Ingredient Transparency

TRANSPARENCY STATEMENT

This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a binding agreement between Formless Beauty (the "Company") and any customer or other party. The statements herein regarding ingredients, safety standards, and product formulations represent the Company's practices and commitments, but do not create any contractual obligations or warranties, express or implied.

 

Our Transparency Commitment

At Formless Beauty, we strive to create products that prioritize health, safety, and trust. From day one, our mission has been to create products that are as clean, safe, and responsible as possible—without sacrificing the artistry, performance, or shades that you love.

Transparency is at the heart of everything we do at Formless Beauty. We want you to know exactly what goes into our products, why certain ingredients are used, and how we ensure every formula meets the strictest standards in clean beauty.

Educating yourself about cosmetic ingredients is essential. Some ingredients, when used in safe, restricted amounts, are necessary to create makeup that performs well and remains safe for our consumers. A 100% natural formula can only truly be achieved if you make it yourself; however, such products typically have a very short shelf life and may pose safety risks due to bacteria or instability. In fact, going fully “natural” isn’t always the safest route, especially as a makeup brand selling products to customers. Once again, the cleanest option is to avoid makeup altogether—but for those who enjoy makeup, the goal is to choose products formulated as cleanly and transparently as possible. That is the standard our brand is committed to, and always will strive to be.

 

Our Approach to Clean Formulations:

  • Working with EWG Guidelines


We stive to conform with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) guidelines. The Environmental Working Group is a team of scientists, toxicologists, chemists, and public health experts, along with outside advisors and medical doctors. The EWG’s lists of “unacceptable ingredients” serve as important guidelines for our formulation process, and we endeavor not to formulate with those ingredients.

From day one, we have worked closely with EWG and their labs. Such process is incredibly detailed and requires 100’s of hours of work to review the applicable requirements and submit not just the list of our ingredients, but the explicit origin of each ingredient.  For example, not all aloe vera is created equal.  EWG requires aloe vera to be sourced from organic, non-toxic environments. 

 

  • Restricted Ingredient Monitoring


EWG also identifies over 900 pages of restricted ingredients that are only safe within certain limits. To comply with EWG requirements, our labs are required to adhere to such limits with precision. Our formulas are cross-checked through third-party testing to verify compliance with recommended thresholds. If we identify an ingredient that surpasses recommended safe levels, we take appropriate corrective action, which may include reformulation.

 

  • Third-Party Testing


Beyond self-monitoring, we rely on independent, third-party labs to test our formulas. This is designed to help verify that each product meets our clean standards and applicable safety requirements.

 

 Why Some Ingredients Are Necessary:

 Creating makeup is different from creating skincare products. To create makeup with various pigments, long-lasting wear, and a wide range of shades, certain preservatives, colorants, or stabilizers are sometimes required.

Without these, many shades you love simply wouldn’t exist.

  • However, when we use them in our makeup, these ingredients are kept within the safe, strict limits provided by EWG and regulatory boards.
  • We use them only when necessary—and always with your safety as our highest priority, meeting or exceeding all applicable safety standards.

 

Choice & Transparency for You:

 We know that every customer has unique comfort levels when it comes to ingredients.

 That’s why:

  • If you prefer 100% natural, you can choose from the products in our lineup that avoid these functional ingredients entirely.
  • For shades or formulas that require minimal use of dyes, preservatives, or stabilizers, we disclose their presence on our ingredient labels and formulate in accordance with EWG guidelines and applicable safety standards.

Transparency on the Use of Certain Ingredients/Preservatives:

Why We Sometimes Use Phenoxyethanol and Why EWG Allows it

  • Preservative necessity: Phenoxyethanol is one of the few preservatives that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) considers acceptable in cosmetics when used within recommended limits (typically ≤1% concentration).
  • Broad-spectrum protection: Phenoxyethanol prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and mold, which are serious risks in liquid and cream-based makeup products like mascara, as well as skincare.
  • It is the safer alternative: Many traditional preservatives (like parabens or formaldehyde releasers) have higher safety concerns. EWG's guidelines permit Phenoxyethanol because, at low concentrations, it is generally considered a lower-risk option compared to certain alternative preservatives.

Why It’s Important in Some Formless Beauty Products

  • Safety of the eyes: Mascara and eyeshadows are applied near the eyes, one of the most sensitive areas of the body. Without proper preservation, bacteria could potentially grow inside the product and transfer to the lashes and eye area, leading to infections, irritation, or even more serious complications.
  • Product stability: Phenoxyethanol helps maintain the integrity and shelf life of products like mascara, eyeshadows, and skincare, supporting formula stability throughout the product's intended lifespan.
  • Consumer trust: By including this EWG-accepted preservative, we aim to balance product safety and stability with clean beauty principles.

The Dangers of Not Including It

  • Microbial contamination: Without Phenoxyethanol or another effective preservative, some products may be more susceptible to microbial growth.
  • Short shelf life: A preservative-free product like mascara, eyeshadows, and skincare may have a significantly reduced shelf life.
  • Health risks: Using unpreserved mascara, eyeshadows or similar products may increase the risk of eye infections, conjunctivitis, corneal irritation, or allergic reactions.
  • Regulatory concerns: Selling a preservative-free water-based mascara and similar products may cause health issues related to contamination.

Our Precautionary Measures

  • EWG-aligned formulation: Formless Beauty formulates with Phenoxyethanol levels within the safe-use guidelines recommended by the EWG.
  • Water-resistant, not waterproof mascara:
  • Waterproof mascaras typically require stronger, riskier ingredients (like certain silicones, PFAS, or harsher film-formers) to lock product in place.

  • EWG does not recommend waterproof formulas, as they often involve less safe chemical profiles and require aggressive removers that can irritate skin and eyes.

  • By keeping our mascara water-resistant instead of waterproof, we maintain performance while protecting long-term eye and lash health.
  • Clean beauty transparency: We strive for transparency with every ingredien choice, ensuring our customers know that safety and health always come first.

 

 

 

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Why We Sometimes Use Seed Oils and Why EWG Allows It:

  • Natural emollient & skin conditioning: Seed oils provide lightweight hydration and prevent dryness, which is especially important in products like foundation, lip color, or cream-based formulas. This helps makeup glide on smoothly and wear comfortably.
  • Performance & stability: Oils like jojoba or sunflower mimic the skin’s natural lipids, creating balance and improving product texture. They also act as natural carriers for pigments, helping achieve an even application.
  • Cleaner alternative to silicones & mineral oils:
     Many mainstream beauty products rely on synthetic silicones or petroleum-derived oils for slip and spreadability. Seed oils allow us to avoid those, while staying within the EWG clean standards.
  • Skin barrier support:
     Unlike synthetic fillers, seed oils actually support the skin’s natural barrier, reducing irritation risk. This is especially important in clean beauty, where the goal is not only safety but overall skin health.

Why EWG Allows Seed Oils in Clean Makeup:

Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS): Many seed oils (like jojoba, sunflower, grape seed, or rose hip) are rated low-hazard on EWG’s Skin Deep database when they are cold-pressed, unrefined, and used in appropriate concentrations.

Jojoba oil-  The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has determined that this ingredient is safe as used up to 31%.

Sunflower oil-  The Cosmetic Ingredient Review has determined that this ingredient is safe as used up to 35%.

Grape seed - The Cosmetic Ingredient Review found this substance was safe as used at the reported concentrations of use.

Rose hip-  EWG does not allow this ingredient in powders or sprays because the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) has classified this substance as an asthmagen. 

Plant-based, not synthetic: EWG’s clean ingredient philosophy favors naturally derived, minimally processed plant oils over synthetic or petroleum-based alternatives. Seed oils align with that principle, provided they are not heavily refined with chemical solvents.

Rich in nutrients and antioxidants: Seed oils contain natural compounds such as vitamin E, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants—all considered beneficial and not flagged by EWG as harmful when used in cosmetic formulations.

The Dangers of Not Including Seed Oils:

  • Compromised performance: Without natural emollients, makeup can feel dry, cakey, or hard to blend.
  • Reliance on harsher synthetics: If seed oils aren’t used, formulators often must turn to non-EWG-preferred ingredients (like dimethicone, mineral oil, or PFAS-based slip agents) to achieve similar performance.
  • Less skin-friendly formulas: Seed oils bring natural antioxidants and soothing properties that synthetic substitutes lack, making products gentler for sensitive skin.

Our EWG-Aligned Precautions:

  • Selective sourcing: We only use seed oils that are rated 1–2 (low hazard) on the EWG Skin Deep database.
  • Non-waterproof formulations: Our makeup is water-resistant, not waterproof, which avoids the use of restricted ingredients while still providing lasting wear.
  • Transparency & education: We list our oils clearly on our website and labels, so customers understand that every oil serves a functional and safe purpose in the formula.

Our Commitment:

Formless Beauty includes seed oils because they are EWG-approved, plant-based alternatives to harsher synthetics. They support hydration, stability, and clean performance benefits without compromising safety. By carefully choosing oils that meet EWG’s strict standards, we strive to support both beauty and health.

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Why We Use Select Artificial Dyes And Why EWG Allows It:

At Formless Beauty, we’re committed to creating safe, high-performing products that align with EWG (Environmental Working Group) guidelines. One question we hear often is: Why do you use certain synthetic (artificial) dyes in your makeup?

Here’s why:

 Safer, Consistent, and Reliable

  • Predictable color: Artificial dyes are manufactured to be very pure, which means your product looks the same every time you buy it. 
  • Vibrant shades: Some colors simply aren’t possible with minerals or plant pigments alone. Certain shades are only achieved with artificial dyes, within the limitations of EWG guidelines, and those that surpass the limits will never be shades found in our brand. A perfect example of that is red lipstick. We refuse to create shades with ingredients that surpass EWG’s allowed concentration levels.  Our goal is to adhere to EWG restrictions and guidance, which help us give you some shades, without being able to create them all.
  • Better performance: Unlike many natural colorants, these dyes stay stable in light and heat, and support a longer shelf life and consistent wear.

Why EWG Allows it

  • Case-by-case review: EWG doesn’t ban all artificial dyes. Instead, it reviews each one individually and excludes only those with higher safety concerns.
  •  Regulated and tested: The dyes we use are FDA-approved for cosmetics and meet rigorous purity and safety standards. EWG recognizes that when used properly, certain artificial dyes present a low, acceptable level of risk.

We offer a variety of cosmetic products that all align with the EWG guidelines, for those who are looking for cleaner alternatives and love a good glam. *However, for those who are seeking to steer clear of ALL artificial dyes and all preservatives, it is highly recommended to choose only the products that meet your personal standards.*

Why Not Skip Them?

  • Very limited shade options:  With these stringent guidelines in place, our options remain very limited, but using these approved dyes allows us to offer some variety. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to create eyeshadows with any true color at all.
  • Stability issues: Natural-only formulas can fade, shift in color, or spoil quickly. As a beauty brand, we believe it would be irresponsible to sell makeup that lacks both longevity and performance, or to offer products that don’t deliver desired results.
  • Texture trade-offs: In lip glosses, eyeliners, and lipliners, natural pigments alone can feel heavy or gritty, while these limited dyes provide the smooth, lightweight finish you expect from a makeup brand you are willing to use.

We ONLY use these dyes when:

  • They are FDA-permitted and EWG-accepted.
  • They are used in the lowest effective amounts to achieve a safe, beautiful color.
  • Each batch is tested for purity, heavy metals, and stability.
  • We clearly label all colorants so you can make INFORMED choices.

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Why We Sometimes Use Titanium Dioxide and Why EWG Allows It

At Formless Beauty, every ingredient we choose has a purpose — safety, performance, or both. One ingredient we sometimes use is titanium dioxide (TiO₂), and here’s why:

What It Does

  • Even natural coverage: Titanium dioxide supports a smooth, even finish by giving makeup its coverage and opacity. Without it, products can look uneven or lack the brightness you expect.
  • Safer sun protection: In tinted moisturizers and SPF products, titanium dioxide acts as a mineral sunscreen filter, reflecting harmful UV rays. It’s one of the two mineral filters (along with zinc oxide) that both the FDA and EWG recognize as safer options compared to many chemical sunscreens.
  • Stability you can trust: Titanium dioxide helps makeup keep its color and performance over time, so your product stays reliable from the first use to the last.

Why EWG Allows it

  • Context matters: EWG does not ban titanium dioxide. Instead, it flags risks when it is in forms that could be inhaled — like loose powders or sprays- WHICH FORMLESS BEAUTY CURRENTLY DOES NOT OFFER. WE ARE ADAMANT ABOUT FORMULATING PRESSED POWDERS RATHER THAN LOOSE, TO AVOID IT BEING INHALED.
  • Safe formats: In creams, sticks, pressed powders, and SPF formulas, titanium dioxide is considered a low-risk, acceptable ingredient.
  • Aligned with clean beauty: By using coated, cosmetic-grade titanium dioxide and avoiding loose, inhalable forms, we meet both EWG expectations and global safety standards.

What Happens Without It

  • Less effective coverage: Without titanium dioxide, it’s harder to get the same smooth finish or color balance.
  • Formulation trade-offs: Substituting titanium dioxide often means heavier textures, less stability, or reduced shade options.

Our Commitment:

At Formless Beauty, we:

  • Use only cosmetic- and sunscreen-grade titanium dioxide in safe, non-inhalable formats.
  • We test for purity, stability, and safety.
  • We avoid loose powders or sprays where inhalation could be a concern.

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Why We Sometimes Use Iron Oxides and Why EWG Allows It

At Formless Beauty, every ingredient we use must pass two tests: it has to be safe, and it has to meet the strict standards of the Environmental Working Group (EWG). One of those ingredients is Iron oxides — a family of natural-looking pigments used in clean beauty for decades.

Why We Need Them

  • True-to-skin shades: Iron oxides give us the natural browns, beiges, and reds that make foundations, concealers, and even mascaras look like real skin tones. Without them, it’s almost impossible to offer an inclusive range of shades.
  • Safe, stable color: Unlike many plant-based or synthetic dyes, iron oxides don’t fade, bleed, or irritate. That means your makeup stays consistent and safe from the first use to the last.
  • Extra protection: In tinted products, iron oxides also help block visible “blue light,” which can worsen dark spots and pigmentation.

Why EWG Allows it

Some view the EWG as extremely strict. It doesn’t just say “yes” or “no” to ingredients — sometimes it allows certain ingredients, but only in specific areas of the face (or in specific concentrations). For example, some pigments may be cleared for use on the lips but not around the eyes, or vice versa. Such guidelines ensure that sensitive areas like your eyes are protected from ingredients that could irritate them.

Iron oxides, when cosmetic-grade and used properly, are considered low hazard and are approved by both the FDA and EWG for use in products meant for the face, lips, and eyes. That’s why you’ll find them in clean mascaras, blushes, bronzers, and skin tints.

What Happens Without Them

If we left out iron oxides, we’d face some big challenges:

  • Limited shade ranges (less inclusivity for different skin tones).
  • Colors that fade or shift after you apply them.
  • Loss of extra protection against visible light damage.

 

IN CONCLUSION, Iron oxides are one of the safest, most reliable ways to give makeup a natural-looking color and stability. The EWG’s strict guidelines even limit certain ingredients by where they can be used on the face — and we follow those rules carefully. By choosing Formless Beauty, you’re getting products that are designed to be safe, EWG-aligned, and perform beautifully.

Our Commitment

At Formless Beauty, We:

  • Use only cosmetic-grade, FDA-approved iron oxides.
  • Carefully verify that all ingredients are permitted in the specific product type (eye, lip, or face) in accordance with applicable FDA regulations and EWG guidelines.
  • Conduct batch testing for purity and safety in accordance with industry standards to minimize the risk of contaminants.

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Why We Sometimes Use Mica and Why EWG Allows It

What mica does in makeup (why it is sometimes necessary)

  • Shimmer & pearlescence: Mica flakes reflect and refract light to create glow, brilliance, and the pearly finish you see in highlighters, eyeshadows, and luminous foundations. This optical effect is difficult to reproduce with certain non-mineral substitutes. 
  • Soft-focus / blurring: Fine mica particles scatter light in a flattering way that reduces the look of fine lines and gives a skin-friendly “lit from within” finish. 
  • Color and finish control: Mica is used on its own or coated with pigments (e.g., titanium dioxide, iron oxides) to deliver subtle satins through intense metallics — while keeping texture smooth and spreadable. Suppliers and formulators rely on this predictable performance when building shade ranges.  We strive to remain within FDA regulations and the limitations of EWG guidelines, which is why we do not have heavy metallic and overly intense shades.

Why EWG Allows it

  • EWG’s approach is cautious and use-specific. EWG’s Skin Deep lists mica and evaluates it by how it’s used. For cosmetic-grade mica used in creams, pressed powders, and typical makeup formats, mica is treated as a low-hazard, allowable pigment. EWG flags ingredients when there’s a specific exposure concern, and with mica, the main consumer exposure issue is related to product form and impurities — not routine topical use. 
  • FDA permits mica in cosmetics (and allows use around eyes/lips when cosmetic-grade). The FDA lists mica as a color additive that is exempt from batch certification and permitted in cosmetics, and industry guidance confirms mica’s permitted use in eye and lip products when it meets purity specs. This regulatory framework supports the use of mica by many cosmetics manufacturers when appropriate purity standards are met.

Important safety and quality caveats (what EWG wants you to know)

  • Product form matters (inhalation & worker safety): Long-term inhalation of any mineral dust can be a respiratory hazard for workers in mining/processing. For consumers, properly formulated creams, sticks, and pressed powders (where particles are bound in the matrix) present minimal inhalation risk; loose, dusty products used as aerosols are where inhalation exposure becomes more relevant. EWG and other safety groups pay attention to how an ingredient is used, not only that it’s present in a product.
  • Impurities & heavy metals: Mica is a natural mineral and can carry trace impurities if not properly refined. That’s why reputable suppliers provide Certificates of Analysis (COAs) and why reputable brands perform heavy-metal and impurity testing (lead, arsenic, cadmium, etc.). Regulatory agencies require manufacturers to control contaminants to legally accepted limits, and EWG provides additional guidance on ingredient safety. 
  • Asbestos vs. talc — a quick clarification: Recent consumer attention has focused on asbestos contamination in talc products. Mica is not the same as talc; asbestos contamination issues have historically been linked to talc mining rather than mica. Industry best practices include rigorous supplier testing and Certificates of Analysis (COAs) to minimize the risk of unwanted contaminants. 

Ethical & Environmental Considerations 

  • Child labor and supply-chain risk: A major non-toxic safety issue with mica is social — some mica mining regions (notably parts of India and Madagascar) have documented child labor and unsafe working conditions. Responsible sourcing programs (e.g., the Responsible Mica Initiative) exist to tackle these problems, and many conscientious brands require traceability and supplier audits. EWG-style transparency includes paying attention to these social and sourcing risks as well as chemical safety. 
  • Microplastic glitter trade-offs: The use of plastic glitter or other microplastics in place of mica potentially creates a different environmental harm — microplastics in waterways are recognized as persistent pollutants. Mica is a natural mineral (though not impact-free), and responsible sourcing plus proper formulation reduces the social and environmental downsides.

What goes wrong if you remove mica from a formula

  • Results may differ from customer expectations. The pearly glow, soft blur, and luminous highlights that mica provides are difficult to match with other ingredients without changing texture, opacity, or wear.
  • Alternatives may reduce product performance. Alternatives include heavy pigments (which can feel chalky or opaque), unstable plant-based shimmers (fade or shift), or synthetic glitters (microplastic pollution). Any of the foregoing may reduce product performance or introduce other safety/environmental concerns.

How Formless Beauty follows EWG-style guidance and best practices (WHAT WE ACTUALLY DO)

  • We use cosmetic-grade mica from qualified suppliers and require Certificates of Analysis (COAs) documenting heavy-metal and impurity testing results.
  • We pick the right formats: We formulate mica in bound formats such as creams, sticks, pressed powders, and gels, rather than loose powder or aerosol formats, as product form is an important safety consideration. 
  • We seek responsible-sourcing commitments: Where possible, we prioritize suppliers participating in or aligned with responsible-mica initiatives and request traceability documentation and audit information to reduce the risk of child labor and unsafe mining practices. 
  • We test finished products: Our quality control procedures include stability testing, batch heavy-metal screening, and routine quality control protocols to provide customers with safe, consistent products. Our operational controls are informed by regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

Our Promise on Clean Beauty & Transparency

At Formless Beauty, we believe in honesty and balance. Some ingredients — such as preservatives, mineral pigments, or stabilizers — are used to create makeup that is designed to be beautiful, high-performing, safe, clean, and long-lasting. Without appropriate preservation and stabilization, products may be more susceptible to spoilage, microbial growth, or performance issues.

That said, we never add anything lightly. We review ingredients against multiple safety frameworks, including FDA regulations and EWG guidelines. Our evaluation process involves consultation with qualified professionals with relevant scientific expertise to inform our ingredient selection and formulation decisions.

We strive to stay transparent with our community and to let you know what’s in our products and why it’s there. While we work hard to make our formulas as clean as possible, we also acknowledge a simple truth: if someone truly wants 100% natural with no compromises, the safest way is to either avoid cosmetics altogether or make their own at home.

Formless Beauty exists for those who love makeup but want it to be as clean, safe, and responsible as possible — with products designed to perform beautifully, while honoring transparency and trust.

 In Conclusion:

  • We strive for transparency.
  • We are committed to safety.
  • We strive to be as clean as possible, balancing artistry with responsibility.

At the end of the day, makeup is about self-expression—and our goal is to give you the power to choose the products that align with your values while knowing exactly what’s inside them.

Formless Beauty is for everyone who believes that beauty can be both clean and creative.