10 Zero Waste Skincare Brands You’ll Love
From refillable cleansers to upcycled coffee scrubs, discover the best zero waste skincare brands and products that love your skin and the planet.
Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes
What is zero waste skincare? We hear you ask.
Here’s the deal: zero waste skincare is products that keep your skin glowing without clogging landfills. That means packaging that can be refilled, reused, composted, or recycled, plus ingredients that are kind to both your skin and the planet.
Because beauty waste is almost as scary as forgetting sunscreen on a beach day. According to Zero Waste Week, the cosmetics industry produces 120 billion units of packaging every year, most of which isn’t recyclable. And globally, only 9% of plastic actually gets recycled. Yikes.
Zero waste skincare brands flip the script by offering compostable lip balm tubes, refillable face washes, and multi-use formulas that simplify your routine while cutting down clutter.
Less waste, less stress, and way more room on your bathroom shelf.
10 Zero Waste Skincare Brands That Actually Deliver
We rounded up the best of the best, from herbalist-founded labels to refillable pioneers. Here’s your ultimate guide to zero waste skincare brands that prove eco-friendly can also mean luxurious, effective, and fun.
1. Fat and The Moon
Herbalist-founded, Fat and The Moon makes non-toxic, plant-based, and handmade skincare designed to be as nourishing for the planet as it is for your face. Think of them as magic witch meets apothecary chic.
Top Picks:
Pimple Mud Face Mask
A clay-based spot treatment with tea tree oil that zaps zits without the plastic tubes.
Sage & Rose Face Mist
Hydrating, refreshing, and smells like a garden at golden hour.
Face Oil
Lightweight, botanical goodness that doubles as a natural glow booster.
2. Izzy Zero Waste Beauty
Okay, technically Izzy is a makeup brand. But, with the world’s first certified carbon-neutral, zero waste beauty line, they absolutely deserve a spot here. Their gender-neutral products come in endlessly refillable, recyclable packaging.
Top Picks:
Dew Bomb Glowy Hydra-Milk Skincare Starter Kit
Deep hydration and a radiant glow in a compact, plastic-free form
Refill Pods
Because tossing the whole container is so 2010.
Zero Waste Lip + Cheek Hue
Multi-taskers that keep your routine (and your makeup bag) minimal.
3. River Organics
Is it skincare? Is it makeup? River Organics blurs the line with tinted, nourishing formulas that deliver a natural look. Their mission: simplify routines, source sustainably, and donate profits to conservation efforts.
Top Picks:
Tinted Vegan Lip Balm
Moisturizing balm with a hint of color.
Vegan Blush Stick
Creamy, blendable color in a compostable tube.
Bronzing Stick
Sun-kissed glow, no glitter, no guilt.
4. UpCircle Beauty
This UK-based brand turns coffee grounds, chai spices, and other “waste” ingredients into skincare gold. Vegan, cruelty-free, and zero waste through and through.
Top Picks:
Coffee Face Scrub - Floral Blend for Sensitive Skin
Exfoliation powered by yesterday’s espresso.
Hydrating Face Oil with Coffee Extract
Hydrating organic face oil made from coffee byproducts.
Eye Cream
Brightens tired eyes with repurposed maple bark extract.
5. Activist
The world’s first 100% refillable skincare brand, Activist is pioneering sustainable beauty with high-performance natural ingredients. Bonus: they advocate for positive change at every step.
Top Picks:
Sea to Skin Cleansing Gel
Refreshing, ocean-inspired cleanser.
Calming Force Clear Skin Serum
A soothing serum for sensitive skin.
Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm
Rich balm that melts away makeup without waste.
6. Plaine Products
Plaine Products are packaged in refillable, returnable aluminum bottles. All-natural, vegan, non-GMO, and free from sulfates and parabens, they’re gentle enough for kids too!
Top Picks:
Face Wash
Gentle, effective, refillable.
Face Toner
Balances skin without harsh chemicals.
Refillable Beauty Oil
Multi-purpose hydration in a bottle that never goes to landfill.
7. Meow Meow Tweet
Small-batch, vegan, and crafted with charitable giving in mind, Meow Meow Tweet makes plastic-free skincare with playful packaging.
Top Picks:
Natural Acne Spot Serum
Target blemishes without plastic.
Pink Rose Clay Facial Soap
Gentle cleansing in bar form.
Skin Repair Balm
Multipurpose balm for dry patches and irritation.
8. Live Like You Green It
Live Like You Green It is a clean, organic self-care brand specializing in sustainable hair and skincare for sensitive skin. Their wide range of multi-tasking products and routines create a spa experience at home for conscious teens, women and men.
Top Picks:
Sun Mylk Day Cream with Mineral Reef-Safe SPF
Lightweight, hydrating protection
All Natural Aloe Vera Hair and Body Oil
Perfect for all hair types and can be used in so many different ways
Calm Cleanse
A micellar water cleanser with the hydrating benefits of hyaluronic acid.
9. The Home Farm
Born out of a personal health journey, The Home Farm is all about health-conscious, zero waste products. Their ethos: safe for sensitive skin, sustainable for the planet.
Top Picks:
Argan Face Serum
Lightweight, nourishing serum.
Rose Cleanser + Toner
Two-in-one formula that refreshes skin.
Acne Stick
Spot treatment, stick format, zero plastic.
10. ZWS Essentials
Yes, we’re tooting our own (plastic-free) horn. Our zero waste skincare essentials includes vegan, organic options and tools that replace everyday disposables.
Top Picks:
Reusable Cotton Rounds
Swap for disposable wipes (the U.S. tosses 11 billion wipes annually, and they can take 100 years to break down!).
Soap Bar
Gentle cleansing, no plastic bottles.
All Natural Lip Balm
Simple, effective, and packaged plastic-free.
Final Thoughts
Just like your flawless complexion, zero-waste skincare isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and finding your best version.
By supporting zero waste skincare brands, you’re not just upgrading your routine with eco-friendly face washes, natural body lotions, and zero waste lip balms, you’re also cutting down on plastic pollution and helping shift the industry toward a more sustainable future.
Reach for the brands putting planet and people first. Your skin (and the sea turtles) will thank you.
For more clean beauty tips, don’t miss our guides:
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