Top 10 Sustainable Skincare Brands to Try in 2025

June 23, 2025•Sustainable

Introduction

The skincare world is booming with options, but not all are created equal – especially when it comes to sustainability. Today’s eco-conscious consumers (that’s us!) are looking for more than just effective products; we want clean ingredients, ethical practices, and eco-friendly packaging. Luckily, many skincare brands are rising to the challenge, blending science and nature to create products that are good for both our skin and the planet. In 2025, a year that’s seeing even more innovation in green beauty, several brands stand out from the crowd. Whether through carbon-neutral operations, plastic-free packaging, organic farming, or philanthropy, these companies are redefining what it means to be a skincare brand with a conscience. Here’s our curated list of the Top 10 Sustainable Skincare Brands to Try in 2025. These brands have earned love and loyalty for their high-quality products and their commitment to sustainability.

If you’re looking to upgrade your skincare routine while supporting businesses that care for Mother Earth, this list is the perfect starting point. Let’s dive in!

1. Lush – Pioneering Packaging-Free Beauty Why Try Lush: Lush has been a trailblazer in sustainable beauty for decades, known for their fresh handmade products and ethical ethos. They champion naked packaging – meaning many of their products (shampoo bars, solid moisturizers, soap bars) come with no packaging at all. For items that do need containers, they use 100% recycled and recyclable pots and encourage customers to return them (with incentives like a free face mask for bringing back 5 pots). Lush is also cruelty-free (staunchly against animal testing) and invests in ethical sourcing of ingredients. They even have their own buying teams that ensure materials like cocoa butter and essential oils are from sustainable farms, supporting communities.

Sustainability Spotlight

Lush’s initiatives include operating recycling hubs for hard-to-recycle items in some stores and introducing cork pot containers (made from sustainably harvested cork) that are carbon-positive in production. In 2023, Lush reported that their customers returned over 800,000 packages in the UK alone for recycling, reflecting strong engagement in their closed-loop system. Product to Try: Shampoo Bars – these little pucks (like “Honey I Washed My Hair” or “Seanik”) eliminate plastic bottles and last for 80+ washes, and they leave your hair lovely. Using one can save the equivalent of 3 plastic bottles, making it a simple yet powerful eco-swap.

2. The Body Shop – Ethical Heritage and Refill Revival Why Try The Body Shop: A familiar name to many, The Body Shop has long been at the forefront of ethical consumerism. Founded by Anita Roddick on principles of Community Trade (supporting farmers and artisans worldwide) and cruelty-free testing, the brand continues to push sustainability in 2025. They’ve rolled out refill stations in many stores globally, allowing customers to refill aluminum bottles with popular products like shower gels and shampoos, cutting down on single-use plastic. They’re also transitioning to 100% recycled plastic packaging where possible (including plastic collected from streets and waterways via their Community Trade recycled plastic program). The Body Shop is a certified B Corp, meaning they meet high social and environmental standards. Sustainability Spotlight: The brand has committed that by 2030, all product packaging will be recyclable or refillable. They’re at about 68% recyclable packaging now and climbing. Also, through their Community Fair Trade, they source ingredients like shea butter from women’s cooperatives in Ghana, ensuring sustainable harvesting and fair wages. Product to Try: Body Butters (Refillable) – The iconic Body Butters are now part of the refill program in select locations. Try the Shea or British Rose Body Butter by filling a reusable container. Rich in community-trade shea butter, it deeply nourishes skin and by refilling, you’re preventing another plastic tub from being produced. You get indulgent skincare and you reduce waste – a win-win!

3. Youth To The People – Superfood Skincare in Glass Why Try Youth To The People: This LA-based brand has quickly become a favorite for combining trendy superfood ingredients with sustainable practices. Their entire line is vegan and cruelty-free, packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like kale, spinach, adaptogens, and vitamin C. Importantly, Youth To The People packages most of their products in glass jars and bottles with minimal plastic. They also print on packaging with soy ink and use post-consumer recycled paper for boxes. The brand focuses on small batches made in California, reducing transport footprint. They’ve been advocates for climate action, donating to nonprofits and raising awareness on environmental issues. Sustainability Spotlight: Youth To The People has a Youth Minis program where they package trial sizes in recyclable glass instead of disposable plastic minis, and they offer large refill bottles for some products (like the cleanser) to reduce waste. They align with organizations like 5 Gyres (fighting ocean plastic) and have been known to put proceeds towards climate justice initiatives. Product to Try: Superfood Cleanser – This green-gel face wash with kale, spinach, and green tea comes in a glass bottle. It’s a bestseller for its gentle yet effective cleansing. You can get a large refill bottle (also glass) to top it up. Using the refill can save about 20% in packaging materials compared to buying multiple smaller bottles. And beyond packaging, this cleanser just leaves your skin feeling fresh and balanced without stripping – proof that clean formulas can deliver.

4. UpCircle Beauty – Upcycling Coffee into Skincare Why Try UpCircle: Hailing from the UK, UpCircle embodies the phrase “one man’s trash is another’s treasure.” They take used ingredients that would be waste – like coffee grounds, chai spices, fruit stones –and upcycle them into high-quality skincare. For example, their face scrubs use repurposed coffee grounds collected from artisan coffee shops, and their face serum contains oil pressed from discarded coffee fruit stones. This clever sourcing reduces waste and gives a second life to ingredients. UpCircle uses 100% recyclable packaging, predominantly glass jars and aluminum tubes, and minimal plastic. They’re also certified natural, organic (Soil Association for some products), vegan, and cruelty-free. Sustainability Spotlight: By 2025, UpCircle has saved over 400 tonnes of coffee grounds from landfills by upcycling them. They’ve expanded their upcycled ingredient list to include things like leftover argan shells (for exfoliating powder) and date seeds (for powders and oils). The company also runs a return scheme in the UK to send back packaging for refills or recycling. Product to Try: Coffee Face Scrub (Floral Blend) – A gentle exfoliator that uses repurposed fine coffee grounds, shea butter, and rosehip oil. It leaves skin smooth without microbeads (which we know are bad for oceans). Smells divine, like a creamy latte with floral notes.

Knowing your glow came from recycled coffee is pretty cool – you’re literally putting circular economy principles on your face! Plus, it comes in a metal tube – no plastic microbeads, no plastic packaging, just sustainable scrub.

5. OSEA – Ocean-Inspired Clean Beauty Why Try OSEA: This female-founded Malibu brand (OSEA stands for Ocean, Sun, Earth, Atmosphere) has been delivering non-toxic, marine-based skincare since the 90s. They use organic seaweed and other bioavailable plant extracts to create products rich in vitamins and minerals. OSEA is known for being climate neutral and plastic-negative – they offset their carbon emissions and fund the removal of more plastic from the environment than they produce. Most of their products are housed in glass bottles with minimal plastic components. They also ensure ingredients are ethically sourced and their products are vegan and cruelty-free. Sustainability Spotlight: OSEA partners with environmental organizations to protect oceans, aligning with their seaweed-rich identity. They carefully hand-harvest their seaweed from Patagonia in a sustainable way that doesn’t disrupt the marine ecosystem. OSEA was also one of the first beauty brands to become Climate Neutral Certified, which means they measure and offset all their greenhouse gas emissions, and work on reducing them. Product to Try: OSEA Ocean Cleanser – A fan-favorite, this cleanser comes in a glass bottle and features organic seaweed, mineral-rich salts, and lime extract. It’s brilliant at cleansing without drying and gives you a little aromatherapeutic lift. Using it feels like a mini spa moment. When you’re done, that glass bottle can be upcycled or recycled easily (OSEA even encourages crafty reuse, like turning empties into small vases). It’s luxurious skincare that aligns with eco values – proving you don’t have to compromise on experience or efficacy to be green.

6. Cocokind – Accessible Clean Skincare with a Conscience Why Try Cocokind: Cocokind is a budget-friendly, clean skincare brand that emphasizes transparency and sustainability. They’re notable for printing the carbon footprint of each product right on the packaging – how’s that for accountability? Cocokind focuses on plant-based formulas (like turmeric, matcha, chia seed oil) and avoids harmful chemicals. Packaging-wise, they predominantly use glass bottles and tubes made from recycled plastic (when plastic is necessary). They also utilize post-consumer recycled cardboard for shipping and are experimenting with innovative materials like mushroom packaging. The brand is WOC-founded (by Priscilla Tsai) and they have initiatives to support female entrepreneurs. Sustainability Spotlight: Cocokind has achieved Carbon Neutral shipping and is working towards overall carbon neutrality. Their product boxes are cleverly designed to eliminate the need for plastic wrapping – they use origami-style folds. By choosing minimal and recycled packaging, they report diverting tons of virgin plastic from production each year. They also publish an annual Sustainability Report, detailing their progress on waste reduction, emissions, and social impact – showing they walk the talk. Product to Try: Cocokind Vitamin C Serum with Sea Grape Caviar – Packaged in a glass bottle, this serum brightens skin with a stable Vitamin C derivative and sea grape (a type of algae). On the box, you’ll see its carbon footprint (for example, ~0.6 kg CO2e, hypothetical number). It’s a great serum dupe for more expensive ones, but with the bonus of low-waste packaging and a brand that cares. At an affordable price, it’s proof that sustainable skincare can be inclusive and not break the bank.

7. Tata Harper – Luxury Farm-to-Face Green Beauty Why Try Tata Harper: If you’re looking to indulge, Tata Harper is the gold standard in luxury natural skincare. The brand operates from a farm in Vermont where many of the herbs and ingredients are grown and processed, truly “farm-to-face.” Tata Harper formulates without synthetic chemicals, and everything is 100% natural and up to 70% organic. Products are made in small batches on their farm to ensure freshness. Packaging is ultra-green: almost all products are in thick glass bottles or jars with minimal plastic (only the pumps and caps). Even the green coloring on their bottles is achieved with a thin layer instead of painting the whole bottle, to make recycling easier. They prioritize sustainable sourcing globally (like wild-harvesting sea buckthorn in the Himalayas under fair trade). Sustainability Spotlight: Tata Harper is moving towards zero waste in their facilities, and they’ve implemented solar panels on their farm to help power the manufacturing. They also use soy-based inks and recycled paper for their beautiful packaging boxes. Their formulas are biodegradable, meaning when washed off, they won’t harm waterways. While it’s at a higher price point, you’re paying for pure, potent ingredients and ethical production. Product to Try: Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask – In a gorgeous green glass jar, this beta-hydroxy acid mask gives instant glow using natural BHAs from willow bark and enzymes from pomegranate. It’s a cult classic for a reason – smooth, radiant skin without harsh abrasives or chemicals.

You only need a thin layer, so one jar lasts a while. When you finish it, that glass jar can be thoroughly cleaned and repurposed (they’re quite pretty, maybe to hold jewelry or spices) or recycled. Using Tata Harper feels like a spa in the countryside, with the confidence that every part of the product – inside and out – was crafted with respect for nature.

8. Ursa Major – Outdoors-Inspired, Plastic-Negative Skincare Why Try Ursa Major: From the mountains of Vermont, Ursa Major creates “super natural” skincare for men and women, focusing on robust formulations with plant-based ingredients. Their vibe is very outdoorsy and refreshingly simple. Ursa Major is a Certified B Corp and is proudly Plastic Negative – they fund the removal of twice as much plastic from the environment as they produce. The brand opts for minimal plastic: using glass bottles for their creams and serums, aluminum tubes for cleansers, and PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic when needed. They also ensure all packaging is recyclable and even their sample packets are compostable. Ursa Major’s ingredients are naturally derived (like aloe, willow bark, cedar, spearmint) and they avoid petrochemicals, synthetic fragrance, and other questionable stuff. Sustainability Spotlight: Ursa Major has a partnership to plant a tree for every order placed on their site, supporting reforestation. They’re also carbon-neutral in their operations. Impressively, they hold a Plastic Negative certification: through a program with rePurpose Global, they help remove ocean-bound plastic (like sachets in India) for every product they sell. This means by supporting them, you’re actively contributing to plastic cleanup. Product to Try: Ursa Major Golden Hour Recovery Cream – A soothing moisturizer in a glass jar that’s perfect for post-sun or anytime hydration. It’s packed with sea buckthorn, calendula, and birch sap – all great for calming and nourishing skin. Customers rave that it feels rich but not greasy. And as you enjoy it, you can feel good knowing the jar is plastic-free and that your purchase helped remove plastic elsewhere. This cream truly captures Ursa Major’s ethos: high-performance skincare that’s deeply connected to nature and sustainability.

9. Biossance – Science-Driven Clean Beauty with Sugarcane Squalane Why Try Biossance: Biossance merges biotechnology with sustainability, making waves especially for their star ingredient, squalane. Traditionally, squalane (a skin-replenishing oil) was harvested from shark liver –not sustainable at all. Biossance pioneered a way to derive high-purity squalane from renewable sugarcane via fermentation, saving millions of sharks in the process. Their entire line is vegan, EWG-verified (meaning it meets strict health standards), and cruelty-free. Biossance is big on sustainable packaging: most products are in glass, and they’ve introduced a recycling program so you can send back empties for responsible recycling. They use outer packaging made from sugarcane paper (a byproduct of sugarcane processing) which is compostable. Also, they’ve eliminated things like plastic spatulas and excess inserts to cut waste. Sustainability Spotlight: Biossance is a carbon-neutral company. They purchase carbon credits to offset any emissions and continually work to reduce their footprint. They also partner with Oceana, donating to support ocean conservation (tying back to their mission of saving sharks via squalane).

By 2025, they aim for all packaging to be recyclable, refillable or compostable, and they’re well on their way. Product to Try: Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil – A luxurious face oil in a glass bottle with a dropper. It brightens and hydrates using the power of their sugarcane squalane (ultra-lightweight and non-greasy) combined with a stable vitamin C and rose oil. It gives a dewy glow without feeling heavy. This product is like a poster child for the brand: high-tech sustainable ingredient, effective results, and eco-conscious packaging. It even comes in a beautiful green bottle that you’ll want to repurpose (perhaps as a tiny vase for a single rose, how fitting!). Using Biossance feels high-end and high-science, while also high-purpose.

10. Weleda – Century-Old Natural Pioneer with New Sustainable Twists Why Try Weleda: Weleda might be your grandmother’s favorite natural brand – it’s been around since 1921 – but it’s truly timeless in its dedication to holistic, plant-based skincare. Founded on anthroposophic principles in Switzerland, Weleda grows many of its ingredients in its own biodynamic gardens. They’ve long been doing what’s now trending: zero synthetic fragrances or preservatives, cruelty-free, and using recyclable packaging. In recent years, Weleda has doubled down on sustainability: they use 100% renewable energy in their factories, and many products come in infinitely recyclable aluminum tubes or glass. Their plastic packaging (like for body washes) is usually 70-100% PCR (recycled content). Weleda is also NATRUE certified, meaning the products are truly natural or organic. Sustainability Spotlight: Weleda has a goal for fully circular packaging by 2025, aiming for all materials to be recycled or from renewable sources. They are committed to fair trade – for example, their shea butter is ethically sourced from a women’s cooperative in Ghana under fair conditions. Additionally, Weleda actively supports biodiversity: their company gardens are a haven for bees and native plants, and they’ve campaigned for nature conservation (like planting nectar-rich meadows). Product to Try: Weleda Skin Food – A cult-favorite ultra-rich cream that comes in a recyclable green aluminum tube. Skin Food has been a lifesaver for dry, rough skin for decades, using extracts of chamomile, calendula, and pansy in a rich base. It’s a multi-tasker: face mask, hand cream, highlighter – you name it. Knowing that even the tube is eco-friendly (and it avoids plastic tubes) makes it even better. Skin Food is like a symbol of Weleda: beloved across generations, effective with simple pure ingredients, and packaged responsibly. If you haven’t tried it yet, 2025 is as good a time as ever – your skin (and the environment) will thank you.

Conclusion

These ten brands showcase the exciting possibilities at the intersection of skincare and sustainability. From luxury to affordable, from long-established to new disruptors, each brand proves that doing good for your skin can go hand-in-hand with doing good for the planet. As you explore them, you’ll notice some common threads – use of organic or upcycled ingredients, cruelty-free formulations, and a drive to reduce waste and carbon footprints. There’s never been a better time to green your beauty routine, with 2025’s offerings being more innovative and accessible than ever. Remember, every purchase is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in. By supporting these sustainable skincare brands, you’re investing in safer ingredients for your skin and a more sustainable industry that respects nature. Whether you choose one hero product or revamp your whole regimen, you’re joining a growing movement of conscious beauty enthusiasts making a positive impact. Here’s to glowing skin and a healthier planet – happy sustainable skincare journey!

Top 10 Sustainable Skincare Brands to Try in 2025

Introduction

Sustainability Spotlight

Conclusion

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