Make the Green Switch #8 : Alternatives for Benefit, Glamglow, NYX and the Balm

Another installment of Make The Green Switch, where I showcase the closest alternatives to popular beauty products. As always, suggestions and questions are welcome. I really enjoy going on the green hunt, and showcase the growing choice of organic and eco products.

The Balm Hot Mama blush/highlighter
If I’m not mistaken, Hot Mama is one of their most popular blushes, it has a pink-peach hue with a golden highlight, and works also on the eyelids and as a highlighter. I steer clear of Ptfe, which is a potentially harmful substance, linked to immune system toxicity and endocrine system disorders.
Price:$20
Ingredients:  Boron Nitride, Polyethylene, Isoeicosane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Polyisobutene, Ptfe, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain [+/-Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Carmine (Ci 75470), (Iron Oxide) Ci 77491)] Triglyceride, Silica, Polyisobutene, Ptfe, Synthetic Wax, Dimethicone, Sodium Dehydroacetate. May Contain / Peut Contenir [+/-Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Carmine (Ci 75470), (Iron Oxide) Ci 77491)]

The alternative: Lavera Urban Skies Mineral rouge blush powder duo ‘Columbine Pink’
I bought this one a whim, and it’s one of my best impulse purchases to date. It’s a stunning blush compact duo, with two pink shades: a soft pink and a peach-coral one. Both have a luminous effect and the peach one has a gorgeous golden sheen, very similar to the Hot Mama blush. I shared some swatches on my Instagram (here). You’ll also get to see a makeup look with this one for a special project 😉
Price: Eur. 8.99
Ingredients: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Magnesium Stearate, Silica, Tricaprylin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter*, Hippophae Rhamnoides Fruit Extract*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract*, Rosa Centifolia Flower Extract*, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract*, Malva Sylvestris (Mallow) Flower Extract*, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Camelina Sativa Seed Oil, Vegetable Oil (Olus Oil), Alcohol*, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Fragrance (Parfum)**, Limonene**, Geraniol**, Linalool**, Citronellol**, Citral**, Benzyl Benzoate**, [+/- Mica (CI 77019), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Carmine (CI 75470), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxide (CI 77491), Iron Oxide (CI 77492)]

NYX Highlight & Contour palette
The NYX palette features a range of different shades to create a more refined and matching contour for your face. In addition to be loaded with synthetics, it also has talc as its first ingredient. Talc can contain asbestos, a potentially harmful substance. Unless they specify it’s asbestos-free, it’s preferable to avoid it.
Price:$25
Ingredients: Talc, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, Lauroyl Lysine, Trimethylsiloxyphenyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate. MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Red 6 (CI 15850).

The alternative: Bellapierre Contour & Highlight Pro palette
Bellapierre is a mineral makeup brand that has a large and exciting variety of products and pigments. Yes, their contour does contain Dimethicone, but the amount of silicone used here is less significant than NYX. It depends on your personal “green” standards, some still allow Dimethicone, others won’t. The reason I feel like it’s a fitting option is because it is talc-free with a more simple formula. Since I try to find an alternative that is as close as the original product to replace, Bellapierre seemed like the best match right now. Also this mineral brand has plenty of lovely products that are silicone-free and eco.
Price: £27.98
Ingredients: Zinc Stearate, Zinc Oxide (CI 77947), Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Magnesium Stearate, Phenoxyethanol. May contain +/- [Carmine (CI 75470), Ultramarines (CI 77491), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Mica (CI 77019)].
Glam Glow Supermud clearing treatment
Glam Glow is prevalent in the mainstream beauty scene and you’ll find thousands of review of their products. The Supermud mask praises the benefits of Kaolin, which is great to draw out impurities. Glamglow is not cheap and there are more affordable options available. The use of Methylchloroisothiazolinone is rather problematic, because it is a strong irritant, a known allergen and according to the Campaign of Safe Cosmetics, linked to lung toxicity.
Price: $69
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Kaolin, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf, Mandelic Acid, Charcoal CI 77266, Parfum [Limonene, Linalool, Benzyl Benzoate], Glycolic Acid, Azelaic Acid, Lactic Acid, Pyruvic Acid, Salicylic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Maltodextrin, Iron Oxides CI 77491, Mentha Piperita Oil, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Glycerin, Chamoilla Recutita Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract, Hendera Helix Extract, Symphytum Officinale Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone.

The alternative: Artefact Skin glacial mud mask
A powerhouse. Whenever I feel my skin dull and congested, I resort to this deep cleansing treatment. It contains Kaolin just like the Glam Glow mask and comes in a cream form too. The combination of Glacial Marine Clay and Bentonite Clay absorbs oil and leaves the skin purified. It has the same properties as the Supermud clearing treatments and is more affordable as well. I’ll do a full review of it as well.
Price: CAD$ 52.
Ingredients: Aqua, Canadian Colloidal Clay (Glacial Marine), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Kaolin, Bentonite, Emulsifying Wax NF, Glycerin (Vegetable), Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Seed Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid, Ascophyllum Nodosum (Seaweed) Powder, Taraxacum Officinale (Dandelion) Extract, Fragaria Vesca (Strawberry) Fruit Extract, Mentha Arvensis (Peppermint) Bark Extract, Xanthan Gum, Parfum (made with essential oils).

Benefit The Porefessional face primer
A+ for the pun and packaging. I find Benefit’s quirky desing adorable, but the formula is not my cup of tea. According to their website, it’s the n°1 best-selling face primer in the US. It’s almost entirely made of silicone blends. Also, the term Parfum/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: $31
Ingredients: CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, DIMETHICONE, DIMETHICONE/VINYL DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ISONONYL ISONONANOATE, SILICA, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, ISODODECANE, PHENOXYETHANOL, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), CYCLOHEXASILOXANE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), MICA, IRON OXIDES (CI 77492), LIMONENE, IRON OXIDES (CI 77491), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, BHT. N° 04932/N

The alternative: Balance Me Instant Lift Pore Minimiser
As soon as Balance Me released this, I got very excited because this type of product is not easy to find in the green beauty range. Their Instant Lift Pore Minimiser has a double function: minimizing the appearance of large pores and plumping the skin for a smooth finish. It is silicone-free, contains many nourishing and soothing botanical extracts and Hyaluronic acid.
Price: £22
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Olus Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil³, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter³, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Acacia Senegal Gum, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Alcohol, Candelilla Cera, Hydrolyzed Rhizobian Gum, Acmella Oleracea Extract, Hydrolyzed Hyaluronic Acid, Rosa Canina (Rosehip) Fruit Oil, Aleurites Moluccana (Kukui) Seed Oil, Camellia Oleifera (Camellia) Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus (Cloudberry) Seed Extract, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract³, Rosa Centifolia (Rose Absolute) Flower Oil¹, Boswellia Carterii (Frankincense) Gum Oil¹, Pelargonium Graveolens (Rose Geranium) Flower Oil¹, Styrax Benzoin (Benzoin) Resin Extract¹, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil¹, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil¹, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil¹, Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile) Flower Oil¹, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Oil¹, Salvia Sclarea (Clary Sage) Flower Oil¹, Chondrus Crispus (Carrageenan), Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Maltodextrin, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Dehydroacetic Acid, Linalool², Geraniol², Limonene², Benzyl Benzoate², Citral², Citronellol², Benzyl Salicylate², Farnesol², Eugenol². (¹) natural pure essential oils, (²) naturally occurring in essential oils, (³) certified organic ingredient.

What do you think of these picks? Which products are trying to replace?

*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.