6 Plastic Free Makeup Brands Creating Zero Waste Cosmetics without Microplastics
In the era of social media, where “appearance” is more important than ever, we want to highlight that it’s possible to look gorgeous without a heavy footprint on the environment, and without harming our health.
Have you had a look at your makeup bag? What can you see?
Plastic, plastic, and plastic that will end up incinerated or in landfills when the product is finished and discarded. Also, have a look at the ingredients, if you’re able to read them… There are so many, they are unpronounceable and are written so small that you need a magnifying glass to read them…
Consumers are beginning to realize that traditional commercial cosmetics, despite their shiny appeal (did you notice that their products are mostly in silver, gold, or glitter coloured containers?), are ultimately single-use plastics, and often their ingredients are microplastics too that get absorbed through the skin!
Fortunately, a new wave of plastic-free, zero-waste makeup brands is emerging. offering zero waste beauty solutions that are kind to both people and the planet.
Related: 5 Best Ways to Make the Switch to Plastic-Free Beauty
The Environmental Issues of Makeup in Plastic Packaging
In 2018, more than 120 billion units of cosmetic packaging were produced worldwide, according to a 2022 study titled “Reusability and recyclability of plastic cosmetic packaging: A life cycle assessment,” published in the Journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances (RCR Advances) (1).
Most of this packaging is single-use and not easily recyclable due to mixed materials like glass containers, plastic lids, pumps, mascara wands etc., some of which are in small sizes. This plastic often ends up in landfills or, even worse, pollutes our oceans and waterways.
The production of plastic also relies on fossil fuels, a non-renewable resource, and its extraction and processing contribute to greenhouse gas emissions throughout the lifecycle.
Related: Why You Should Switch to Plastic Free Skincare
Human Health Concerns in Makeup: Microplastics & Other Toxic Chemicals, The Invisible Threat
Beyond the visible plastic packaging, many conventional makeup products contain an invisible threat within their formulations: microplastics, and other toxic chemicals. These can include solid polymer particles used as film formers, binders, or to control viscosity, as well as glitter.
These are often washed down the drain and, due to their small size, can bypass wastewater treatment plant filters, directly entering aquatic ecosystems and contributing to microplastic pollution.
While the long-term effects of dermal exposure to microplastics in leave-on cosmetics are still being studied (2), there are growing concerns about their potential impact on human health.
Microplastics can act as carriers for other harmful chemicals, such as phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), which are known endocrine disruptors. These substances can interfere with the body’s hormonal systems, potentially leading to a range of adverse health effects, including reproductive issues and increased risk of certain cancers.
A 2024 study (3) has shown for the first time that PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl substances) can be absorbed through the skin. Carcinogenic PFAS chemicals are known to be used in waterproof and long-lasting mascaras, liquid lipsticks, eyeliners, concealers, foundations, and other makeup products, as demonstrated by the 2021 study (4) published in the Journal of Environmental Science & Technology. Often they aren’t even mentioned as ingredients on the list.
Related: What is Plastic Doing in my Shampoo?
6 Best Plastic Free Makeup Brands for a Zero Waste Beauty Routine without without Microplastics
This is the list of our favorite natural makeup for your clean beauty routine. You can also try some DYI zero waste beauty product recipes.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps us continue the hard work we put into researching products and solutions.
Please Note: Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health. Please read our disclaimer.
1. Axiology Beauty All Natural Makeup
Axiology is a woman and BIPOC-owned pioneer in clean beauty, having created the world-first 10-ingredient vegan lipstick. All make-up is 100% vegan, palm oil-free & cruelty-free. Axiology is also the creator of the world’s first zero-waste 3-IN-1 make-up sticks with intense pigments. So, you basically buy one product with multiple functions and uses, saving on your wallet!
We personally tested and are using the following products:
- Skin Loving Fungdation: The world’s first mushroom-powered plastic free foundation makeup, with Reishi and Snow Mushrooms – It applies smoothly without feeling like a foundation!
- The Original Zero Waste Multi-Use Crayons – These are also called “Lip-to-Lid Balmies” because of their multiple function.
- Multi-Stick Tinted Dew – We apply this on the cheek lines for a lightweight glow!
- Multi-Stick Color Cream – It can be used on your eyes, lips, or cheeks.
- Multi-Use Shape Stick – Mostly used to create shape, definition, and bronze to the face but can also be used on eyes and lips.
- Vegan Balm – Super hydrating and glowy.
All of them feel rich and smooth on the skin, without making it feel heavy. I love their “Color Matching Quiz” which helps you find the right shade for your skin type.
Products: Eyes, Lips, Face
Made in: homemade in the USA, packing from Bali.
Shipping: USA, worldwide through various international partners, including those in Canada, Australia, the UK, etc.
Packaging: To fight plastic pollution, in 2022, the company pivoted into recyclable and compostable plastic-free packaging for the complete makeup range. So, they partnered with a women’s co-operative in Bali that rescues discarded paper waste from the island and recycles it into sturdier, ecological cardboard tubes, providing fair wages to the local community. The outer packaging of the tubes is a triangular prism, which is a clever circular design as it allows the products to perfectly fit a very small shipping parcel, saving on volume, weight, and minimizing the carbon footprint.
End of Life: When your products are finished, you can recycle or compost the cardboard.
Shop Axiology – 25% off with code: Holiday25
Shop Axiology on Amazon USA
Related: 6 Eco-Friendly Hair Brushes Not Made of Plastic
2. Scoop Whole Beauty Plastic Free and Closed-Loop Refillable Makeup
Scoop Whole Beauty’s mission is to provide natural, vegan, and plant-based makeup with their award-winning Aussie Made hypo-allergenic formulations that reject all toxic chemicals, additives, and other harmful substances.
We personally tested and are using the following products:
- 3-in-1 Mud Cake Mascara Compact (Mascara + Eyeliner + Brows all in one, how amazing is that!)
- Dusty Pink Pure Pressed Mineral Blush
- Coffee Natural Brow Balm
- Walnut Full-Loop Pure Mineral Powder Foundation SPF24+
Products: Eyes, Lips, Face
Made in: Australia.
Shipping: AU, NZ, USA, UK, Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Dubai.
Packaging: Containers are made of sustainable bamboo, as refillable packaging.
End of Life: Once the product is finished, you keep the bamboo container and simply order the plastic free refill makeup options. Scoop were the first in the industry to offer a 100% closed-loop refillable makeup system that reduces waste at the source.
Shop Scoop Whole Beauty. 10% Off Your 1st Order with Code SWBWELCOME10.
Related: 7 Best Plastic Free Face Wash Brands to Supercharge Your Skincare
3. River Organics Sustainable Vegan Beauty
River Organics is an independent beauty company located in North Carolina, USA. Their products are soy- and palm-oil free, formulated with 75% organic ingredients, vegan certified by Leaping Bunny to be safe and hydrating for all skin types. They offer affordable makeup that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Products: Eyes, Lips, Face
Made in: hand-poured in our studio in Wilmington, NC, USA.
Shipping: USA, Free Shipping on US Orders over $25, Free “Imperfect” Bare Lip Balm on orders over $50. While supplies last
Packaging: Paper tubes or jars. All labels are sugar cane based and also compostable.
End of Life: home compost the packaging or recycle it in “paper & cardboard”.
Shop River Organics. Use code IMPLASTICFREE for 15% off at checkout.
Shop River Organics on DoneGood marketplace.
Related: 10 Plastic Free Sunscreen Brands for a Healthier You and Ocean
4. Oceanly by Attitude Plastic-free Makeup
Oceanly by Attitude has developed a line of 100% cruelty free & vegan beauty products that are defined as “makeup as skincare” due to their creamy texture that’s easy to blend and gives a radiant finish to all skin types without looking like makeup.
The products are made with 99.6%+ natural origin ingredients, including hydrating phytoglycogen, vegan collagen, and algae extract, which improves the skin’s appearance. They are also verified by the strict EWG standards.
Products: Eyes, Lips, Face
Made in: Canada
Shipping: see below.
Packaging: sustainable packaging with of plastic made of FSC-Certified biodegradable cardboard from responsibly managed forests.
End of Life: home compost the packaging or recycle it in “paper & cardboard”.
Shop Oceanly on Amazon USA – Canada
Related: 12 Plastic Free Shampoo Brands You Can Feel Good About Using
5. Flavedo & Albedo High-Performance Makeup with Zero Plastic Packaging
Flavedo & Albedo wanted to reconcile their love of makeup and plastic landfill anxiety, so they worked closely with all their suppliers to remove plastic from their supply chain. All cosmetics are cruelty-free, and all are vegan, except the Velvet Eyeshadow in Sky. Professional makeup pencils replace traditional eyeliners and lipsticks.
Products: Eyes, Cheeks
Made in: Italy
Shipping: Australia, USA, New Zealand, UK.
Packaging: Their quality formulations are packaged in aluminium, glass, and sustainable timber. With zero plastic, anywhere. No tubs, no lids, no seals, no nothing.
End of Life: Recycle the waste stream by type.
Shop Flavedo & Albedo
Related: 10 Best Plastic Free Perfumes for a Natural, Non-Toxic Scent!
6. Fat And The Moon Zero Waste Makeup
Fat and The Moon has been a pioneer brand of the zero waste movement with minimal packaging and organically sourced botanicals, which power their formulations. Some of their best sellers are the lips and cheeks tint, the beam highlighter & eye coal, zero waste eyeliner.
Products: Eyes, Lips, Face
Made in: handcrafted potions from Nevada City, California, USA.
Shipping: USA
Packaging: Their quality formulations are packaged in aluminium, glass, and sustainable timber. With zero plastic, anywhere. No tubs, no lids, no seals, no nothing.
End of Life: recycle the waste stream by type.
Shop Fat & the Moon on zerowastestore.com
Related: Plastic Free Glitter: Which Cosmetic Glitter Brands are Biodegradable and Compostable?
Tip 1: How Can I Check if a Makeup Ingredient is Toxic?
Have you ever looked at the ingredients in make up products like BB creams, foundations, or mascara? Have you noticed that products might have 20 or more ingredients and seen unpronouncible names like butylphenyl methylpropional, butylphenyl, octocrylene, methyl methacrylate crosspolymers etc etc…
These tools below are useful resources that will help you check the ingredients of your current makeup:
- Made Safe
- EWG’s Skin Deep Database
- The Toxic Free Foundation Database
- CoSmile Europe Database & App
- Beat The Microbead App
Once you’ve finished your makeup, think twice before you reorder, and switch to sustainable makeup with natural ingredients like the ones we listed above.
Tip 2: Switch to Reusable Makeup Remover Pads
Once you’ve made the switch to sustainable beauty products, you have to jump on the “reuse” revolution, and buy reusable makeup remover pads instead of disposable ones.
Related: 7 Best Plastic free Eye Creams
Conclusion: Non-Toxic Makeup Brands without Plastic Packaging & Microplastics are Rising!
The environmental and health concerns associated with plastic in makeup, including the presence of microplastics and other harsh chemicals, are undeniable. However, the rise of zero waste makeup brands offers a beacon of hope for a more sustainable future in the beauty industry. By choosing these innovative brands, consumers can enjoy high-quality cosmetics while minimizing their environmental impact and potential exposure to harmful microplastics. Supporting these pioneers sends a powerful message to the wider industry, encouraging a shift towards greater transparency, responsibility, and ultimately, a more beautiful world for all.
References and Scientific Literature Sources:
(1) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667378922000360
(2) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304389424016327
(3) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412024003581
(4) https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00240
