Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
EU safety standards
Fragrance-free
0.25 year warranty
Stick
Natural glow finish
Multi-use formula
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Best Non-Toxic Highlighters
We vetted highlighters against the Welpr Standard and here are our top picks.
Cofounder & Product Curator
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Here's what we look for:
- Simple formulas with minimal, non-irritating preservatives
- No parabens, PEGs, phthalates, sulfates, BHA/BHT, formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing ingredients, or undisclosed synthetic fragrance (unless certified safe)
- Mineral pigments or safe alternatives tested for heavy metals
- EU-compliant brands and third-party certifications when available
- Transparent sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing practices
Best Non-Toxic Highlighters
On Welpr, terms like "non-toxic," "safer," "cleaner," "healthier," and "vetted" are editorial labels based on our own standard for product assessment. They are not guarantees, certifications, or medical claims. Learn more.
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Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
Cream
Natural glow finish
Discount Code
WELPR15Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Made in USA
No synthetic fragrance
Stick
Dewy finish
Multi-use formula
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Pregnancy safe
Fragrance-free
No synthetic fragrance
Stick
Dewy finish
Multi-use formula
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Plastic-free packaging
Compostable packaging
Stick
Natural glow finish
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Cruelty-free
Powder
Natural glow finish
Multi-use formula
Certifications
Free From
Highlights
Vegan
Cruelty-free
Fragrance-free
Refillable
Recycled materials
Powder
Dewy finish
Discount Code
Use link for discountCertifications
Free From
Highlights
Pregnancy safe
Breastfeeding safe
Recyclable packaging
Money-back guarantee
Cream
Dewy finish
Multi-use formula
How to Swap to Non-Toxic highlighters:
Here's how to swap to non-toxic highlighters:
What to know about highlighters
Highlighters sit directly on your skin, often on your cheekbones, brow bone, and nose — areas close to your eyes and mouth. Because they stay on for hours, the ingredients and pigments in the formula have extended contact with your skin. Welpr focuses on what highlighters are made of, including the types of pigments, fragrances, and preservatives used.
- Highlighters you wear daily deserve more attention than ones you only use for special occasions.
- Powder, cream, and liquid highlighters can all vary in formulation, so the format alone doesn't tell you whether it's a cleaner option.
Review the highlighters you already use
Use the Welpr Personal Care and Cosmetic Scanner to check the highlighters you currently own. It will flag ingredients worth knowing about so you can see how your products measure up.
- Start with the highlighter you reach for most often, since that's the one with the most contact over time.
- Look at the ingredient list for "fragrance" or "parfum" — these are common in highlighters and can indicate undisclosed synthetic ingredients.
Use your current highlighter more intentionally
If you're not ready to replace your highlighter right away, small adjustments can reduce how much sits on your skin. Applying less product or using it less frequently are easy changes to make.
- Use a light hand and build up gradually rather than applying a heavy layer all at once.
- On days when you want a simpler routine, skip highlighter entirely — it's one of the easiest makeup steps to leave out.
Choose a cleaner highlighter
Look for highlighters with simple ingredient lists, natural mineral pigments like mica or iron oxides, and no synthetic fragrance. A certification like EWG VERIFIED™ is a helpful signal, but Welpr reviews the full formula regardless.
- Choose products that are fragrance-free or scented only with essential oils, and avoid ingredient lists that include parabens, phthalates, or PEGs.
- Click the button above to shop Welpr Approved highlighters.
Camille May
Cofounder & Product Curator
Camille May is the co-creator of Welpr and a guide for clean living. After selling her last company in the health food space, she went non-toxic while working to heal an autoimmune condition....
Olushola M. Awoyemi
Medical Reviewer, PhD
Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology,...