With everyone focusing on sustainability and eco-friendliness, isn’t it time you give your beauty cupboard a clean sweep? Many brands are on board with a sustainable ethos, from using recycled and recyclable packaging, to only including environmentally sound ingredients. If you want to do good for the planet and your skin, start with your beauty routine – and our 10 favourite sustainable brands.
1. DR. HAUSCHKA
This cruelty free cult favourite uses green electricity where possible, as well as growing its ingredients using biodynamic farming. Most of its products are packaged in glass or aluminium, with Dr Hauschka slowly phasing out plastic for more recyclable options.
Celeb fan: Julia Roberts
Our pick: Dr. Hauschka Rose Nurturing Body Oil
Rose Nurturing Body Oil 2.5 ounce
2. WELEDA
Weleda has been pioneering natural ingredients since launching in 1926. None of its products contains any plastic, and the cruelty free brand has been recognized by the Union of Ethical BioTrade because it sources its ingredients in a biodiverse and ethical manner.
Celeb fan: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Our pick: Weleda Skin Food moisturiser
Ultimate Skin Food moisturizer 30 ml
3. NEAL’S YARD REMEDIES
Another plastic-free, vegetarian brand, with no plastic in any of its products. The brand also encourages users to bring in their empties from any brand for reclycling and most of its packaging is made from glass.
Celeb fan: Thandie Newton
Our pick: Neal’s Yard Orange Flower Facial Wash
Nourishing Orange Flower Facial Wash 100ml
4. LUSH
About 90% of Lush packaging is made from recycled plastic and you can also buy products without any plastic packaging. The brand is also 100% vegetarian, against animal testing and uses the freshest ingredients possible.
Celeb fan: Kylie Jenner
Our pick: Lush Trichomania solid shampoo bar
Trichomania Solid Shampoo Bar
5. REN
“Ren” means “clean” in Swedish, so it’s no surprise the brand espouses a sustainable, eco-responsible ethos. The products are all cruelty free and Ren has made a commitment to zero waste by 2012 by using recycled ocean plastic in its packaging, among other initiatives, such as running beach cleanups.
Celeb fan: Margot Robbie
Our pick: REN Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic
6. L’OCCITANE
The much-loved French brand has been using responsibly sourced ingredients and recycling since the 90s and has used innovative solutions, like reducing the thickness of its packaging, to use less plastic. L’Occitane aims to produce all its packaging from recycled plastic by 2025.
Celeb fan: Anne Hathaway
Our pick: L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
Shea Butter Hand Cream
7. GOSH
Another cruelty free brand, Gosh uses only natural, vegan-friendly ingredients in its makeup products. The Danish brand also uses recycled ocean products in some of its packaging.
Celeb fan: Makeup artist Lisa Eldridge
Our pick: Gosh Boombastic Crazy Volume Mascara
Boombastic Crazy Volume Mascara
8. THE BODY SHOP
An old favourite for a reason – The Body Shop was one of the first brands to get on board with sustainability and ethical production. Back in 1987 it launched Community Trade, its commitment to using local suppliers. You can also return your empty containers to its stores for recycling.
Celeb fan: Victoria Beckham
Our pick: The Body Shop Strawberry Body Yogurt
Strawberry Body Yogurt
9. BIOLAGE
The hair brand is constantly working to reduce its waste and water consumption, while also minimizing plastic packaging and using renewable energy in some of its factories. The products themselves feature natural ingredients like honey, coconut oil and shea butter.
Celeb fan: Model Ireland Baldwin
Our pick: Biolage Re-hab Clay Mask
Rehab Mask
10. AVEDA
Most of its packaging is made from recycled plastic and from 2021, all products will be vegan, with new launches also being silicone-free. The cruelty free brand and sources its naturally derived ingredients ethically.
Celeb fan: Taraji P Henson
Our pick: Aveda Cherry Almond Body Lotion
Cherry Almond Body Lotion, 200ml
