Plastic Pollution: 11 Beauty Brands That Are Leading The Way In Sustainability

Katie Wright looks at the companies taking steps to improve their environmental footprint – so you can shop guilt-free.

Posted on

13 February 2019

Posted by

Tory

Beauty Brands That Are Leading The Way In Sustainability

All Credits: PA

Last year, a law came into force banning microbeads – the tiny plastic particles used in products like facial scrubs – because they were being ingested by marine life, and the beauty industry patted itself on the back for a job well done.

Of course, eliminating microbeads was a step in the right direction, but take a look at the average bathroom shelf and you’ll discover there’s still a long way to go, as manufacturers are so heavily dependent on plastic packaging to house all those lotions and lipsticks.

View this post on Instagram

Here I have a fun, colorful rainbow shelfie! I enjoyed making this so much, love all the colors togetherThis’s inspired by the sweet @goo.roo.review who is super kind, so creative and inspiring!• • How are you loves doing today? I hope you all are having a great Thursday! If not, I hope it will get better soon #rainbowshelfie #shelfiesunday #skincareshelfie #kbeautyblog #hydratingskincare #hydrateyourskin #glowingskincare #skincarethread #kbeautyreview #kbeautyaddict #kbeautylover #kbeautyskincare #kbeautyproducts #skincareaddict #skincareproduct #skincareproducts #skincarekorea #skincareblogger #kbeautyproduct #beautyproduct #beautytime #koreanskincare #kbeautyunicorns #skinobsessed #beautyinkorea #abcommunity #abbeatthealgorithm #kbeautyfaves

A post shared by Sanne| Beauty Blogger (@beautyinglowing) on Feb 7, 2019 at 5:40am PST

The UK uses 13 billion plastic bottles each year, according to the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee report, and the Guardian found that one million are bought around the world every minute, with that figure set to increase by 20% by 2021.

Clearly, we need to be reducing the amount of single-use plastic we use and send to landfill, while also increasing the amount we recycle – and fast.

View this post on Instagram

Every piece of plastic successfully intercepted from the marine environment is a win for the movement. It makes a difference. So does every item (and harmful material) prevented from entering our life support system in the first place. Help create a better future: Avoid. Intercept. Redesign. #ParleyAIR #100islandsprotected #MaterialRevolution

A post shared by Parley for the Oceans (@parley.tv) on Nov 26, 2018 at 3:31pm PST

While it may sometimes seem that the beauty industry is doing more harm than good in the battle against plastic pollution, there are a number of companies taking steps to improve their packaging and environmental impact.

Lush, which has a long history in environmental and animal activism, has just opened its first ‘Naked’ shop in the UK, with the Manchester store selling only plastic packaging-free products, such as shampoo bars and solid cleansers.

Inside Lush’s first UK ‘Naked’ shop, in Manchester (Lush/PA)

French brand L’Occitane has announced a commitment to use 100% recycled plastic for its packaging by 2025, while Urban Veda has partnered with Plastic Oceans Foundation UK, pledging 10% of all online sales to support the charity in its fight against plastic pollution.

For some firms, change will take time, but plenty of others are already making strides towards a plastic-free future, from small independent names to cosmetics giants.

Want to do your bit? Here are 11 brands that can help make your beauty routine more green…

1. Lush

In addition to the new shop, Lush’s plastic packaging-free products are also available online and the brand recently made its Naked skincare range permanent, due to its popularity with fans. If you’re looking for a sustainable alternative to face wipes, try the reusable and biodegradable 7 To 3 Cleansing Wipes.

Lush Amazon Primer Naked Facial Oil, £9.95/AED 47

Lush 7 To 3 Cleansing Wipes, £2/AED 10 each

4. Dr Bronner

Bar soaps are best in terms of preventing waste and Dr Bronner has a range of those, but even its liquid soaps are eco-friendly, coming packaged in a 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

Mike Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner, says: “By turning used plastic bottles into new plastic bottles and products, we help conserve virgin resources, reduce landfill, and capitalise on the energy already invested in making existing plastic products.”

Dr Bronner Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap

Dr Bronner Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, £7.69/AED 36.48

5. Bramley

Natural beauty brand Bramley made the switch from traditional plastic bottles to more sustainable biopolymer HDPE, which is derived from sugar cane, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are really excited to be one of the first bath and body companies to change the material of our bottles to biopolymer HDPE,” says founder Chloë Luxton.

“Alongside the launch of our one litre bottles online and the switch to fully recyclable pumps, we are proud Bramley is working towards a greener future.”

Bramley Body Lotion, £4/AED 20

6. Miild

Lots of make-up companies are lagging behind in terms of packaging improvements, but there are some notable exceptions, such as Danish brand Miild, which makes allergy and eco certified cosmetics.

View this post on Instagram

Unpaid Ad/Tagging/PR Gifts Many of you where highly interested in the organic, cruelty free and allergy certified make-up brand from Denmark. So I'm giving a little update and some swatches again. I'm still really impressed, especially the Apricity Bronzer and the mineral highlighter are both exquisite and you can use them on the cheeks or almost all over the face if you need some extra glow after a short night. I would recommend the mineral highlighter to everyone, I think it's perfect for different skin types. Regarding the bronzer it's like with every bronzing product: you have to know your skin shade and what fits for it. But when the colour fits, it's a exquisite and well pigmented bronzing powder which can also be used as an eyeshadow. The packaging is handmade from recycled paper, the outer layer is water-resistant. I got my MIILD products from @klarify.me which is a platform with products which are especially perfect for people with allergies and sensitive skin. The best thing at Klaryfime is they offer a full satisfaction or money back guarantee, so if you are really unhappy with a product you can give it back within 30 days which I find really impressive. MIILD has also some really nice looking vegan brushes, which I hadn't tested so far, but they sound and look really promising. So if you want to test some of the products I have a code for you. With "Stilblut15" you get 15% on the MIILD products on de.klarify.me - it works until the 27. of september Happy Weekend

A post shared by @ stilblut on Sep 22, 2018 at 1:05am PDT

“We take our environmental impact very seriously – any products that can come in cardboard, do,” says co-founder Tanja Gregersen.

“So that’s all of our mineral powders, bronzers, blushers, concealers and eyebrow/eyeshadow kits. It’s 12 of our 13 product range currently – the mascara comes in a tube with no outer packaging.”

Co-founder Tine Emilie Svendsen adds: “Today, when we meet our customers, we know we’ve made a difference to every woman who wants to wear make-up with a clear conscience, for her body and the environment.”

Miild Mineral Blush in Cherise Splendid, £30/AED 142, Klarify

7. Cosmydor

Parisian eco luxe brand Cosmydor makes ‘virtuous cosmetics’ and has a no plastic policy. Packaging is made from glass, aluminium and cardboard, with a priority given to local producers in order to reduce carbon emissions from transport.

Cosmydor E/2 Essential Care Tonka Face Cream, £35/AED 166

8. Clockface

Yorkshire-based Clockface makes organic vegan products for women and men. All its packaging is recyclable, made from either amber glass or fully recyclable plastic, and wherever possible, is made from recycled material.

Clockface Enhanced Recovery Body Oil, Clary Sage & Geranium, £25/AED 118

9. Natural Deo Co

Looking for an eco-friendly deodorant? The Natural Deo Co creates natural, cruelty free, vegan approved balms that are packaged in plastic-free jars.

Natural Deo Co Clean Deodorant Balm Orange and Bergamot

Natural Deo Co Clean Deodorant Balm Orange and Bergamot, £11/AED 52, All Beauty

10. Little Beau Sheep

Easily the most adorable plastic-free product on the market, Little Beau Sheep lanolin soaps come wrapped in 100% wool and adorned with a sweet little sheep face. When you wet it, the soap lathers up and acts as a flannel, and once the soap runs out all you have left is a biodegradable ball of wool.

Little Beau Sheep Suffolk Sheep Felted Soap, £9.45/AED 47

11. Isla Apothecary

Isla Apothecary uses natural, vegan and ethically sourced ingredients for its bath, body, hair and skincare products, which are packaged in recyclable glass jars. The brand’s plastic-free philosophy extends to online orders, too, with recyclable boxes and biodegradable packing chips used for delivery.