Zero Waste Natural Vegan Skin Care

Green People is a quality brand of organic skincare, sold in easy-to-recycle sugar-cane packaging (most items are vegan). The range includes unscented and Oy!, which is specially formulated for acne-prone or teenage skin. As well as a range of skin creams with built-in sun protection.

Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing (and avoid shea butter for latex allergies). Keep essential oils away from children and pets. And wash skin before letting pets kiss you, if using cocoa butter or zinc oxide in sun protection creams). 

The range also includes add-ons like anti-redness facial oil drops, and retinol-booster serums.

SBTRCT (zero waste solid vegan skincare)

SBTRCT is an excellent skincare brand, founded by the former execute at male skincare brand Bulldog. He has turned facial skincare on its head, offering a small line of vegan natural skin items (cleansers, exfoliators and face creams, with vitamin C booster).

Sustainable Zero Waste Packaging

All are sold in zero waste bamboo packaging, you just buy refills thereafter, which also saves you money. Note the squalane is plant-based (not from sharks, like some brands).

Upcircle Beauty (skincare made with upcycled ingredients)

Upcircle Beauty is an award-winning brand of skin and hair care, all made with natural vegan ingredients, and sold in zero waste packaging (glass jars, metal lids and cardboard boxes). These products are unique in that each one makes use of antioxidant-rich ingredients, that would otherwise be discarded by industry.

Use with their muslin cloths, fairly-made in India. Easy to wash (do not allow to dry out before laundering, to minimise staining).

A Cleansing Balm (with discarded apricot stones)

Upcircle Cleansing Balm has amazing reviews, and is ideal to remove make-up (including mascara) as well as daily grime, at the end of the day.

It’s made with oat oil and discarded apricot stones (from the apricot oil industry), which are rich in the antioxidant vitamin E.

With combined with skin-calming blackcurrant seed, and oils of blue tansy and sea buckthorn, this balm leaves skin cleansed, soothed and hydrated.

To use, just massage a coin-sized amount (with dry hands) between your fingers, and apply to face in upward circular motions. Remove with a warm damp cloth, for a clearer, brighter complexion.

Sold in two sizes (55ml or a 20ml travel size).

A Face Moisturiser (with upcycled argan shells)

Upcircle Face Moisturiser is made with the finely ground powder of discarded argan shells, a natural by-product of the argan oil industry, which is rich in antioxidant vitamin E. It also contains nourishing aloe vera, revitalising blood orange and skin-soothing cocoa powder.

Designed to leave skin balanced, bright, and deeply moisturised, apply to clean dry skin, and massage in until absorbed. Suitable for all skin types.

An Eye Cream (with upcycled coffee grounds)

Upcircle Eye Cream has amazing reviews, and is designed to help firm and protect the delicate eye area, reduce puffiness and brighten dark circles. It’s made with caffeine-rich coffee oil, extracted from repurposed grounds collected daily from local coffee shops.

It also contains anti-inflammatory maple bark extract (a by-product of the wood industry). Hyaluronic acid is also added to aid hydration, and reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Apply a small amount around eye contours, morning and night.

A Night Cream (with upcycled blueberries)

Upcircle Night Cream is designed to leave the skin balanced and deeply moisturised, made with upcycled blueberries (from the juicing industry) – natural antioxidants that are high in pro-retinol.

They are combined with replenishing niacinamide, hydrating hyaluronic acid and nourishing rosehip oil, to help promote overnight skin regeneration, and even out skin tone.

To use, just apply in the evening to clean dry skin.