Plastic-free beauty products available in the UK
Are you struggling to find effective plastic-free beauty products in the UK? As someone who has been committed to reducing my plastic years for around a decade, finding minimally packaged products that work for my skin and body has been a main frustration over the years. So for this Plastic Free July, I’m focusing on my bathroom cabinet.
Often, plastic-free beauty products feel functional, a frill-free compromise to what I’d ordinarily choose if packaging was no big deal. Luckily, things have moved on a lot since I first did Plastic Free July back in 2018, but it’s still tricky finding effective plastic-free items.
Is it our fault as consumers that we’ve been pushed plastic-swathed products for decades? No. Is it up to beauty companies to reduce their plastic dependency? Yes, and many are. But can we, as consumers, vote with our wallets and convince companies to speed it up? Also yes.
I reached out to my network on LinkedIn for their plastic-free beauty product recommendations. And they didn’t disappoint! The result is this list of tried and tested plastic-free beauty brands and products available in the UK.
Want recommendations for something specific? Use the search function to jump to what you’re looking for.
What is Plastic Free July?
Plastic Free July is a global initiative that began in 20211 and has now evolved into the Plastic Free Foundation. It encourages people to refuse single-use plastics during July through a Plastic Free Pledge. There are different challenges you can follow, including saying no to single-use packaging, avoiding takeaway items and going completely plastic-free.
I first took part in Plastic Free July in 2018. Sadly, I failed to go completely plastic free, because of the sheer amount of daily essentials that come sheathed in plastic. But the experiment really brought home to me how much we rely on plastic and led to some permanent changes in the way I shop.
Why is plastic a problem for the beauty industry?
Although Plastic Free July is largely targeted at food and drinks packaging, beauty has a serious plastic problem. Skincare, haircare and cosmetics are some of the biggest culprits when it comes to plastic waste.
Plastic is made from oil. When it breaks down into microplastics it harms marine life and pollutes our bodies. Scarily, scientists have found plastic particles in human organs and deep-sea trenches. Despite claims that packaging is recyclable, 95% of cosmetics packaging is not actually recycled. The reason? Confusing recycling instructions, small component sizes, and difficult-to-clean containers. And even when plastic does reach recycling facilities, only about 9% is successfully recycled.
Add to this the trend of elaborate packaging for a ‘luxury unboxing experience’ and the result is enormous plastic waste.
Where can you buy plastic-free beauty products in the UK?
As well as buying directly from brands themselves, there are some handy online shops that bring together plastic-free products from different brands, making it easier to compare. These include:
Oh My Cream! (formerly Naturismo)
It’s worth noting that not all products on these sites are plastic-free, so you’ll need to do your due diligence and check before you buy.
I’ve included product and brand website links throughout this article so you can find what you need fast.
What counts as a plastic-free beauty product?
These are the criteria I followed when choosing which products to include:
Refillable products, as long as they’re not in a plastic pouch. While refill schemes do cut down on packaging and are lighter (so take less carbon to transport), they’re often made from single-use hard-to-recycle soft plastic, which doesn’t exactly fit the bill for Plastic Free July. Greenwashing, perhaps?
Unpackaged products (something which is common in waterless products)
Glass/ aluminium packaging
Plastic lids or pumps are ok-ish if the rest of the packaging is plastic-free (extra points if the company takes them back for recycling or reuse)
Items available in the UK (either online or in-store)
DIY items if there are only two ingredients, which are easily available plastic-free. This can be tricky, as ingredients often come in plastic tubs or bags.
So without further ado, let’s get to the list!
Plastic-free skincare products
Neal’s Yard Remedies sell a wide range of cleansers, toners, moisturisers, serums, scrubs, masks and eye creams, as well as essential oils. Much of the packaging is glass or aluminium, although they do use some plastic bottles (which are recycled plastic), plastic lids and pumps. Some of their range is refillable in-store. I particularly love their Frankincense Intense Hydrating Essence and Wild Rose Beauty Balm.
Upcircle, which sells cleansers, toners, serums, eye creams, moisturisers, face oils, SPF, face scrubs, masks and lip balms, are the ultimate refillable brand. I particularly love their original product, the Coffee Face Scrub for Sensitive Skin. and I’ve seen their products in quite a few refill stores, including my local at Carpenter’s Nursery. If there’s not one near you, you can also return your empties for reuse. (copy geeks ahoy: they also have a fun brand voice).
Evolve Organic Beauty sells skincare, body care and hair care in glass containers. They do use some plastic for products, opting for 75-100% recycled PET plastic, which doesn't leach any chemicals into the soil. They recently announced hand & body wash and shampoo in new sustainable fibre-based bottles, which are made from FSC- and PEFC-certified wood pulp and recyclable with household paper and card.
Spanish marketing translator Clara Moris Lopez rates Caudalie’s Vinoclean Gentle Foam cleanser. The French brand has made a shift towards 100% plastic-free packaging, and has introduced a plastic collection program.
Bilingual copywriter Sabine Harnau, the founder of From Scratch Communications, rates Aesop for its range of skincare. They stock all sorts, from cleansers and exfoliators to moisturisers and SPF.
Bufarma turns buffalo milk into anti-oxidant-packed skincare, including cleansers, face oils and scrubs. I met them at the Natural & Organic Products Expo recently and chatted to them about their packaging, which is made from aluminium. They do use some plastic in the form of a 100% recycled pump — unlike most pumps which are unrecyclable because of the metal spring, the pump can be completely recycled.
Solid soaps and bars are a great way to reduce plastic in your bathroom. Many are unpackaged, or at least minially packaged. Soap Stories sells a range of solid bars made from natural, organic ingredients and gentle formulas, including the delicious-sounding Sunwoven, made from turmeric, citrus and herbs. Founder Guia Mondello says, ‘I am also on a zero-waste bathroom journey and I feel like solid soaps are really a game changer!’.
Plastic-free hair care
I have temperamental oily hair and have lived most of my life in a hard water area. I can’t count the number of shampoos I’ve tried and then discarded when it hasn’t lived up to its promise. Hooray for Olio, which has helped me share unwanted products with my neighbours.
I currently use Clementine Suds’ hard shampoo, which comes in a cardboard box. The brand also sells balms, solid bubble bath and gift sets plastic-free. Some items are wrapped in what looks like plastic, but it’s actually compostable corn starch.
Lush is the OG packaging-free beauty brand, selling ‘naked’ bubble bath, shampoo, conditioner and bath bombs. If you buy in-store, you can ask them to hold to paper bag for a truly zero waste beauty fix. Sabine also rates them, saying, ‘they almost always have an unpackaged version and if not, they take back all their plastic bins and tubes for reuse or recycling.’
Sustainability Marketer Nikki Mattei, rates Fushi, which has a range of ayurvedic shampoo. The range is sold in glass bottles and made from Soil Association-certified organic ingredients, which is very important to Nikki.
Nikki also rates Castile soap, which she buys in bulk from Greenscents. They use amber glass bottles and have a return and refill scheme for 5 or 20 litre bulk containers. They are certified organic by The Soil Association as well as being certified palm oil free.
I recently discovered Disruptor London’s multipurpose bars. Packaging-free, they can be used for hair, scalp and skin. Free from petrochemicals, parabens or sulphates, they also have the highest rating of any beauty brand on Good On You.
Guia Mondello, Founder of Soap Stories, also recommends KLAR’s range of solid shampoo bars, which also includes a version suitable for kids which I might just have to try for my mini mes.
Plastic-free deodorant
Sabine Harnau recommends Aurelia’s Botanical Cream Deodorant. She says, ‘simply the best, and I still import it 7 years after leaving the UK.’
Ben & Anna’s PolyPotato Deodorant Cream comes in a fully compostable packaging made from potatoes.
Italian transcreator Marta Spinelli says, ‘I've recently discovered Wild and its refillable deos. They sell also lipsticks, body wash and handsoap with the same features but for now I've tried just the deos. You just buy a coloured metallic case and then add the deo refills that have a paper package. Very good quality and low environmental impact!’
Plastic-free SPF
I’ve struggled for years to find plastic-free, reef-friendly SPF. But leaving my pale skin uncovered isn’t an option, so I’ve usually just settled for supermarket brands.
Luckily, Upcircle now has a mineral SPF containing upcycled raspberry seeds, which I now use every day.
Clara Moris Lopez also rates Caudal Very High Protection Sun Water.
Guia Mondello, Founder of Soap Stories, also recommends KLAR’s range of solid shampoo bars, which also includes a version suitable for kids which I might just have to try for my mini mes.
Plastic-free oral care
Over 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are chucked away each year. Wooden toothbrushes cut down on a lot of the plastic waste. And, if you manage to cut the bristles off (I’ll be honest, I haven’t managed this yet), can be composted at home. They’re now quite widely available in the UK - Boots sells bamboo toothbrushes.
And then there’s the little problem of plastic toothbrush tubes. Have you tried toothpaste tablets? We’re so used to squeezing toothpaste onto our brushes that chewing a tablet into a paste and then brushing our teeth seems a bit odd. I recently made the switch and my sensitive teeth feel a lot cleaner. I’m prone to ulcers, which SLS exacerbates so was worried about mixing things up, but it’s working for me so far.
I use Eco Living’s toothpaste tablets with fluoride. The aluminium box contains a months supply and can be refilled if you buy the pouch. I was suspicious of the pouch, but it’s plastic-free and compostable (but it’s not clear whether that’s home or industrial composting). They also do a fluoride-free version.
Denttabs toothpaste tablets come in a glass bottle with an aluminium lid. There are fluoride and non-fluoride options, plus kids’ strawberry toothpaste tablets (a very popular flavour in our house!).
Georganics dental floss comes in a glass jar with aluminium lid and is refillable. I’ve used this before - you just have to be careful you don’t accidentally drop the container and smash it like I did! I do use plastic-free floss from another brand which I wouldn’t recommend, as the plant-based floss breaks off and gets stuck in my teeth.
Have you heard of mouthwash tablets? I hadn’t until I found Georganics Mouthwash Tablets. The glass bottle with an aluminium lid contains enough for three months. A little tip: add the tablet to a small amount of water before you brush your teeth, as the tablet can take a few minutes to dissolve.
Plastic-free period care
Period Care Reusable pads and pants have become really popular in recent years. You do need to be careful because some brands have been found to contain high levels of silver and PFAS.
I use local-to-me brand Mighty Eve (which I also wrote about for the Harpenden Sustainability Market).
Portuguese language specialist Joana Berardo Frazão says, ‘I use Petit Lulu and they’re definitely among the most comfortable I’ve ever tried!’
Plastic-free nappies
I used reusable nappies with my two daughters and found them much easier to use than you might expect. Washing them was simple and we never had to make a quick dash to the supermarket in the middle of the night. We used prefolds, which are a bit trickier than the all-in-ones, but have the benefit that you can turn them into cleaning clothes when your kid potty trains.
Joana Berardo Frazão also used them. She says, ‘from my experience with my son, I’d highlight Bells Bumz for their excellent nappy absorbency and Little Lamb for the great fit and quality of their covers.
Plastic-free makeup
Facetheory sell foundation and loose powder in aluminium and glass containers. I use the powder and a primer. A recent discovery of mine, Facetheory, sell a range of skincare products and also make up in glass and aluminium. I love the Silicon Free Face Primer and Loose Powder.
Odilique sell foundation in a glass jar with an aluminium lid, which I use.
Zao sells a range of make-up in mostly refillable bamboo cases. I’ve personally used the refillable foundation and eye shadow. They sell plastic-free eyeshadows and blushers, powder, plus nail varnish remover in a glass bottle with a bamboo lid. Note they do use plastic stickers for legal info.
For concealer, Sabine Harnau recommends RMS - Un-Cover Up.
Plastic-free nail varnish
Nail varnish is essentially a plastic that sets on your nails, before breaking off into pieces and polluting the environment.
Earthy Nail Polish sells a range of nail polishes (and crucially, nail polish remover) in glass bottles with a bamboo cap. You can return the bottles to them for reuse. However, it’s not clear that the polish itself is plastic-free (it contains trimellitic anhydride copolymer, a polymer, and mica which can contaminate the environment)
So there you have it, a list of recommended plastic-free beauty products available in the UK. Have a recommendation you’d like to make? Struggling to find something particular? I’d love to hear it and update this list.
Need help telling your plastic-free beauty story?
Looking to refine your messaging, tell a compelling story and develop a strong brand voice for your plastic-free beauty brand? I can help. Get in touch with me to discuss how my brand voice development, copywriting and Italian-to-English transcreation services can help you.
