Earth Day 2021: The best eco-friendly beauty buys – starting from just £2

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Today is Earth Day, an annual movement championing awareness for the environment and climate change across the globe.

And while beauty has traditionally been seen as one of the least eco-friendly industries, things are changing. Now many of the big-name beauty companies are introducing green initiatives such as plastic-free packaging, recycling schemes and refillable bottles in an attempt to lessen the industry’s impact on the environment, without costing YOU any extra money.

Here’s how some of your favourite brands are doing their bit for the planet, and the best sustainable products to shop…

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Garnier

Having announced that all its packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, Garnier has just had its Moisture Bomb Sheet Masks certified as suitable for home composting (which isn’t the same as simply “biodegradable”).

Our top eco pick: Garnier Moisture Bomb Pomegranate + Hylauronic Acid Sheet Mask, currently £1.99 here

Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Herbal Essences and Aussie

P&G’s big-name hair care brands are now available in jumbo-size reusable aluminium bottles which you then refill with recyclable squeezy pouches, saving on packaging while ensuring you never run out of your favourite foam.

Our top eco pick: Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo, currently £6.66 here, and Refill Pouch, currently £4 here

Olay

You can now buy a jar of Olay moisturiser along with a refillable pod of the skin-firming cream to slot in when you’re done, reducing plastic jar waste by 94 per cent.

Our top eco pick: Olay Regeneration Whips and Refill, currently £24.37 here

REN Clean Skincare

In 2018, REN made an ambitious claim: to be a completely waste-free company by the end of 2021 – and it’s well on track. It started with a bottle made with reclaimed ocean plastic, and it’s now introduced PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic into many of its products.

REN also has a refill service through LOOP, has done away with sample sachets, and supports beach clean-up programmes.

Our top eco pick: REN Clean Skincare Summer Limited Edition Ready Steady Glow Daily AHA Tonic, £28 here

Gillette

Heavy-duty packaging, multiple plastic parts, heads that always end up in the bin – razors have never been seen as the most eco-friendly beauty essential. But this is changing: Gillette Venus’ new blades now come in cardboard boxes, are made with recycled materials, and can be fully recycled through TerraCycle.

Alternatively, sign up to a razor subscription service like FFS Beauty, from £6.95 here – they’ll recycle your old blades AND ensure you always have fresh ones to hand.

Our top eco pick: Gillette Venus Deluxe Smooth Sensitive Rosegold Razor, £12.99 here

Lookfantastic

Lookfantasic has a new, free recycle:me service which lets you dispose of plastic beauty products in a way that’s both good for the community AND the environment. The scheme lets you send off products from any brand, including tricky skincare, haircare and make-up with pumps and parts – the plastic will then be melted down and repurposed into weatherproof and recyclable materials used for social projects, such as playground equipment or refugee shelters.

Our top eco pick: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair, £26 here

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Isle of Paradise

The tanning brand’s popular Self-Tanning Waters are easy to top up – and mess-free. The Refill Pouches have a secure screw-cap and are made with 81 per cent less plastic than the original bottles – so now you can glow without the guilt.

Our top eco pick: Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water, £18.95 here, and refill, £14.95 here

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