Body & beauty

A guide to green and organic beauty

This ultimate guide covers everything you need to know about green, organic, eco-friendly and natural ingredients to improve your beauty routine

With almost £45 million a week being spent on organic products in the UK, it’s clear that business is booming for the clean and green industry. And while food makes up much of the spend, the entire organic market is up for the eighth year running thanks to a 14 percent growth in sales of certified cosmetics. So, is it time to jump on the bandwagon and give your beauty routine a green and organic overhaul? We’ve created the complete guide to eco-friendly, natural, green and organic natural beauty products to give you a helping hand.

What makes a beauty product organic?

Looking for an organic product or organic ingredient? According to The Soil Association, organic beauty is the formulation of cosmetic products using organically-farmed ingredients. The website states: “These ingredients are grown without the use of genetically modified organisms (GM), herbicides, synthetic fertilisers and more.” And if a product has been certified by the Soil Association, you can feel confident that it has zero GM, controversial chemicals, parabens, phthalates, synthetic ingredients, colours, dyes, synthetic fragrance, nano particles and no involvement in animal testing.

What are the benefits of organic products?

“Mainstream products are full of cheap fillers,” says makeup artist and green beauty blogger, Noleen Sliney. “Filler ingredients have no benefits whatsoever for your skin, and, at worse, could even damage it.”

The experts at Holland and Barrett’s online Health Hub agree. “There are numerous benefits to using organic skincare brands: most organic products are grown in a way that’s kinder to the environment,” they tell us. “What’s more, you won’t be throwing any harmful chemicals down the drain which will eventually end up in the ocean or the countryside.”

Indeed, soil biodiversity is a huge motivating factor for many organic, green beauty shoppers, as well as wider environmental benefits, but there are also skin-deep benefits. “I’ve seen a big impact on how my skin looks and feels since I started using organic products,” says Noleen. “Likewise, my clients have had wonderful results on their skin, too. By using organic I not only get quality products that make me look and feel glamorous, I’m also using products that are kind to me and my skin, animals and the environment.”

Many people report positive results after making the organic switch to clean beauty; but what makes them so good? Makeup artist and cruelty-free beauty ambassador Justine Jenkins thinks it’s down to the formulations. “Organic is the highest quality product you can buy in terms of purity,” she says. “Remember, up to 60 percent of what we put on our skin can be absorbed into our bodies, so it makes sense to avoid harsh chemicals and use ingredients as natural as possible.”

Are there any downsides to buying organic beauty products?

The price point can be a drawback. “The downside to organic beauty is the cost,” says Justine. “They are more expensive to produce, therefore the retail price is higher.”

However, Noleen argues that by buying organic and green beauty products, you’re actually getting more value for your money. “You’re getting products that contain the best quality ingredients that nourish and care for your skin,” she says. “Every ingredient is in there for a reason.”

In spite of this, Noleen warns us against switching to organic products all at once. “Even when the ingredients are natural and organic, your skin may still react to one, especially if you have any skin sensitivities,” she explains. “If you switch too many products and have a breakout, you won’t know which product or ingredient caused the skin issue and which to avoid. I advise my clients to try one new natural beauty product at a time: that way, you won’t shock your skin. And, if you do have a reaction to something, you’ll know what to avoid.

Keep in mind that your skin is used to the products you’re using right now, even if they aren’t beneficial to you. This means that you may not see an improvement in your skin straight away when you first switch to green beauty and organic cosmetics. It takes up to 12 weeks to see the benefits of a new product but it will be worth it in the end.”

What’s the difference between natural skincare and organic products?

Natural and organic products aren’t interchangeable, say The Soil Association: “‘Nature inspired’ and ‘from nature’ are terms you might have seen, but to help you identify a truly natural product, we offer COSMOS natural certification. We believe that if a product is natural, the majority of ingredients must be from nature. No endangered plants may be used and no GM ingredients.” Organic products go one step further, requiring organic farming methods; identify these products by looking for the Soil Association or EcoCert logo. So what is the best organic skincare in the UK? We like Neal’s Yard Remedies bath oils, Dr Organic’s Bioactive Skincare, Pai, Willow Organic Beauty, Evolve Organic Beauty, SKN-RG’s face masks, Green People’s eye creams and Ishga Organic Seaweed Skincare.

What about make-up? You’ll be happy to hear that there are lots of organic beauty products in the UK that won’t harm your skin. From lipsticks to eye liner, you’ll find something to suit your needs and budget.

Which organic sunscreen should I choose?

It’s important to bear in mind the potential damage to the marine environment caused by sunscreens. Hawaii recently took action, passing a bill that makes them the first US state to ban sunscreens that are harmful to coral reefs – the first real sign that this is going to become a new beauty-related ‘eco-concern’. The ingredients in question? In particular, oxybenzone and octinoxate – common sun-protective ingredients, which can damage coral and harm fish, sea urchins and marine mammals. EQ Evoa Organic Sunscreen (£18.50, lovelula.com) is the first sunscreen range to be certified as non-toxic to coral reefs and the marine world, and is organically certified by Ecocert. There’s a wide range of SPFs, but the SPF50 is a great choice for anyone who likes the ‘insurance policy’ of the highest SPF available to keep your skin protected.

Why is eco beauty important?

Most of us are used to looking at ingredients to check for nasties, but have you ever thought to look for eco credentials? We guide you through simple changes you can make to ease the environmental impact of your regime and try green and organic beauty brands.

“Companies that are sustainable in their manufacturing and packaging process will be transparent about this,” says Mia Tozer, brand assistant at Urban Veda. “Ordering in bulk or buying the larger sizes of products also helps as the resulting implications are less problematic.”

Nneka Fleming, founder of Novel Skincare agrees. “The clean, eco-friendly skincare trend comes hand in hand with the growing self-care movement which calls for everyone to take responsibility for their wellbeing, including what feels right and wrong,” she says. “You can’t do that without considering the wider environmental factors associated with the choices you make.

“There’s an environmental cost to every beauty product, but there are steps you can take to reduce this. Ask yourself: what’s it made of? Can it be reused or recycled? Does it include excess packaging that has to be thrown away? Look at the ingredients and consider whether there are toxic ingredients in there. Many companies will leave you to decipher their list, but the best defence is to simplify your skincare.”

How to reduce waste in your beauty regime

Streamlining your beauty routine will cut down on the waste that you produce. Take a look at your shelf and ask what impact the products will have on the environment – will they leave a trace? Nneka recommends these top tips for buying from green beauty brands:

Shop with ethical and sustainable brands who take care to source products which are sustainable and transparent in terms of their ingredients, ethos and environmental goals.
Check for the recycling symbol on labels before you buy. This will also help you to recycle after you finish using a product – glass bottles and jars are best but, if a product is made from plastic, aim for PET1, the most widely recyclable plastic. Remember the higher the number, the less likely it is that it will ever be recycled. Try to go plastic-free where possible.
Once you’ve purchased and used a product, make sure you dispose of it correctly.

What are the best eco beauty and wellness products and swaps?

There are lots of great eco beauty products on the market and they’re not as pricey as you might think. The following swaps will leave you feeling and looking beautiful, as well as pleasing your bank balance, and you’ll be doing your bit for the planet in the process.

Swap conventional facial cleansers for an oil-based method

The temptation to use a makeup wipe for the sake of ease and price is hard to resist. However, a lot of them are predominantly made from plastic, so try an oil cleanser instead. “Natural, cold-pressed organic oils are a great way of lifting grime, dust and makeup off the skin,” says Lucy Gulland from Balmonds. “Even better, plant-based oils will nourish your skin, leaving it enriched rather than depleted. Use a warm damp washcloth instead of disposable cotton wool.” You only need a little bit of face oil, so it will work out more cost-effective in the long run.

Swap many different skincare products for an all-purpose natural one

“Consider the environmental impact of buying 20 different products – all in their own little plastic pots and many destined to be wasted, or thrown away half-used – for 20 different jobs,” says Lucy. “Why not just get one and multi-task instead? So many different skincare needs can be met with a simple, old-fashioned salve. Traditional beeswax-based ointments are usually 100 percent natural and don’t need preservatives to keep, so they win the eco-friendly prize over water-based creams full of synthetic ingredients. You can use a natural ointment in place of makeup remover, lip balms, hand creams and aftershave balms, and on cuts, grazes and insect bites. It’ll even work as a protective barrier against pollen in hay fever season.”

Swap plastic for reusable or plastic-free packaging

It will come as no surprise to learn that boycotting plastic as much as possible is an ideal place to start in order to give your beauty routine a green refresh. “Look at the environmental impact of the products you use,” says Joy Parkinson, managing director of Faith in Nature. “Our Brave Botanicals shampoo bottles are made from at least 96 percent sugarcane so they don’t deplete fossil fuels.” She also recommends looking for packaging that is labelled RPET – this stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or recycled PET, and is a strong, durable and recyclable material. Alternatively, look for glass packaging. Brands such as the Organic Pharmacy use glass, and package some of its makeup powders in ‘tree-less’ card made from bamboo, bagasse and hemp, with ink from vegetable dyes, so when the product is finished all of the packaging can be recycled.

Swap buying small products for the larger equivalent

“Buy in bulk – you could make an even bigger positive impact on the environment and purchase a five litre bottle of shampoo, reducing the use of single-use plastics in your home,” says Joy. In most cases it works out cheaper to buy a larger quantity of a product, rather than frequently buying the smaller version.

Swap microbeads for household natural ingredients

Microbeads have a huge impact on the ocean. They are used in many cosmetics, from scrubs to soaps to shampoos and even toothpaste. Yet thankfully, many beauty brands have found smart, natural alternatives. These include many household objects such as sugar, coffee and salt which work just as well, if not better! You can even make your own by mixing together sugar, carrier oil and essential oils for an exfoliating body scrub. “Some brands also add microbeads to mascaras to create a volumising effect on the lashes,” explains Charlotte Vohtz, founder of Green People and pioneer of organic beauty. “These tiny particles can have catastrophic consequences for marine life and, as such, the UK banned the use of microbeads in rinse-off cosmetics in 2018. Unfortunately, mascara is not counted as a rinse-off product, so brands are still legally allowed to use microbeads in cosmetic formulations. Look for a microbead-free alternative such as the Green People Volumising Mascara (£16.50) which contains advanced microsphere technology.”

Swap aerosols for homemade natural deodorant

“Aerosol deodorants are a familiar staple in many people’s weekly shops; however, they aren’t actually very sustainable,” explains Laura Rudoe, founder of Evolve Organics and S5 Skincare. “This is because, when being processed, they have to be completely empty, dry and clean which is difficult to achieve. They can also have a harmful impact on the environment as they release CO2 emissions.” Instead, fashion deodorant out of store cupboard staples. Try applying lemon juice to your underarms, as the citric acid will kill odour-causing bacteria. However, remember that lemons are highly acidic, so be mindful of using them after shaving. Alternatively, you could try mixing one-eighth of a teaspoon of baking soda with a small amount of water to make a paste, and rub this into your underarms. Not sure about making something yourself? Try Evolve Cotton Fresh Natural Deodorant Cream (£10).

Swap liquid soap for soap bars

“Liquid soap often comes in single-use plastic packaging,” says Sarwat Jaleel, founder of Kushboo Soap. “Soap bars use less packaging and are often wrapped in eco-friendly paper. Plus, a soap bar, when dried properly, will last much longer than an average bottle of liquid soap, not only impacting less on the environment, also but giving you more for your money.” A final word of warning, when you are searching for green beauty products, watch out for greenwashing from brands. This is when companies conceal hazy, not environmentally-friendly practices behind the green buzzwords, withhold information about their supply chains and are vague about their ‘green goals’.

What’s the difference between vegan and cruelty-free skincare?

What makes a product vegan friendly, and is it different to cruelty-free products? According to The Vegan Society, “the term ‘cruelty-free’ refers to products which have not been tested on animals, or products that are not sold in territories (like mainland China) where post-market animal testing is required by law. Cruelty free does not, however, cover whether the ingredients in a product are derived from animals.” Products that haven’t been tested on animals are clearly marked with the Leaping Bunny logo, the only internationally-recognised symbol that a product is cruelty free. Meanwhile, The Vegan Society’s standards for the Vegan Trademark specifies no animal ingredients, and no animal testing when it comes to the products we consume. A product can therefore be ‘cruelty free’ but not vegan.

What are the best vegan skincare brands?

If you’re looking for vegan skincare in the UK, we’ve got you covered. ESPA has a luxurious collection, as does Tropic Skincare. There are lots of more budget-friendly options available too, including faace, Herbivore and Milk. It’s clear that vegan skincare and beauty is becoming more mainstream, as Superdrug’s in-house brand B. Cosmetics, too, is fully vegan with a wide range of products on offer.