Is Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation Clean?

Tarte Cosmetics is a cruelty-free, vegan cosmetics company founded in 1999 by Maureen Kelly. Based in New York City, Tarte is known for creating natural makeup products infused with good-for-you ingredients like Amazonian clay.

One of Tarte’s most popular products is the Amazonian Clay Foundation, which launched in 2010. This full coverage, liquid foundation contains Amazonian clay from the Amazon River basin, which helps balance oily and dry skin. The foundation comes in a range of shades and finishes, providing lightweight, buildable coverage with a natural matte finish.

What is Amazonian Clay?

Amazonian clay is a type of clay sourced from deep within the Amazon River basin in South America. The indigenous people of the Amazon have used this clay for centuries to nourish and care for their skin.

According to Tarte Cosmetics, their Amazonian clay is gathered by hand from the banks of the Amazon River and undergoes a gentle refining process before being blended into their cosmetic formulas (Tarte Cosmetics). The clay is rich in essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, potassium, and sodium which help nourish and replenish skin.

The molecules in Amazonian clay are said to “grab” onto impurities and toxins on the skin’s surface to unclog and clarify pores. This helps improve the appearance of skin congestion and smooths the skin’s texture.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation Ingredients

The main ingredient in Tarte Amazonian Clay foundation is Amazonian clay. Amazonian clay is a type of clay from the Amazon region that is rich in nutrients like magnesium, vitamin E, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and sodium (1).

According to Tarte, Amazonian clay “nourishes and balances skin for better looking complexion.” The clay is said to “mineralize and draw out impurities from pores to moisturize skin.” Some key benefits of Amazonian clay include reducing oil and shine, minimizing the appearance of pores, and improving skin hydration and elasticity.

In addition to Amazonian clay, other key ingredients in Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation include:

• Isododecane: A synthetic emollient and solvent that gives the foundation a smooth texture.
• Dimethicone: A silicone that provides hydration and slip.
• Talc: Absorbs oil and cuts down on shine.
• Mica: Adds luminosity and evens out skin tone.

The foundation is fragrance-free and does not contain parabens, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, or gluten (2).

Overall, the ingredients are designed to deliver medium-to-full buildable coverage with a natural matte finish that lasts for 12 hours.

Sources:

(1) https://www.reddit.com/r/YouniquePresenterMS/comments/v38388/why_97_people_attended_this_3_day_makeup_course/

(2) https://tartecosmetics.com/en_US/makeup/face/foundation/amazonian-clay-12-hour-full-coverage-foundation-broad-spectrum-spf-15/846733006852.html

Is Tarte Amazonian Clay Non-Toxic?

When evaluating the safety of cosmetic products, it’s important to analyze the specific ingredients for potential toxicity. According to EWG’s Skin Deep database, Tarte Amazonian Clay foundations contain several ingredients that may be problematic for certain individuals:

Cyclopentasiloxane – this silicone can produce harmful byproducts when exposed to air and sunlight. It also has some potential for endocrine disruption and organ system toxicity, though the risks are low in cosmetic formulations (1).

Phenoxyethanol – an FDA approved preservative, but may cause skin and eye irritation in higher concentrations. Some consumers wish to avoid this ingredient (2).

Methylparaben – a controversial paraben preservative that may have weak estrogen-mimicking effects according to some studies. Many brands have removed parabens, though they are considered safe in low doses by most regulatory agencies (3).

Overall, Tarte Amazonian Clay foundations contain moderately concerning ingredients, but no ingredients considered highly toxic. The risks seem minor for most consumers, but those with sensitivities or seeking a 100% clean formula may wish to use an alternative product.

Is Tarte Cruelty-Free?

Yes, Tarte is certified cruelty-free by PETA. However, Tarte is not certified by Leaping Bunny, another major cruelty-free certification organization. According to PETA’s website, Tarte agreed to sign PETA’s statement of assurance that it does not conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for ingredients, formulations, or finished products. Tarte is also listed in PETA’s cruelty-free brand database as a company that does not test on animals.

While Tarte has PETA certification, the brand is not certified by Leaping Bunny. Leaping Bunny has stricter standards that require brands to audit suppliers and prove that no animal testing occurs at any stage of production. The lack of Leaping Bunny certification has raised some concerns from cruelty-free advocates.

Overall, Tarte does have an official cruelty-free policy and third-party certification from PETA. However, the brand’s failure to achieve Leaping Bunny status may be seen as a drawback for some ethical consumers.

Is Tarte Vegan?

Tarte has a wide range of vegan makeup and skincare products, but not all items in their collection are vegan. According to Tarte’s website, their best-selling Amazonian clay formulas and many of their mascaras, foundations, and complexion products are vegan.

However, some Tarte products contain beeswax and other animal-derived ingredients like honey, carmine, and lanolin. These non-vegan ingredients are most commonly found in Tarte’s lip and cheek products.

According to Logical Harmony, Tarte lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes, and bronzers often contain beeswax. But many of their eyeshadow palettes, mascaras, and complexion products are vegan.

Overall, Tarte seems committed to increasing their selection of vegan makeup, but non-vegan ingredients still exist in a portion of their current lineup. Checking ingredient lists on individual Tarte products is the best way to determine if something is vegan or not.

Amazonian Clay Reviews

Overall, reviews of the Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation are mixed but generally positive. Many reviewers praise the foundation for its full coverage and ability to control oil and last throughout the day. According to reviews on Lemon8, the Amazonian Clay foundation offers good coverage while looking natural on the skin.

However, some reviews mention that the foundation can look cakey or feel heavy on the skin. As noted in this review, the thick formula may not work well for those with dry skin types. Many oily-skinned reviewers appreciate the oil control but suggest moisture is needed underneath. There are also some concerns over limited shade range.

Overall, Amazonian Clay foundation seems to work best for those with oily skin who want a full coverage, matte finish. Using hydrating skincare and moisturizer underneath can help prevent cakeiness. But those with dry skin may prefer a lighter formula.

Best Application Tips

One of the best things about Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Foundation is how buildable the coverage is. Here are some tips for getting the most flawless, natural-looking application:

Prep your skin first by exfoliating and moisturizing. Smooth, hydrated skin helps the foundation glide on evenly. Apply a primer if desired for extra smoothing and pore filling effects.

Dot and blend the foundation on your face. Use a damp sponge, stippling brush, or buffing brush to blend the foundation in using pressing and buffing motions. This helps press the pigment into the skin for seamless blending without disturbing the skin.

Start with a thin layer first, focusing on areas that need more coverage like blemishes or discoloration. Let the initial layer set, then build up with additional thin layers where needed. The clay-based formula is highly pigmented so a little goes a long way.

Set makeup with a translucent powder to lock it in place and reduce transfer. For extra longevity, finish with a setting spray like Tarte’s Shape Tape Setting Spray.

Exfoliate and moisturize regularly to keep skin smooth. Clay foundations cling to dry patches so proper skincare is key. For touch-ups during the day, use a sponge to press and roll over any areas that need a refresh rather than reapplying all over.

Alternatives to Tarte

There are several clean beauty brands that offer non-toxic foundation alternatives to Tarte’s Amazonian Clay line. Here are some of the top options:

Ilia (https://www.afterglowcosmetics.com/best-natural-clean-foundation-makeup-cosmetics/) is known for their clean, organic makeup. Their True Skin Serum Foundation is vegan and made with botanical ingredients like aloe leaf juice and squalane. It provides medium, buildable coverage with a natural finish.

Juice Beauty (https://www.thegoodtrade.com/features/organic-and-natural-foundations-for-every-skin-type/) makes certified organic skincare and makeup. Their Stem Cellular Anti-Wrinkle Moisturizer Foundation contains fruit stem cells and is free of parabens, petroleum, and other toxins. It offers light-medium coverage.

Well People (https://www.sustainably-chic.com/blog/natural-foundation) is a clean cosmetics brand. Their Bio Tint Multi-Action Tinted Moisturizer is made with organic aloe and green tea. It hydrates skin while evening tone with sheer, buildable coverage.

Other non-toxic foundation brands to consider include Kosas, W3LL People, RMS Beauty, Vapour Organic Beauty, and Afterglow Cosmetics.

Conclusion

In summary, Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Foundation contains mostly natural ingredients like clay, mica, and titanium dioxide. The formula is free of parabens, phthalates, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, and gluten. While Tarte does test on animals where required by law, they don’t test on animals for cosmetics purposes. The foundation is also vegan and receives positive reviews for its smooth texture, medium coverage, and skin-balancing properties.

For those seeking a clean foundation similar to Tarte’s, good alternatives are bareMinerals Original Foundation, Ilia True Skin Serum Foundation, and Kosas Tinted Face Oil. When applying any clay foundation, it’s best to prep skin properly, use a brush and/or sponge, and set with powder to ensure longevity.

Overall, Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation can be considered a clean makeup option for those wanting good coverage and a natural finish. While not 100% natural, it avoids controversial ingredients and takes steps toward eco-consciousness. For medium coverage with skin-benefiting clays and minerals, Tarte Amazonian Clay Foundation is a quality choice.