Applying makeup is one of the most intimate and personal things many of us will do all day. Our skin is an organ that acts as a gatekeeper to prevent harmful pollutants and bacteria from reaching our more vulnerable insides. Similarly, our Earth’s “skin”–its soil, waterways, and organisms–serve to nourish, support, and protect us. Choosing what to put on our skin has implications for the health of our bodies and the Earth.

Several people-of-color-owned brands take the charge to protect life on Earth seriously by taking extra steps to ensure that their products are as safe as possible.

Jasmine Rose founded Laws of Nature Cosmetics in response to the news that her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer. After researching links between parabens, talc, mercury, and lead in beauty products and certain cancers, Ms. Rose was motivated to develop her own mineral foundation free of all such ingredients.

Plain Jane Beauty and its founder, makeup artist and Master’s-level educator Lake Louise, makes products that are free of silicones, parabens, phthalates, talc, carmine, synthetic fragrances, and other substances that have links to harmful effects to people and the environment. Her skin care brand, Lotus Moon, follows the same guidelines. You can even sign up for a monthly box of products from both companies.

Hi Wildflower‘s founder, novelist Tanwi Nandini Islam, insists upon ethically and sustainably sourced ingredients for her perfumes, candles, and beauty products. Hi Wildflower’s site is visually stunning and speaks to Ms. Islam’s delight in the beauty of our planet.

If using all-natural, sustainable, Earth-friendly products is important to you, please visit these companies and try their products. When you do, please be sure to visit Signal Boost and tell us how they worked for you!