The best plastic-free products for a sustainable beauty routine

It’s no secret that the cosmetics aisle is overrun with single-use plastic, plenty of which will end up in a landfill. If you’re trying to move towards a more sustainable lifestyle, cutting down on the plastic in the plastic in your household is a great place to start and actually far easier than you’d think.

The beauty industry is changing, and more and more brands are focussing on delivering plastic-free beauty products that will reduce waste without compromising on quality. From reusable cotton pads to shampoo bars there are many simple and effective solutions that will help you shop sustainably and look great, it’s a real win-win.

Okay, so where do you start? Well, that’s where we come in. We scoured the internet to find the best plastic-free beauty products to add to your beauty routine. From hair ties to facial cleansers, we’ve covered a wide range of products to help you shop sustainably.

The best plastic-free beauty products at a glance:

• Best reusable cotton pads: Greenzla Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
• Best lip balm tin: Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm Tin
• Best hand soap bar: Faith In Nature Natural Grapefruit Hand Soap Bar
• Best cleansing bar: CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar
• Best wide-tooth comb: Green Sandalwood Wide-Tooth Comb
• Best cotton buds: Premium Bamboo Cotton Buds
• Best facial wipes: RAWGANIC Plastic-Free Facial Wipes
• Best hair ties: Wild & Stone Biodegradable and Plastic-Free Elastic Hair Ties
• Best compostable lip balm: Ethique SugarPlum Moisturising Lip Balm
• Best shampoo bar set: KinKind Shampoo Bar Set
• Best conditioner: KinKind Make me SHINE! Conditioner Bar

The best plastic-free beauty products

Best reusable cotton pads: Greenzla Reusable Makeup Remover Pads

Long-term savings

These reusable cotton pads come in a pack of 20 and with a cotton laundry bag for long-lasting quality.

These makeup remover pads come with a storage container and laundry bag. The pads themselves are made with organic cotton and bamboo in a multi-layer design that makes the pads super soft and absorbent for pleasant and effective use.

Best lip balm tin: Burt's Bees 100% Natural Lip Balm Tin

Trusted quality

This Burt’s Bees Lip Balm is made with 100% natural ingredients and works to moisturise, nourish, and hydrate the lips.

This lip balm is set in a durable tin casing and dries to a translucent finish. This balm contains nourishing ingredients, including beeswax, coconut oil, and peppermint oil, and is made without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, or SLS.

Best hand soap bar: Faith In Nature Natural Grapefruit Hand Soap Bar

Natural fragrance

This hand soap is 100% plastic-free and is made with recycled and recyclable packaging.

This hand soap bar is made with four essential oils, including organic sweet orange and grapefruit oils. This soap bar is paraben and SLS-free and is both cruelty-free and approved by the vegan society.

Best cleansing bar: CeraVe Hydrating Cleansing Bar

Fresh-faced

This affordable cleansing bar is suitable for use on both the face and body.

This cleansing bar contains 5% Cerave moisturising cream and is formulated with hyaluronic acid for optimal hydration. This cleansing bar is suitable for normal to dry skin types as well as sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

Best wide-tooth comb: Green Sandalwood Wide-Tooth Comb

For tangle-free locks

This durable wooden comb offers an alternative to plastic products.

This wide-tooth comb is made with 100% high-quality natural green sandalwood and features a smooth, durable handle. This comb works to balance the hair’s electrical charge for a no-frizz, no-static result.

Best cotton buds: Premium Bamboo Cotton Buds

Natural materials

These cotton buds are 100% biodegradable and come in recyclable packaging.

These cotton buds are made with 100% pure cotton and bamboo and come in packs of 600. They are 100% natural and vegan, and suitable for a multitude of uses.

Best facial wipes: RAWGANIC Plastic-Free Facial Wipes

Travel friendly

These facial wipes come in packs of 25 and are perfect for use on the go.

These facial wipes are 100% biodegradable and plastic-free for a more conscious beauty routine. These 100% natural cotton face wipes are made with plant-based, sustainable materials and are compostable for easy disposal.

Best hair ties: Wild & Stone Biodegradable and Plastic-Free Elastic Hair Ties

For crease-free styles

These hair ties are plastic-free and 100% biodegradable and feature a no-snag design.

These hair ties are designed without metal, helping you avoid tangles and snags. These hair ties create zero waste and are suitable for all hair types and textures.

Best compostable lip balm: Ethique SugarPlum Moisturising Lip Balm

Subtly tinted

This lip balm is vegan, cruelty-free, and plastic-free and is made with essential oils.

This lip balm is made with nourishing ingredients, including moringa, castor, and jojoba oils, as well as fair-trade cocoa butter. Lightly tinted, this lip balm works to hydrate, nourish and moisturise the lips.

Best shampoo bar set: KinKind Shampoo Bar Set

A deep clean

These shampoo bars are UK-made and are both vegan and cruelty-free.

These shampoo bars promise to last up to 200 washes, saving 8 plastic bottles from landfill. This set features different formulations for different needs, and each is delicately scented with natural ingredients.

Best conditioner bar: KinKind Make me SHINE! Conditioner Bar

For soft, shiny strands

This award-winning conditioner bar is silicone-free and is formulated with natural ingredients for quality results.

These cruelty-free, vegan conditioner bars are made without silicones and parabens and come in recyclable FSC cartons. This bar features a delicate cinnamon scent and works to add shine and soften the hair for improved manageability.

Want to read more beauty product round-ups? Check out our Cosmetics page for a full list of recommendations, including our list of the best fake tans and the best foundations recommended by professional makeup artists – and check out our guide to the best value beauty advent calendars of 2022.