10 Zero-Waste UK Beauty Brands to Try in 2025 for Sustainable Glam

In a world increasingly concerned with sustainability, the beauty industry has undergone a significant transformation. The rise of zero-waste UK beauty brands to try has provided eco-conscious consumers with sustainable alternatives that do not compromise on quality or efficacy.

Traditional beauty products contribute to a massive amount of plastic waste, with millions of non-recyclable packaging items ending up in landfills each year. The good news? A growing number of innovative brands in the UK are committed to eliminating waste through biodegradable packaging, refillable containers, and ethical sourcing.

If you’re looking for ways to embrace a greener beauty routine, this article introduces you to 10 zero-waste UK beauty brands to try in 2025. These brands are leading the charge in sustainability, helping you make informed choices while still enjoying high-quality skincare, haircare, and cosmetics.

Why Choose Zero-Waste Beauty in 2025?

The beauty industry is responsible for generating an estimated 120 billion units of packaging waste annually. This staggering number has led to an urgent demand for zero-waste UK beauty brands to try that prioritize sustainability without compromising performance.

How Zero-Waste Brands Reduce Environmental Impact

Zero-waste beauty brands focus on:

• Refillable packaging – Encouraging customers to reuse containers.
• Biodegradable and compostable materials – Minimizing waste sent to landfills.
• Sustainable sourcing – Ethically obtained ingredients that do not harm ecosystems.
• Carbon-neutral production – Brands reducing emissions through responsible manufacturing.

Ethical Sourcing and Cruelty-Free Benefits

Many zero-waste brands also embrace ethical sourcing and cruelty-free testing, ensuring their products are kind to both the planet and animals.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Zero-Waste Beauty Brands

Not all sustainable beauty brands are created equal. Here are key aspects to evaluate before making a purchase:

1. Sustainable Packaging

• Refillable containers (glass, aluminum, bamboo)
• Biodegradable or compostable materials
• Minimal or no outer packaging

2. Ethical Ingredient Sourcing

• Organic and natural formulations
• Fair-trade ingredients
• No palm oil or microplastics

3. Carbon Footprint Reduction

• Carbon-neutral or offsetting initiatives
• Locally sourced materials

4. Certifications to Look For

• Vegan & Cruelty-Free (Leaping Bunny, PETA)
• Plastic-Free Certification
• Fair Trade Certified

10 Zero-Waste UK Beauty Brands to Try in 2025

Embracing sustainability in the beauty industry is more than just a passing trend—it’s a movement towards a cleaner and greener future. The demand for zero-waste UK beauty brands to try has surged as consumers seek eco-friendly alternatives that align with their values. 

These brands are revolutionizing the industry with innovative packaging, ethical sourcing, and waste-free formulations. Whether you’re new to sustainable beauty or looking to expand your collection, these brands offer effective solutions without harming the planet.

1. UpCircle Beauty

The shift towards sustainable beauty has paved the way for brands that prioritize waste reduction without compromising quality. Among the zero-waste UK beauty brands to try, UpCircle Beauty stands out for its innovative approach. By repurposing discarded natural ingredients, the brand champions the circular economy, ensuring that beauty products are both effective and environmentally friendly.

Best for: Sustainable skincare made from repurposed ingredients

• UpCircle transforms discarded natural ingredients like coffee grounds, fruit stones, and chai spices into effective skincare solutions.
• Their return and refill scheme encourages customers to send back empty containers for discounts on refills.
• Known for ethical sourcing and plastic-free packaging, UpCircle ensures every product contributes to a circular economy.

2. Ethique

As consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, zero-waste UK beauty brands to try have gained massive popularity. Among them, Ethique is a leader in offering package-free beauty solutions. Their innovative solid beauty bars provide high-quality hair and body care while eliminating plastic waste. With a commitment to biodegradable packaging and ethical sourcing, Ethique ensures that sustainability never compromises performance.

Best for: Solid shampoo and body bars

• Ethique, originally from New Zealand, expanded to the UK and became a leader in solid, package-free beauty products.
• Their bars last three times longer than liquid alternatives, eliminating the need for plastic bottles.
• All packaging is 100% biodegradable and compostable, ensuring zero-waste disposal.

3. Beauty Kitchen

As the demand for eco-conscious products grows, zero-waste UK beauty brands to try are revolutionizing the skincare industry. Beauty Kitchen is a frontrunner in this movement, offering high-performance, sustainable skincare solutions. Their innovative refill program and commitment to natural ingredients make them an excellent choice for anyone looking to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining a luxurious beauty routine.

Best for: Skincare and bath products

• Beauty Kitchen focuses on high-quality natural skincare with refillable aluminum and glass packaging.
• Their Return, Refill, Repeat program allows customers to send back packaging for professional cleaning and reuse.
• Certified B Corp, Beauty Kitchen is committed to sustainability and ethical ingredient sourcing.

4. Lush

Lush is a leader in sustainable beauty, pioneering ‘naked’ products—cosmetics that come without packaging to reduce plastic waste. Their bath bombs, shampoo bars, and body butters are formulated using ethical and natural ingredients. Customers are encouraged to return empty black pots in exchange for free products as part of Lush’s recycling rewards program. The company remains committed to vegan and cruelty-free formulations, ensuring sustainability and ethical responsibility.

Best for: Package-free cosmetics

• Lush pioneered naked beauty products, meaning many of their bestsellers come without packaging.
• Customers can return black pots in exchange for free products as part of their recycling rewards program.
• Their bath bombs, shampoo bars, and body butters are famous for their plastic-free, ethical formulations.

5. BYBI Beauty

BYBI Beauty is dedicated to low-carbon, sustainable beauty, focusing on carbon-neutral production and responsible ingredient sourcing. The brand uses sugarcane-derived bio-plastic tubes and recyclable glass packaging to reduce its environmental footprint. By incorporating cold-pressed extraction techniques, BYBI minimizes energy consumption while maintaining product potency. Additionally, the company actively offsets carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy projects, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Best for: Vegan and carbon-neutral skincare

• BYBI Beauty focuses on low-carbon, sustainable beauty solutions, using bio-plastic tubes made from sugarcane.
• Their packaging is 100% recyclable, and they actively offset carbon emissions by investing in renewable energy.
• They use cold-pressed extraction techniques to reduce energy consumption in product formulation.

6. Bloomtown

In the search for zero-waste UK beauty brands to try, Bloomtown emerges as a pioneer in sustainable beauty. As the first UK brand to be certified palm oil-free, Bloomtown is committed to ethical ingredient sourcing and waste reduction. Their small-batch, handcrafted approach ensures high-quality formulations that are gentle on the skin and the planet.

Best for: Palm oil-free beauty

• Bloomtown is the UK’s first certified palm oil-free beauty brand, focusing on sustainable and ethical sourcing.
• They use glass and aluminum packaging, avoiding plastics entirely.
• Their products are hand-crafted in small batches to minimize waste and ensure quality.

7. Neal’s Yard Remedies

When searching for zero-waste UK beauty brands to try, Neal’s Yard Remedies stands out for its commitment to organic and holistic skincare. Known for its dedication to sustainable farming and ethical ingredient sourcing, the brand has pioneered eco-friendly beauty solutions for decades. Their signature blue glass bottles and extensive sustainability initiatives make them a must-try for conscious consumers.

Best for: Organic and holistic skincare

• A pioneer in organic beauty, Neal’s Yard Remedies focuses on sustainable farming practices and ethical ingredient sourcing.
• Their signature blue glass bottles reduce light exposure and extend product shelf life.
• They support global conservation efforts, including protecting bee populations and forest sustainability.

8. Weleda

Weleda is a pioneer in natural skincare, utilizing biodynamic farming methods that ensure sustainable, ethical ingredient sourcing. The company prioritizes a zero-waste supply chain, meaning every part of the plant is used to minimize environmental impact. Weleda’s packaging is made entirely from recycled materials, supporting a closed-loop sustainability system. As a certified NATRUE Organic and Fair Trade brand, Weleda is committed to transparency and high-quality, nature-derived formulations.

Best for: Herbal and botanical skincare

• Weleda is known for its biodynamic farming methods, ensuring that ingredients are grown sustainably and ethically.
• Their zero-waste supply chain ensures that every part of the plant is utilized, minimizing environmental impact.
• Packaging is made from 100% recycled materials, supporting a closed-loop system.

9. Axiology Beauty

Axiology is revolutionizing the beauty industry with its zero-waste, multi-use makeup products. The brand is best known for its Balmie Multi-Use Crayons, designed for the eyes, lips, and cheeks, eliminating the need for multiple products and reducing waste. Their paper-based tubes are handcrafted from recycled island waste and are fully recyclable. Axiology remains 100% vegan and palm-oil-free, ensuring ethical sourcing and sustainability in every step of production.

Best for: Multi-use, plastic-free makeup

• Axiology offers zero-waste makeup crayons for eyes, lips, and cheeks, replacing traditional plastic-packaged cosmetics.
• Their paper-based tubes are fully recyclable and handcrafted from recycled island waste.
• They commit to 100% vegan and palm-oil-free formulations, ensuring ethical sourcing.

10. Beauty Without Cruelty

Founded in 1959, Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) is one of the oldest cruelty-free beauty brands, dedicated to offering ethical and vegan-friendly cosmetics. The brand minimizes plastic waste by using recyclable aluminum and glass for packaging. Their product line includes a comprehensive range of cosmetics, such as foundations, mascaras, and lipsticks, catering to conscious consumers seeking high-performance vegan beauty products.

Best for: Vegan and ethical cosmetics

• Established in 1959, Beauty Without Cruelty is one of the oldest cruelty-free beauty brands.
• Their packaging consists of recyclable aluminum and glass, minimizing plastic waste.
• They offer a full range of vegan cosmetics, including foundations, mascaras, and lipsticks.

How to Transition to a Zero-Waste Beauty Routine?

Making the switch to zero-waste beauty may seem overwhelming at first, but with a few simple changes, you can significantly reduce your environmental footprint. By opting for sustainable products and being mindful of packaging, you can enjoy a beauty routine that aligns with eco-friendly values. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you transition smoothly.

Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

• Start small – Replace plastic-heavy items first.
• Opt for refillable products – Choose brands with return-and-refill programs.
• Use multi-purpose products – Reduce waste by using versatile items.
• Dispose responsibly – Recycle or upcycle packaging instead of discarding.

Takeaways

By choosing zero-waste UK beauty brands to try, you help create a greener, more sustainable beauty industry. Small changes in daily routines—like switching to solid shampoos, refillable skincare, and package-free cosmetics—have a significant impact on reducing waste. 

Every choice matters, and the brands highlighted here make it easy to align your beauty routine with eco-conscious values.