The Best Brands of Zero Waste Vegan Skincare
Sustainable beauty is no longer a trend; it’s a movement. More people want skincare that’s not only good for their skin, but also kind to the planet and all living things. Zero waste skincare means using glass jars, compostable bags, and reusable containers.
Also read our post on mouse-friendly alternatives to Botox!
Avoid essential oils for pregnancy/nursing and affected medical conditions. Avoid shea butter for latex allergies. Wash off cocoa butter, before letting pets kiss you!
A Simple, Effective Skincare Routine
A smooth, glowing complexion doesn’t require a dozen steps or loads of fancy products. A simple routine using natural, vegan products means less packaging waste, fewer questionable chemicals, and more time for yourself.
Many skincare experts agree: less is often more. Using three to four well-chosen products can outperform a line-up of ten. With a simple routine, your skin’s natural balance gets a chance to shine.
- Gentle Cleanser: Use a mild, plant-based cleanser morning and night. Something as simple as an olive oil soap or oat milk cleanser removes dirt without stripping moisture.
- Moisturiser: Reach for balms or creams with organic oils like jojoba or shea butter. They hydrate and protect without clogging pores.
- Don’t skip sun protection. Wash off before letting pets kiss you, due to most natural sunscreens containing zinc oxide.
- Optional: Add a facial oil or a simple hydrating mist if your skin feels dry.
Popular Natural Ingredients for Healthy Skin
Plant-based skincare isn’t about bland formulas. Nature offers a toolkit for clearer, softer skin:
- Aloe vera soothes and calms, making it perfect for sensitive or sun-stressed skin.
- Coconut oil moisturises deeply, though best for dry rather than acne-prone skin.
- Shea butter locks in moisture and provides vitamins A and E for healing.
- Botanical extracts, like chamomile and calendula, reduce redness and ease inflammation.
Sustainable Zero Waste Packaging
Some brands talk a good game, but their packaging still ends up in landfill. Here’s how to separate real zero-waste efforts from empty marketing:
- Look for truly refillable systems, not just products labelled ‘eco.’
- Check for compostable packing like paper or plant fibres.
- Pick glass or metal containers over plastic.
- Avoid items with multiple layers or unrecyclable pumps.
SBTRCT (solid facial 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).
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).
Green People Organic Vegan Skincare
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.
The range also includes add-ons like anti-redness facial oil drops, and retinol-booster serums.
Coraline Skincare (balms and serums)
Known for their extra-gentle handmade soaps (for 3 months and above), Coraline Skincare is a family company (founded to provide soap gentle enough for their daughter’s skin, who has Down Syndrome), which has recently added a small line of skincare products for adults.
SOS Recovery Oil is good for dry and mature skin, or itchy skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. Unfragranced (with a natural nutty seedy grassy quinoa aroma). Just apply 1 to 2 pumps to damp skin, and massage in morning and night.
You Must Be Sisters Facial Oil contains collagen-boosting ingredients like oils of rosehip fruit, açai seed, passion seed oil (rich in fatty acids) and blackcurrant skin (helps eczema and psoriasis).
The Everlasting Facial Balm is richer (contains immortelle facial oil, so check for allergies, some people may be sensitive). As with all essential oils, avoid during pregnancy/nursing.
The Ilex Wood (rose & frankincense face cream)
The Ilex Wood Rose & Frankincense Face Cream is made from natural vegan ingredients, is packed in a zero waste glass jar, and has super reviews. This cream is for dry and older skin, for deep glowing skin and to help reduce fine lines.
Packed with plant-based nutrients, this contains carefully selected essential oils of rose, frankincense, geranium and lavender, for a lovely scent. A little goes a long way!
The cream is made from a luxury blend of shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba oil and raspberry seed oil, with no palm oil. Store at room temperature, then apply a pea-sized amount to dry skin, allowing to absorb completely.
