You’ve seen the “pride collections” by all your favorite –and least favorite– brands, but what the mainstream is missing are the collections from queer owned beauty brands. This way you can celebrate diversity any time of the year by purchasing from them –not only in June!
We should note that last year there were 20 companies on our list. What happened, you may ask? We’ve raised our standards! Just having the latest drag queen at the helm doesn’t cut it. And, being No Kill Mag, cruelty-free and conscious of using the best ingredients is also a given.
However, this year we also started looking closer at packaging. We don’t have to tell you how impossible it is to recycle the tubes, compacts and cases that house most beauty products. And sidenote: it seems crazy to create Cruelty Free Beauty and then put no thought into how the packaging is destroying the habitat of those same animals that we love.
We know packaging is a continuous progress and perfection isn’t here yet. But we’ve eliminated any brand from our old roundup that isn’t aware and talking about where they are on their journey to better packaging. So read on, be inspired and be beautiful!
All products featured on No Kill Mag are independently selected by our writers or editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Non Gender Specific
Okay, TBH the name felt almost too on point. So we had to Google and confirm that this brand is indeed owned by a queer person. (it is – Andrew Glass) Glass started it because, as someone in the beauty industry, he grew frustrated by how unnecessarily gendered everything was.
At the heart of Non Gender Specific is a commitment to harnessing the power of nature. Each product is carefully formulated with a blend of plant-based ingredients, ensuring that your skin receives the nourishment it deserves. All packaging is super conscious too.
@nongenderspecificofficial
Alder NY
Brooklyn born, Alder NY is a queer and woman owned brand making high quality, gender neutral skincare. Their ingredients follow the standards of the Environmental Working Group and promise no chemicals harmful to your skin or the planet.
Since launching, the brand has been celebrated for its streamlined approach to skincare. Alder New York combines science-backed ingredients with time-tested plant extracts to create a synergistic range of personal care products that leave skin clear, healthy, and balanced. Whether you’re looking for a face mask or serum, a texturizing hair product or a facial roller, Alder NY is for you. @alder_new_york
Good Light
Good Light is working towards pushing beauty past the binary. Their products are formulated to be clean, vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainably produced. “This means adhering to the EU’s standards of clean (1300 banned ingredients), being kind to our animal neighbors, only sourcing sustainable ingredients, being mindful of our packaging, and taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint wherever possible.”
“We are focused on moving culture forward by promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty through product and purpose. We strive to reflect the diversity and fluidity of the world we live in today, advocating for change. We believe all are deserving to step into their light and be celebrated for their authenticity.”
Good Light is also Bi-POC owned and gives a percentage of sales to True Colors United, “an organization that implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Ole henrikson
Founded by queer, Danish dermatologist Ole Henriksen, his eponymous brand has been rocking beauty since 1975 and by 1983 was famous for his Ole Glow!
The entire line is free from more than 1,400+ ingredients banned in the EU, including parabens, phthalates, sulfates (SLS & SLES) and talc, and products also contain less than 1% synthetic fragrance.
They are also:
– Using FSC-certified recyclable secondary cartons
– Not using acetate windows & limiting out use of foil
– Removing unnecessary or excess packaging from products
– Transitioning packaging to recyclable glass jars
– Incorporating bio-resin & post-consumer recycled materials into our packaging
@olehenriksen
NOTO Botanics
This gender neutral skincare and cosmetics brand is made “to sustainably need less but have it all in a movement towards radical self care.” Owner Gloria Noto started this brand in their kitchen, and the brand stays true to these roots by making everything in small batches.
“I became excited to use all of the skills I had learned over the years to create a line that celebrated the identities I felt I wasn’t seeing in the clean beauty industry at the time,” Noto said. “Queer bodies, non-binary bodies, trans bodies and more BIPOC bodies. I wanted to hear their stories and celebrate their lives.”
NOTO even offers a refill station at their flagship store in LA, but all bottles are made of glass and post consumer recyclable plastics, so their products are clean inside and out. They give back, too – a percentage of all sales from their Agender oil goes to organizations supporting the lgbtq+ community, Black Lives Matter, the planet and more. @noto_botanics
Common Heir
Common Heir was started by Angela Urbias, who is the brand’s lesbian co-founder alongside Cary Lin, both women of color. Their mission prioritizes sustainability in creating clean, plastic-free skin care. Their products are also cruelty-free and biodegradable.
They’re also members of 1% for the Planet and partner with Ocean Blue Project to donate $1 from every email signup, equivalent to removing one pound of micro-plastics from the ocean.
BIOGLITZ
We LOVE glitter. But we hate the toll it takes on the planet – traditional glitter is made of plastic and takes thousands of years to break down. Enter Bioglitz.
Founders Rebecca Richards and Saba Gray met in 2015 and have spent the past nine years developing an impressive glitter collection based completely out of eucalyptus tree pulp fibers.
Bioglitz offers us sparkles in all shapes and colors, so we can ‘shine responsibly’ this pride month – and all year round! @bioglitz
Malin + Goetz
Co-Founders Matthew Malin & Andrew Goetz opened their first apothecary in NYC back in 2004. Since then, the duo has treated us to nearly two decades of luxurious and uncomplicated skincare – always using natural ingredients. Deemed the “first couple” of grooming by GQ magazine, MALIN + GOETZ continue to surprise us with goodies for face, body, hair, and even a line of scented candles!
“our formulas are mindfully designed using ingredients derived from sustainable sources while we also aim to eliminate any unnecessary packaging. we were born in new york, so partnerships with local, family-oriented businesses in + around the city have always been important to us. even now, with our expanding global presence, most of our products are still manufactured within a 90-mile radius of new york city to help limit our carbon footprint.”
@malinandgoetz
Sappho
Founder JoAnn Fowler first learned about the importance of organic makeup ingredients back in 2007, when she was working as head makeup artist on TV’s The L Word. Disturbed by the common use of toxic chemicals in our products, she launched SAPPHO, a safe beauty alternative to this ugly practice. The product lineup counts foundations, concealers, luminizers, lip glosses, and eyeshadows – all clean and green!
Created to meet the performance standards of industry professionals, SAPPHO celebrates inclusive beauty staples and merges artistry with sustainability—proving that organic makeup is truly an upgrade.
They are also very conscious about packaging and transparent about the process and progress of making it better.
Volition Beauty
Founders Brandy Hoffman and Patricia Santos launched Volition in 2016 with an inspiring and inclusive idea: fans submit their own product ideas for review, and the winning concept is introduced to the brand’s lineup!
Volition is cruelty free, vegan, and eco-conscious. “All our shipper boxes contain PCR recycled materials. All our shippers & cartons are 100% recyclable and printed with vegetable inks. We’re moving to only FSC certified paper for all our cartons, and we’re increasing the recyclability of our labels, lids & caps to improve the recyclability of all of our glass and plastic components.”
Products they offer go from exfoliators, masks, mists moisturizers and way more.
Check it out!
JVN Hair
JVN Hair is a sustainable haircare line started by the man with the amazing tresses, Jonathan Von Ness. The brand strives for inclusivity, self-care and environmental change in the beauty industry. All products are clean, vegan and cruelty-free.
Their boxes use only FSC-certified paper (from responsibly managed forests) and recyclable materials. Their bottles are aluminum or glass so recyclable as well.
Honorable Mention: Haus Labs by Lady Gaga
Okay, we said this list was going to be queer owned only. We make an exception for this phenomenal ally. Not only is this makeup gorgeous, clean and cruelty-free, but Haus Labs is very transparent about their packaging and strive to use sustainable packaging materials – like glass, aluminum, cellulose and PCR resin – that are planet safe and reduce climate impact. All of their secondary cartons are 100% recyclable and compostable, made from FSC certified paper sourced from sustainably harvested forests.
And every purchase supports the Born This Way Foundation, focused on the mental health of young people and working with them to build a kinder and braver world.
GLASSY BLUSH
BALM STICK
–Katya Moorman
You might also like
6 Queer Activists We Love – And You Should Too!
Why You Want All Natural Ingredients in Your Beauty Regime
Product swap: 5 Cruelty Free Beauty Products to Shop Instead of Influencer Favorites
How to Recognize Greenwashing in the Beauty Industry
22 Size Inclusive Eco-Friendly Brands We Love
