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- 8 Plastic-Free Beauty Brands Changing the Industry for the Better
8 Plastic-Free Beauty Brands Changing the Industry for the Better
It’s pretty clear that the world has a plastic problem. It’s used in the majority of all packaging across multiple industries from food to beauty and fashion. When it comes to product packaging, the beauty industry, in particular, is dominated by plastic — from the vessel used to house the lotions and potions to the protective wrapping you must remove before use.
When the majority of this packaging is disposed of, it’s unable to be recycled and instead sits in a landfill for years to come. While a number of brands are doing better when it comes to packaging choices, there are others that consciously create products that are gentle on the Earth.
From compostable cardboard to refillable containers that can be used again and again, these are the beauty brands making a conscious effort to create products that contain little to no plastic packaging.
Flavedo & Albedo
This Italian-inspired, Australian-owned brand is passionate about creating high-performance makeup products that leave little trace on the environment. All of Flavedo & Albedo’s products are packaged in aluminium, glass and sustainable timber with zero plastic used. According to the brand’s website, it is also working with its suppliers to remove plastic from its supply chain as well. We love to see it!
Fluff
Based in Melbourne, Fluff is the brainchild of Erika Geraerts, one of the co-founders of Frank Body. Fluff priorities high-quality formulations housed in glass and metal compact packaging. A number of the Fluff products are refillable, including its Bronzing Powder, Lip Oil and Face Oils, making this brand a great choice for the environment.
Ethique
Since its inception in 2012, Ethique has grown to become an award-winning international beauty brand that has saved over nine million plastic bottles from being made and disposed of into landfills around the world.
Alongside the range of solid beauty bars (including shampoo, conditioner and cleansers — to name just a few), Ethique also has a revolutionary Concentrates range that is rethinking refillables. If using a bar product doesn’t usually work for you, this new line is a good option.
Kjaer Weis
With a focus on quality and luxury, Kjaer Weis combines a Scandinavian aesthetic with the unapologetic NYC attitude to create products that are high-performing and sustainable. All of the brand’s packaging is made from metal or glass and all of the palette products are refillable, with refills delivered in a paper case and metal tin. No plastic to be seen!
LUSH
Handmade cosmetics retailer, LUSH, is making strides when it comes to packaging-less products. While the brand has always sold its bath bombs sans packaging, it has recently extended this line of packaging-free products with a number of bars including shampoo bars, body butter, soaps and solid shower oils.
You can also purchase “naked” makeup products from LUSH including solid foundation bars, lipsticks, highlighters and concealers. While the retailer isn’t plastic-free across its entire range, the team are making worthwhile changes.
NueBar
For the team at NueBar, creating hard-working products that are gentle on the environment is their priority. As the name suggests, all of the products come in bar form including shampoo and conditioner bars as well as moisturisers and exfoliators. This means they are made without packaging. So good!
All of the NueBar products are handmade, vegan and cruelty-free and contain no palm oil, parabens, silicones, petroleum by-products or artificial fragrances. So, not only are the products great for the environment but they are also good for you.
Wanderlightly
Created with the desire to reduce plastic pollution, Wanderlightly sells a number of plastic-free beauty products including deodorant and body bars in cardboard tubes that can be composted, clay face masks housed in a compostable recycled paper envelope and a mask hair housed in tin packaging that can be reused or recycled.
All of the Wanderlightly products are made in small batches using local and organic ingredients where possible. And, all Wanderlighly products are sent plastic-free using Sendle, a carbon-neutral service. Slow clap.
Bar None
The team behind Bar None are pioneers in the war on waste and in an effort to reduce the amount of plastic in the world, have created packaging-free shampoo and conditioner bars. “Purchasing consciously should be accessible, it should not be defined based on gender, age or cost,” reads the Bar None website. “We make quality products that consider the world we live in.” Pick up a bar of shampoo or conditioner, or consider purchasing a biodegradable scrunchie or hair ties.