Quality zero waste beauty brands cost a little more, but work better so you need less. Good skincare starts on the inside (drink more water than wine, keep out of strong sun, eating well and sleeping more. Choose brands made from plant-based biodegradable ingredients (no ‘parfum’ that is just a term to cloak artificial ingredients). Also avoid collagen (usually made from cow bones) and be careful with hyaluoronic acid (often from ‘rooster-combing’) and squalane (you can find plant-based versions, but most comes from endangered sharks). Here are better brands, all in plastic-free packaging.
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions, and keep these products away from young children and pets. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies.
moisturising facial care in bamboo pots
Sbtrct moisturising facial balm is a gentle moisturiser made with plant-based squalane, rosehip oil and shea butter to restore moisture balance and promote firmness. The fragrance-free version contains bisabobol/chamomile and ginger to reduce irritation and inflammation. Used daily, one bar should last 8 to 10 weeks (twice that of a plastic bottle). Just warm the bar between your hands and apply to face, avoiding the eye area. Sold in a bamboo pot (with a swivel lid and magnetic seal), just buy refills on subscription after that.
At end of use, you can compost the carton and paper wrap, or just recycle (no need to rinse). This beauty brand was founded by a former executive with Bulldog Skincare who is passionate about cleaning up an industry that uses 120 billion units of packaging each year (most creams and lotions are up to 85% water, so just evaporate on your skin).
Vitamin C booster serum is the world’s first solid vitamin C serum with rosehip oil, seabuckthorn oil and vitamin C derivative that works to restore even skin tone, to leave a hydrated smooth complexion.
The rejuvenating night balm is the world’s first solid retinoid that works with plant-based squalane to even skin tone, improve texture and diminish appearance of fine lines. Apply to lines on the face, neck and décolletage. One bar will last around 6 to 8 weeks (twice that of a plastic jar). You may experience mild redness/flaking/tingling (if this continues, use every other night or discontinue use). Avoid contact with eyes (if contact occurs, rinse with warm water).
natural soaps & creams for sensitive skin
Coraline Skincare is a lovely little company, founded by a couple who formulated homemade recipes (he spent 15 years as a chef) to heal the sensitive skin of their baby daughter, who was born with Down Syndrome, who couldn’t tolerate ‘sensitive skin products’ from mainstream brands. Everything is handmade in small batches using organic or wild-harvested ingredients. The range includes a couple of fragrance-free soaps (for 3 months and over) in cardboard packaging, and they have recently launched beauty balms in compostsable pots (made with woodchips, and eco-ink labels). No ingredients are air-freighted.
Immortelle Radiance facial balm blends rosehip, mango seed and collagen-boosting amaranth oil with immortelle essential oil (a scent similar to floral honey). Ideal to reduce appearance of fine lines, do a patch test as immortelle oil contains natural allergens.
Saving Grace organic body balm is ideal for eczema patches, made with apricot/tamanu oil and rich shea butter. Free from essential oils (it has a sugar/light spice aroma), it’s also good to reduce/prevent scars and stretch marks, and can also be used to heal nappy rash.
botanical skincare in plastic-free pots
Whitfords makes botanical skincare in aluminium containers. Founded by an environmental artist from Argentina, everything is made in-house using green energy, often with by-waste ingredients (like strawberry seed oil).
16-oil replenisher is a blend of organic oils that absorb immediately including jojoba and apricot kernel (with a scent of juniper/grapefruit). Triple algae-glow restoring oil contains liquorice root and strawberry seed oil (has no fragrance). Hemp & algae face cream leaves a matte finish, and is designed to address sun damage and fine lines.
Papaya & bakuchiol gel serum is a plant-based alternative to retinol, to address sun-damaged skin and is made with papaya enzymes from upcycled fruit pulp, and cold-pressed omega oils. Fruit & seeds eye cream contains pomegranate carbohydrates, to help puffy eyes, fine lines and discoloration.
plastic-free (vegan) skincare from France
Balade en Provence is a lovely company over the border, with quick affordable shipping and discounts on regular subscriptions. Very popular in France, everything is solid in sustainable packaging, with travel tins sold alongside (there’s also a range for men).
The range includes a solid face cleanser with French green clay and skin-friendly rosehip oil and aloe vera. The company also makes nice solid day and night creams, and plastic-free skin serums.
unique skin moisturisers with upcycled ingredients
Upcircle Beauty is a popular brand, that sells vegan skincare in plastic-free pots, often made with upcycled ingredients from coffee grounds to olive and apricot stones. Day Cream contains skin-soothing cocoa butter, aloe vera and blood orange alongside upcycled argan powder from discarded shells. Night Cream contains vegan hyaluronic acid, plant-based retinol and upcycled blueberries.
Facial serum is a best-seller made with organic jojoba oil, rosehip oil (to fade dark spots and scars) and upcycled coffee grounds. Just add a few drops to your finger and massage in, to lock in the hydration of facial moisturisers.
Eye Cream contains upcycled coffee grounds and anti-inflammatory maple bark extract (a by-product of the wood industry). SPF25 Sunscreen (in a glass jar with metal lid) is made with upcycled raspberry seeds and reef-safe non-nano zinc oxide (toxic to pets, so wash off before they lick you!)
Neals Yard rosehip oil is organic to natural reduce hyperpigmentation and scarring with vitamin E. Just a few drops needed to give 250 uses per bottle used two times daily.
