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Though another summer is winding down, we don’t want to lose our sun-kissed skin just yet. On the days we want to add some subtle sheen, we like to add a bit of organic highlighter to our routine. Unlike some highlighters that include synthetic sparkles and glitter, organic highlighters aim for a softer, more sustainable shimmer.
We’ve found five clean highlighters below that help you glow inside and out—made specifically with non-toxic, natural, and organic ingredients that support healthy skin. Whether you prefer swiping a stick over your cheeks or dabbling some on your eyelids, there are sustainable options here, so you can rock that radiant, dewy look all year long.
1. ILIA
Organic & Natural Ingredients | Marine actives, mastic, hydrolyzed algae, rice starch
Why We Love It | Serum highlighter with skincare benefits
Price | $42 for 0.5 oz.
For shimmer, shine, and a hefty dose of skincare, we recommend ILIA’s Liquid Light Highlighter. It’s a gel-based serum highlighter that comes with both short- and long-term benefits. Dabbing on just a few drops will give you a soft gold shine and, as it sinks in, the active ingredients like mastic and algae will get to work firming and smoothing out your skin. (It even helps protect against UV light and pollution!) Plus, it’s vegan and packed with organic and cruelty-free ingredients. Instead of buying multiple products to address your skin goals, get this clean all-in-one for a truly radiant glow now and later.
2. Kosas
Organic & Natural Ingredients | Vitamin D, glutathione, jojoba ester, fruit oils, algae extracts
Why We Love It | Inclusive skin tones
Price | $38 for 1 oz.
Kosas knows that what might work as a highlighter on fair skin may not work for darker tones; that’s why its Glow I.V. comes in ten different shades. Safe for sensitive skin and hypoallergenic, a few drops of this highlighter will give you that luminescent, champagne-like finish—even when mixed with foundation. If you’re interested in using Glow I.V. for more than highlighting, you can grab your true match color for an all-over pearly sheen or a shade darker as bronzer. And, thanks to the vitamin D and algae extracts, you’ll also see hydrated and healthier skin over time. It’s another vitamin-infused product that offers a double dose of benefits.
3. Mango People
Organic & Natural Ingredients | Olive oil, mango seed butter, sesame seed oil, ashwagandha oil, fruits & vegetables (cherry, carrots, radishes, apple, etc.)
Why We Love It | Multi-use highlighter stick
Price | $27 for 0.14 oz.
As the name implies, Mango People is all about using natural, plant-based ingredients for its makeup line—including fruits like cherries, black currants, apples, and more. Inspired by ayurvedic principles, these formulas include adaptogens, too, like ashwagandha and brahmi for added skin support. Their best-selling highlighter comes in three finishes, from a translucent natural shine to a subtle rosy dew to a golden glow. We love this one for a few reasons: It’s easy to apply without getting your fingers too dirty, it can be used along your cheeks, eyelids, and reviewers rave about how light and breathable it feels.
4. RMS
Organic & Natural Ingredients | Vitamin E, castor seed, sunflower seed, & organic coconut oils, rosemary leaf extract
Why We Love It | Subtle champagne shine
Price | $40 for .17 oz
Sometimes a highlighter can feel a bit too obvious, but not with RMS’s Luminizer. Available in four shades—peach, amethyst rose, champagne-rosé, and living—these beauties are crafted to be ultra-sheer and subtle for the most natural look. While this product does include a bit of beeswax so it’s not vegan, it is non-GMO, soy- and gluten-free, and cruelty-free (and sent in recyclable packaging). Plus, the formulas are packed with clean skincare ingredients like anti-inflammatory castor seed oil and moisturizing organic coconut oil. Over time, that glow really will come from within.
5. Lux Unfiltered
Organic & Natural Ingredients | Olive oil, mango seed butter
Why We Love It | Easy blush/highlighter combo
Price | $32 for 1 oz.
For our low-maintenance makeup lovers (because, same), check out Lux Unfiltered’s N°18 Illuminating Beauty Balm. While there are three beautiful shades here—Salty, Sunset, and Tropics—we highly recommend the Sunset shade if you’re interested in getting both a blush and highlighter two-in-one. (Salty has more of a sheer glossy look, and Tropics is more of a bronzer!) One effortless swipe against your cheek bones, and you’ll enjoy a shimmery, sun-kissed look. Free from gluten, parabens, sulfates, and more, we appreciate this cruelty-free, vegan, and non-toxic highlighter for our quick morning routines.
Featured image is from RMS
