on stubborn and big pimples, it makes them shrink very fast, but it's not meant for small blemishes. For that I use Odacité Black cumin-Cajeput. Sorry to hear Osmia is not working for you lately. xx

      Reply
    • Anusha, I`ve used both and love both! When I tried the Osmia Spot Treatment I liked to use it everyday as it is non-drying and non-irritating. I save the Indie Lee Spot Treatment for peskier or bigger pimples. I do not use this one everyday as it is drying to the skin with frequent use.

      PS. I also like to use the Blissoma Smooth A for an all over facial treatment for acne. Together these 3 products work wonderfully for my acne prone skin.

      Hope that this helps!

      Reply
    • Thank you Rachel! Totally, I was suprised too, they are almost identical except that Indie is talc free and the first ingredient is water .) xx

      Reply
  • Such a great post Liz! 🙂 That Elemental Herbology body oil just looks amazing, hope they bring it back again! Great list of concealers too, I still have to try all of those and the Eco Brow wax sounds great x

    Reply
  • I love using natural skincare products as always, but my biggest struggle is finding a foundation/tinted moisturizer that isn't full of chemicals and strange additives. Thank you for sharing all of these awesome products 🙂

    xx
    Alexa
    anti ageing cream reviews

    Reply
  • Thank you so much for posting this. I need your help on something. About 4 years ago when I turned 25, I developed really bad acne. It was terrible I had never had acne prior to that. My face was full of cystic acne and white heads. I came across Mario Badescu and that became my go-to. After using Mario acne products for 2 months my face cleared up and it's been clear ever since. I love that whole line! But I recently discovered that the ingredients are not really that healthy. Currently I use their cucumber lotion, the cleanse, under eye cream, spf moisturizer, and the night seaweed cream. Do you have suggestions for an alternative line that is just as effective and within the same price range?

    Reply
    • Hi! I'm so glad you find it helpful, Indie Lee works exactly like Mario Badescu. So I'd recommend you to check out Indie lee, also I'm not sure where you're based but if you're in the US, SW. Basics is great too. Their toner works great for acne-prone skin. 100% Pure has a sweaweed line if I'm not wrong, but I can't speak for their products though, as I haven't tried them. Feel free to drop me an email if you have any questions? If you're in Europe or elsewhere, let me know and I'll give you more options 🙂 Liz xx

      Reply

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