Somewhere in mid-August, mascara makes it onto the back-to-school list. Maybe it is a first purchase, maybe an annual restock. Either way, many parents find themselves looking for an ingredient-level answer to what goes into products their teen uses on their face every day.
EWG's Skin Deep database provides one. It rates tens of thousands of personal care products on a 1–10 hazard scale based on ingredient data, and its EWG VERIFIED® program applies the strictest designation to brands that submit for full ingredient review and meet EWG's standards. Every product in this guide carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark.
NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with the Environmental Working Group. We cite their public database because it is the most detailed ingredient-hazard resource available to consumers. We do not conduct our own ingredient assessments. All EWG ratings referenced in this guide are sourced from ewg.org. EWG updates its Skin Deep database on a rolling basis as new ingredient and toxicity data becomes available. To verify any product rating, or to check a product not covered in this guide, search by product name at ewg.org/skindeep.
What EWG Skin Deep Ratings Mean (and Why They Matter for Teen Makeup)
EWG Skin Deep rates personal care products 1–10, with 1 representing the lowest-hazard rating and 10 the highest. The score is based on an ingredient-by-ingredient review: EWG researchers evaluate each component in a formula and flag concerns based on available toxicity data, regulatory classifications, and ingredient safety research. The overall product score reflects those individual ingredient ratings.
The EWG VERIFIED® mark is a separate, stricter designation. It is a formal program. Brands must apply to EWG directly, disclose all ingredients including fragrance components, avoid everything on EWG's Unacceptable ingredient list, and pass EWG's label accuracy and manufacturing review. A product can score well on Skin Deep without being EWG VERIFIED®. All 8 products in this guide carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark.
If you want to look up any product not in this guide, search ewg.org/skindeep. For a full breakdown of how the VERIFIED program works, see our guide to what EWG VERIFIED® means.
Best Non-Toxic Tinted Lip Balm for Teens (EWG Skin Deep Rated)
Tinted lip balm is the lowest-commitment entry in the starter kit: a hint of color, a moisturizing base, and no multi-step application. The EWG VERIFIED® tinted lip balm category is relatively small; Honest Beauty has two shades that clear that bar.
Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm, Fruit Punch
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$9.99
A sheer berry-pink shade with a moisturizing base. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group, meaning this formula meets EWG's full ingredient review requirements: complete ingredient disclosure, no Unacceptable-list ingredients, and EWG's manufacturing review. At approximately $9.99, it is the most affordable pick in this guide.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm, Dragon Fruit
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$9.99
A warm coral-pink in the same EWG VERIFIED® formula as the Fruit Punch shade. The two provide enough range for different preferences without significant additional cost. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
For the full lip care category, see our complete EWG lip balm guide.
Best Non-Toxic Mascara for Teens (EWG VERIFIED® Picks)
Mascara is the most-used makeup item in most routines, applied near the eyes every day. Both options here carry EWG VERIFIED® status.
Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$19.99
A dual-ended tube: lash primer on one end, mascara on the other. The primer step (containing jojoba and castor oil) is applied first; the mascara coat follows for length and definition. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group. At $19.99, it covers two steps in one product. Noted by the brand as suitable for contact lens wearers.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
ATTITUDE Oceanly Mascara + Serum, Black
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$23.70
A serum-infused mascara in plastic-free cardboard packaging. The formula combines conditioning serum with pigment, defining lashes while delivering conditioners. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group. At approximately $23.70, it sits slightly above the $20 range but offers a distinct formula from the Honest Beauty pick; its plastic-free packaging is a draw for eco-conscious shoppers.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
For a full review of EWG-rated mascaras across price points, see our non-toxic mascara guide.
Best EWG-Rated Concealer for Teens
Concealer is used to even skin tone and reduce the appearance of under-eye circles. Both picks here carry EWG VERIFIED® status and come in multiple shades. EWG VERIFIED® concealers generally sit in the $23–27 range, slightly higher than lip balm or brow gel.
Well People Bio Correct Concealer, 3N
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$23.00
A buildable full-coverage liquid concealer available in 20+ shades. Well People holds more EWG VERIFIED® color cosmetics products than any other brand in EWG's database, and this concealer is part of that lineup. The 3N shade is a light-neutral; browse the full shade range on Amazon to find your match, since other shades have separate product listings. Formula includes pomegranate, olive, and sunflower seed oil. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
ATTITUDE Oceanly Light Coverage Under Eye Concealer Stick, Cream
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$27 (confirm before purchase)
A stick-format concealer with light coverage and a creamy, blendable texture; no brush required. Available in 6 shades: Cream, Dune, Nude, Caramel, Moka, and Espresso. Blend with a fingertip after application. 99.9% natural-origin ingredients. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
For teens who prefer fuller coverage across the face, see our non-toxic foundation guide: EWG's top-rated picks.
Best Non-Toxic Blush for Teens (EWG VERIFIED®)
The ATTITUDE Oceanly Cheeks Blush is a cream-stick format. Apply with a fingertip, no brush kit needed. It carries EWG VERIFIED® status.
ATTITUDE Oceanly Cheeks Blush, Happy Berry
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$28–30 (confirm before purchase)
A cream blush stick in a warm berry shade. The blendable texture makes it more forgiving for first-time users than pressed powder blush. Plastic-free cardboard packaging. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
Best EWG-Rated Brow Gel for Teens
The Well People Expressionist Brow Gel covers fair to medium brows. It carries EWG VERIFIED® status.
Well People Expressionist Brow Gel, Blonde
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED® | Price: ~$16.95
A light tinted brow gel for fair to medium brows. Fills and shapes without looking drawn on. Plant-based creamy wax formula. Also available in Brown, Dark Brown, and Black for darker brows. EWG VERIFIED® by the Environmental Working Group.
Buy on Amazon → | View EWG rating ↗
Building the Non-Toxic Back-to-School Makeup Starter Kit (Suggested Budget: $40 to $60)
A three-item core kit (lip balm, mascara, and blush) from this list comes in at approximately $59–60, at the upper end of the $40–60 range:
- Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm (~$10)
- Honest Beauty Extreme Length Mascara + Lash Primer (~$20)
- ATTITUDE Oceanly Cheeks Blush (~$29–30)
Add concealer and brow gel to round out all five categories. With the Well People Bio Correct Concealer (~$23) and Well People Expressionist Brow Gel (~$17), the complete five-product kit totals approximately $99–100. EWG VERIFIED® color cosmetics generally price in the mid-range versus conventional alternatives, reflecting the brand's investment in EWG's ingredient review and full disclosure process.
For a lighter alternative to full concealer coverage, a tinted moisturizer can serve a similar role; see our EWG-rated tinted moisturizer guide. To complete the look, our EWG-rated nail polish guide covers that category.
Frequently Asked Questions: Non-Toxic Makeup for Teens
What does EWG Skin Deep rate as "safe" for teens?
EWG does not use the term "safe" in its ratings. EWG Skin Deep rates products 1–10 based on ingredient hazard data; 1 is the lowest-hazard rating, 10 is the highest. The EWG VERIFIED® mark requires brands to meet EWG's full ingredient standards, including avoiding EWG's Unacceptable ingredient list and passing EWG's review process. Neither designation is a health guarantee; they reflect EWG's own assessment criteria, not regulatory approval or clinical testing.
Is Well People makeup EWG VERIFIED® for teens?
Well People holds more EWG VERIFIED® color cosmetics products than any other brand in EWG's database. Several Well People products appear in this guide: the Bio Correct Concealer and the Expressionist Brow Gel. The full EWG VERIFIED® Well People lineup is browsable directly at ewg.org.
Is EWG VERIFIED® the same as non-toxic?
"Non-toxic" is an unregulated marketing term; any brand can use it. EWG VERIFIED® is a specific program with published, transparent criteria: brands must apply, disclose all ingredients, avoid EWG's flagged ingredient list, and pass EWG's review. A product can carry a "non-toxic" label without meeting EWG's criteria. When you see EWG VERIFIED®, the standards behind that designation are documented at ewg.org/ewg-verified.
What makeup should I buy my 12-year-old?
Tinted lip balm is the most natural starting point for younger teens: a hint of color, simple application, and a low price point. The Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm (~$10) is EWG VERIFIED® and a low-commitment entry. Mascara is often the next step as teens build their routine. Concealer, blush, and brow gel tend to come later. The starter kit structure in this guide is designed to work as a starting point or as a complete set.
Do I need to buy all five products at once?
No. Each category is a standalone purchase. The lip balm at under $10 works on its own. Lip balm and mascara together (~$30) cover the two items most teens use daily. Add more as the routine develops.
Putting It All Together
All 8 products in this guide carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark, EWG's strictest ingredient designation for personal care, requiring full ingredient disclosure and EWG's independent review. For a non-toxic face care routine to pair with this makeup guide, see our EWG-rated face wash guide. Browse the full NonToxicFinder catalog for more EWG VERIFIED® picks across personal care categories.
All EWG VERIFIED® statuses referenced in this article are sourced from EWG's public VERIFIED program database. NonToxicFinder does not conduct its own ingredient assessments. EWG ratings reflect EWG's own criteria and are not a guarantee of safety.
