Non-Toxic Foundation that Works So Well
Ironically, the more beauty products the market offers, the harder it is to find the right ones – wouldn’t you agree? It is particularly true if you want a non-toxic facial cream foundation with a safe ingredient list that would make your skin look radiant instead of dull and blemished. I know that from my personal experience. Indeed, before I found this toxic-free foundation that works so well, I’d looked at the ingredients of dozens of liquid foundations by “clean beauty” brands. They include Mineral Fusion, Ecco Bella, Vapour Beauty, Juice Beauty, Ilia, Bare Minerals, 100% Pure, Toups & Co Organics, IL Makiage, and the list goes on. The main problems I would always encounter were a lack of transparency on behalf of the manufacturer and/or the presence of concerning ingredients in the product.
That is why I am so excited to present to you this non-toxic foundation with skin-loving ingredients. When I first contacted the company, I was amazed at how transparent they were about both their ingredients and their manufacturing practices. I studied every ingredient of this liquid foundation and can assure you that it is one of the safest among organic natural foundations on the market. Moreover, this high-performing liquid foundation provides the perfect balance between a satin and semi-matte finish, giving a flawless complexion to any skin type, including sensitive skin. Its buildable coverage formula allows you to achieve the best result for you – from light coverage to medium to full. In addition, it layers perfectly over your sun protection products, is vegan, and is certified cruelty-free. So, let me tell you more about Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation and why I like it so much.
Non-Toxic Foundation That Works Well
To begin with, this is what I like about Crunchi liquid foundation the most:
- its liquid vs powdered consistency
- high-purity mineral pigments not sourced from China
- eco-friendly packaging
- easy application and high performance
- non-toxic and skin-loving ingredients.
Let’s talk about each of these points.
Liquid Vs Powdered Facial Foundation
In my opinion, liquid foundation is better for me for several reasons. First, my skin is on the drier side and has some fine wrinkles. Hence, pressed or loose powders do not work well for me anymore because they enhance my skin flaws rather than mask them.
Second, I believe liquid foundation is safer because it does not become airborne. Conversely, if your powdered foundation becomes airborne, there is a risk of inhaling various ingredients. Even if the foundation is not-toxic, it still does not belong in your lungs. This is the reason I recommend avoiding using aerosol products or powdered makeup with titanium dioxide. Indeed, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies airborne titanium dioxide nanoparticles as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” through inhalation (source).
However, in liquid foundations, as well as in sun protection lotions, titanium dioxide is safe to use because it does not become airborne and inhaled. (For help with finding the right sunscreen for your family, turn to my Guide to the Safest Baby Sunscreen.)
Mineral Pigments In Crunchi Foundation
For starters, typically, makeup companies use either mineral or petroleum-based pigments.
I do not recommend makeup products made with petroleum-based pigments (aka “dyes” or “colorants”). In addition to heavy metal residues, they may contain carcinogenic and endocrine-disrupting byproducts of petroleum (source). Plus, some dyes are linked to carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and hypersensitivity (source). Although the FDA sets what it considers to be acceptable limits for contaminants per each colorant, they are not perfect. Indeed, when doing so, the FDA takes into account input from the cosmetic industry, too. Consequently, the FDA’s standards for the limits for contaminants often differ from those recommended by entities not involved in cosmetics production.
While mineral pigments are safer (because they do not contain petroleum contaminants), they may contain residues of heavy metals, too (because they come from the earth’s crust). That is why I prefer to buy beauty products intended to cover large areas of my skin from companies that have consistently demonstrated their trustworthiness. In other words, it matters to me how the company discloses their ingredients, promotes their products, and answers my questions.
Some “clean beauty” brands, such as 100 Percent Pure, claim to be using fruit-based or vegetable-based pigments instead of petroleum-based or mineral pigments. But I am very skeptical of them for several reasons.
First, the FDA does not approve these pigments for use in cosmetics. It means that there are no safety specifications. Second, there is no independent safety data on fruit pigments, and we don’t know specific ingredients used in such pigments. Third, because our planet is polluted, the plants used for pigments may contain trace amounts of heavy metals that they absorb from the soil, water, and air (source). As a result, heavy metals may become rather concentrated in pigments that are made only from plants. By the way, 100 Percent Pure started disclosing that some of their makeup products include mineral pigments along with plant colorants.
The Importance Of Third-Party Test Reports
A handful of companies test their products by independent third parties to make sure they are safe. Of these, an even smaller number of companies test their products regularly – the rest test only once or twice. Very few companies are willing to publicly share their test results.
So, how important is it for customers if a company posts (or fails to post) their third-party test reports on their website?
Well, I used to be adamant about asking companies for third-party test reports. I did it with Beautycounter, too, when they claimed to be testing every batch of their products. For more than two years, I kept requesting their actual test reports until they finally posted them on their website, albeit just for seven products.
However, I have come to realize that disclosure of third-party test reports on a website for everyone to see is not that beneficial for either the company or the customers. Let me explain.
For starters, interpreting and comprehending independent party test reports requires some factual knowledge of the cosmetic industry at large. For instance, when it comes to heavy metals, the fact of the matter is they are everywhere around us: in the soil, in the air, in the water, in our food, and in us ourselves. Therefore, expecting that makeup mineral pigments will have no residues of heavy metals whatsoever makes no sense.
If you don’t take this fact into consideration, you will be spooked by even minuscule amounts of heavy metals shown on test reports. As a result, your mind may trick you into buying from a company that doesn’t publish any test reports, presenting it as “no tests – no worries” whereas this may not necessarily be true. Thus, the company that was transparent about their heavy metal residues will lose their customer even though the residues may be way below the strictest limits. And the company that doesn’t post their test reports (and may not even have them in the first place) will acquire a customer. It’s a paradox.
Another reason I believe it’s not beneficial for companies to publish their independent test reports is lack of integrity in the blogging world. Some bloggers just seek out sensational information that can bring traffic to their sites. For this, they take information out of context and present it in a manner unfavorable for the company.
Ultimately, in my opinion, if the company uses high-purity and high-quality pigments not sourced from China and owns proper documentation from their suppliers, they can even spare themselves the effort to test every single batch of their products.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
Most so-called organic natural foundations are packaged in plastic. I know it is not easy to avoid plastic altogether. However, I try to forgo plastic in areas where I can. You can find out why in my post about plastic water bottles.
So, you can imagine why I am so excited that Crunchi cream foundation is packaged in a recyclable glass bottle with a 100% BPA-free and phthalate-free pump. Also, it is hand-wrapped in eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable educational wrap paper. In addition, all Crunchi shipping boxes and packing paper are made with 100% recycled and recyclable material.
To me, that sounds great. What about you?
Easy Application And High Performance
First of all, if you cannot use facial skin foundation because your skin is dry and flaky, consider using my tips for a skin care routine for dry skin.
As for Crunchi’s vegan, cruelty-free certified, non-toxic foundation, it comes in 11 shades. They range from “fair complexion with neutral undertones” to “deep complexion with warm neutral undertones.” If you find yourself between shades, you can mix them to achieve your desired match. You can also email me your picture with no makeup on taken in the daylight, and I will help you figure out your shade.
Finish-wise, this high-performing foundation has the perfect balance between a satin and semi-matte finish. I like the fact that it has a buildable coverage, meaning you can layer it on to achieve the best look for your skin type – from light coverage to medium or full coverage.
To start, pump one-half to a full pump of the Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation on the back of your hand. With a brush, such as Crunchi No. 1 Flat Top Brush, stipple the foundation onto your face. Then, with gentle buffing motions, blend the foundation seamlessly to perfection. If you feel like you need more coverage, layer it on!
For additional skin smoothness, consider applying Crunchi Smart Primer first, especially if your skin is on the dryer side with some fine wrinkles. The primer fills in the wrinkles and hydrates the skin. It is light, and it will probably work well for oily skin, too. (Use the ADVOCATE10 code for 10% off on your 1st order.)
Keep reading if you would like to know how I incorporate this liquid facial foundation in my morning skincare routine!
Non-Toxic And Skin-Loving Ingredients
As of June 2024, the ingredient list for Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation is as follows:
Water, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Coconut Alkanes, Propanediol, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Silica, Diheptyl Succinate, Tri(Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Tremella Fuciformis (Mushroom) Extract, Tocopherol, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Chloride, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Jojoba Esters, Gluconolactone, Calcium Gluconate, Sodium Phytate, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Citric Acid, Xanthan Gum, Dimethicone, Alcohol, Beta-Sitosterol**, Squalene**, May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499)
*Certified Organic Ingredients
**Incidental Ingredients (part of another ingredient used in the product, but present in such small amounts that they do not contribute to the function of the final product)
Now, let’s talk about each ingredient of this safe foundation. By the way, some of you will be pleased to know that Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation is EWG-verified.
Water
The first ingredient is water. On the one hand, water is obviously innocuous. But on the other hand, the presence of water means that the product needs preservatives to protect the product from mold and bacteria contamination. (Learn more in my post called WaterWipes Baby Wipes: You Need to Know This!)
The problem is that many preservatives are often associated with allergy, sensitization, or even endocrine disruption. But the good news is that there is a limited number of potentially toxic preservatives about which you need to know. Therefore, with a list of potentially harmful preservatives in your hand, you can spot them in a product and avoid over 95% of the concerning products. In other words, if you find one concerning ingredient, you don’t have to study other ingredients in the product. This is what I call my “Savvy Consumer Superpower,” and you can learn how to master it here.
Read on to see what non-toxic preservatives are used in this vegan liquid foundation!
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
This medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) is used in supplemental nutrition as well as in foods, drugs, and cosmetics. It has been well studied and has no toxic health effects (source). Additionally, it is a great skin moisturizer that helps spread the non-toxic foundation easily, evenly, and smoothly. Because it has so many benefits, I recommend looking for it in products. It is not known to cause any skin irritation, unless, of course, you are allergic to coconut oil. If you think that you are allergic to coconut because you are allergic to coconut derivatives, you might be surprised to learn that people are typically allergic to contaminants in coconut derivatives, not to the coconut itself. You can read more about this in my post Is Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine Safe?.
Coconut Alkanes
Manufacturers derive this natural ingredient by reduction and hydrogenation of coconut oil fatty acids. Nevertheless, some people on the Internet claim that it is comedogenic. In reality, this is an unproven claim that can be disregarded. What truly matters is the overall combination of ingredients in the final formula and how the ingredients interact with your skin.
Thus, I have been using this safe foundation for a while now and have not had any comedogenicity issues. The good news is that you will know right away whether you experience comedogenicity. Therefore, I recommend relying on your first-hand experience as opposed to unreliable Internet comedogenicity scales. (If anything occurs, know that Crunchi has a generous return policy.)
Propanediol
Propanediol refers to 1,3-propanediol, not propylene glycol which is 1,2-propanediol. Unlike propylene glycol, propanediol is not in the American Contact Dermatitis Society Core Allergen Series. Neither does there seem to be any significant link with irritation or allergic contact dermatitis. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) report, scientists found it serving as an irritant only in concentrations as high as 75%.
Glycerin
This naturally occurring compound is found in all animal and human skin and blood. Based on available safety data, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reports that glycerin is safe in concentrations as high as 79% in leave-on products and 99% in rinse-off products. There are animal, plant, and synthetic sources of glycerin. Crunchi uses glycerin derived from palm oil certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). (RSPO is a non-profit organization that develops and implements global standards for producing and sourcing sustainable palm oil.) As I mentioned above, all the Crunchi non-toxic foundation ingredients are vegan, and the product is certified cruelty-free.
Further, glycerin serves a very important function in the Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation. Namely, it helps to balance the skin’s natural oils and restore hydration as well as leaves the skin feeling smoother and calmer.
You can learn more about this ingredient in my post Glycerin in Toothpaste.
Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer
Unlike most other natural ingredients, the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Panel has not assessed capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer for safety. On the plus side, there are no reported allergic reactions to it. In addition, it is approved by COSMOS, meaning that it is truly natural and safe to use in organic natural foundations and skincare products. Besides, it is biodegradable and certified by the USDA BioPreferred® Program (source).
Sorbitan Sesquioleate
When it comes to sorbitan sesquioleate, test results are quite encouraging. Even when scientists patch tested undiluted sorbitan sesquioleate on 50 people twice for 72 hours, neither the first nor the second test produced irritation or sensitization in the subjects (source).
Silica
Like glycerin, silica, aka sand or silicon dioxide, is natural. To clarify, it is a part of the earth’s crust and is used in food as an anti-caking agent. Although silica has no known adverse health effects, it has concerns if its dust is airborne and inhaled, which is not the case here.
Diheptyl Succinate
Moving on to diheptyl succinate, an Australian agency assessed it and reported no acute toxicity in animal studies, nor any skin irritation or allergy concerns. Also, it found this ingredient non-mutagenic and non-genotoxic. Just like diheptyl succinate, it is biodegradable and certified by the USDA BioPreferred® Program (source).
Tri(Polyglyceryl-3/Lauryl) Hydrogenated Trilinoleate
To begin, I have not found any safety information on tri(polyglyceryl-3/lauryl) hydrogenated trilinoleate. However, I am not very concerned about it because it is naturally derived, and its components are non-concerning and biodegradable. To clarify, trilinolein is a triester of glycerin and linoleic acid. Additionally, polyglyceryl-3/lauryl is made of lauryl alcohol and glycerin. Lauryl alcohol naturally occurs in apples and coriander (source). Thus, the WHO approves lauryl alcohol as a food additive without any health concerns. Plus, I have not found any reports of irritation or allergic reaction.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Coco-caprylate/caprate is a mixture of esters of coconut alcohol with caprylic acid and capric acid, which do not have any health concerns. Also, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) database reports no hazards.
Gluconolactone And Calcium Gluconate
The FDA approves both gluconolactone and calcium gluconate as direct food additives. These ingredients are neither skin nor eye irritants, nor are they skin sensitizers. Mutagenicity and reproductive and developmental toxicity data are negative (source). Crunchi uses them as preservatives in the Tremella mushroom extract.
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
Next, triethoxycaprylylsilane in this non-toxic foundation is a silicone-based ingredient. According to the US CIR report, scientists found it to be non-genotoxic, non-mutagenic, and mostly non-irritating. Only when a 100% concentration of triethoxycaprylylsilane was applied to the skin of animals did it cause irritation. The good news is that triethoxycaprylylsilane is used in microscopic amounts to disperse iron oxides for the great performance of the foundation. Importantly, Crunchi discloses this ingredient in the name of full transparency. Not many companies do that.
The key point to understand about triethoxycaprylylsilane is that it is not a cyclic silicone. On the Internet, some people link the harmful health effects associated with cyclic silicones to non-cyclic silicones. Consistent with my opinion, the EWG Skin Deep Database rates triethoxycaprylylsilane at 1 and allows it in EWG-verified products, including Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation. On the other hand, the EWG does not allow cyclic silicones, such as commonly used cyclopentasiloxane, in EWG-verified products and rates it at 3. To learn more about cyclic silicones, visit my blog post about cyclopentasiloxane and its relatives.
Dimethicone
Similarly to triethoxycaprylylsilane, dimethicone is not a cyclic silicone and is used in microscopic amounts to disperse iron oxide for flawless performance. Furthermore, there is no link between dimethicone and endocrine disruption or cancer. Previously, the EWG rated dimethicone at 1-3, but they recently downgraded it to 2-4 without adding any new concerns. As a result, products containing dimethicone without EWG verification do not appear favorably in the EWG Skin Deep database, motivating companies to pay for EWG verification. To clarify, the EWG allows dimethicone in EWG-verified products, including this Crunchi toxin-free foundation. For more information about this ingredient, please read my blog post on dimethicone.
Sodium Phytate
This is one of the preservatives in Crunchi’s safe facial foundation. Clinical studies show that a skincare product with 0.49% sodium phytate tested on 22 subjects caused no irritation. In addition, scientists classified a product containing 50% sodium phytate as a “minimal irritant” to a “non-irritant.” Furthermore, a product containing 1% sodium phytate did not produce skin sensitization in a test involving 25 people. Finally, in vitro tests showed no sensitization potential.
Interestingly, there is a study reported by CIR showing that sodium phytate reduces tumors that the EWG doesn’t cite. Specifically, sodium phytate (0.1% or 1% in drinking water) was administered to groups of 20, 30, or 50 male rats for 44 weeks after azoxymethane injection and was found to be antineoplastic (reduction in tumor prevalence, frequency, and size) for large intestinal cancer in a dose-dependent manner.
Potassium Sorbate
This is a food-grade preservative. To clarify, I am not saying that it is safe to eat food with preservatives. But to me, it is an indication that it is a safer preservative than a non-food grade preservative. According to this CIR report, it was practically non-irritating to rabbits’ eyes at concentrations up to 10%. In addition, animal studies found it non-carcinogenic. Mutagenic tests on bacteria were mixed. And products containing up to 0.5% potassium sorbate were not sensitizing. Please note that while the scientists used rabbits in its study, Crunchi does not perform any animal testing for its products.
Sodium Benzoate
Just like potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate is also a food-grade preservative. Because it is used in food, it has been well-studied and has received more scrutiny from scientists and the public. While the potential harms and benefits of consuming higher doses of this ingredient with food are debatable, I prefer to avoid sodium benzoate in food and supplements. However, the potential side effects associated with consuming it in food do not apply to its topical use in small amounts.
The concentration of sodium benzoate in this Crunchi non-toxic foundation is less than 1%. I consider it one of the safest preservatives out there. It’s commonly used in natural, organic, and clean topical products. And if you wonder if sodium benzoate becomes harmful when it interacts with citric acid, the short answer is no. You can learn more in my post about the Sodium Benzoate & Citric Acid Myth.
In sum, I consider these three preservatives – sodium phytate, potassium sorbate, and sodium benzoate – to be some of the safer preservatives and a reasonable choice for this safe foundation, especially considering the alternatives (such as phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, methylchloroisothiazolinone, and benzisothiazolinone).
Again, visit here to learn more about how to avoid the worst preservatives and other potentially toxic ingredients. Gain a superpower to know in a few seconds if a product is potentially harmful!
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a very common cosmetic pigment, used to make products appear non-transparent, and a UV filter in sunscreens. In liquid makeup, such as Crunchi non-toxic foundation, as well as in sun protection lotions, titanium dioxide is safe to use because it does not become airborne and inhaled.
Only airborne nanoparticles of titanium dioxide measuring 10 micrometers or more are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists titanium dioxide as a “possible human carcinogen” based on sufficient evidence of lung cancer in rats that inhaled airborne particles of titanium dioxide in big quantities. Thus, California recommends, when using loose powdered or aerosol products with titanium dioxide, applying them carefully to minimize the amount that gets into the air.
Iron Oxides
The iron oxides in this safe foundation are CI 77499, CI 77491, and CI 77492. Crunchi uses expensive, high-purity iron oxides, not manufactured in China. This substantially reduces the risk of heavy metal contamination above European and Canadian regulations. Besides, Crunchi continues to test every batch to be 100% sure that they are way below the limits. To learn more about the allowable limits, visit my blog post about heavy metals in makeup.
Sunflower Seed Oil
Despite controversy on the Internet around sunflower seed oil, it is very beneficial for the skin. In fact, because it is a potent antioxidant due to its high vitamin E content, it provides a fresh, revitalized complexion, lessens the appearance of redness, and helps to hydrate the skin.
Plus, it is one of the certified organic ingredients in this non-toxic foundation. It means that its derivation process did not involve potentially harmful solvents such as hexane.
As for sunflower seed oil in food, small amounts of organic sunflower oil in your diet is very much okay because it provides you with omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (source). Just be careful with the ratio of omega-6/omega-3. When it gets skewed for omega-6, there might be health issues (source and source). Also, frying with seed oils, including sunflower oil, may not be a good idea (source). Hence, I primarily use avocado oil for cooking purposes.
Aloe Leaf Juice
A potent antioxidant due to vitamin E and vitamin C, aloe vera can protect and strengthen the skin’s barrier. Aloe vera’s compounds can help prevent wrinkles from deepening and forming in the future. It hydrates and plumps your skin, leaving it feeling smoother, and calms sensitive skin.
Shea Butter
Popular in beauty products, shea butter contains antioxidants such as vitamins A and E which can protect skin cells from premature aging. They can also promote skin cell regeneration and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Shea butter is non-comedogenic, so it penetrates the skin without clogging the pores. Its high fat content helps lock in moisture and keep the skin hydrated.
Tremella Mushroom Extract
Known scientifically as tremella fuciformis, this mushroom extract provides powerful antioxidant activity to help promote beautiful, soft, and radiant skin. Tremella mushrooms contain polysaccharides that have water-retaining properties similar to those of hyaluronic acid, which can help keep skin hydrated. When applied topically, the compounds in tremella can form a layer on the skin’s surface to lock in moisture. Moreover, tremella mushrooms can help support the body’s natural collagen production, which can increase skin elasticity and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vanilla Fruit Extract
The numerous benefits of vanilla fruit extract include soothing, hydrating, anti-bacterial, and anti-aging properties. Also, vanilla’s catechins, aka polyphenols, have antioxidant properties that protect the skin from environmental toxins and pollutants. Plus, it contains vitamin B that can help brighten dull skin.
Rosemary Leaf Extract
One of the benefits of rosemary is its antioxidant properties that can help protect the skin from free radicals. The latter can damage the skin cells’ DNA and lead to fine lines and skin laxity. Rosemary can also reinforce blood capillaries, which can help reduce the signs of aging. Additionally, rosemary contains rosmarinic acid that can help boost collagen and improve skin elasticity. Also, rosemary can help tighten loose or sagging skin, making it look firmer and more youthful. Holistic medical providers call rosemary the “super herb” and highly recommend using it in cooking regularly.
Other Ingredients In Crunchi Safe Foundation
Xanthan gum, sodium chloride (salt), alcohol, and citric acid are all food-grade ingredients. Hence, I do not have any concerns with them in skincare products.
Hydrogenated castor oil is a derivative of castor oil.
Jojoba esters are jojoba oil derivatives. The oil and its derivative jojoba esters are more similar to sebum than to any traditional vegetable oils (source).
Tocopherol is a great antioxidant. It functions as a food additive as well as a supplement, so I do not see a problem with it. Besides, it is non-GMO and is wholly extracted from sunflower seeds.
Summary: Why Crunchi Liquid Foundation Is My Favorite
Lightweight And Vegan Crunchi Safe Foundation Provides Light To Full Coverage With Satin To Semi-Matte Finish And Spreads Easily, Evenly, And Smoothly.
To sum up, I discovered Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation (ADVOCATE10 for 10% off on your 1st order) after I’d studied the ingredients of so many other “clean beauty” brands, including Beautycounter, Mineral Fusion, Juice Beauty, 100% Pure, Toups & Co Organics, and IL Makiage, all of which fell short of my strict standards.
What I like about Crunchi liquid foundation the most is as follows:
- its liquid vs powdered consistency
- mineral pigments not sourced in China
- eco-friendly packaging
- easy application and high performance
- non-toxic and skin-loving ingredients
- it is vegan and certified cruelty-free.
This foundation comes in 11 shades. I use shade 2.5 which is light medium with neutral overtones. To achieve light coverage, I pump three little drops of foundation on my flat top brush, dot them all over my face, and then blend them in with the brush. Sometimes, I use a little bit of Crunchi non-toxic highlighter when I am in the mood for a dewy effect. The foundation stays on the whole day. However, if I find myself in a hot and humid environment, I make sure to use this Translucent Finishing Powder.
If you would like to know how I incorporate this foundation into my morning non-toxic anti-aging beauty routine, these are the steps I take:
- Crunchi Gentle Facial Bar
- Crunchi Facial Exfoliator (2-3 times a week)
- Crunchi Clarilight® Facial Essence
- Crunchi I AM Bright™ Vitamin C Serum
- Crunchi Powerlight® Eye Cream
- Crunchi Daylight Advanced Facial Cream
- Crunchi Sunlight® Daily Facial Sunscreen
- Crunchi Beautifully Flawless Foundation.
To learn about non-toxic makeup I use, please visit my shop. Also, browse the I Read Labels For You blog for other smart and useful information on products and ingredients. Download my e-books and get help with healthy living.
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Why is Crunchi not EWG verified? The foundation and primer are rated as number 3. Day cream as number 2. All these products are rated High risk under immunotoxicity and allergies. Crunchi sunscreen is not even on EWG. Please advice. Thanks
Hi, V: EWG and I Read Labels For You have often different opinions. And a lot of EWG Verified products do not pass my safety standards. You can read more about the latest discussion on the EWG ratings of Crunchi products here: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/crunchi-non-toxic-makeup-review/ And more about my standards here: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/start-here/ Thanks. ~Irina
Hi Irain. What about Illa beauty products?
Hi, Kulwinder: Ilia Beauty foundation looks good. The ingredients are comparable to Crunchi. However, they said that source their mineral pigments from around the world, which means that there is no quarantee that some of them are from China. Does it help? ~Irina
Hi Irina, I am very thankful to you for helping us find safe and healthy beauty products.
I live in India and am not getting the crunchi products here at any global store such as amazon and nykaa.Perhaps this is available only at its own website…can you suggest some other brands that are as safe as crunchi and available for us.I was searching for a healthy foundation and I found physicians formula but before I could order it I saw your review on it but your suggestion for crunchi really made me glad but unfortunately its not available here,so please help
Hi, Aisha: I can give you my feedback on the products that are available in your area for a fee. Check out this page: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/ingredient-review/ Let me know if you’re interested. Thanks. ~Irina
Hi Irina, I just recently found your website and love all the reviews you do so we can buy clean skincare and makeup products. However, I live in Canada and most of these things are not readily available to us here. Could you do a review of some Canadian products too? There are new ones all the time popping up. An older one is Pure Anada. A newer one is Elate Cosmetics. You have looked at Ilia but again it seems it is not a good one. And there are some U.S. products hitting our shelves more and more – like Mineral Fusion (but I don’t think you think that’s a very good company), and Emani (have you looked at it) and more I’m sure. When you mention something good I look around for it but often can’t find it here and some don’t even ship to Canada. Also, I wonder if you would consider mentioning in your reviews if products have a scent or smell to them. I can use only unscented products.
Hi, Marlene: thank you for letting me know. I think you would benefit from joining my paid membership site called Savvy Consumer Circle. There are Canadian members there. One of the benefits of the membership is that you get to submit unlimited product review requests. Please email me if you are interested in learning more. Thanks. ~Irina
Hi! I was so excited about Crunchi and went to their website and they are only for white women!! I find that so incredibly sad! 🙁
Naima: there is one shade that is dark. I know it is not enough. They are a small company and had to start with something. They are working on adding more products and more shades including foundation. Stay tuned. ~Irina
Why did you decide not to use Vapour Beauty? Although I see they just recently changed a lot – not sure if that’s good or bad. Also, I was buying 100% Pure but I stopped because of their trickery with using Japanese Honeysuckle and the 4 out of the 5 crushed crystals in their lip-gloss are toxic if ingested. I read a book about crystals and was shocked – I had 4 colors of the lip-gloss and thought it was safe. Another problem with them is a friend experienced a reaction to their shampoo and conditioner – she’s not sure which.
Hi, Gina: I have to revisit my notes about Vapour Beauty. I remember I really wanted them to be safe because they had a highlighter that I liked. So I am sure there was a really good reason. Luckily, Crunchi has a highlighter now. Please know that I offer consultations in which we can go over the safety of products. ~Irina
HI! Yes it is pretty bad I agree with the racoon eyes. I think I heard it from Paula Begoun (she was in the beauty industry for years then left and wrote books one titled “Don’t Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me”) but it could be from an article I read over the years. I believe she has researchers test various products on the market to tell you if they do what they claim and reviews ingredients to tell you what they actually do to the skin for example how some of the anti wrinkle products end up irritating your skin so it swells so that’s how it “removes fine lines” etc. She has her own line Paula’s Choice. I don’t read her stuff or buy her products anymore as I rely on you and EWG for non toxic products. She’s not really into non toxic or wasn’t last I checked. Speaking of moisturizer I’ve been using Herbal Choice Mari Natural SPF 30 tinted Face & Body Lotion as it was rated well on EWG and I think it is starting to be a bit too oily bc it makes my bangs greasy. Do you have any alternatives you recommend? I like that it’s tinted so on hot days or lazy days I don’t need foundation and I”m not ghostly white. I’m already pasty a.k.a have porcelain skin so I don’t need help in that department haha!
Thank you, Teresa! I am in a process of updating my face sunscreen guide and your information is very helpful. I know what you mean about Paula. I read information from multiple sources and then figure where the truth lies. 🙂 Stay tuned. ~Irina
PS NOT a fan of the Rejuva mascara . Doesn’t seem to do a whole lot for making them look voluminous; just makes my lashes darker and doesn’t apply super well. As I’ve aged I’ve lot my lush lashes!
I have tried Rejuva mascara, too, and it was pretty bad. It was shedding all over my face: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/annual-search-best-safe-mascara/ I am now very happy that I found Crunchi. Do you remember where you heard about the last layer dominating the final SPF? I will keep researching this topic. What I hear from the manufacturers of sunscreens is to apply an SPF moisturizer first, wait for it to dry, and then apply the foundation. I will be updating my face sunscreen guide with new additions soon. ~Irina
Yes after i read this I saw your post on Rejuva!
HI! Thanks for the info I knew you’d have an answer as always! I was using Physicians’s formula mascara but after your post about them I won’t. Currently I am using something given to me by EWG for donating. It’s Rejuva minerals (mica free and titanium dioxide free makeup) Is it bad to have mica?
PS yes i now see that the foundation you recommend does not contain sunscreen. I wear sunscreen in my face moisturizer every day as I believe it’s imperative to protect against sun damage. I’ve heard that the last thing you put on your face is what your sun protection is; for example, if you put on lotion with 45 then foundation with 15 your SPF protection is 15. I hope I’m still getting sun protection by using a foundation or BB cream without sunscreen. Do you know? I’d really like to try this product it sound amazing, but it might be out of my price range (as is everything I buy hahaha) Non-toxic always = expensive.
Hi Irina,
Again, thank you for another great article – I am learning so much from your research so thank you for everything you do for us readers! What is your opinion on makeup with ultramarines and iron oxides? I’m trying to overhaul my makeup but it seems I either can’t find a good makeup line that gives me results I want, and the ones that do, have bad ingredients. I’ve spent too much money buying and trying new products then realizing they’re terrible or after reading your posts, they’re toxic. (Crunchi does not ship to Canada or else I’d buy it now). Not sure if you’ve researched Jane Iredale Pressed Base or Sweet Leilani cover foundation, but that’s what I currently just purchased. Sometimes I feel like I just can’t win!
Hi, Amanda: ultramarines, iron oxides, mica, and titanium dioxide are typical mineral pigments. While they still may contain trace amounts of heavy metals, they at least lack contaminants associated with petroleum in FD&C colorants. So they are better than FD&C colorants and that is what I recommend on my website. I like Crunchi because their mineral pigments are EcoCert certified and not made in China, which is very important to reduce the risks of potentially higher levels of heavy metal contamination. I have been contacting a lot of makeup companies including Jane Iredale and so far I found Crunchi the most transparent with their answers to me. Let me know what you think. ~Irina
Just curious have you tried Au Naturale’s foundation or any of the top rated EWG approved ones like mineral fusion’s liquid or Omiana liquid? Thanks!
Hi, Teresa: It is so good to hear from! I hope you are doing well! I have looked at Mineral Fusion before choosing Crunchi but decided against Mineral Fusion because they use phenoxyethanol, which is a member of the glycol ether family and is the product of the reaction of highly corrosive phenol with carcinogenic ethylene oxide. As a result, it may contain residue amounts of both. The American Society of Contact Dermatitis lists phenoxyethanol as one of its core allergens, even in concentrations as low as 1%. It is often used in cosmeceuticals as they require potent preservatives. Omiana has an option to opt-out of phenoxyethanol in mascara, which is nice. I personally avoid phenoxyethanol because I think I got sensitized to it in mascara I was using. I sent Omiana an email to learn how they manage risks of possible heavy metal contamination. It is such a tall order to find a makeup brand that works, has EcoCert pigments not made in China, does not contain phenoxyethanol and many other possible irritants, allergens, endocrine disruptor, etc What line are using now? ~Irina
Sorry for the delay. I was using up some old Valenti Organics BB cream, but I just got my sample from Crunchi and have settled on a shade so I’m getting mascara, primer, foundation, and brushes. I also use Au Natural highlighter, lipstick, and Omiana eye shadow b/c i love the trio sets and not many organic/natural companies sell it. Omiana has a good rating on EWG, but i wondered if you had heard back from them about heavy metals. I’d like to re-order their eye shadow (plums and purples). As always THANK YOU!!!
Thank you so much, Teresa! I should follow up with Omiana when I have a moment. In the meantime, you might want to ask her what country her pigments come from. Thanks. ~Irina
Omiana does not use phenoxyethanol in their foundation. I’ve been using it for a while now and it’s really good.
Thank you for letting us know, Jessica. Too bad the owner of Omiana for some strange reason does not respond to my emails. ~Irina
I wish they would use zinc oxide as opposed to titanium dioxide -according to EWG zinc has better UVA protection
Definitely, I recommend zinc oxide in sunscreens over titanium dioxide: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/practical-face-sunscreen-guide/ Crunchi foundation is not a sunscreen though or any other foundation without SPF. ~Irina
Do you have a foundation with sunscreen that you recommend? If not what sunscreen do you use?
Hi, Stacey: I like Hanna Organics sunscreen: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/practical-face-sunscreen-guide/ ~Irina
I really like the foundation from Adorn cosmetics. Not only is it non-toxic but it’s also vegan, cruelty free and has no palm oil. I have mature, dry skin with rosacea and lots of melasma. This foundation disappears into my skin but covers everything up and even makes my skin look fresh and dewy 🙂