We all want less waste and more ethical behavior in the cosmetics industry. We want packaging that is recyclable or refillable, vegan products and cruelty-free standards, and ingredients that are clean with no palm oil, parabens, or formaldehyde.
Our relationship with the cosmetics industry feels a little bit like a relationship with an abusive partner like we are begging for the bare minimum.
Seriously, it’s not that hard. In fact, we are pretty sure that in today’s world, making plastic-free and zero-waste cosmetics won’t actually lose companies that much money, and may even be more economical in the long run for them.
So, why don’t they switch over? Well, luckily some have, or are at least starting to make the switch to sustainability.
Let’s take a deeper look!
What Is Vegan Plastic Free Makeup?
Vegan plastic-free makeup is exactly what it sounds like. Vegan makeup is makeup that is made without any animals being harmed, with no animal products or byproducts included in the production process or ingredients.
Plastic-free makeup is makeup that does not contain any plastics, even in the packaging, which is quite a rarity, as a lot of makeup uses plastics.
Consider the number of powder palettes that are made out of plastic. Most of these plastics are single-use as well! Making them extremely unfriendly to the environment.
How Can I Make My Makeup Eco-Friendly?
Making your makeup eco-friendly in this day and age is slowly getting easier but it is not easy. Of course, with any makeup you want it to match your skin, and for it to mesh well with your skin.
So, when you find options that satisfy you in this way, you need to look into other things, such as:
- Choosing to use reusable makeup pads, or use biodegradable makeup wipes or even reusable sponges.
- Change to an eco-friendly brush collection. Not horsehair ones!
- Use multipurpose products. You can get plenty of all-in-1 products now, take advantage of them. Less is more!
- Recycle beauty containers, wash them out first, so they are clean and ready to be recycled.
- Keep an eye out for makeup that uses organic products. Witch Hazel is a fantastic cosmetic product and it is often organic.
- Look at the packaging. Who is using single-use plastics, who uses recyclable plastics, and who uses glass. Glass is often more recyclable than plastic is, it is best to choose glass over plastic if at all possible.
What Brands Are Plastic Free?
In the UK you will find a fantastic brand known as All Earth Mineral Cosmetics.
All Earth Mineral Cosmetics is Cornish, and they make makeup with ethically sourced botanicals and pure minerals and are very diligent around no waste packaging.
What is better is their benefits:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Anti-bacterial.
- Suitable for sensitive skin/ problematic skin.
- Bismuth free.
They have a wide range of products such as:
- Mineral Powders: These include foundation, concealer, bonzer, blusher and also contouring powders, finishing powders and illuminators.
- Vegan Kabuki brushes.
- Cream Tints: Including brightening concealers, highlighters, and lips, cheeks and eyes.
- Skincare: they have a 3-in-1 face cream, reusable makeup pads, and a multi-use facial serum too!
As you can see they have covered everything!
Price Range: £2:00 – £28:00
Packaging: ‘Pots For Life’, and use of 100% biodegradable and recyclable packaging.
Cruelty-free & vegan.
Use of Key Ingredients such as:
Kaolin (natural clay), Allantoin (anti-inflammatory), Mica (reduction of fine lines), Zinc Oxide (natural pigmentation), Titanium Dioxide ( UV protection), Silica (skin oil balancing properties).
Other UK no-waste makeup brands you may be interested in include:
- PHB Ethical Beauty. ( UK & Canada, £1.50 – £52:00 Price range).
- Ethique. ( Leeds, £6.50- £15.00 Price range).
- Zaro Makeup. (Europe/ Czech, £5.95 – £52 Price range).
Meanwhile, if you live in the United States you might want to think about trying Grounded Sage Skincare.
Grounded Sage Skincare is all about 0 waste cosmetics, especially in the foundation which is probably the hardest product to be really 100% waste free with. What is better is that their products are made with no-GMO modified tapioca starches, and are totally aluminum free.
What else is not in there that you often find in makeup? Check it out!
- Parabens.
- Petro Ingredients.
- Nanoparticles.
- SLS.
- Propylene Glycol.
- Phthalates.
They are a Canadian brand and are certified as being cruelty-free by both Leaping Bunny and by PETA.
Here are some of the items you can buy from them:
- Aloe Vera Facial Toner.
- Pumpkin Enzyme face Mask.
- Eyeshadows.
- Natural Under Eye Cream Concealer.
- Night Creams.
- Tinted Face Creams.
- Vegan Mascara.
They also offer personalized recommendations to support your skin through a free skin assessment. All of their products are plant-based, cruelty-free, and filler-free.
Price Range: $15 – $140:00
Packaging: Glass jars for foundations, tins for eyeshadow. Packaged in recyclable paper envelopes.
Other US Brands that may interest you include:
- Dirty Hippie Cosmetics. (Australia, $4.22 – $23.27)
- Axiology Balmies (USA, $15 – $98 Price range).
- River Organics (USA, $2.99 – $21,99 Price range).
What Is The Most Environmentally Friendly Cosmetic Packaging?
The most environmentally friendly cosmetic packaging has to be Bamboo. Bamboo grows fast and in droves, thus it is very easy to farm and it is insanely easy to use. It is also antibacterial. It looks sleek and very expensive as packaging but it is eco-friendly and actually very cheap.
In fact, it is totally possible that bamboo may even be cheaper than plastic and other forms of packaging which are less and even not environmentally friendly.
Other environmentally friendly packaging materials include:
- Silicone.
- Glass.
- Metal.
- Paperboard and paper products.
What Are Zero Waste Cosmetics?
In the simplest of terms, no waste makeup is makeup and cosmetic products which prioritize minimalist packaging and recyclable materials.
Achieving zero waste can be done in a variety of ways when you create a makeup product. This can be from using eco-friendly ingredients, using sustainable, recyclable, or reusable packaging, and refillable containers.
Zero Waste Mascara
Try out zero-waste mascara. The idea of using this is a great way to protect the environment. Products such as zero-waste mascara will be made by brands that produce mascara ethically and through sustainable means using thoughtful packaging and recycled materials.
Organic ingredients will also be used in a sustainable fashion to help the environment and benefit your skin.
Vegan Deodorant No Plastic
You might not have thought it possible to have a no-plastic deodorant, but it is totally possible.
In fact, many deodorants are now trying to be eco-friendly. If you haven’t seen it yet, there is a hilarious advert circulating the internet about a polar bear who really wants you to be more thoughtful about your deodorant.
This deodorant is known as ‘Wild’. They are plastic free, effective, vegan, and offer refills. You build up your own customized deodorant and get it shipped to you with refills on a regular basis.
This deodorant is definitely Wild, but as wacky as their advert is, it is definitely tempting more people into an eco-friendly way of stopping stinky armpits!
If you have not seen the advert yet, or if you are not yet tempted by plastic-free deodorants, watch this wild advert here.
Zero Waste Beauty
Zero Waste Beauty is a beauty brand that is trying to avoid allowing any waste into landfills or at least as minimal as they can through their entire product production process.
This includes the process of making their product with the correct ingredients in the right way, with as little disruption to the plant, and all the way to put it into your home through the packaging and shipping.
They are a popular UK 0-waste cosmetic brand.
Overall, while it feels impossible, there are plenty of makeup brands out there that offer vegan, plastic-free, zero-waste products. You just need to know where to look. I could have gone into detail about every single one out there, but we would be here forever if I did.
Do you have a favorite zero-waste makeup brand? Please tell me, share them with the world!
Summary:
The beauty industry is moving in the right direction. There are more and more plastic-free, eco-friendly, and vegan-friendly beauty products today, than ever before.
If you are on a journey to living more sustainable life, by cutting plastic and living more eco-friendly, then the best place to start, is by changing some of the things you use on a daily basis, such as beauty products!
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