19 Sustainable Makeup Brands for a Greener Beauty Routine
When it comes to makeup, you want to look and feel your best but also want the products to be good for the planet, so here are the 19 best sustainable makeup brands for a greener beauty routine.
The cosmetics industry is notorious for its huge contribution to plastic waste, with microplastics posing significant threats to wildlife and marine ecosystems. This environmental impact extends further as the production and distribution increases carbon emissions which exacerbate the issue of climate change.
Did you know that the beauty industry produces at least 120 billion pieces of packaging each year? 95% of this packaging is thrown away! Packaging is therefore one of the biggest sustainability challenges facing the makeup industry.
I’ve never really thought about it before but it’s important to be aware of.
This is where sustainable makeup brands come in!
Sustainable skincare brands are committed to creating beauty products that are environmentally friendly and socially responsible. They use ingredients that are ethically sourced, packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable and refillable products. Sustainability is at the heart of these brands, and they are committed to reducing their environmental impact.
So, if you’re looking for the best eco-friendly brands committed to sustainable practices and our planet this post is for you…
What is Sustainable Makeup?
Sustainable makeup refers to products that are designed to have a minimal impact on the environment. This can include everything from using eco-friendly packaging to sourcing ingredients from sustainable farms.
So, when you’re shopping for sustainable makeup, look for products made with natural or organic ingredients that come in recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
Organic Makeup
Organic makeup is made with ingredients that have been grown without the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. This can be better for the environment, as it reduces the amount of harmful chemicals released into the soil and water.
Organic products are also often better for your skin, as it’s less likely to contain irritants or allergens.
Clean Makeup
This term is used to describe products made with non-toxic clean ingredients or harmful to health from natural plant extracts to synthetic ingredients thoroughly tested for safety.
Clean beauty brands often use products free from parabens, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals.
Vegan & Cruelty-Free Makeup
Vegan makeup is made without animal products or by-products including everything from organic beeswax to carmine (made from crushed beetles). Cruelty-free products are made without animal testing which could mean testing the finished product on animals or using animal-derived ingredients.
Vegan & Cruelty-free makeup is also often better for the environment, as it reduces the amount of animal suffering involved in the production process.
Eco-Friendly Makeup Brands & Packaging
Eco-friendly packaging is a key consideration as I have already mentioned above. Many brands are therefore ditching single-use plastics and plastic packaging or using compostable packaging which helps to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Recyclable products are another important consideration when it comes to eco-friendly packaging. Some brands are also offering refillable options, which can help to reduce packaging waste even further.
Look for brands that use recyclable materials, such as glass bottles, bamboo, and recycled plastic bottles. Some even partner with companies like TerraCycle to offer recycling programs for their packaging which is great news!
Ethical and Fair Trade Practices
Some brands go above and beyond to ensure their products are ethically sourced and produced. For example, they may use fair trade ingredients, which means that the farmers and workers who grow and harvest those ingredients are paid fairly and work in safe conditions.
Additionally, some brands may be RSPO-certified, which means that they use palm oil that has been sustainably sourced and does not contribute to deforestation.
Avoiding Harmful Ingredients
When you’re choosing natural makeup brands pay attention to the ingredients used in skincare products. Many conventional makeup brands contain harmful chemicals that can damage your health and the environment.
Here are some ingredients to avoid:
Parabens
Parabens are a preservative commonly used in cosmetics. They have been linked to hormone disruption and have been found in breast cancer tumours.
Sulfates
Sulfates are a type of surfactant that is commonly used in shampoos and cleansers. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) creates the foam most people love but it can be harsh on the skin and can leave your hair brittle and dry.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics more flexible. They are often found in fragrances and have been linked to hormone disruption and birth defects.
Palm Oil
Palm oil is widely used in many cosmetics and personal care products. However, producing palm oil has been linked to deforestation and habitat destruction. Look for products that use sustainably sourced palm oil or are palm oil-free.
Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic pieces often found in exfoliating scrubs and other personal care products. They can harm marine life and can end up in our food chain.
Non-Toxic
When choosing sustainable makeup brands, look for products free of toxic chemicals. This means they do not contain harmful chemicals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.
19 Sustainable Makeup Brands in the UK
1. Fat and The Moon
Fat and the Moon provides handcrafted, herbal body care products for those looking for natural, effective, and non-toxic alternatives.
I love that they use ethically harvested and organically cultivated plants and combine them in non-toxic formulations.
They are also committed to using reusable, recyclable containers, whenever possible and to minimise their packaging.
2. ILIA
ILIA is a brand committed to using clean, ethical, and sustainable ingredients in their makeup products. They use recycled aluminium, glass and responsibly sourced paper for their packaging, and they have a recycling program to help reduce waste.
They are also certified by Leaping Bunny, meaning they do not test their products on animals.
3. Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis is a luxury makeup brand that is committed to sustainability. They use refillable packaging for their products, which helps to reduce waste.
Additionally, their products are made with certified organic and natural ingredients.
Kjaer Weis is a great option if you’re looking for high-quality makeup that is also sustainable.
4. Lily Lolo
Lily Lolo is a UK-based brand known for its mineral makeup products.
They offer a variety of cosmetics including foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick made with natural minerals.
Lily Lolo products are 100% cruelty-free & 90% vegan-friendly, and free from harsh chemicals.
5. Face Theory
Face Theory is a British-made cruelty and paraben-free natural skincare brand.
They are B-corp, Leaping Bunny and PETA-approved which is great to read and are phasing out single-use plastic, with most products now available in amber glass jars with aluminium caps or tubes that are easy to recycle.
Their products include lip scrubs, foundations, blushers and more.
6. RMS Beauty
RMS Beauty ‘the OG of clean beauty’ is a sustainable makeup brand committed to using clean, natural, and organic ingredients in their makeup products. They are formulated using raw, food-grade, organic, wildcrafted, and natural ingredients.
Their ingredients are free of parabens, gluten, synthetic fragrances, GMOs, sulfates, phthalates & talc. And never test on animals.
7. All Earth Mineral Cosmetics
All Earth Mineral Cosmetics is a UK-based brand offering mineral makeup that’s both vegan and cruelty-free.
Their products are made from natural and organic ingredients and their packaging is eco-friendly as well. The ‘pot for life’ is made from reclaimed fishing nets salvaged from the ocean! Pretty cool!
Shop All Earth Mineral Cosmetics Here
8. Honeypie Minerals
Honeypie Minerals is a female-founded, affordable British beauty brand. Their products are made in the UK using 100% renewable energy sources.
They only use ingredients that contain 100% natural, non-GMO ingredients and are cruelty-free.
Honeypie uses a CO2 Neutral website and each purchase is equal to one tree planted by Tree Nation to offset carbon emissions.
9. Upcircle
Upcircle is a UK-based skincare brand that uses upcycled ingredients in natural formulations.
They are a Certified B Corp, Cruelty-free + Vegan brand which offers different skincare products like a palm oil-free soap made with residual chai spices left over after making chai syrups!
10. PHB Ethical Beauty
PHB Beauty is an eco-friendly beauty brand that is handmade in the UK. They focus on creating natural, ethical, and vegan beauty products.
They offer a wide range of skincare, haircare, and cosmetics made with organic ingredients.
PHB is committed to being cruelty-free, environmentally friendly, and socially responsible.
11. Zao Organic Makeup
Zao is a premium certified organic makeup brand that offers a range of products both vegan and cruelty-free.
Bamboo is at the heart of Zao and they use bamboo packaging for their products as well as incorporating it into their product formulas.
Zao was the first refillable make-up brand, 100% natural and certified organic by Ecocert.
12. Love the Planet
Love the Planet is a UK-based beauty brand that specialises in eco-friendly and sustainable cosmetics.
They offer products such as natural mineral makeup, vegan lip balms, and reusable makeup remover pads.
They are cruelty-free and vegan, and their products often come in plastic-free packaging.
13. Odylique
Odylique is an eco-friendly skincare brand known for its organic skincare and haircare products. They use natural and ethically sourced ingredients including essential oils to create products suitable for sensitive skin.
Their products are certified organic, cruelty-free, and always free from synthetic chemicals and fragrances. The brand also adheres to Fair Trade standards and uses responsible, sustainable packaging.
14. Sbtrct Skincare
Sbtrct Skincare is the best zero waste makeup brand according to Marie Claire UK.
They offer a range of concentrated solid skincare is for people who want to reduce their environmental impact.
Sbtrct is 100% plastic free and their skincare formulations are certified cruelty free & vegan (The Leaping Bunny and The Vegan Society).
15. Ere Perez
Ere Perez is an Australian brand (available in the UK) offering natural makeup and skincare products.
They prioritise using powerhouse plants & botanical ingredients and aim to create products that enhance natural beauty. Their products are cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and free from harsh chemicals.
16. Nirvana Natural
Nirvana Natural is a natural skincare brand specialising in natural and organic skincare products using only the finest sustainable, organic and naturally derived ingredients.
Their products are plastic free and cruelty-free and with every order the brand plants a tree with Ecologi to help combat their CO2 emissions.
17. Inika Organic
Inika Organic is an Australian brand (available in the UK) specialising in organic and natural makeup products.
They offer various cosmetics made with certified organic, cruelty-free and halal ingredients, such as mineral foundation, mascara, and lipsticks.
They are committed to sustainability and have reduced their plastic footprint dramatically. For every kilo of plastic they use, a kilo is collected and recycled! Brill!
18. Eco Tools
Eco Tools is a sustainable beauty brand that is committed to promoting sustainable beauty practices and minimising environmental impact. They produce eco-friendly makeup brushes and bath accessories.
The brand uses sustainable materials such as cruelty-free bristles, recycled aluminium and renewable bamboo materials.
All of their products are vegan and never tested on animals and their packaging is made of biodegradable paper when planted into a composting environment! This is great!
19. Lush
Lush was founded on a vision that animal testing was completely unnecessary and unethical, so all of their makeup is cruelty free.
They use gentle and natural ingredients and they have many stores around the UK.
All these brands are great options if you’re looking for vegan and cruelty-free makeup.
Many are also Leaping Bunny certified or PETA-approved, meaning they’ve been independently verified as meeting these criteria.
Whether you’re looking for vegan lipstick or other makeup products, you can find high-quality ethical and sustainable options.
Sustainable Makeup Brands in the UK
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