Make the Green Switch #7: Green alternatives for MAC, Ahava, Becca, Clarins and Two Faced

Another installment of the Green Switch, based on your feedbacks, some of you have been enjoying this series, so I’ll speed up the process and add more of them in the coming weeks. As usual, feel free to let me know me which products you’ve been struggling to replace, and I shall go on the green hunt for you 😉

AHAVA Active moisture gel cream + MAC Mineralize moisture gel
Before I was introduced to Jillian Wright, I hadn’t even heard of a moisture gel. Now I get what the fuss is all about. It tackles excess shine, calms down redness, smoothes the skin out and makes a great base before makeup application.
The formula in MAC and Ahava is less than impressive though: water and aloe vera (and a little bit of kiwi fruit thrown in the mix;) blended with a a lot of silicones and preservatives. The use of silicones in products like these seems a bit
counterproductive, since they can trap sebum and bacteria in a layer on
top of skin, thus provoking breakouts. Also, the term Parfum or Fragrance is a catchall for hidden chemicals. They don’t disclose its origin, and we now know that over 3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances.
Price: $40
Ingredients (click here for MAC) for Ahava: Aqua
(Mineral Spring Water), Glycereth-26, Cyclomethicone, Isodecyl
Neopentanoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Propanediol (Corn Derived
Glycol), Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, PEG/PPG-19/19 Dimethicone,
Squalene (Phytosqualene), Sodium Lactate, Trehalose, Phenoxyethanol,
Caprylyl Methicone, Propylene Carbonate, Quaternium-18 Hectorite,
Chitosan Succinamide, Maris Aqua (Dead Sea Water), Dimethiconol,
Alanine, Creatine, Dehydroacetic Acid, Glycine, Magnesium Aspartate,
Saccharide Hydrolysate, Urea, Isodecyl Isononanoate, Actinidia Chinensis
(Kiwi) Fruit Water, Allantoin, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzotriazolyl
Dodecyl P-Cresol, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, PEG-12 Dimethicone/PPG-20
Crosspolymer, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract,
Ethylhexylglycerin, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Salicylate,
Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde,
Geraniol.

The alternative: Jillian Wright Mattefying Moisture gel.
Jillian Wright is the founder of the Jillian Wright Clinical Spa and provides facials and other skin and bodycare treatments in NYC. She combines science and nature, for maximum results. The Mattefying moisture gel tackles several problems at once: it soothes inflammations, controls excess shine, and retains the moisture. Admittedly, it’s more expensive, but it is made with a significant amount of botanical extracts, some certified organic ingredients and no hidden chemicals. Also, a little goes a long way, as you only need a small amount of product.
Price: $75
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin*, Chlorophyll, Sodium Hyaluronate (L), Syringa
Vulgaris (Lilac) Leaf Cell Culture Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Powder*, Totarol, Santalum Austrocaledonicum (Sandalwood) Wood Oil,
Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Leaf Oil, Cananga Odorata (Ylang
Ylang) Flower Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil*, Aniba
Rosaeodora (Rosewood) Wood Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle)
Flower Extract, Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Alcohol,
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium
Hydroxide, Carbomer, Phenylethyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Phenyl
t-Butylnitrone (Spin Trap), Caprylyl Glycol, Alcohol Denat., Trisodium
Ethylenediamine Disuccinate *Certified Organic Ingredient

BECCA Shimmering skin perfector
I’ve been seeing this product everywhere, magazines, youtube videos, shop newsletters etc., therefore I had to give it a closer look. It’s touted as one of the best highlighters, but there are quite a few outstanding ones in the green beauty department. BECCA’s skin perfector is loaded with talc and silicones. Some talc contain asbestos, a potentially harmful substance. Unless they specify it’s asbestos-free, it’s preferable to avoid it.
Price:$38
Ingredients: Talc, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Petrolatum, Silica, Boron Nitride,
Nylon-12, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Isostearyl Alcohol,
Cera Microcristallina/ Microcrystalline Wax/Cire microcrystalline,
Dimethicone, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyethylene
Terephthalate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate,
Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tin Oxide, Sorbitan Sesquioleate,
Paraffin, Magnesium Stearate, Polyethylene, Tetrasodium EDTA, Potassium
Sorbate, Chlorphenesin, Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides
(CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

The alternatives: KJAER WEIS Radiance highlighter and LAVERA soft glowing highlighter
Kjaer Weis highlighter is the definition of luxe, it imparts a chic, sophisticated glow. It has a soft lavender hue which is very flattering and natural-looking. The product blends really well, with a dewy finish. It’s talc-free, mineral oil free, with certfied organic ingredients. Lavera is the affordable option. And it performs extremely well too. It’s a cream to powder formula, with a pearlescent glow.
Price: (KW) €49 – Lavera: € 4,99
Ingredients KW: Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet
Almond) Seed Oil•, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil•, Zea Mays (Corn)
Starch•, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax•, Cera Alba•, Simmondsia
Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil•, Rosa Rubiginosa Seed Oil•, Polyglyceryl-3
Diisostearate, Silica, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Tocopheryl Acetate,
Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract•, Dextrin, Tin Oxide, Gardenia Florida
Fruit Extract, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491 (Iron Oxide), CI
7499 (Iron Oxide) • organically grown
Ingredients Lavera: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed
Oil*, Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Dodecane, Bismuth
Oxychloride (CI 77163), Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*,
Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Argania Spinosa
Kernel Oil*, Silica, Lecithin, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*,
Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*,Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*,
Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract*, Tocopherol, Iron Oxide (CI 77491),
Vegetable Oil (Olus Oil), Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Hydrogenated
Lecithin, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract*,
Tilia Cordata Flower Extract*, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower
Extract*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate,
Alcohol*, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Limonene**, Benzyl Salicylate**,
Linalool**, Geraniol**, Citral**, Citronellol**, Benzyl Alcohol**,
Benzyl Benzoate**. * Ingredients from certified organic agriculture. ** Natural essential oils.

Clarins Instant Light lip comfort oil
Oils have now become a strong marketing argument in the beauty world, but it’s not strictly synonymous with quality. While the product does contain jojoba, hazelnut and sunflower oils, it’s not entirely made of oils. The main concern though remains the Parfum/Fragrance (as mentioned above), it’s a catchall for hidden chemicals, and since they don’t disclose its origins, who knows what’s in it. 
Price: $24
Ingredients: Polyglyceryl-2 ISO-Sterate/Dimer Dilinoleate COP-Lymer, Dilinoleic Acid/Propanediol Copolymer, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil (JoJoba), Corylus Avellana Seed Oil (Hazel), Prunus Insititia Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Vanillin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ammonium Glycyrrhizate, Capsicum Annuum Fruit Extract6, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil (Sun Flower), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract

The alternative: Yüli cellular lip conditioner
Part of my beauty arsenal since I wear a lot of lipsticks which tend to dry out my lips a bit. Yüli’s product is entirely made of oils and botanical ingredients, organic and wildcrafted. It has a delicate herbal scent. It soothes and quickly restores dry lips, working as an intensive treatment. There’s barely no price difference between Yüli and Clarins, but Yüli’s quality is superior.
Price: $26
Ingredients: R.communis (Castor) oil*, S.chinensis (Jojoba)oil*, P. americana (Avocado) oil*, R. rubiginosa (Rosehip) seed oil*,C. sativa (Camelina) oil*, Supercritical Extract Blend (P. granatum (Pomegranate) seed*, R. rubiginosa (Rosehip) seed*, H.rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) seed and berry*, V.planifolia (Vanilla)* and H.spicatum (Ginger Lily)^^), Tocopherol (Vitamin E) Non-GMO. * Organic ^^ Wildcrafted

Two Faced La Crème Color Drenched Lip Cream
Compared to other lip products, it’s definitely not the worse. Two Faced La Crème lip cream contains a heavy amount of emollients, to provide intense moisture. Most of these emollients are rated 1 on Ewg, so they are technically considered safe. However, they remain synthetic and certain ingredients should be used with caution such as Citral, which has been associated with allergies and contact dermatitis when synthetically manufactured. It also has a score of 7 on EWG skindeep which is really high.
Price: $22
Ingredients: Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Sterols, Vegetable Oil (Olus/Huile Végétale), Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diisostearyl Malate, Polyethylene, C12-15 Alkyl Lactate, Isostearyl Hydroxystearate, Triisostearyl Citrate, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax (Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla), Isostearyl Isostearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Flavor (Aroma), Limonene, Benzyl Benzoate, Citral, Linalool, Geraniol, Hydrogenated Polycyclopentadiene, Nelumbo Nucifera Flower Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Tribehenin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Phenoxyethanol, Mica. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140).

The alternative: Jane Iredale PureMoist Lipstick
Creamy,
hydrating with a wide range of colors, Jane Iredale PureMoist lipsticks
seem to be most fitting alternatives, both performance- and
packaging-wise. They contain a a great amount of nourishing oils to keep
lips moisturized. The first ingredient is an emollient, which is also found on Two Faced La Crème lip creams. It is often used in lip glosses and lipsticks as a conditioner and gloss additive. So far, no studies linked Triisostearyl Citrate to any negative side effects. Triisostearyl Citrate can be vegetable-derived, and it’s also found in Bite Beauty’s lipsticks (here).
Price: $25
Ingredients: Triisostearyl Citrate, Olus Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Cera, Jojoba Esters, Moringa Oil/Hydrogenated Moringa Oil Esters, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Coffea Arabica (Coffee) Seed Extract, Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol. May Contain*: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850)(Aka 202), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850)(Aka201), Red 27 Lake (CI 454102).

What do you think of these picks? Have you tried them?
Take care,

Liz

*Disclaimer: This post is solely based on my opinion and researches. I have personally not tried the non-green versions, and I’m not claiming that the green alternatives would be identical, I can speak for them, because I have tried a lot 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 some people are looking to gradually switch to more gentle and greener alternatives.