For a lot of skincare, fragrance and makeup lovers around the world, sustainable beauty is more than just a trend; it’s a lifestyle change that’s here to stay. That being said, it can sometimes be tricky to determine which premium beauty brands are taking steps toward becoming more sustainable. But that’s where I come in.
Throughout my Sustainability series, I’ll be documenting some of my favourite sustainable skincare, makeup and fragrance releases after scouring our website for the best of the best. Covering everything from leading beauty brands that are taking small steps to reduce excess waste to plant-powered beauty brands that hold sustainability as their core value, this is the series for any diehard fan of sustainable beauty or someone simply looking to make a small change to their current routine.
So, to kickstart my Sustainability series, I’ll be focusing on the sustainable glowy essentials you’re going to want to add to your routine if you’re after radiant skin and glossy hair. Why? Because searches for glowy skin are skyrocketing, and you don’t have to miss out on the trend just because you love sustainable beauty…
1. The Glow-Giving Facial Cleanser
Product Pick: Antipodes Hallelujah Lime & Patchouli Cleanser
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ 100% natural formula
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Antipodes are hailed as one of our most sustainable brands; they ethically source their ingredients to create incredible vegan formulas, all of which sit in fully recyclable containers – even the ink used for the labels is made from vegetables!
Certified vegan by the UK Vegetarian Society, the Antipodes Hallelujah Cleanser is a 100% natural cleanser that, in my view, deserves to be at the top of my list of sustainable glowy essentials. Its creamy formula is the perfect first step for getting your glow on – it’s packed with carrot seed and macadamia nut oils to boost your skin’s natural radiance. There’s a reason why the word ‘hallelujah’ is in the name – it creates a heavenly glow.
2. The Radiance Revealer
Product Pick: bareMinerals Ageless Phyto-AHA Radiance Facial
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Looking for a vegan, clean beauty routine? bareMinerals have you covered. My pick for glowing skin is the Ageless Facial – it can be used as a peel, exfoliator or a mask to unveil bright, even skin.
Its dermatologist-tested formula exfoliates your skin to leave it oh-so-smooth, while plumping out fine lines. The plant-based formula includes Phyto-AHA, which is made from mushroom enzymes, to offer the same brightening benefits as Alpha Hydroxy Acid without the risk of irritation. The gel dramatically improves skin texture without upsetting even the most sensitive of skin, while it also includes an ultra-hydrating dose of plant-based glycerine to lock in hydration – a win-win, in my mind!
But what about the design? The tube head includes mechanically-recycled PCR, while the outer paperboard carton can be recycled after use.
3. The Illuminating Facial Oil
Product Pick: Florena Illuminating Facial Oil
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ 99.94% natural formula
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Vegan brand, Florena, shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to getting glowy skin whilst respecting the environment – the Illuminating Facial Oil does exactly what it says it will.
Its nourishing blend of almond, coconut and avocado oil adds a beautiful glow to your skin, while its innovative fermented combination of pink helichrysum and safflower oil renews your skin cells for the ultimate boost of radiance. The non-greasy oil transforms dull and tired skin to look youthful and fresh. And I have to mention the floating flower petals that dance throughout the oil – it’s a stunning finishing touch.
Florena holds sustainability as a core value; from the facial oil’s recyclable glass bottle (which is made using 98% recycled glass) right down to the fact that Florena’s factories use rainwater in the toilets, Florena’s eco-friendly ethos is admirable! Read more about Florena here…
4. The Golden Moisturiser
Product Pick: Antipodes Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Kakadu plum is a trending skincare ingredient that infuses your skin with the brightening benefits of vitamin C. For me, you can’t go wrong with any of the Antipodes moisturisers. But, for the best glow, the Antipodes Water Cream adds a luxurious layer of hydration – this mandarin-scented cream leaves the most beautiful golden sheen to your skin. You can thank the vegan, sustainably-made formula for your new glowing complexion!
Plus, the design is completely recyclable and plastic-free; it’s made from glass and aluminium and housed in FSC-certified cardboard.
Antipodes Diem Vitamin C Pigment-Correcting Water Cream Review
5. The Brightening Eye Cream
Product Pick: Vida Glow Age Defiance Eye Contour Cream
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Responsible-sourcing
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: You may see a marine-based collagen brand in this series and think, ‘how can this be sustainable?’ But Vida Glow are committed to creating skincare that minimises its damage to the marine ecosystem – although, if you are vegetarian or vegan, this isn’t the brand for you, unfortunately.
Their bio marine actives are responsibly and mindfully sourced and housed in a luxurious and recyclable glass jar; plus, any colour on the design is made using soy-based inks that are recyclable. But what about the formula itself? The dermatologically-tested eye cream rejuvenates your under-eyes, turning back the clock on crow’s feet by firming and plumping delicate skin. Its creamy texture adds a youthful radiance as it soothes dark circles, helping you to look well-rested and leaving you safe in the knowledge that Vida Glow are taking steps to give you a marine-based glow in a sustainable way.
6. The Glowy Lip Oil
Product Pick: Florena Natural Gloss Lip Oil
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ 100% natural formula
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Bridging the gap between skincare and makeup, the Florena Lip Oil rescues dehydrated lips, thanks to its antioxidant-rich formula that leaves a glass-like sheen with every swipe. The vegan formula is completely organic; it’s been awarded Ecocert Greenlife’s COSMOS certification due to Florena’s environmentally-friendly production methods.
The lip oil has a natural plumping effect to add volume to your pout – and I also love applying the oil on top of lipsticks to add a shiny, glossy finish to my lip look.
7. The Glistening Body Oil
Product Pick: Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Florale Multi-Purpose Dry Oil
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ 97% natural formula
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Made using 7 botanical oils, the vegan Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Oil is an iconic multi-purpose must-have to add hydration and a healthy glow to your body, face and hair; it can even be used in your bath for a full-body sensory experience. The dry oil calms your skin, while antioxidant vitamin E smooths your skin and hair to create a radiant glow that isn’t sticky or greasy – the oil is a cult-classic for a reason, targeting stretch marks and leaving an anti-pollution veil of protection in its wake.
The Florale version adds the refreshingly sweet scent of neroli and grapefruit – you can tell how natural the oil is just from the scent! The pink glass bottle can be recycled – though, in my experience, a bottle lasts and lasts. Read our Dry Oil review here…
8. The Warming Blusher
Product Pick: Benefit Butterfly Blush
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: While Benefit still have a way to go to become a fully sustainable brand, their 2022 update to the iconic BOX O’ range is a step in a sustainable new direction, which is music to my Benefit-loving ears.
Its non-comedogenic formula is now housed in a 100% recycled cardboard design, using 20% less materials than the previous design. Plus, the old plastic brushes are gone, which reduces waste with every BOX O’ bought. My favourite shade is ‘Butterfly’ – it creates a stunning glow, and yes, the orange-toned blush is surprisingly wearable.
9. The Shimmering Eye Palette
Product Pick: Urban Decay Wild Greens Eyeshadow Palette
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Vegan
✓ Cruelty-free
Why You’ll Love It: Urban Decay shadows are globally-adored for their pigmentation and wearable shade range. But, did you know that they also have lots of vegan options? All of their new makeup releases are vegan, including the Wild Greens Eyeshadow Palette, a must-have for green-toned eyeshadow lovers. The shimmers continue your glow over your lids, while allowing you to get creative with bold or subtle looks.
10. The High-Shine Hair Serum
Product Pick: Philip Kingsley Finishing Touch Polishing Serum
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Philip Kingsley are a proud cruelty-free brand, housing their hair care in sugarcane bioplastic or post-consumer recycled materials, which makes their already revolutionary formulas just that bit better.
One of my personal favourites? The Polishing Serum. It’s designed to give your hair a glossy sheen, making up-do’s sleek by taming flyaways whilst its nourishing ingredients condition your hair. The serum extends your glow from your complexion to your locks without looking greasy or crispy.
11. The Healthy Hair Mask
Product Pick: Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Mask
Sustainable Checklist:
✓ Cruelty-free
✓ Features eco-conscious packaging
Why You’ll Love It: Once you’ve given your hair a healthy sheen, the last thing you want is to damage it when with the dulling effects of UV, pollution, chlorine and heat styling. The hair mask forms a protective veil to keep hydration, protect from environmental damage and prevent breakage. Inspired by the first US Olympic Synchronised Swimming Team, the Olympian-approved formula is good for your hair and the planet!
Over to you…
We’d love to know what you think of our more sustainable picks over on our socials, tag @escentual over on Instagram.
Discover More:
The Sustainability Series – Escentual’s Sustainable Processes
