Sustainable beauty is the future: Here are my top picks for a green routine

Want more beauty but less waste? Look no further.

Thu, 15 May, 2025 - 02:00

Kate Demolder

How many beauty products do you go through each month? It may not feel like a lot, but when you factor in shampoo, shower gel, handsoap, and deodorant on top of your mascaras, perfumes, and powders… what’s going into your waste bin can add up.

The beauty industry, a particularly large global contributor when it comes to waste, has mercifully acknowledged this. Meaning, nifty beauty executives have attempted to combat our growing waste problem.

Greenwashing (the act of labelling something as sustainable when it isn’t) has a part to play, but there are excellent products out there that will allow you to be green while still indulging in beauty. Behold, my pick of the best.

1. BOSS The Scent

(€121 for Him, €106, for Her, Boots.ie)

A fragrance duo that anyone would love, with refillable bottles. BOSS is known for its fragrances, and with these two, you get compelling scents with sustainable tekkers. BOSS The Scent for Him is an ambery-woody-fruity fragrance that opens with the spicy freshness of natural ginger oil, while BOSS The Scent Eau de Parfum for Her pairs an ambery-floral-fruity fragrance with natural peach extract.

2. Sam McKnight, Pure Genius Natural Scalp Restoring Oil

(€42, Cult Beauty)

The world has gone mad for scalp care. And for good reason — we’ve been neglecting it for some time. Sam McKnight is the man responsible for some of the best heads of hair in the business — Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, to name a few — and when he creates something, he ensures it is entirely biodegradable. Formulated with 98% natural ingredients, his new scalp oil is housed in a 100% biodegradable oil-dropper and delivered in a box made from agricultural waste.

It’s also loaded with Omega 3 & 6, Vitamin E, and the clinically proven hero ingredient crinipan, which regulates sebum production, reduces excess oil, and fights dandruff — all in just 10 minutes, restoring harmony to the scalp.

3. Innersense Organic Beauty’s Dry Shampoo Foam

(€24.80, Cult Beauty)

Hate dry shampoo? This could change your mind. Innersense, a certified B Corp company, has created a sustainable, scalp-loving alternative to traditional aerosol formulas which absorbs oil while nourishing the scalp.

Crafted with the brand’s signature purity and plant-powered ingredients, including tapioca starch, witch hazel and certified organic honey, this is a non-aerosol formula that is both gentle and effective, elevating your hair without drying it out.

4. Doctrine Infinite Hydration Moisturiser

(€34, doctrineskincare.com)

Doctrine is the real deal when it comes to sustainability, and one of the newer brands that gives me hope for the industry.

Created by industry experts with an unwavering commitment to transparency, their ethos is hellbent on sustainable innovation.

And as a result, they have some really great stuff. Their hero product is their cleansing balm, but their newest launch is this moisturiser. It is excellent, with a little going a long way. Smoothing, nourishing and reasonably priced, you can’t go wrong.

5. Anam Cosmetics Glitter Eyeshadow

(€15.50, anamcosmetics.com)

Festival season is coming up. And, as such, so is glitter-purchasing season. Glitter is essentially coloured plastic, so if you want to cut back on your waste, I would suggest starting here. Thankfully, Irish brand Anam Cosmetics has an excellent glitter eyeshadow line.

I have used them again and again, and they last the test of time as well as hold up against industry greats. Taupe and Gold are particularly wearable for those who’ve never ventured into glitter before.

6. Skin Rocks The Antioxidant

(€87, Space NK)

This Caroline Hirons-founded antioxidant serum is laden with vitamin C as well as an array of top-shelf ingredients designed to brighten, boost and improve your skin’s texture. It’s the smart choice if you want a do-it-all serum that covers all your skincare needs, and it also comes as a refill; simply unscrew and replace. Oh, and save money in the process.

7. Nunaïa Superfood Cleansing Balm

(€59, cloud10beauty.com)