Did you know that the cosmetics industry generates over 120 billion units of packaging every year [1], most of which end up in landfills or the ocean? This staggering amount of waste significantly impacts the environment, and it's time for us to take action. Fortunately, the sustainable makeup movement in the UK is growing rapidly, with more and more brands committing to eco-friendly practices, fair labour and transparency about their environmental impact. According to a recent report, the UK's natural and organic cosmetics market is set to grow by almost 6% before 2027 [2], highlighting the growing demand for sustainable beauty products.
That's why it is important to support sustainable makeup brands prioritising eco-friendly practices, fair labour and transparency about their environmental impact. Doing so can positively impact the environment and promote a more sustainable future for our planet. And here in the UK, many sustainable makeup brands are leading the way in creating eco-friendly and ethically produced cosmetics. These brands have made a real commitment to sustainability and are making a difference in the fight against climate change.
So, whether you're a beauty enthusiast or simply looking to make more eco-conscious choices, keep reading to discover some of the UK's best sustainable makeup brands.
Kjaer Weis
Kjaer Weis is a luxury makeup brand committed to sustainability. They use natural ingredients, with 95% coming from organic farms, and their packaging is made from FSC-certified paper. They are also committed to using renewable energy sources and reducing their carbon footprint wherever possible.
Axiology
Axiology is a vegan and cruelty-free brand offering a range of lipsticks made from natural and organic ingredients. They’re no strangers to recycled packaging and use biodegradable labels across their products. But their commitment to giving back to the planet is worth acknowledging, as they donate a part of their profits to environmental organisations, including the Orangutan Foundation International and animal sanctuaries.
RMS Beauty
RMS Beauty is a sustainable brand with a line of makeup that uses organic, raw and food-grade ingredients, all packaged using recycled materials. Although the best part about the way they run things is that they’re all about the circular economy. Their products are made with easy-to-recycle materials and reusable glass jars. They’re also a proud member of PACT, a non-profit organisation leading the fight against the makeup industry’s unsustainable packaging practices.
Ere Perez
Ere Perez is a natural and organic makeup brand that uses eco-friendly packaging and ingredients. They have replaced traditional plastic packaging with biodegradable sugarcane tubes and cornstarch lids, reducing their carbon footprint. Ere Perez is also involved in social responsibility initiatives, such as GreenPalm, champions of sustainable palm oil, and the UN Global Impact, the world’s largest sustainable initiative.
INIKA Organic
This vegan and cruelty-free brand offers a range of organic and natural makeup products using sustainably sourced ingredients. They’re a certified plastic-neutral brand with initiatives that dropped their reliance on virgin plastic by 84%, from 8.1 tonnes to 1.3 tonnes [3]. They’ve strong values regarding sustainable makeup, which shows through their results.
Lily Lolo
With nothing but top-grade organic and natural ingredients, Lily Lolo is a mineral makeup brand that sells vegan and cruelty-free products packed with eco-friendly materials. They’re a transparent brand, disclosing how and where they source ingredients, so they can assure customers that they are purchasing products that align with their values.
PHB Ethical Beauty
PHB Ethical Beauty is a certified B Corp with a fantastic line of vegan, organic and cruelty-free makeup products. They have high social and environmental performance standards, accountability and transparency, donating 20% of their profits to charity. They also support organisations like Orbis International, Sense and Trailblazer Foundation through an initiative they coined “The One Love Foundation”.
Zao Makeup
Zao is all about sustainability. They’ve got a great line of organic and natural makeup products, all vegan and cruelty-free. But what sets them apart is their involvement in forest conservation initiatives. They have partnered with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit organisation that promotes responsible forest management, and use FSC-certified bamboo for their packaging.
The Organic Pharmacy
The Organic Pharmacy is a natural and organic beauty and makeup brand committed to sustainability and ethical practices. They’re also a certified B Corp, with a line of products made from natural and organic ingredients free from harmful chemicals. Their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint shows through their use of renewable plastic fibre and initiatives to reduce waste.
Lime Crime
Lime Crime is a cosmetics brand full of bold colours and sparkling accents, a big shoutout that eco-friendliness doesn't have to be dull or ordinary. They've been certified by PETA as both cruelty-free and vegan, demonstrating their commitment to animal welfare. But apart from their commitment to being cruelty-free and vegan, Lime Crime also takes environmental responsibility seriously. They strive to reduce their carbon footprint and have taken steps to make their packaging recyclable.
Sustainability with Bower Collective
One of the most efficient ways to reduce our footprint isn’t just through top-of-the-line, sustainable products. It’s also by reducing our reliance on new packaging altogether. We call it the refill revolution, and at Bower Collective, that’s our main plan – to curb packaging waste once and for all.
Our starter kits come with bottles made from top-quality glass dispensers that you can refill and reuse for the long haul, reducing plastic waste in landfills or oceans and our reliance on the packaging. We also use recycled materials for our shipping boxes and packaging, reducing the carbon footprint of our products, and run a carbon-neutral delivery service, which means that any emissions created during shipping are offset through our renewable energy projects.
If health and beauty are what you’re keen on, we’d love to show you our line of natural and eco-friendly skincare products. Our specially crafted hand creams, like our zingy Lemongrass & Jojoba cream, will leave your skin feeling soft and nourished, but not greasy, with a subtle fragrance. We also have a line of best-selling makeup aftercare products, such as our Facial Detox Wash with Moringa Peptides & Organic Goji, that cleanse away impurities, leaving your skin clean, smooth and supple.
By choosing Bower Collective, you can positively impact the planet while still enjoying great skincare benefits. Eager to get started? Subscribe, save with us, and get your favourite scented refills for our personal care products straight to your door with no fuss.
FAQs
1) What are some sustainable makeup brands?
There are many sustainable makeup brands available today. Some examples include INIKA Organic, ILIA Beauty, Kjaer Weis, Axiology and RMS Beauty. These brands prioritise eco-friendly practices such as using natural and organic ingredients, sustainable packaging and reducing their carbon footprint.
2) Is there eco-friendly makeup?
Many makeup brands are now committed to using natural and organic ingredients, reducing waste and carbon emissions, and using sustainable packaging. By choosing eco-friendly makeup, consumers can reduce their impact on the environment while still looking and feeling great.