10 Ethically Minded Online Beauty Stores For People & Planet
What does your bathroom cupboard look like? Be honest. Is it one of those ones where everything is lined up perfectly in categories, or if I walked into your bathroom right now, would I think a bomb had gone off?
Whatever the case, it’s time to reflect on the products that fill your cupboards and make up your beauty regime. I really don’t want you to cover yourself in toxic chemicals everyday (women place around 515 chemicals on their bodies everyday FYI), throw too much waste in the bin, or buy products that are harmful to the planet. I care about you, and I care about the planet too.
Here are 10 online beauty stores trying their best to offer you products for people and planet. They’re a mix of zero waste, plastic free, cruelty free, vegan, and non-toxic online beauty stores who I have bought from and worked with in the past and present.
Your guide to Online Beauty Stores For People & Planet…
Please note: A few of these links are affiliate links, meaning if you buy from the company, a small percentage of the sale will go to me. Thank you for your support! But also remember: only buy if you NEED it.
Image by Nectar Photography.
Values: ~ Completely plastic free ~ Sustainably sourced ~ Vegan ~ Plant based ~ Cruelty free ~
Products: Shampoo, face care, body care, pet care, home.
My favourites: I use the Heali Kiwi Shampoo and the Guardian Conditioner for my hair and have done since 2016. I’d recommend the sample packs to determine what works best for your hair, face, body - so you don’t waste money on a full product.
Detailed blog post here.
Values: ~ Made in NZ ~ Buy only what you need ~ Plant based ~ Organic ~ Fair trade ~
Products: Body butter, face oil, body oil, healing balm, clay mask, face cream.
My favourites: The Blam Blam Balm. You can use it as a lip balm, or put it on any cut, bite, graze, rash, and it will assist quick healing! I’m always hesitant to trial too many face care products as changing often isn’t good for my skin, but I was really impressed with the face cream - read more about what I really thought here.
Values: ~ Cruelty Free ~ Vegan ~ Toxin Free ~ GMO Free ~ Child Labour Free ~ Sustainable Packaging ~
Products: Foundation/concealer, lip tint/blush, eyeshadow, bronzer.
My favourites: The foundation/concealer is all I need for my face. It comes in the tiny wee pot (excellent for travel), and has the perfect light coverage I need. I’m all about minimalism when it comes to makeup, so Aleph Beauty really ticks all my boxes! When I first starting using this makeup in November 2018, I wrote a full blog post- check it out here. Aleph now sell mascara, an incredible face cream, and all sorts of eyeshadows and blushers.
P.S. Once you’re finished, the glass container is handy to store your earrings in when travelling too or return it using Aleph’s sustainable return scheme.
Discount: Code ETHICALLY7HJ3 is 10% off Aleph.
Image by Nectar Photography.
Values: ~ Waste conscious (plant based refill pouches) ~ New Zealand sourced ingredients ~ Natural ~
Products: Face care.
My favourites: The night cream is really great. It makes you feel like you’re going to bed with a healthy mask on that can work magic while you’re asleep. There are 4 key products to use for a basic skincare regime, and I’ve gone into more detail about them all here.
Values: ~ Toxin free ~ Cruelty free ~ Organic ~
Products: Beauty, skincare, haircare, wellness, health and home.
My favourites: Nourished Life stock so many of my favourite brands, but I particularly appreciate their extensive makeup range. They also stock my favourite beauty bars, Ethique, which remove any need for packaging (e.g. Shampoos, face wash, body wash, deodorant).
Nourished Life have a recycling take back scheme. They encourage you to save up all the packaging/bottles from your beauty products, and send them back once you have a bundle of them. They then work with Terracycle to recycle them responsibly- I love that they take on this responsibility, rather than leaving it all up to us.
Detailed Mascara Review.
Discount: ETHICALLYKATE for 15% off (does not apply to already discounted items, and may exclude particular items- see exclusions in the item description)
Values: ~ Compostable ~ Sustainably Sourced ~
Products: Toothbrush, dental floss, toothbrush travel case.
My favourites: The Eco Brush is my toothbrush of choice. I keep on trialling other toothbrushes as they come up, but I always go back to The Eco Brush. I am really impressed that they have started offering refills for their floss too.
Detailed blog post here.
Discount: ETHICALLYKATE for 10% off
Values: ~ Cruelty free ~ No synthetic fragrances or harmful chemicals ~ Waste free ~
Products: Health, home & living, beauty.
My favourites: Oh Natural are another great one stop shop. I’ve been enjoying their Zoo Natural Teeth Whitener for a year, and I respect their brilliant plastic free packaging.
Discount: ETHICALLYKATE for 10% off
Values: ~ Plant based ~ New Zealand made ~ Ethical ~ Cruelty free ~
Products: Face, body, spa.
My favourites: The healing hands soother is out of this world AMAZING. I don’t think I’ll ever buy a different hand cream again.
Values: ~ Vegan ~ Organic ~ Waste free ~ Sustainability ~ Good Ingredients Promise ~
Products: Food & drink, beauty, home, pet care, baby & kids, sports & fitness.
My favourites: Their vegan chocolate is divine! It comes in compostable packaging, and it’s made from sustainable ingredients. I recently reviewed 5 clean beauty products from HealthPost, so check that out here for more details on my favourites.
Image by Nectar Photography.
Values: ~ Quality ~ Natural ~ Toxin free ~
Products: Nutrition, face & body, living & reusables.
My favourites: The Essone sunscreen is a winner! My SoL water bottle is from Be Vibrant, and my JOCO cup too.
Detailed blog post here.
Online Beauty Store Q&A
What questions should I ask to ensure my beauty products are sustainable?
When shopping at online beauty stores, it's crucial to inquire about a few key factors to ensure your beauty products align with sustainability values. Firstly, ask about the ingredients—look for organic, natural, or ethically sourced materials that minimize environmental impact. Secondly, inquire about the packaging—opt for brands that use recyclable or biodegradable materials, reducing waste from online cosmetics stores. Lastly, ask about the brand's overall commitment to sustainability—check if they have certifications or participate in initiatives promoting eco-friendly practices. By asking these questions, you can make informed choices supporting sustainable practices in online beauty stores. But first and foremost, look for transparency. Any brand can say ‘we are eco!’ so if they say that, ask what evidence they can provide you to prove that statement.
What is the most sustainable skincare brand?
The title of the "most sustainable skincare brand" can vary depending on specific criteria, but several online beauty stores are leading the way and that’s who I have included in the blog above! They prioritize transparency about their production processes and environmental impact, ensuring consumers can make informed choices. Ultimately, the most sustainable skincare brand is one that aligns with your values of environmental stewardship and ethical sourcing, found through diligent research in online beauty stores.
How can I identify genuinely sustainable beauty products?
Identifying genuinely sustainable beauty products when browsing online beauty stores involves several considerations. Look for certifications like USDA Organic or EcoCert, indicating products meet strict environmental and ethical standards. Check for transparent labelling—brands that disclose sourcing, manufacturing practices, and recyclability of packaging are more likely to offer genuinely sustainable options in online cosmetics stores. Additionally, consider the brand's commitment to reducing carbon footprint and supporting ethical supply chains. By prioritising these factors, you can confidently choose beauty products from online beauty stores that contribute positively to sustainability efforts. If you’re interested in learning more about clean beauty, read my follow up blog here.
As a rule, I only work with brands I love, use, and can whole heartedly back. I send the brand a large list of questions to answer first, and trial the product properly before saying yes to anything. This is a sponsored blog by Nourished Life (I can't pay my electricity bill with free products), but 100% my own words, photos, and opinion.
