Is Ilia Clean Beauty?

When it comes to clean beauty, things have shifted quite a bit over the last decade or so. Some of it has been positive and some of it has muddied the waters. It’s made it much harder to draw a firm line between clean/green and conventional makeup products.

Over the years, I’ve noticed more conventional makeup brands moving toward clean formulations and sustainable practices, which makes me so happy to see. On the flip side, some clean brands have become more mainstream. One brand that comes up often in my community is Ilia Beauty. Since they were acquired by the Courtin-Clarins family many of my readers have asked if Ilia Beauty is still truly a clean beauty brand or just another company using greenwashing buzzwords.

So in this post, I’m diving into that very question: Is Ilia Clean Beauty? I’ll be sharing what makes the brand unique, what you can expect from their ingredient list, where their products are made, and my thoughts on their best sellers. My goal is to help you decide whether or not to give Ilia products a try.

Is Ilia Clean Beauty?

Let’s get straight to it: Is Ilia Beauty clean beauty?

The short answer: yes, Ilia is widely considered a clean beauty brand. But let’s unpack that a little.

Ilia focuses on creating makeup products that perform like conventional ones while using safer ingredients. Their philosophy centers around transparency, skin health, and sustainability. They avoid many of the ingredients typically excluded in clean formulations.

That said, they do use lake dyes and I’ve seen some ethoxylated ingredients popping up.

Not to get super deep but I think we have to look at a broader scale: What is clean beauty? How is it specifically defined?

“Clean beauty” doesn’t have a single legal definition, so how “clean” a brand is can depend on your personal standards. Ilia’s formulations are EWG-verified for several products and rated well by “clean” retailers like Credo Beauty and The Detox Market. What does that mean? Not a whole lot to me actually. I’m not a fan of relying on EWG only for ingredient safety data (this is a long rant I’ve shared before, but a quick summary is that the database they use is incomplete and doesn’t always accurately flag good or bad ingredients).

As for Credo and The Detox Market? I shop at both places and think they have great selections, however, both retailers have gotten very lax on what ingredients are allowed in. Consumers used to be able to shop there at ease, knowing all products were clean. Now the products are… clean-ish. You still have to check labels while you shop to avoid fragrance, ethoxylated ingredients, and more.

In my opinion, Ilia Beauty is clean for the most part. I don’t use lipstick everyday so I’m ok with lake dyes in products I use occasionally. The percentage of ethoxylated ingredients that they use is quite low too, so I still think Ilia is a good option for a clean makeup brand. They also clearly list every ingredient, making it easier for ingredient-conscious shoppers to make informed decisions.

What Is Ilia Beauty All About?

Ilia Beauty was founded in 2011 by Sasha Plavsic, who was inspired to create safer beauty products after learning that her favorite lip balm contained ingredients she didn’t feel comfortable using every day. Her mission was to bridge the gap between clean formulations and high-performance color cosmetics- something that was still rare at the time.

The brand started small, with a few tinted lip conditioners, and quickly grew into one of the most recognizable clean beauty makeup brands. Today, Ilia offers everything from skin tints and foundation to mascaras, lip products, and blushes. Their packaging also reflects their sustainable values, with recycled aluminum tubes, glass bottles, and paper cartons made from sustainable sources.

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Where Is Ilia Beauty Based?

Ilia Beauty is based near Los Angeles, California, where its main offices and creative team are located. While the company is U.S.-based, their makeup products are manufactured in multiple locations, including the United States, Canada, and Italy, depending on the formula and packaging requirements.

The brand takes care to partner with ethical manufacturers and suppliers to maintain its commitment to clean, cruelty-free, and gluten free standards. Their products are also Leaping Bunny certified, meaning none of their items are tested on animals.

Is Ilia Beauty Clean?

So, is Ilia Beauty clean according to ingredient and formulation standards?

Yes, Ilia’s ingredient philosophy revolves around safety, sustainability, and performance. Their ingredient list avoids common synthetic irritants and includes naturally derived actives like niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid.

For example, their cult-favorite Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40 blends skincare and makeup in one step. It’s packed with clean actives and formulated without silicones, or fragrance all while providing broad-spectrum mineral SPF protection.

Ilia also uses certified organic ingredients whenever possible and keeps its formulations free from talc, mineral oil, and harsh preservatives. The brand is transparent about everything they use, which is one of the reasons they’ve earned such trust within the clean beauty community.

Best Ilia Beauty Products:

Here are some of the best Ilia Beauty products that have become staples in my routine and in the clean beauty world overall:

Ilia Super Serum Skin Tint SPF 40

This is easily Ilia’s most iconic product and for good reason. It’s a lightweight, tinted serum that provides sheer coverage, SPF 40 protection, and skincare benefits all in one. The formula includes hyaluronic acid for hydration, squalane for moisture balance, and niacinamide to brighten and smooth the skin. I love how it leaves a dewy, natural finish that feels like healthy skin.

Limitless Lash Mascara

If you’ve been looking for a clean mascara that actually performs, this one delivers. It lengthens, defines, and holds a curl without flaking or smudging. The dual-sided brush helps you lift and separate lashes for that perfect fanned-out look. It’s made with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and keratin and is also gluten free and fragrance-free.

Multi-Stick

Ilia’s Multi-Stick is one of my favorite multitasking products you can use it on your cheeks, lips, and even eyes for a cohesive, monochromatic look. The creamy formula blends effortlessly and adds the perfect pop of color for that “no-makeup” makeup glow.

Lip Wrap Reviving Balm

If you’re a lip balm lover, this one’s worth it. The Lip Wrap Reviving Balm deeply nourishes dry lips with a blend of hyaluronic acid and salicornia, leaving them soft and hydrated. It’s a must-have for anyone who wants their favorite lip product to have lasting moisture.

True Skin Serum Foundation

A step up in coverage from the Skin Tint, this foundation provides a natural, satin finish while infusing skin-loving ingredients like aloe and rosehip oil. It’s ideal for anyone who prefers a bit more coverage while still maintaining a clean formula.

Where To Buy Ilia Beauty Products

You can shop Ilia Beauty products from several trusted retailers:

• Ilia Beauty’s official website
• Credo Beauty
• Sephora
• Nordstrom
• Amazon (Ilia’s official store)

Each of these stores carries a great selection of Ilia products, so you can choose the one that best fits your shopping preferences.

If you’re exploring other makeup brands that are both high-performing and safer for your skin, check out my post on the best affordable clean beauty brands for more options.

Whether you’re new to Ilia Beauty or just curious about whether their products align with your clean lifestyle, I hope this post helped you understand whether they meet your own ingredient standards. Personally, I love how Ilia combines clean ingredients, modern formulas, and a skin-first approach. All without compromising performance or aesthetics.

*Some affiliate links used. All opinions are my own.