UPDATE: If you’re interested in giving the Wild deodorant a go, while getting more bang for your buck, it’s now been confirmed that Wild features in the Holland and Barrett advent calendar 2023.

The calendar costs £45 and contains 25 of Holland & Barrett’s bestselling skincare products from brands including Q+A, VitaSkin, Holland and Barrett’s own brand of products, as well as a deluxe version of the Wild deodorant.

Check out the full list of what’s inside the Holland and Barrett advent calendar in our best cheap advent calendar 2023 guide or keep scrolling to read our Wild deodorant review.

Original Wild deodorant review continues below

Many of us have made, or are trying to find, various ways to live more sustainably.

Whether it’s recycling more, ditching plastic or searching for ethically sourced products, one area we hadn’t really considered – among the shampoo bars, vegan creams and eco-friendly makeup brushes – was natural, aluminium-free deodorants.

That was until we carried out this Wild deodorant review.

This has coincided with a surge in Google searches for deodorant alternatives, with more than 5,400 searches a month being made for “natural deodorant” and similar terms.

This is why our interest was piqued when we discovered Wild – and it seems it’s piqued the interest of many others too.

Since we first published this Wild deodorant review, the brand has launched on the UK high street, in partnerships with Sainsbury’s, Holland & Barrett, M&S and more thus getting in front of even more people.

In our Wild deodorant review below we explain how the brand does things differently from the majority of deodorants on the market, how to get started and buy Wild refills, and what choices you have when it comes to scents and cases.

BUY NOW

Wild deodorant review

Wild

You have three options when buying a Wild deodorant: Subscribe and Save, a One-Off, or what the company calls The Full Monty

What is Wild deodorant? Posted through consumers’ doors – in 100% recyclable packaging – the Wild deodorant range is natural, biodegradable, refillable and 100% compostable, without any unnecessary chemicals. Even fragrances are created using natural products such as orange and coconut.

Wild deodorant refills: Wild refills are available as a one-off purchase or part of a subscription service, where you’ll initially receive a case and scent of your choice, with a new set of three refillable fragrances sent automatically every three months. A Wild natural deodorant refill will fully compost within six months and biodegrade within 12, leaving no trace whatsoever.

Wild deodorant price: You have three options when buying a Wild deodorant: Subscribe and Save (£12 a month), a One-Off (£25), or what the company calls The Full Monty (£35). We explain more about each offering in the Price section of our Wild deodorant review below.

Where to buy Wild deodorant UK:  Wild | Sainsbury’s | Holland & Barrett

How we tested the Wild deodorant

mamabella | mamabella

For our Wild deodorant review, we spent two months using the natural deodorant as our main source of underarm protection

For our Wild deodorant review, we spent two months using the natural deodorant as our main source of underarm protection. During this period, we only used Wild deodorant (no other deodorants or antiperspirants), and we selected the pink case.

During our two-month Wild deodorant review period, we used Coconut and Vanilla and Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt scents.

We wore it for everyday tasks while chasing after our toddler; during runs and exercise, and we wore it with a variety of clothes including black and white cotton tops which are notorious for picking up deodorant stains.

Consistency

If you’ve ever used a deodorant stick before, you’ll know they’re typically creamy and thick. The Wild deodorant is no exception but despite its solid consistency, it glides on surprisingly well – almost melting into the skin as it warms in contact with our body heat.

At first, we applied multiple layers, on the assumption it wouldn’t work as well as our current deodorants – and partly because we’ve had poor experiences with cream deodorants in the past. We soon realised, by day three, that a little goes a long way.

This means you can coat your armpit with a single up-and-down movement that will last until bedtime. Even surviving heavy exercise.

In fact, it’s easy to apply too much and this will leave slimy and sticky residue on your clothes, not to mention you’ll waste a lot of product which, at these prices, can be a little galling.

Scents

Wild

Wild often releases limited-edition scents. Lemon Meringue is (pictured)

There is an increasing number of Wild deodorant fragrances and, at the time of writing, these include the following:

For any Wild scents that are not obvious, we’ve explained more about what to expect. The scents marked with an asterisk are also available in a separate version that’s more suitable for sensitive skin. 

• Thunderstorm: Described as smelling like “fresh rain, green leaf, and oakmoss”
• Camomile Tea & French Lavender
• Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt: Inspired by freshly washed clothes on a clothing line*
• Jasmine & Mandarin Blossom*
• Mint & Aloe Vera
• Orange & Neroli
• Elderflower and Cucumber
• Wild strawberries
• Coconut & Vanilla*
• Sandalwood & Patchouli

Every Wild deodorant scent is made using essential oils and they’re free of aluminium salts, parabens and phthalates utilising a range of natural ingredients. The sensitive skin versions then remove the use of Baking Soda, too.

You can see the full range of Wild ingredients, and their uses, on the company’s website.

Is Wild deodorant effective?

mamabella | mamabella

During our entire Wild deodorant review, we never once felt like our armpits were clammy. We were also impressed with the smell

Given that Wild is a deodorant, and not marketed as an antiperspirant, we had expected to sweat the same as we would before. This is because a “deodorant” protects against odour, but doesn’t block sweat. A product labelled “antiperspirant” typically uses a chemical to block sweat.

However, during our entire Wild deodorant review, we never once felt like our armpits were clammy. We were also impressed with the smell.

The Coconut and Vanilla version was a little lost; it didn’t last very long and was a bit sickly sweet. The Fresh Cotton version, on the other hand, is great. It makes such a refreshing change to other, harsher-smelling deodorants and antiperspirants. It provides a subtle aroma without being overbearing, and this smell lasts well into the evening.

Having learned our lesson at the start, when we applied too much and the Wild deodorant left marks on our clothes, we got the hang of it quite quickly. From that point on, we never experienced any marks, streaks or residue and we could get dressed immediately.

BUY NOW

Wild deodorant alternatives

If Wild deodorant is too expensive or doesn’t offer the scents, cases or subscription offers you’re looking for, there are a few alternatives.

• Typology’s Natural deodorant is only available as a one-off, but it costs £14.50 instead of £25. You don’t get the choice of case or scents – it comes in Bergamot Green Mandarin, and Rose Vanilla for sensitive skin – but if you’d rather get a cheap alternative to Wild without paying for all these choices, then Typology is the way to go.
• A similarly priced, yet larger, Wild deodorant alternative is Proverb. It comes in two types – Core and Active – and the latter is better for people who sweat a lot. There are then three scents, Wild Mint and Eucalyptus, Coconut and Tonka, and Sensitive and Unfragranced. We’ve tested the former two scents and our favourite is the Coconut and Tonka. The scents last all day and you only need a small amount to keep you dry. A starter pack, which includes the case and a refill cost £15 as a one-off or £12 on a subscription. Two scents and a case cost £30.

Wild deodorant review: Verdict

Wild

For every deodorant Wild sells, it contributes towards a global tree planting initiative through charity OnAMission

Wild is not the first brand to enter the natural, aluminium-free market, few do it with as much style as Wild.

Nor do they make getting hold of natural deodorant so simple.

It’s effective, helps stop sweat and it’s completely changed our opinion of cream deodorant sticks. So much so, we don’t want to switch back to aerosols and – on the ocassion we’ve forgotten to take it somewhere and had to borrow someone else’s deodorant – we’ve noticed the difference.

What’s even more impressive is that for every deodorant Wild sells, it contributes towards a global tree planting initiative through charity OnAMission. It is also working towards being a carbon-positive company, offsetting all of its omissions.

The downside is that Wild doesn’t come cheap, and this can make other natural deodorants look tempting but if you can afford it, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

BUY NOW

Wild deodorant price: How the subscriptions work

Wild

There are three ways to buy Wild deodorant

You have three options when buying a Wild deodorant: Subscribe and Save, a One-Off, or what the company calls The Full Monty.

Extra cases cost £10 each. You can then pay £5 to personalise these cases. Wild refills cost £6 each. If you subscribe to Wild, you’ll be sent refills regularly so you don’t need to buy individual ones.

However, if you’re getting through them quickly, want a selection of scents, or you’ve opted for a one-off purchase, Wild refills are the way to go. This is particularly good for when Wild releases limited-edition fragrances.

Subscription Starter Pack

• Price: £12
• What is it? This pack contains one aluminium alloy case (that lasts a lifetime) and one refill. The subscription service is delivered in a pack of three at £5 per refill, where customers pay £15 every three months. You can alternatively select to receive these three refills every two, or four months for the same price, and the plan is flexible. mamabella tip: We’d recommend you start with a two-month plan to see how quickly you get through a single refill. You can then easily extend it if need be.

One-off

• Price: £25
• What is it? You can also buy a non-subscription trial pack. This costs £25 and comes with one case and three Wild scents of your choice.

Full Monty pack

• Price: £32
• What is it? Finally, the Full Monty pack costs £32 and comes with a case and five refills of your choice.

Mini Wild Deodorants

• Price: £12
• What is it? Not that standard Wild deodorant cases and Wild refills are huge, but if you want an even more travel-friendly version of your favourite natural deodorant scent, Wild sells Mini Deos. These are great for holidays, but also for putting in your gym bag. For £12, you get three miniature deodorant cases all of the same scent. Alternatively, you can pay £17 for a pack of five, which includes two Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt, two Coconut Dreams, and a Jasmine & Mandarin Blossom Mini Deodorant.

Wild Shower Gel

Wild

Since revolutionising the natural deodorant market, Wild recently launched a body wash in a compostable bottle, after over two and a half years of research and development. The bottle is made entirely from plant-based materials and uses the natural waterproof characteristics of bamboo.

The aim is to decrease the use of single-use plastic in bathroom products after data suggests the average person uses a large number of plastic cosmetics bottles over their lifetime, with only half of bathroom waste typically being recycled.

This has implications for waste management systems globally, as much of this waste is sent to other countries for processing. Wild’s compostable refills offer an alternative, having saved 262 tonnes of plastic from going to landfills since 2020.

The refill is made from 70% bamboo starch and 30% plant starch from agricultural waste. It is designed to biodegrade naturally within six months. The refill also comes with a ‘use by’ date, indicating when the material will start to break down.

The body wash is then available in a reusable aluminium case. The anodised aluminium is resistant to corrosion and water damage, making it suitable for use in wet environments like showers. The case is also recyclable.

The body wash is available for pre-order in aqua or pink and comes in three scents: Fresh Cotton & Sea Salt, Coconut & Vanilla, and Jasmine & Mandarin Blossom.

Buy Wild shower gel

︎ Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today ︎

MORE LIKE THIS

• What’s all the fuss about clean beauty?
  
• Best deodorant for women: 8 of the best smelling, most effective deodorants and antiperspirants for women 
• Best men’s deodorant UK
• Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference?
• Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?
• Best sustainable beauty brands UK: Our pick of eco-friendly makeup and skincare brands and their must-have products
• Vegan beauty products: The best affordable vegan makeup and skincare brands in the UK
• Beauty refill stations are coming to the UK
• Spotlight on e.l.f – the vegan boss of the makeup world
• Best shampoo for all hair types 

Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Wild deodorant review: Is this vegan, aluminium-free natural deodorant effective, or overhyped? appeared first on mamabella.

In the UK, one in eight women over the course of their lifetimes will be diagnosed with breast cancer. This also means that there’s a chance all of us will know someone who has been, or who will be affected by the disease.

October is officially Breast Cancer Awareness Month in which brands and organisations raise awareness and money for the various cancer charities working on finding treatments and cures.

This includes selling new ranges, or redesigned products and donating the proceeds to such charities and organisations.  Scroll down to see our favourite ways to support these charities. We’ll be adding more to this list throughout October, so don’t forget to check back.

Plus, if you work for a brand – or know a brand – that is selling products to raise money for breast cancer research then please let us know and we’ll add it to our list.

FURTHER READING: The best creams, lotions and masks to help lift and firm your boobs

How to check your breasts

Before we dive into the beauty brands that have all pledged to support breast cancer charities, we want to explain how to check your breasts and what changes to look out for.

• Step 1: Begin by looking at your breasts in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Check to see if your breasts are their usual size, shape and colour.
• Step 2: Raise your arms and check for the same things.
• Step 3: Check to see if there is any fluid coming out of one or both nipples. If you’re breastfeeding, milk and even watery fluid is expected. If you’re not, any leaking of fluid could be a sign something isn’t quite right.
• Step 4: Now lie down and squeeze and press your fingers and hand (with your hand flat) around the breast feeling for any lumps or unusual sensations.
• Step 5: Finally, feel your breasts while you are standing or sitting. Many women find that the easiest way to examine their breasts is when their skin is wet, so you can do this step in the shower.

Things to look for include:

• Dimpling, puckering, or bulging of the skin
• A nipple that has changed position or an inverted nipple
• Redness, soreness, rash, or swelling
• Lumps or unusual bumps

If you’re concerned about any changes you’ve noticed with your breasts, contact your GP sooner rather than later. If it is anything to worry about, it’s best to catch it early as the chances of treating it are much higher and more successful.

Find out more at Coppa Feel!

Beauty brands supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Below we’ve listed the best beauty brands, products and accessories that not only look fantastic but will give money back to charities fighting to rid us of the scourge of breast cancer.

GHD Pink Limited Edition Range

From £169 | Buy now

GHD

GHD’s Pink Limited Edition stylers come in a gentle pink/peach hue and include zip bags that feature the slogan TAKE CONTROL NOW. This slogan is used to encourage women to make regular self-examinations.

Marking two decades of contributions to breast cancer organisations, GHD is donating £10 to Breast Cancer Now or €10 to the Irish Cancer Society for each item sold from this collection.

The products that have had a makeover are:

• GHD Platinum+ in Pink Peach: Buy now
• GHD Glide in Pink Peach: Buy now
• GHD Helios in Pink Peach: Buy now
• GHD Gold in Pink Peach: Buy now
• GHD Unplugged Cordless in Pink Peach: Buy now

If you want to learn more about these products before buying, check out GHD reviews:

• GHD Platinum Plus review
• GHD Helios review
• GHD Unplugged review

Shop the GHD range

︎ Look Good Feel Better makeup brushes 

Buy now from Lookfantastic 

Look Good Feel Better

With each makeup brush Look Good Feel Better sells, it donates 10-12% to the Look Good Feel Better charity.

This charity helps run makeup workshops across the UK, including online tutorials to help women suffering from cancer feel confident again.

It’s one of the only cancer support charity offering support to women, men and young adults to combat the physical and psychological side-effects of their treatment. The programme is offered in more than 140 hospitals and cancer care centres across the UK and to date has supported over 170,000 people living with cancer.

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the brand has released a line of beautiful white and pink makeup brushes which start at £5.99, or you can buy a set for £19.99. There is also a beauty sponge, and an antibacterial spray for £8.99.

You can buy these brushes from SoInvogue as well as in M&S, Lookfantastic and selected Sainsbury’s stores.

FURTHER READING: Best makeup brushes: The best natural and synthetic makeup brushes

Buy now from Lookfantastic

Pink Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum

£89 | Buy now

Estee Lauder

Available in a special edition bottle, Estée Lauder’s Pink Advanced Night Repair serum is part of the brand’s breast cancer awareness initiative. As part of this initiative, Estee Lauder is donating 20% of sales to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Also, if you add the code GOLDENGIFT during checkout you can get an additional six-piece gift set.

︎ Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle shampoo and conditioner

From £21.50 | Buy now

Philip Kingsley

Speaking of the Look Good Feel Better charity, 50p from the sales of Philip Kingsley’s No Scent No Colour shampoo, and conditioner also goes towards this fantastic cause. These donations are taken throughout the year, not just for the month of October.

The formula was designed to be gentle enough for Philip Kingsley’s wife to use when she had breast cancer. It’s also perfect for people who are prone to redness or irritation on their scalp and its star ingredient is Hydrolyzed Elastin. This adds strength, body, and elasticity to improve your hair’s strength and how much moisture it retains. This also helps reduce breakages.

It also contains Amino Silicone to detangle and control frizz and flyaways.

A 250ml bottle of the shampoo costs £21.50, or you buy a litre of the shampoo for £60. The conditioner also costs £21.50 for the smaller version and £64 for a litre.

Since 2016, Philip Kingsley has sold 47,414 units of No Scent No Colour Shampoo and Conditioner, and have raised £23,707 for Look Good Feel Better.

FURTHER READING: How to manage hair loss and make hair grow faster: Expert tips, advice and what NOT to do

Buy now from Philip Kingsley

Bobbi Brown Gloss Duo

£38 | Buy now

Bobbi Brown

Bobbi Brown presents a pair of moisturising, non-tacky lip glosses in pink-themed packaging. All proceeds from this launch are being donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

︎ Macmillan 24 Days of Beauty advent calendar

Macmillan

Macmillan has been a charity partner of Boots for more than a decade and the pair offer beauty and skincare consultations for cancer patients as well as support for their families.

As part of this collaboration, Boots is selling the Macmillan 24 Days of Beauty advent calendar with £2 from each sale going to charity.

It retails for £90 but is currently on offer for £44. Plus you get Boots Advantage Card points.

The calendar contains a mix of products from Boots, Liz Earle, No7, Sleek MakeUP and more.

You can see the full list of what’s in the Macmillan advent calendar here.

FURTHER READING: Best beauty advent calendars and Cheap beauty advent calendars under £50

Buy now

Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne

£118 | Buy now

Jo Malone

£118 | Buy now

For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Jo Malone London has released a special version of its Peony & Blush Suede Cologne. Throughout October 2023, £20 from each 100ml bottle sold will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Elemis Rose Micro-Serum

£90 | Buy now

Elemis

Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Rose Micro-Serum is clinically validated to offer 72-hour hydration and fortify the skin’s natural barrier. For each serum sold in October, Elemis will donate £10 to the Look Good Feel Better charity, supporting their range of workshops and services.

︎ Avon Products That Give Back

Avon has been raising money for breast cancer charities and initiatives for the past 30 years and in that time has raised more than £25 million. For this October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, it is donating 100% of the profits from select products to its charity partners – CoppaFeel! and Look Good Feel Better.

What’s more, Avon is also donating an additional £1 of profits from every sale of nine of the brand’s top-rated products across make-up, skincare and fragrance.

SHOP THE RANGE

Avon Breast Cancer Mystery Box

£15 (Worth £25) | Buy now

Back by popular demand, Avon’s mystery gift box is packed with best-selling products like mascaras, lipsticks, and highlighters. The box contains five surprise beauty items for you to enjoy. What’s more, the box itself, adorned with a unique boob print, serves as a lasting reminder to carry out regular self-checks.

Avon

Avon Breast Cancer Pins

£4 each | Buy now

Show your support for the cause by wearing one of Avon’s Breast Cancer Pins. You can choose between a silver-plated crystal pin with glass stones or a gold-plated enamel pin. Wear it proudly to raise awareness and show solidarity.

Avon Breast Cancer Candle

£7 | Buy now

Avon

This candle not only fills your home with the aromas of rhubarb, red apple, and strawberry but also serves as a poignant reminder to perform regular self-checks. With a burn time of 28 hours, the candle comes with a handy guide to help you know what to look for during your checks.

Avon Care Breast Cancer Calming Moisture Body Lotion and Hand Cream

Body Lotion (£4.50), Hand Cream (£2) | Buy now

Skincare takes on a new level of importance, particularly for those undergoing cancer treatment. Avon offers a way to give your skin the attention it deserves with their Breast Cancer Calming Moisture Body Lotion and Hand Cream. Enriched with vitamin E and tea tree extract, these products promise 24-hour moisture, leaving your skin feeling hydrated and soft. As you apply the lotion, it’s an opportune moment to perform a self-check on your breasts or pecs, a simple act that could be life-saving.

SHOP THE RANGE

︎ Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today ︎

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best makeup organiser
• Best menopause treatment
• Do you know what skin cancer looks like?
• Where to buy US makeup and skincare brands in the UK
• Worried about saggy boobs? 
• Best makeup calendars under £50: Cheap beauty advent calendars that won’t break the bank
• Boots and Macmillan launch No7 virtual beauty consultations for women going through cancer
• Parabens: What are they, how do they work and are they as bad as people claim?
• Best cheap makeup brands that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to look great
• The best cheap makeup alternatives to Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Huda Beauty, and more
• #Vulvalution: Cult Beauty teams up with Lady Garden to get more people talking about gynaecological cancers
• Cheap skincare alternatives for La Mer, Skinceuticals and more
• How to find your perfect foundation match online and in-store
• Easy makeup looks: Make a statement with these quick and easy makeup ideas

Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Support cancer research charities with these beauty brands appeared first on mamabella.

Alongside 24 other skincare favourites from H&B’s website and stores you’ll find the VitaSkin Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Serum. VitaSkin is Holland and Barrett’s own vegan skincare range.

There is a host of other Holland and Barrett-own products including the Holland & Barrett Facial Toner, Hyaluronic Acid with Vitamin C Tablets, and a headband.

Other brands include Dr. Organic, Miaroma, Tisserand, Weleda Skin Food, and Q+A. See the full list of what’s inside the Holland and Barrett calendar in our best cheap advent calendar 2023 guide.

Original VitaSkin guide continues below

Clean beauty has a tendency to be on the pricey side – being environmentally conscious still, sadly, comes at a cost in a lot of cases. Holland & Barrett wants to change this with its VitaSkin range.

Not only is the range vegan, cruelty-free and clean, it also features key skincare ingredients such as retinol to Vitamin C, for as little as £15.

This may still seem expensive, but to get such ingredients, particularly at the levels available in VitaSkin and at the volume, you usually end up paying in excess of £25.

READ NEXT: What does Vitamin C do and which is the best Vitamin C serum for skin?

They’re also not always available on the high street. What’s more, the range is currently 25% off for a limited time.

“Our bodies need vitamins to thrive, and the same goes for your skin. Packed with high-quality vitamin C and vitamin A, the VitaSkin range is here to nourish your skin from the outside, in,” explains Holland & Barrett.

READ NEXT: What is retinol and what does it do to the skin?

“Get your glow on with daily moisturisers, scrub away dullness with exfoliators and rejuvenate tired skin with rich oils; VitaSkin has all the hand-picked nutrients needed to enrich your skincare routine.”

The range is 100% vegan and 99% natural. The 1% non-natural ingredient is a preservative.

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Holland & Barrett’s VitaSkin

There are 12 products in Holland & Barrett’s vegan VitaSkin range and below we’ve detailed a bit more about each one.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

VitaSkin Vitamin C Lifting Eye Cream

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

This eye cream is infused with Vitamin C and botanical extracts to help brighten and get rid of dark circles around the eyes. It also visibly enhances and plumps the delicate skin around the eyes.

FURTHER READING: Best eye cream for dark circles, wrinkles, fine lines and bags

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Vitamin C Cleansing Balm 

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

This Cleansing Balm is a non-greasy and non-drying cleanser. Apply it to your face when it’s dry and massage it in to dissolve dirt and makeup and leave the skin fresh, clean and radiant.

FURTHER READING: Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Serum

£13.50 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

This collagen-boosting serum is full of antioxidants and active ingredients designed to visibly plump your skin and help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It contains high level of Vitamin C and omega oils from a blend of kiwi, sea buckthorn and sweet orange oils.

FURTHER READING: Skin serum, facial oil or moisturiser: What’s the difference and which one do you need?

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Vitamin C Anti-Pollution Glow Day Cream

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

VitaSkin’s anti-pollution day cream combines high levels of Vitamin C and Omega oils to both hydrate the skin and preventing pollutants clogging up your pores.

FURTHER READING: The science of moisturiser: Which ingredients actually work and which are marketing BS?

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Vitamin C Intense Illuminating Oil

£13.50 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

Vitaskin Vitamin C Illuminating Oil is lightweight and full of rejuvenating actives designed to help reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps lift and brighten your complexion.

FURTHER READING: How to prevent wrinkles, according to the experts – and why your phone may be making you look old

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Vitamin C Gentle Daily Exfoliator

£12 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

This exfoliator is gentle enough to use on a daily basis and uses Vitamin C with bideogradable micro particles to remove dirt and dead skin cells. This helps leave your skin feeling soft and smooth and brightens your complexion over time.

FURTHER READING: Best face exfoliator: Get smoother skin using scrubs from Upcircle, The Ordinary, Nip+Fab and more

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

Vitamin C Collagen Boosting Night Cream

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

This hydrating collagen-boosting night cream helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overnight, to recharge your skin and help you wake up with a natural glow.

FURTHER READING: Sleeping beauty: The best overnight hair masks, face creams and foot treatments

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Daily Protect SPF Moisturiser

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

SPF is, hands-down, the most important skincare product you need and should use on a daily basis. This hydrating SPF Moisturiser uses botanical oils with a mineral SPF, Vitamin E and Lavender Oil to protect and soften the skin.

FURTHER READING: What SPF do I need? The best moisturisers with SPF, from Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen to Heliocare 360

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Vitamin A Intense Cell Renewal Oil

£13.50 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

mamabella | mamabella

The combination of retinol and Carrot Seed Oil – which both contain high levels of Vitamin A, alongside Vitamin E helps to promote softer, smoother and visibly younger-looking skin.

FURTHER READING: Skin gritting: The Reddit skincare trend is on the rise again – and it promises to get rid of blackheads as you sleep

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Vitamin A Rejuvenating Night Serum 

£13.50 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

This serum provides a twice-daily chance to boost your skin’s glow and get retinol deep into the skin. This helps improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

FURTHER READING: The science of serums: What is serum and what does serum do?

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Vitamin A Rejuvenating Night Cream 

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

Vitaskin’s Vitamin A Rejuvenating Night Cream uses Vitamin A and Vitamin E to brighten and even skin tone as well as reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

FURTHER READING: The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare – from hyaluronic, to glycolic, lactic and salicylic

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin Vitamin A Resurfacing Mask  

£11.25 | Buy now from Holland & Barrett

VitaSkin

Like the Vitamin A oil and serum, this resurfacing face mask gives an intense shot of retinol and Carrot Seed Oil to resurface the skin and brighten the complexion.

FURTHER READING: Best face mask 2020: The best face masques for acne, oily skin, dry patches and wrinkles

Buy now from Holland & Barrett

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best moisturisers for oily, dry and mature skin
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference?
• Best eye cream
• How old does your skin REALLY look? Olay Skin Advisor scans your face to reveal if you’re prematurely ageing
• The science of moisturiser
• How to get rid of dark circles
• Best anti-ageing cream for targeting wrinkles and fine lines
• What does toner actually do?
• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

Victoria Woollaston-Webber

Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget

The post Holland & Barrett’s vegan VitaSkin range offers an affordable way to get into clean beauty appeared first on mamabella.

From porridge balls stuck to armpits and crushed carob pods rubbed into the skin, humans have always been creative when attempting to find the best deodorant to mask their natural scents.

Ancient Egyptians reportedly mixed ostrich eggs, nuts, tamarisk, and ground tortoiseshell into a paste using fat so as to disguise their bodily odours, whilst others tried perfumes, oils and salts for the job.

Nowadays, we’re lucky enough to be able to enjoy a range of deodorants and antiperspirants when it comes to staying fresh throughout the day. There are balms, sprays, roll-ons, creams, and more and while having a choice is great, it can be a tad confusing and overwhelming.

Below we’ve handpicked what we consider to be the best deodorants for women, with a particular focus on natural, and aluminium-free options to suit all budgets.

Best deodorant for women UK

1. Proverb Natural Deodorant  – from £12
2. GoBo Natural Deodorant – £9.99
3. Aesop Natural Deodorant – £23
4. Fussy Deodorant – from £13
5. Salt of the Earth Deodorant – from £6.49
6. SANS– Deodorant – from £25
7. Mio Skincare Pit Proof Deodorant – £12
8. Wild Deodorant – from £12
9. AKT London: The Natural Deodorant Balm  – £16.15  
10. Drunk Elephant: Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream – £13

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Best BB cream | Best moisturiser | Best tinted moisturiser  | Best toner | Best primer | Best cleanser| Best eye cream| Best anti-ageing cream | Best hand cream| Best foot cream | Best face mask  | Best face exfoliator | Best face oil| Best serum| Best night cream | Best SPF | Best Vitamin C serum | Men’s skincare routine

Editor’s Pick: Proverb Natural Deodorant 

£15 (or £12 per month) | Buy now

Proverb

Why we love it: For months, Wild’s subscription service has been our favorite deodorant yet it was recently usurped by Proverb and its range of plant-based, vegan, aluminum-free refills. Not only do Proverb deodorants not contain aerosol gases, petroleum or parabens, but their 70g refills are the largest on the market, meaning a single stick will last you a minimum of around eight weeks.

However, we’ve been using ours for six months and counting and it’s still going strong, making Proverb superb value for money.

There are two formulations – Core and Active – and they each come in three scents: Wild Mint and Eucalyptus, Coconut and Tonka, and sensitive and unfragranced. The scents last all day and allow you to sweat without overdrying the skin, but without making you feel uncomfortable. What’s more, you only need a small amount to keep you dry – which explains why it lasts so long.

A starter pack, which includes the case and a refill, costs £15, or £12 on a subscription. Two scents and a case cost £30. Individual refills cost £15 as a one-off purchase, or £12 for a subscription. Replacement cases then cost a fiver each in either yellow, white, black or grey.

mamabella readers get free shipping when ordered via this link

Buy now from Proverb

Budget Buy: GoBo Natural Deodorant

£9.99 | Buy now

GoBo

Why we love it: Available from just £9.99, you would be forgiven for thinking GoBo’s deodorant is nothing more than functional, but its economic pricing actually encompasses a whole range of plus points that make it extraordinarily good value for money.

Both vegan and cruelty-free, the natural AHA deodorant is also free from aluminium, alcohol and essential oils, making it ideal for those with more sensitive skin. It comes in a range of 100% natural floral water options (both scented and unscented) including: Orange Blossom, Rose, Jasmin, Original, and For Men. You can read more about this in our best deodorant for men guide.

In addition to its range of fabulous fragrances, GoBo helps correct pigmentation and prevents ingrown hairs, so it’s no wonder Good Housekeeping voted it their 2021 #1 Natural Deodorant. These reasons, coupled with its fantastic price point mean we couldn’t recommend a better deodorant that’s both natural and affordable.

FURTHER READING: The truth about the acids lurking in your skincare – from hyaluronic, to glycolic, lactic and salicylic

Buy now from GoBo

Luxury Buy: Aesop

£23 | Buy now

Aesop

Why we love it: Aesops’ products have long been renowned for their simple elegance, uncomplicated design, and technologically backed cultivation – and this deodorant is no different. In keeping with the brands’ complementary combination of beauty and practicality, the deodorant lives up to its name, earning cult status with its irresistible coupling of nature and technology and equally irresistible scent. 

Offering a delightfully fresh, botanical aroma that is at once herbal and clean, Aesop’s deodorant can be worn by all genders.

It’s also aluminium-free and, if you’re an Aesop fan, it will look wonderfully chic alongside your other bathroom products. A must-try for a deliciously scented, luxury deodorant that will complete any collection of stylishly designed toiletries. 

FURTHER READING: Best beauty subscription boxes UK: From Lookfantastic to Cohorted, which beauty boxes are worth your money?

Buy now from Aesop

Fussy Natural Deodorant for B.O

From £13 | Buy now

Fussy

Another natural deodorant stick that recently soared in popularity thanks to its founders appearing on Dragon’s Den (and getting investment from two of the Dragons), is Fussy.

A monthly subscription costs £13 for a case plus one refill and then £15 for three refills once every three months. Alternatively, you can buy the case and two refills at a one-off purchase, for £20, while a case and four refills cost £32.

All of the refills are made using natural ingredients and are free of parabens, and aluminum.

They’re also vegan and cruelty-free. Fussy cases are made from recycled plastic, and the refills are all compostable.

The cases come in six colours – Midnight, Mint Green, Ocean Blue, Burnt Orange, Blush and Lilac colours – and there are then seven refill scents to choose from:

• Tropic Tonic: Lime, Basil and Mandarin
• Wide-Eyed Citrus: Mandarin, grapefruit and black pepper
• Wavy Days: Eucalyptus, Sage and Peppermint
• Cloud Nine: Cotton, Sandalwood and Vetiver
• Night Tales: Cedar, Cinnamon and Patchouli
• Sun Drunk: Vanilla, Ylang Ylang and Star Anise
• Bare All: Unscented

What sets Fussy apart from other natural deodorant offerings is that it’s what’s known as a probiotic deodorant. Each of us has our own microbiome which means our skin is teeming with bacteria that live in a delicate balance.

When we wash too much, use harsh chemicals, have showers that are too hot and more, we can disrupt this balance. This means the good bacteria are replaced by bad bacteria and this is what causes us to smell – especially our armpits.

To restore this balance, Fussy contains a bacteria called Lactobacillus, found in yogurt and milk, which helps inhibit the growth of bad, odour-causing bacteria. This makes it a particularly great women’s deodorant for B.O.

Buy now from Fussy

Salt of the Earth Deodorant

From £6.49 | Buy now

Salt of the Earth

Made in the UK, affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free – the Salt of the Earth deodorant range ticks a lot of boxes.

Available in a wide range of forms, including a spray, roll-on, stick, balm, and a crystal version, as well as a range of scents, this natural deodorant was one of the first to launch way back in 1993.

In that time, it’s become vegan-certified by The Vegan Society and certified 100% natural by COSMOS.

It’s also cruelty-free, long-lasting, and won’t leave white marks on your clothes.

What’s more, you can buy large bottles of refills.

They don’t come cheap (around £20) but they allow you to refill your deodorant up to 10 times, which is a marked saving compared to buying the deodorants separately.

Plus, you’re helping save the planet by using less plastic.

Salt of the Earth’s deodorising power comes from the use of mineral salts, called potassium alum.

When you spray or apply this deodorant to your skin, it leaves a thin layer of these mineral salts that kills the odour-causing bacteria and leave you feeling and smelling fresh.

Once you’ve decided which type of deodorant you want, you then choose from a range of scents, including:

• Neroli & Orange Blossom
• Ocean & Coconut
• Lavender & Vanilla
• Melon & Cucumber
• Amber & Sandalwood
• Sweet Strawberry
• Peony Blossom
• Vetiver & Citrus
• Ginger & Jasmine

Buy now from Amazon

SANS– Deodorant

£25 for Starter Kit on subscription, £15 for refills | Buy now

SANS–

Why we love it: SANS– is a homegrown British deodorant brand built with sustainability and performance at its core.

Its natural deodorant refills are aluminium-, phthalates-, PEGs- and paraben-free. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free with SANS– being an approved PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies and Vegan Society licencee.

These are the most prestigious and well-regarded standards in the vegan and cruelty-free sectors and they both guarantee that SANS– products are never tested on animals, nor do they contain any animal byproducts.

Elsewhere, the packaging for its deodorant is made from FSC-certified cardboard, meaning it can be recycled after use. SANS– has aditionally partnered with an charity called 1% for the Planet and commits to donating 1% of all of its profits to sustainable initiatives and rewilding schemes globally.

In terms of fragrances, SANS– deodorants don’t offer as many as some other brands in this list but what they do offer is suitable for both men and women. These fragrances include:

• 18th Orchard – grapefruit, orange and rosemary
• Pinacea – rose, mandarin, cedarwood and geranium
• Twig & Blossom – bergamot, lemon, petitgrain, neroli, cardamom

This deodorant slides on well. In fact, it glides on even easier than other aluminium-free deodorants we’ve tried – namely Wild – and despite the fact it’s much smaller and compact in size, it means it lasts longer than we expected. We finished a capsule in just over a month, when used daily and it kept us feeling fresh and didn’t rub off on our clothes as other deodorants do.

Buy now from SANS–

Mio Skincare Pit Proof deodorant 

£12 | Buy now

Mio Skincare

Mio’s Pit Proof Natural Deodorant is an aluminium-free balm made from minerals that naturally reduce moisture. Its sugar shield technology then uses the sugars found naturally in the ingredients in its formula to create a protective layer over the skin on your armpits.

This not only stops bacteria from getting in, but it also helps control body odour because it’s the bacteria that cause the smell. Not sweat.

Fragrance-wise, this Pit Proof deodorant contains eucalyptus and Siberian pine essential oils to give it a fresh, natural scent. These oils are complemented by Indian Fig extract, Monk’s Pepper Berry, and Sweet Almond Oil.

The latter in particular makes this deodorant great for sensitive or broken skin. Elsewhere, it also contains a naturally deodorising active called Lichen Extract.

Buy now from Mio Skincare

Wild Deodorant 

From £12 | Buy now

Wild

Why we love it: Effective, sustainable, and conveniently practical, Wild’s natural deodorant is as good for our planet as it is for our armpits – and it’s small enough to fit through your letterbox with zero fuss!

Wild’s soap-bar-sized deodorants come packaged in a reusable and elegantly simple case that’s both plastic-free and compostable, and the range of fragrances available is sure to set your mouth-watering even if you can’t actually give them a nibble.

You can choose from Fresh Cotton and Sea Salt, Rhubarb and Raspberry, Orange and Neroli, Jasmine and Mandarin Blossom, Bergamot and Grapefruit, Coconut and Vanilla, Mint and Eucalyptus or Sandalwood and Patchouli when picking your scent – a range that’s sure to include something for every mood, occasion, and preference.

With an ethos of ‘Arms up, waste down’, what’s not to love?

FURTHER READING: Wild deodorant review: Can this vegan, aluminium-free natural deodorant really keep us fresh all day long?

Buy now from Wild

AKT London: The Natural Deodorant Balm  

From £16.15 | Buy now

AKT London

Why we love it: It’s easy to pick out products for a standalone winning feature, less so to find one that has the whole package. With AKT’s Deodorant Balm, we think we’ve got one that comes pretty close.

Vegan, cruelty- and aluminium salt-free, it’s a deodorant balm that’s good for both animals and our bodies; 100% plastic-free and recyclable, it’s also good for the planet.

Impressed? The balm additionally leaves no marks on clothes, meaning the underarms of your shirts and jackets will remain stain-free. Really impressed? It can also be applied to any areas that might need protection, so we’re not just talking about underarms, think feet, forehead, chest, and so on.

Its moisturising formula comes in Orange Grove, containing a combination of petitgrain, mandarin and neroli; After Thunder, containing cedar, eucalyptus and orange; or The Onsen, which contains vetiver, lavandin and citrus. All three promise to keep you dry throughout the day and are suitable for all genders. 

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Buy now from AKT

Drunk Elephant: Sweet Pitti Cream

£13 | Buy now

Drunk Elephant

Why we love it: Gentle, soothing, and highly effective, we love this deodorant cream for simple reasons. It’s fragrance-free and formulated to be suitable for sensitive skin types, meaning it’s also free from baking soda, essential oils, and aluminium-derived ingredients.

Applied once a day to clean, dried skin it will leave you smelling fresh and odour-free as you go about your daily activities. So, if you’re looking for a dependable, soft deodorant cream that comes in attractive packaging at an affordable price, look no further.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

How do deodorants and antiperspirants work? 

Deodorants work to combat odours by masking them with their own scent. Antiperspirants aim to reduce the amount of sweat produced in the first place.

Deodorants fall under the cosmetics category and antiperspirants alternatively classify as a ‘drug’, being regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Both deodorants and antiperspirants work to keep you smelling clean throughout your day so you can go about your normal business without the awkward embarrassment of a pongy pit.

READ NEXT: How to layer your skincare: Knowing the best skincare order will help make the most of your products

︎ Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today ︎

MORE LIKE THIS

• Wild deodorant review
• Revealed: The most eco-friendly and ethical beauty brands in the UK
• Best cheap makeup alternatives to Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Huda Beauty and more 
• The best cheap skincare alternatives to La Mer, Estée Lauder and more
• Spotlight on…Tonik Skincare: The natural, cruelty-free skincare brand by sceptics, for sceptics
• Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Best cleansing balm
• Best cleanser for acne: Which acne cleanser actually gets rid of, or reduces spots?
• Best eye cream
• Skincare ingredient checker: Get to grips with what’s in your skincare with our ingredients guide
• How to layer skincare
• How to get rid of dark circles
• What does toner actually do?

Lara Webster

After earning a 2.1 in BA English and Classical Literature from the University of Bristol, Lara went onto online proofreading and SEO courses. Over the past five years, she has worked in PR (creating newsletters, press releases, and articles for media distribution), while moonlighting as a Social Media Specialist and Lead Content Writer where she has respectively written articles and guides, and created and scheduled various social media calendars. She is now a Content Writer for a sustainable beauty brand, working alongside PR and Marketing team to strategise and create content. You can find more of her work here.

The post Best deodorant for women UK: 10 of the best smelling, most effective deodorants and antiperspirants for women  appeared first on mamabella.

If you’re not sure what the difference is, check out our guide: Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference?

So how can you not only find vegan beauty products but vegan makeup and skincare that doesn’t cost a fortune?  Let us help!

What counts as a vegan beauty product? 

Typically, vegan beauty products are certified by the Vegan Society, which coined the term “vegan” back in the 1940s. To be certified, products must fit the following criteria: 

• No animal ingredients: The manufacture and/or development of the product and its ingredients, must not involve or use any animal product, by-product or derivative 
• No animal testing: Products must not involve testing of any sort on animals
• Effective labelling of Genetically Modified Organisms: Also known as GMOs, products put forward for Vegan Society registration that contain any GMOs must be labelled

When it comes to beauty products specifically, there is a number of ingredients that can make the difference between a vegan and a non-vegan product: 

• Cera Alba (Beeswax) 
• Carmine (Crushed up beetles)
• Lanolin (Wool grease)
• Placenta (from sheep)
• Squalene (Shark liver oil)

For example, while some brands like Fenty Beauty and Weleda have vegan ranges or products, some of their products contain ingredients such as beeswax and carmine.  

Read our Weleda Skin Food review here

Best vegan beauty products and brands

With the hundreds of beauty brands, we’ve put together a list of our favourite vegan makeup and skincare brands below. These are largely considered to be vegan with either all or the majority of their products, meeting the Vegan Society standard, and we can vouch for how great they are. 

• Ciaté London: Explore Ciaté London
• e.l.f Cosmetics: Explore e.l.f Cosmetics
• Milk: Explore the Milk range
• Drunk Elephant: Explore the Drunk Elephant range
• Balance Me: Explore the Balance Me range
• INIKA Organic: Explore the INIKA Organic range
• Urban Decay: Explore the Urban Decay range

We’ve also listed the top most Instagrammed vegan brands, according to research from End of Tenancy London, below our handpicked list. We don’t go into detail about those brands because we haven’t had the chance to try them all yet, so don’t want to vouch for untested products. Once we do – and if they’re good enough – we’ll add them to our best vegan beauty products list.

︎ Ciaté London

Explore the Ciaté London range

Ciate London

Why we love it: If you’re not aware of Ciaté London – we weren’t until about a year ago – the brand was founded by celebrity nail technician Charlotte Knight. It’s still widely revered and renowned for its nail products and its advent calendar regularly features in our Best Buys list.

More recently, though, the brand expanded into makeup and has led the way with innovative products, some of which we can no longer live without.

Its eyeliner stamp, for instance, called Stamp and Drag is an everyday product for us. It helps you create perfect winged eyeliner every time, and does so muchly cheaply than the likes of The Quick Flick. What’s more, the shape of the wing works on both eyes so you don’t need to double up (again, as is the case with The Quick Flick.)

We are also obsessed with its Glitter Flip liquid lipstick which activates when you press your lips together and creates a long-lasting party finish. We have it in black and red!

One of the main reasons we love Ciaté London so much, though, is because its hero products are all vegan and cruelty-free. This includes its Dewy Skin (£26) skin tint, full of hyaluronic acid, Vitamin C, and soothing Dragon Fruit Extract, and the Plant Pots Vegan nail treatments (£10).

Where to buy: You can buy from the Ciaté London website as well as ASOS.

FURTHER READING: A skin specialist reveals how to strengthen your nails and what makes them so damn brittle

Buy now from Ciaté London

︎ e.l.f Cosmetics

Explore the e.l.f Cosmetics range

e.l.f Cosmetics

Why we love it: According to e.l.f cosmetic’s website, the brand never tests on animals nor does it endorse such practices. Its products don’t contain animal-derived ingredients, beeswax has been replaced by synthetic beeswax, and lanolin has been replaced by Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladinpale-2.

The brand also supports the Humane Society of The United States and is a PETA partner as part of the Caring Consumer Project. It considers itself to be 100% vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free.

When it comes to price, e.l.f. is great value for money. Most products come in at below £10 each and sometimes under a fiver. It’s one of the best cheap makeup brands around. 

Where to buy: You can buy from the e.l.f. Cosmetics website or from Superdrug — the retailer currently has a 3 for 2 deal on the go. You can also find out what’s inside the e.l.f Cosmetics beauty advent calendar in our best cheap beauty advent calendar guide. 

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…e.l.f, the vegan boss of the makeup and skincare world

Buy now from Superdrug

︎ Milk

Explore the Milk range

Milk

Why we love it: Apart from it being 100% vegan, Milk is very technology-forward. It sees personal style and experimentation as the “ultimate forms of self-expression” and this is reflected in its products.

It also offers a 15-minute free consultation with a Milk makeup expert online, meaning it’s also lockdown friendly. 

Founded in New York by Mazdack Rassi, Dianna Ruth, Georgie Greville and Zanna Roberts Rassi, this brand develops all its products in-house at its Milk Studios. All products are cruelty-free, paraben-free and 100% vegan. They even have a blacklist on its website of all the ingredients they do not use. 

Where to buy: Cult Beauty stocks Milk Makeup products from its Vegan Milk range. 

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…Milk’s range of high-quality, affordable makeup and skincare

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ Drunk Elephant vegan beauty products

Explore the Drunk Elephant range

Drunk Elephant

Why we love it: Despite it’s slightly unusual name, Drunk Elephant is another brand that prides itself on animal-friendly products. The name Drunk Elephant is rooted in a myth that elephants love to eat fruit that has fallen from Marula trees. Once eaten, fermentation occurs inside their very large tummies and the elephants become drunk. 

The company, in its infancy, decided to remove ingredients that were bad for the skin’s health, which it named “the suspicious six.” The ingredients include silicones, essential pils, chemical screens, SLS, drying alcohols and fragrance and dyes. 

“We don’t care at all about smelling pretty or changing the look or feel of our ingredients, we just let them be what they are naturally,” the company’s website says. The brand also uses “biocompatible” ingredients, which are non-irritating, small-molecule ingredients. The skin can easily absorb these.

The products also come in neon-coloured bottles — what’s not to love?

Where to buy: Drunk Elephant can be bought at Cult Beauty and Space NK.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Buy now from SpaceNK

︎ Balance Me 

Explore the Balance Me range

Balance Me

Why we love it: The company believes skincare can have a dramatic effect not only on the skin but also your daily wellbeing, and we couldn’t agree more.  

The self-described champions of balance take this philosophy into account when selecting ingredients for its products, making sure fragrances are 100% natural and have mood-enhancing benefits.

All Balance Me products are 100% cruelty-free, and the company is 100% open about the ingredients and its formulations. 

And all the products smell absolutely amazing. 

Where to buy: Balance Me is available on the company’s website. 

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…Balance Me, the honest, natural skincare brand

Buy now from Balance Me

︎ INIKA Organic 

Buy now from INIKIA Organic

INIKA Organic

Why we love it: This brand is Australia’s only 100% authentic, natural beauty brand, according to the company. 

Founded in 2006, the founders wanted a cleaner beauty space free from toxic chemicals — pure, organic and natural was their goal. Today, it has a presence in 35 countries so its pledge has definitely resonated with people across the world. 

All its products are certified vegan and cruelty-free — its products neither harm animals or their homes and don’t contain any animal derivatives or by-products. INIKA Organic is also certified as being organic, 100% natural and 100% halal, free from alcohol, fillers, texturisers, synthetics and toxic chemicals.  

Where to buy: You can buy INIKA products directly from the UK store.

Buy now from INIKA Organic

︎ Urban Decay

Explore the Urban Decay range

Urban Decay

American brand Urban Decay makes it all the easier to shop its vegan products with a separate tab on its website.

Despite being owned by L’Oreal, a brand that does still test a small number of products on animals, Urban Decay is PETA certified as being cruelty-free.

Its vegan range not only includes makeup such as the Naked Skin concealer, which comes in an impressive 14 shades, and Hi-Fi Shine lip gloss but it also boasts 30 different types of vegan makeup brush – a much harder vegan find.

Where to buy: You can buy directly from the UK store.

Shop Urban Decay's vegan makeup range

Most Instagrammed vegan beauty brands 

NCLA

To discover which vegan beauty brands are most popular on Instagram, End of Tenancy London took 23 cruelty-free, vegan beauty brands from PETA’s official listing and recorded how many hashtags each brand gets.

Out of 23 vegan beauty brands, data was collected and amalgamated for the top 10.

First place went to Los Angeles-based beauty brand NCLA. The cruelty-free brand is tagged 173,601 times on Instagram which is almost 20x more than Nanshy in tenth place. Closely following in second place, with 147,219 hashtags, was the fragrance brand Le Labo, which was founded in 2005.

The third was vegan makeup and skincare brand Arbonne. The company, which in its 35 years on the market has never tested its products on animals, has 113,095 Instagram hashtags.

The vegan skincare brand which highly values clean beauty, self-care, and the spa culture, Sparitual places fourth with 83,087 hashtags, and rounding off the top five was vegan skincare, haircare and makeup brand Pacifica. The Californian brand which has 501,000 Instagram followers, has 60,170 hashtags on the social media platform.

Most popular vegan beauty brands on Instagram

1. NCLA – Buy from Cult Beauty
2. Le Labo – Buy from Cult Beauty
3. Arbonne – Buy now from Amazon
4. Sparitual – Buy now from Sparitual (US only)
5. Pacifica – Buy now from Pacifica (US)
6. Spectrum Collections – Buy now from Beauty Bay 
7. skyn ICELAND – Buy now from Feelunique
8. Dr. Botanicals – Buy now from Lookfantastic
9. Billy Jealousy – Buy now from Amazon
10. Nanshy – Buy now from Lookfantastic

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best moisturisers for oily, dry and mature skin
• Best skincare sets: Treat your skin while saving money with our fave, affordable skincare gift sets
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Best eye cream
• The science of moisturiser
• What SPF do I need? The best moisturisers with SPF
• How to get rid of dark circles
• Best skincare brands: We’ve picked our fave skincare essentials from the best brands in the UK
• What does toner actually do?
• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

Phee Waterfield

Sophia is an international journalist covering technology, healthcare, culture and lifestyle. Her words appear in outlets such as Newsweek, Forbes, Metro UK, New Scientist and more

mamabella.uk

The post Vegan beauty products: The best affordable vegan makeup and skincare brands in the UK appeared first on mamabella.

Some brands only sell a handful of vegan products, others still test on animals in certain regions. Some are still relying heavily on plastics, while others are switching to reusable packaging.

To make finding eco-friendly gifts and beauty products easier, Uswitch has looked at 45 of the most popular makeup brands in the UK to see which are committing themselves to be more ethical and sustainable. The full list can be found at the bottom of this page but we’ve highlighted the best, and worst performers below.

For each of the top brands, the switching site then analysed several ethical factors such as cruelty-free status, vegan products, and the ethical sourcing of mica. Mica is a mineral that adds pigment to makeup, namely foundation. It is sometimes gathered through unethical practices such as child labour.  You can find the full results in the Uswitch Ethical Beauty Brands report.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Best eco-friendly and ethical beauty brands UK

Below we’ve listed which brands came out on top, and which need to do more but the main results of the research found that only three of the top 16 brands (19%) offered all-vegan products – Lush, Superdrug’s B. and MUA.

In fact, Superdrug’s B. and Lush were the only brands in the study that passed all sustainability checks, including having a sustainable energy manifesto and ethically sourcing their mica.

Less than half (44%) were certified cruelty-free by PETA, including Covergirl, bareMinerals, and Makeup Revolution, while only 56% have stated a commitment to reducing plastic, including Soap & Glory, Maybelline, No 7, and Avon. Of the full list, 12 brands (75%) have taken part in some form of charitable initiative in the last 12 months.

FURTHER READING: Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference?

Best vegan brands UK

Uswitch

Veganism is growing in popularity fast, so UK brands are offering more vegan makeup options than ever before.

The top companies that are producing all-vegan makeup, or those offering the most vegan products, include:

• Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
• Cover|FX
• B.Cosmetics
• MUA Makeup Academy
• KVD Vegan Beauty
• Aveda

You can read more about MUA Makeup Academy in our guide to the best cheap makeup brands. 

The big brands that are certainly not vegan pleasers and don’t offer any vegan products include Bourjois Paris, Clinique, and Jo Malone London, amongst others. However, these brands perform better in other categories in the Uswitch report, which you can read below.

FURTHER READING: Recycle logo quiz: Do you know what the recycling logos on beauty and makeup packaging mean?

Best cruelty-free brands UK

Uswitch

If you’re looking for cosmetic products that are cruelty-free, it can be a bit of a minefield, especially when brands advertise themselves as such but aren’t entirely.

Firstly you’ll need to buy beauty brands that don’t sell physical in-store products in mainland China.

By law, any beauty products sold in China have to undergo animal testing.

To be sure you’re buying from brands not tested on animals, you’ll also want to shop with cosmetic brands that have PETA certification or Leaping Bunny approval.

Thankfully the research from Uswitch makes it really easy for you to find cruelty-free makeup by listing which beauty companies have certification and which don’t.

The top cruelty-free beauty brands include Liz Earle, Urban Decay, Marc Jacobs, Revolution Beauty London, as well as 18 other brands in the report.

Elsewhere, if you want to find the most ethical makeup and cosmetic products, you may also only want to choose brands that are committed to ethically sourcing their mica – a group of silicate minerals often broken down into a sparkling powder, also known as “natures glitter”.

Sometimes mica is sourced by unethical practices, such as child labour, so to be sure you’re buying the most ethical makeup you’ll want to use:

• L’Oreal Paris
• Elizabeth Arden New York
• Charlotte Tilbury
• Cover|FX
• Marc Jacobs
• Liz Earle
• Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics
• Revolution Beauty London
• Sephora
• Revlon

FURTHER READING: How to get free skincare samples in the UK online and in stores

Best plastic-free and low-plastic brands UK

Uswitch

Eco-friendly beauty shopping also means you’ll want to pick brands that are reducing the amount of plastic they use.

Eco-friendly beauty brands in this list include Aveda, Avon, Benefit San Francisco, Bobbi Brown, No7 and Too Faced, as well as 20 other brands in the Uswitch ethical beauty brands, report shown to be reducing their plastic use.

The report from Uswitch also looked into how companies treat their employees and their charitable initiatives over the last year.

The Body Shop was the clear winner here because they’ve achieved a B Corp certification – a status given to companies who meet high standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose.

The Uswitch report looked into Glassdoor reviews (where current and former employees anonymously review companies) and Max Factor came out top with a score of 4.5 out of 5.

The lowest-scoring brands were KVD Vegan Beauty (2.1), followed by Covergirl (2.3).

The great news is 36 of the top 45 UK beauty brands were found to have participated in a charitable initiative over the last year.

So if you’re shopping for eco-friendly gifts for yourself, looking for vegan beauty products, or wanting to support companies who support other people, then this guide will really help you to make informed decisions when it comes to shopping for your ethical cosmetics.

FURTHER READING: Best sustainable beauty brands UK: Our pick of eco-friendly makeup and skincare brands and their must-have products

Best eco-friendly brands UK

Below is Uswitch’s full analysis of the top 45 beauty brands in the UK. Click the picture to expand it in a new tab, where you can zoom in and out.

Uswitch

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

MORE LIKE THIS

• Vegan beauty products: The best affordable vegan makeup and skincare brands in the UK
• Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference?
• The best cheap makeup alternatives to Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Huda Beauty, and more
• Cheap skincare alternatives for La Mer, Skinceuticals and more
• Cheap beauty advent calendars 2021 under £50
• 17 of the best cheap makeup brands that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to look great
• Charlotte Tilbury skincare: Iconic brand releases Cryo-Recovery face mask to tighten and lift the skin
• Wild deodorant review: Can this vegan, aluminium-free natural deodorant really keep us fresh all day long?

Katherine O'Shea

Kat is a freelance journalist, photographer, and the founder of Simply Gender Free – a company dedicated to smashing gender stereotypes in kids’ products. As a mum of two, Kat is passionate about making the world a better place for the next generation

The post Revealed: The most eco-friendly and ethical beauty brands in the UK – and which really need to do better appeared first on mamabella.

Whether it’s reducing or eliminating plastic, sourcing sustainable ingredients, offering recycling schemes or being vegan, we wanted to share our favourite sustainable beauty and personal hygiene brands and their must-have products.

There is also a myth that sustainable beauty costs a fortune. While it’s true that you may end up paying slightly more to ensure the packaging doesn’t contain plastic or that the ingredients come from sustainable sources, there are some highly affordable ranges that benefit you, your skin and the planet.

FURTHER READING: What is palm oil used for and why is it so bad?

Best sustainable beauty brands UK

︎ Tropic Skincare: Smoothing Cleanser Complexion Purifier and Bamboo Face Cloth 

£18 | Buy now from Tropic

Tropic

Tropic Skincare, the beauty brand set up by The Apprentice star Susie Ma, believes plants are the most nutritious and beneficial ingredient for the skin and all of its ingredients are sustainably sourced from the Amazon rainforest, Polynesia, Australia and many more exotic regions.

In addition, Tropic is huge on animal welfare and the environment; the brand never tests on animals and doesn’t use any derivatives that cause animals distress. It stands with Cruelty-Free International, The Vegan Society and PETA as a 100% cruelty-free brand.

READ NEXT: Skincare makeup: The best beauty products that are good for your complexion while saving you time and money

In 2019, Tropic sent zero waste to landfill, and is helping its customers live a lower impact lifestyle with a packaging returns initiative on some of its products. By the end of 2020, the brand strives towards offering refillable packaging across the whole skincare range.

This smoothing cleanser and bamboo facecloth are perfecting for removing makeup. It leaves skin feeling clean without making it feel dry and doesn’t cause any irritation. The bamboo cloth is an added bonus, removing all traces of makeup without scratching or pulling on the skin.

FURTHER READING: Spotlight on…Tropic Skincare’s fantastic natural, fresh and sustainable beauty lines

Buy now from Tropic

︎ Cocofloss Dental Floss

£8.40 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Cocofloss

Cocofloss offers an eco-friendly solution for people who want to give their teeth that extra clean, ridding their mouths of cavity-causing bacteria. The floss itself is made from completely non-toxic ingredients, including recycled water bottles, antimicrobial coconut oil, naturally aromatic fruit oils and vegan wax.

Not compromising on your flossing either, the floss has more than 500 filaments to ensure your teeth are plaque-free after a cleansing session. Available in a variety of flavours: Delicious Mint; Fresh Coconuts; Pure Strawberry or Cara Cara Orange, you can definitely floss like a boss with this eco-friendly product.

Cocofloss is committed to being as sustainable as possible and has an ongoing partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ ede Roll on Therapists

£15 | Buy now from ede

ede

Championing all things organic, vegan and cruelty-free, ede has given aromatherapy a modern makeover. Featuring four skincare products, it’s all about quality not quantity with this brand. Everything is made of natural, organic ingredients that are gentle on both your skin and the environment.

Our favourite is the hero product, Roll on Therapists, which are aromatherapy rollerballs, designed to stimulate your senses, invigorating energy or easing anxiety – whatever is needed. All essential oils are vegan and never tested on animals.

In addition to its sustainable and ethical ethos, ede has joined forces with TreeApp, planting a tree for every purchase order received. If that’s not an incentive to shop with this sustainable brand, we don’t know what is.

Buy now from ede

︎ SUN.DAY of London Candles

£16 | Buy now from House of Fraser

Sun.Day of London

Focusing more on wellness than beauty specifically, SUN.DAY of London is a brand specialising in handcrafted candles. Using old recyclable glass and wax formed using solely plant-based ingredients, the candles are 100% natural.

Cruelty-free and vegan as well, the brand ensures the candles are made from GMO-free coconut and palm oil-free plant waxes. You still get aromatherapy-grade, essential oil fragrance blend, however, with scents in the botanica collection including fresh eucalyptus and calming lavender. Locally sourced in the UK, SUN.DAY of London maintains a low carbon footprint this way.

Buy now from House of Fraser

︎ Nair: Rose Sugar Wax

£13.99 | Buy now from Superdrug

Nair

Nair’s Oriental Sugar Wax is biodegradable and the strips can be rinsed and reused.

The Rose Sugar Wax uses five ingredients: sugars (glucose and sucrose), glycerin citric acid, water and natural rose extract and is 100% derived from natural origins.

This means you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin. This wax is vegan-friendly and contains no artificial perfumes or colours. It’s even suitable for sensitive skin.

FURTHER READING: Best hair removal cream: Fight the fuzz with our fave hair removal creams from Veet, Nair and more

Buy now from Superdrug

︎ INIKA: Organic Bold Lash Vegan Mascara

£27 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

INIKA

INIKA Organic is an Australian brand, focused on honest, clean and natural beauty.

Free from toxic chemicals and committed to certified organic, cruelty-free, halal and vegan values, the brand prides itself on using only ingredients good for the skin and the environment in its products.

No compromise on this mascara – as mascara aficionados we can strongly confirm this – so you can bat those dramatically-coated black lashes with confidence and zero guilt.

FURTHER READING: Best mascara: From Too Faced’s Better Than Sex to Lancôme’s Hypnose – here are our fave lash lifts

Buy now from Lookfantastic

︎ Spectrum Collections: Makeup Brushes

Prices vary | Buy now from Spectrum Collections

Spectrum Collections

Spectrum Collections prides itself on being vegan and cruelty-free, as well as striking to be kind to the planet.

The brand rose to fame with its beautiful, and often themed, makeup brush sets but now specialises in actual makeup too. In 2018, the brand cut its plastic packaging by 50% and donates 1% of its gross revenue to plastic clean-up initiatives.

The brush bristles are made from high-quality talon hair, meaning they’re durable and long-lasting – so keep cleaning them regularly and you shouldn’t need to throw them out. You can read more in our How to clean makeup brushes and choose a makeup brush cleaner guide.

The brush handles are also made from sustainably-sourced wood and handcrafted.

FURTHER READING: Best makeup brushes: The best natural and synthetic makeup brushes

Buy now from Spectrum Collections

︎ R&R: Luxury Lip Butter

£4.80 | Buy now from R&R Luxury

R&R Luxury

Now might be the most important time of the year to take care of your lips.

R&R Luxury has ridden on the success of products such as its baobab oil and liquid black soap but recently released new products including its Lip Butter.

Not only has the brand had sustainability at the core of its values since the beginning, but now its new products are all sold in sustainable packagings such as tin and cardboard.

Celebrating the brand’s 10-year anniversary, R&R is always interested in improving its sustainability, wherever possible.

The Lip Butter is made from 100% natural ingredients – which is not only great for the environment but good news for your lips too – and uses raw shea butter as its base ingredient, further enriched with virgin coconut oil, lavender oil and peppermint oil to keep your lips soothed and hydrated.

FURTHER READING: How to make your lips bigger naturally and apply lipstick like a pro – no fillers required

Buy now from R&R Luxury

︎ Lola’s Apothecary: Massage Body Soufflé 

£36 | Buy now from Lola’s Apothecary

Lola's Apothecary

Another brand committed to being as sustainable as possible, Lola’s Apothecary is a spa and wellness brand whose products you’ll find in some serious top-tier hotels – making getting your hands on them in your own home even more of a luxurious dream.

The brand takes pride in ethical and sustainable sourcing for its products and this is evident right the way through to the paper and cardboard packaging, which somehow does not compromise on its pretty aesthetic.

Vegan-friendly and 100% natural, Lola’s Apothecary’s body soufflés all contain whipped shea butter, coconut oil and rosehip that melts effortlessly into your skin.

Not only does it feel great but it also smells heavenly, with a range of signature scents. Perfect for any time of year.

FURTHER READING: The best body firming creams, lotions and oils that *actually* work

Buy now from Lola's Apothecary

︎ Face Halo: Makeup Remover Pads

£18 | Buy now from Cult Beauty

Face Halo

A makeup removal device that’s effective, non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and cost-efficient may sound too good to be true, but it’s not! Not only are Face Halo pads reusable, you can wash them up to 200 times, which replaces 500 make up wipes, they’re also easily recycled once you’re done with your wonder pad, thanks to the brand’s own upcycling scheme.

What’s more, if you’re conscious of what you’re putting on your face, it’s good to know that Face Halo removes makeup with just water.

The average makeup wearer uses 730 wipes on average per year to remove their makeup and it takes more than 100 years for a single wipe to break down in landfill. These plush little pads are so easy to use and don’t lose fineness over time and washing.

FURTHER READING: Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone

Buy now from Cult Beauty

︎ WUKA Period Pants

From £10 a pair | Buy now from WUKA

WUKA

Did you know pads and tampons end up in landfill? Sustainable period brand WUKA is on a mission to ensure that sustainable periods are accessible to everyone and to end period poverty.

The brand’s range of period underwear is made from an eco-friendly fabric – organic cotton and Econyl, which has been upcycled from ocean waste, and which, in turn, prevents 200 disposable pads and tampons from harming the environment.

Available in a range of styles to suit flows and underwear preference, the brand has also just launched a new WUKA Basic for £10 a pair (if you buy a pack of five) online, too.

We know what you’re thinking – this is great but do they actually work? We can confirm, they do.

Completely leak-free, WUKA’s period pants can last up to eight hours, which is likely longer than your usual pad or tampon thanks to their high-tech absorbency layer capable of absorbing 200 times its own weight in water.

Of course, this will depend on individuals and their cycles but having trialled the pants, we can confirm they’re so comfortable. Plus, thanks to their antibacterial fabric, there’s no funny smells going on either.

What happens when you’re done? Run them underwater until the redness disappears and then they can go into the machine with your regular clothes wash!

FURTHER READING: UK beauty brand Faace is donating period products to HeyGirls with sales of its face masks

Buy now from WUKA

︎ Saalt: Menstrual Cup

£25 | Buy now from Amazon

Saalt

On the topic of more sustainable and affordable periods, we also highly recommend Saalt Menstrual Cups. These are a good alternative to tampons and pads, especially if you don’t fancy using WUKA period pants.

A single cup is £25, which isn’t cheap, but bear in mind that one silicone cup lasts ten years (as long as you wash it regularly, but then why would you not?!)

We have a particularly heavy period and usually get through at least three-four tampons a day at the height of our period. By comparison, we barely fill this menstrual cup over the course of an entire day.

It’s also fascinating, albeit a little gross, to see how much we actually bleed. And it’s nowhere near as much as our previous tampon and pad use would suggest.

A couple of things to consider: if you have a prolapsed womb or similar, you may struggle with menstrual cups. You obviously need to get your hands a *little* dirty to remove the cup, but it’s very easy to do so, simply push down and it will come out.

And please, please, wash your hands before you put the cup in our take it out – you run the risk of a fungal infection such as thrush if you don’t, which won’t be the cup’s fault but it might end up giving you a bad experience unfairly.

What’s more, for every purchase Saalt helps provide improved period care and educational opportunities to women and girls in need.

FURTHER READING: #Vulvalution: Cult Beauty teams up with Lady Garden to get more people talking about gynaecological cancers

Buy now from Amazon

︎ Axiology: Lipstick

£24 | Buy now from ASOS

Axiology

Axiology is a lipstick brand that is aiming to be ethical on all fronts: the brand is cruelty-free, vegan, organic, non-toxic, palm oil-free, and uses ethical sourcing with thoughtful packaging.

The brand is PETA-certified and provides financial support to the Orangutan Foundation International where funds go towards protecting and rehabilitating endangered animals from the effects of the palm oil industry.

In terms of the product, it’s also a large yes from us. There’s absolutely no compromise on the quality of the lipstick, given the priority and focus on all of the above.

The lipsticks come in a range of striking colours and go on so smoothly, your lips genuinely feel nourished as you perfect your pout. The one downside is that they’re not cheap.

FURTHER READING: Best lipstick: From nude to red and liquid to matte, here are our favourite lipsticks

Buy now from ASOS

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best moisturisers for oily, dry and mature skin
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Tropic Skincare and The Ordinary top Google searches as people hunt for sustainable and organic beauty
• Best eye cream
• What is palm oil used for and why is it so bad?
• Vegan beauty products: The best affordable vegan makeup and skincare brands in the UK
• Boots launches recycling scheme: Get £5 for every five items you recycle
• The science of moisturiser
• #Vulvalution: Cult Beauty teams up with Lady Garden to get more people talking about gynaecological cancers
• How to get rid of dark circles
• What does toner actually do?
• Spotlight on…Tropic Skincare’s fantastic natural, fresh and sustainable beauty lines
• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

Amira Arasteh

Amira Arasteh is a freelance journalist and content creator. Find her making sense of beauty trends, tips and topics – when she’s not stuffing her face with the best food in London or travelling the globe

The post Best sustainable beauty brands UK: Our pick of eco-friendly makeup and skincare brands and their must-have products appeared first on mamabella.

PSA stands for Purposeful Skincare by Allies and is an ‘affordable’ skincare line from the makers of Allies of Skin (hence the name).

Below we explain more about why skincare experts and customers alike are buzzing about PSA Skincare and where you can buy it in the UK.

Shop PSA now at Lookfantastic

PSA Skincare UK: A Brief History

PSA Skincare

Allies of Skin’s products are “designed with a busy lifestyle in mind” while only using “effective, clinically-proven actives into biocompatible formulas.” PSA Skincare UK takes a very similar approach.

Founder, Nicolas Travis suffered from severe acne as a teenager and wanted to create skincare lines that were smart, innovative, and made with high-tech, active ingredients that actually work.

He studied Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science for his undergraduate degree and used this to help him me understand the science behind skincare and how the skin works physiologically.

If you’ve not heard of Allies of Skin, it’s an almost cult brand among celebrities. And with this cult status comes a high price tag. Allies of Skin’s hyaluronic serum, for example, comes in at £72! In order to bring the same level of detail and high-quality skincare ingredients to a wider audience, the brand recently launched PSA.

It promises “results-driven, skin-positive products powered by biocompatible, efficacious formulas.” All at a more affordable price. Now, we use the term affordable loosely because firstly, that’s a relative term, and secondly, each product costs around the £30 mark.

FURTHER READING: 

• The best cheap makeup alternatives to Charlotte Tilbury, NARS, Huda Beauty, and more
• Cheap skincare alternatives for La Mer, Skinceuticals and more

Shop PSA now at Lookfantastic

Why we love PSA Skincare

From its packaging to its formulas and its ethos, PSA Skin does everything we want a skincare brand to do.

It’s committed to ethical products, and almost every item is vegan, cruelty-free, and made from biodegradable packaging. The brand explains, clearly, how often you should be using the products and in which order, with these details printed on the front of the packaging. Not hidden away.

All of the PSA Skincare UK products are also free from:

• Silicone
• Sulfates
• Drying alcohol
• Synthetic dyes
• Synthetic fragrances
• Essential oils

This isn’t a list of nasties you should avoid, per se. Instead, it’s a list of ingredients that can cause sensitivities. Hence the inclusion of essential oils. This means PSA Skincare is suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

Shop PSA now at Lookfantastic

The best PSA Skincare products

1. PSA SKIN Reset: Acai and Manuka Honey nourishing cleanser — £28
2. PSA SKIN Heroine Mandelic and Licorice Superfood Glow Toner – £28
3. PSA SKIN Light Up Vitamin C and E Flash Brightening Mask – £31
4. PSA SKIN Midnight Courage Rosehip and Bakuchiol Retinol Night Oil – £37

1. Reset: Acai and Manuka Honey nourishing cleanser

£28 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

PSA Skincare

This cleanser isn’t vegan, but it is sulfate-free and effectively, yet gently, removes grime and makeup without ever stripping the skin of its natural oils. It contains nutrients that help moisturise and nourish your face, leaving you with a natural and clear glow.

FURTHER READING: Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone

Shop PSA now at Beauty Bay

2. Heroine Mandelic and Licorice Superfood Glow Toner – £28

£28 | Buy now from Beauty Bay

PSA Skincare

PSA Skin Heroine Mandelic and Licorice Superfood Glow Toner has been designed to exfoliate your skin – through the use of AHAs mandelic, and lactic acid. These get rid of dead skin cells, without being harsh, because the toner also contains niacinamide. This acts as an anti-inflammatory to reduce redness and cool any irritation.

These ingredients also help shrink and minimise the appearance of pores. While a blend of licorice root, pomegranate extract and Centella Asiatica protects against pollution and blue light. Finally, kombucha helps to rebuild and reinforce the skin’s natural barriers.

FURTHER READING: What does toner do – and why is it so important?

Shop PSA now at Beauty Bay

3. Light Up Vitamin C and E Flash Brightening Mask

£31 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

PSA Skincare

This mask uses hyaluronic acid, 2% Vitamin E and 11% Vitamin C to leave the skin looking plumper and brighter. In particular, Vitamin E helps boost collagen levels, alongside grapeseed oil, which provides antimicrobial benefits.

Elsewhere,  the 11% antioxidant L-Ascorbic Acid (another name for Vitamin C) helps to even the skin tone, reduce pigmentation and get rid of blemish mark.

FURTHER READING: Vitamin C: What does Vitamin C do and which is the best Vitamin C serum for skin?

Shop PSA now at Lookfantastic

4. PSA SKIN Midnight Courage Rosehip and Bakuchiol Retinol Night Oil 

£37 | Buy now from Lookfantastic

PSA Skincare

The use of 2% retinol in this night oil helps reduce the signs of ageing, including fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots to help support a youthful-looking complexion.

It also includes bakuchiol, to plump and firm the skin and also refine the appearance of pores for a brighter, smoother canvas. While CoEnzymeQ10 alleviates, replenish, and energise the skin.

Rosehip Oil then releases hydration to thirsty skin.

FURTHER READING: Sleeping beauty: The best overnight hair masks, face creams and foot treatments

Shop PSA now at Lookfantastic

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best moisturisers for oily, dry and mature skin
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Best eye cream
• The science of moisturiser
• How to get rid of dark circles
• What does toner actually do?
• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

The post Spotlight on PSA Skincare UK: The ingredient-led, sister brand of premium skincare giant Allies of Skin appeared first on mamabella.

Yet, unlike the strict regulations and restrictions placed on what we eat, which make sure we don’t ingest harmful or toxic chemicals, the legal standards surrounding cosmetics and skincare are somewhat lacking. In particular, there are no legal standards surrounding the use of terms such as “organic” and “natural”, for instance.

A recent study from the British Soil Association found that 76% of us feel misled by labelling on beauty products and 72% said they would lose trust in a brand that made misleading claims about being organic.

As the Soil Association explains: “Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and what you put on it is likely to be absorbed into the bloodstream…yet in practice, any brand or beauty product can be labelled as ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ even if it contains virtually no organic or natural ingredients. This is wrong, and the brands using these potentially misleading labels, on products ranging from moisturising shampoos to sunscreens to night creams, need to #ComeCleanAboutBeauty.”

FURTHER READING: Best sustainable beauty brands UK

What is clean beauty?

Clean beauty covers more than products that are just vegan or cruelty-free, although both of these terms factor into it.

Instead, as the name suggests, to be certified as a clean beauty product, it must be sustainable and ethical in both its ingredients and packaging, and it must use organic, sustainable, recyclable and ethically sourced ingredients wherever possible.

Effectively, a clean beauty product needs to go to great lengths to make sure that the manufacturing, testing and distribution of the products have a minimal impact on the environment. They must also not contain any of the following:

Irritants 

Sodium lauryl sulphate, or SLS, is found in many beauty products and is most common in shampoo, shower gel and face wash because it is what turns the liquids in these products into a foamy lather. It is decades old and cheap to produce and use, and in recent years, it has been found to irritate the skin, causing itchy skin and burning.

You can read more about SLS in our Why sodium lauryl sulfate found in high-street shampoos is being shunned by experts article, and ourWhat does shampoo and conditioner actually do? guide.

FURTHER READING: Why sodium lauryl sulfate found in high-street shampoos is being shunned by experts

Microbeads

Microbeads have been a hot topic for years. They’re tiny spheres of plastic found in face and body scrubs, and synthetic toothpastes, and have been found to be polluting oceans.

In 2018, they were banned from beauty products in the UK and now, many products that claim to be able to scrub your face or teeth contain natural ingredients such as sugar, sea salt or coconut fibres.

This means that for a beauty product to be classed as clean, it can’t contain microbeads.

Parabens

Parabens are used in makeup, suntan lotion and hair products to boost their shelf life and stop bacteria growing. It should be noted that parabens haven’t been directly linked to serious health conditions  – Holland & Barrett has an excellent guide detailing more on this – but some studies have suggested parabens disrupt the way our bodies work.

For the avoidance of doubt, clean beauty products ban their use, just in case. They’re also one of the easier ingredients to identify because each ingredient – Methylparaben, Ethylparaben and so on – have paraben in their name.

FURTHER READING: Vegan beauty products: The best affordable vegan makeup and skincare brands in the UK

Clean and conscious beauty

Taking this a step further, to be considered a truly clean and conscious beauty product, it must also be vegan, cruelty-free and produce zero waste. You can read more about the criteria for these terms in our Vegan vs Cruelty-free: What’s the difference? article.

Cosmetic standards 

Cosmetic products in the UK and Europe are subject to EU-wide safety regulations. They must not “cause damage to human health when applied under normal conditions of use or under reasonably foreseeable conditions of use,” and more than 1,300 ingredients are banned in cosmetics in this region.

They also have to adhere to labelling regulations, for example, the package must bear a list of ingredients, headed ‘Ingredients’, in descending order of weight but they don’t have to include “impurities in the raw materials, materials used in the preparation of, but not present in, the final product or materials used as solvents or carriers for perfumes and aromatic compositions.”

In the US, however, beauty is one of the least regulated industries where a meagre 30 ingredients are banned based on legislation that was passed more than 80 years ago, in 1938. Shockingly, this law doesn’t require cosmetic products and ingredients, other than colour additives, to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration before going on sale.

Waterless beauty

Everist

There is also a rising trend for waterless beauty products under the clean and conscious beauty umbrella. These products are those which use less water, which is typically used as an inexpensive base ingredient, in favour of concentrated botanicals and natural oils. This is because the UN has predicted that water demand will some outstrip supply and we need to save it where we can.

For instance, Canada-based Everist recently launched a range of waterless haircare concentrates, driven by the fact most shampoos and conditioners on the market are more than 70% water. Yet, the team behind the range didn’t want to release shampoo bars, because they’re “messy”, while powders are too “clumpy.”

Both concentrates are formulated with coconut-derived cleansers, aloe vera and peppermint, amla, and rosemary oils. This formula takes the form of a creamy paste which becomes ‘activated’ by the water in the shower. The plant-based formulas are free-from parabens, sulfates, silicones, dyes, synthetic fragrances, as well as being vegan and cruelty-free.

“We know and care about the impact that the beauty industry is having on the planet,” said Jayme Jenkins, Chief Brand Officer at Everist. “To make eco for the masses we had to do things differently. Our approach is not to solely focus on the ’desire’ to be conscious, but to have formulas that are best-in-class and maintain sustainability throughout their entire product lifecycle.”

Sadly, these products aren’t yet available to buy in the UK but we’ll update this page once they are!

The “Terrible Ten”

In addition to the ingredients mentioned by the Soil Association, it has also identified ten ingredients in health and beauty products which claim to be organic on the label but are not technically certified organic.

It doesn’t mean these products are unsafe, but it does suggest that buyers are being misled, and some of the ingredients have been found to cause side effects. Clicking the link on each ingredient will take you to a more detailed Soil Association page.

• Ethyl hexylsalicylate (Octisalate):  A chemical made from salicylic acid and ethanol that acts as UV filter in sunscreen that is found in perfumes and helps the skin better absorb cosmetics.
• Homosalate: An artificial chemical that offers protection from UVB but not UVA. It gives certain suntan lotions their smell and acts as a skin conditioner.
• Imidazolidinyl urea: An artificial antimicrobial preservative also used in insect repellent that helps to retain moisture in the upper layers of the skin
• Octinoxate: Another artificial antimicrobial preservative found in insect repellent that blocks UVB rays
• Octocrylene:  A chemical sunscreen filter blocks UVB and some UVA rays.
• PEGs: PEG-7; PEG-40; PEG-200; PEG-12: Also found in laxatives and used in industrial manufacturing, PEGs come from petrochemicals and are designed to thicken moisturisers, for example.
• Polyquaternium 7: An artificial anti-static polymer used in shampoo and conditioner to stop hair looking frizzy.
• Polysorbate 20: A detergent and emulsifier used in cleaning products, including flea combs (!), found in bubble bath, body wash, shampoo and hand wash.
• Red 17 artificial colour 26100 : An artificial chemical from the diazo dye family that’s highly soluble in fats and is used to create a red colour in cosmetics such as blusher and lipstick as well as in bath oils.
• Retinyl palmitate: Retinyl palmitate is the artificial version of the anti-oxidant, retinyl that is produced naturally in our bodies. It’s used in anti-ageing products and suntan lotion.

How do I find clean beauty products and brands?

The Soil Association has a list of hundreds of clean beauty brands which have received its own COSMOS certification, although it’s a little clunky to navigate.

COSMOS stands for “COSMetic Organic and Natural Standard” and was launched in 20o2 to “independently and rigorously review the entire manufacturing process including sourcing of ingredients, formulation procedures and premises, as well as packaging.”

In summary, the review says:

NO TO
– Animal testing
– GM ingredients
– Controversial chemicals
– Parabens and Phthalates
– Synthetic colours, dyes or fragrances

YES TO

– Sustainably sourced organic ingredients
– Using natural colours and fragrances from plants and flowers
– Transparent manufacturing processes
– Biodegradable ingredients
– Minimal packaging with maximum
recycled content
– Protecting wildlife and biodiversity

It also has a Clean Beauty League Table revealing the worst offenders. At the time of writing, this includes Boots – Beautiful Hair Moisturise & Nourish Shampoo With Added Organic Argan Oil  and Coola’s Makeup Setting Spray. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Environmental Working Group (@environmentalworkinggroup)

Elsewhere, the US-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has devised its own review process and certification for a range of consumer products, with the beauty-specific certification known as EWG Skin Deep. Like the Soil Association, the EWG certifies clean beauty products using a two-part score – a hazard score and a data availability score.

The ingredient hazard score, from 1-10, reflects known and suspected hazards of ingredients while the data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies relating to those ingredients. The more research, the more data is available.

The total product score is then based on a tally of hazards of individual ingredients when compared against other products in the current Skin Deep database. The safest products score well on both: they’ll have a low hazard rating and a “fair or better” data availability.

You can search the EWG database, look up ingredients and see their possible health concerns. Like CodeCheck, the EWG then recommends safer, cleaner or more conscious alternatives.

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

The post Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously? appeared first on mamabella.

But what is palm oil used for, and why is palm oil bad for you?

If you’ve heard of it, you’re probably aware it’s not a good thing. There was an incredibly moving advert put out by Iceland Foods in 2018 encouraging people to boycott products that contain the oil for Christmas.

This isn’t altogether necessary. Plus palm oil is used to produce so many derivative ingredients it might be impossible to remove it from your beauty routine.

We’re not here to preach; to tell you whether to avoid it or not, but we do want to provide you with information about what it is, why it’s causing environmental issues and how you can find out more about what goes into the beauty products you use.

FURTHER READING: Clean beauty: What are clean beauty products and how can I shop more consciously?

What is palm oil?

Palm oil is a type of vegetable oil like sunflower, rapeseed or olive oil found in your kitchen cupboard.

The two types of palm oil both come from the oil palm plant; one made from squeezing the fruit (called crude palm oil) and another from crushing the stones (palm kernel oil). But the major difference between palm oil and other vegetable oils is that palm oil is cheap, and it’s everywhere.

It is found in all sorts of foods, in almost half of the products in a supermarket, but it’s also an ingredient in many kinds of beauty products including lipstick, deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo.

The reason you’ll find it in so many beauty products is for its moisturising properties. Yet it also provides the products you use with the right kind of texture we’ve become accustomed to, while helping to extend the shelf life of products.

Derivatives, like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), also help certain products, like shampoos, to foam, for instance. SLS on its own is considered a no-go by experts, and you can read more about that in our guide to Why sodium lauryl sulfate found in high-street shampoos is being shunned by experts.

Why is palm oil bad?

The oil palm tree is native to Africa, but around 100 years ago the trees were brought to south-east Asia.

Today, 85% of the world’s supply comes from Indonesia and Malaysia, where production has been responsible for the destruction and devastation of rainforests.

Among palm oil plantations’ biggest victims are orangutans, with more than 50,000 of the animals having died because of the removal of their habitat. Rhinos, elephants and tigers are also affected by the removal of the rainforests.

There is a climate change problem, too.

Palm oil deforestation

The naturally moist peat soils on which rainforests grow can contain 18 to 28 times the amount of carbon in the forests themselves. These are drained to make better conditions for the oil palms.

Then, huge amounts of carbon dioxide are released during forest fires used to clear the land, burning the trees and the peat, ready for oil palms to grow.

In 1997, fires burning peat and vegetation in Indonesia released as much carbon into the atmosphere as the United States released that whole year.

This is why, in 2018, the oil was brought to the public’s conscience when Iceland banned the ingredient from any of its products. The supermarket announced the policy with an emotional Christmas advert made by Greenpeace.

It is by no means the only source of oil or food that causes deforestation, though.

The World Resources Institute estimates seven commodities drive 58% of the world’s tropical deforestation: palm oil, beef, soy, wood fibre (for paper and pulp), cocoa, coffee and rubber.

Out of these, beef cattle take up the most space, occupying 63% of the total deforested land (45 million hectares of land between 2001 and 2015). After beef, palm oil was the second most destructive commodity to tropical forests, taking up 10.5 million hectares of deforested land.

Is it possible to use sustainable palm oil?

It’s potentially harmful to boycott palm oil altogether. Compared to other vegetable oils, palm oil is the best in terms of the amount of oil produced per unit of land, while requiring fewer fertilisers and pesticides.

If we were to completely replace palm oil with alternatives, we’d need more land.

In your daily life, your beauty routine is unlikely to be your biggest use of the oil. Only two per cent of global palm oil and palm kernel oil is used in cosmetics.

Palm oil-free products

Many beauty companies, like The Body Shop, L’Oreal, Neal’s Yard, Weleda, Lush and Nivea have signed up to the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standards for all the palm oil used in their products.

While they are not perfect, and the guidelines have come under criticism for not being stringent enough, adhering to the RSPO standards is a sign the company is taking its responsibility to the environment seriously.

“We encourage companies to be transparent in their use and sourcing of palm oil ensuring they know who they are buying from and where it’s been produced,” says the WWF.

Companies respond to public pressure, so if you’re passionate about the contents of your favourite beauty products and how they are sourced, you can always write to the company to ask if they use palm oil-derived ingredients and, if so, how they are sourced.

You can also use the CodeCheck app.

By scanning a product’s barcode, the flags up any potential ingredients that you may want to steer clear of.

Additionally, you can browse its database of products before you buy an item to check its rating.

Each one is shown with an at-a-glance chart within the search results that show the number of safe or standard ingredients (represented in green) and the number of ingredients that you may not want to use (represented in red).

For each product, the app recommends a safer, cleaner, or more conscious alternative. You can read more about CodeCheck and clean beauty in our guide. 

︎ Axiology The Bullet Lipstick: £24

Axiology

Axiology prides itself on being sustainable and creating the “most ethical lipstick on the planet”.

As well as being free from the oil, Axiology’s products are vegan, never tested on animals and the packaging is made from recycled waste paper.

As well as lipsticks, the brand sells ‘Balmies’, sticks you can use as a lip, eye or cheek colour.

FURTHER READING: Best sustainable beauty brands UK: Our pick of eco-friendly makeup and skincare brands and their must-have products

︎ Previse Purify Hydrating Skin Cleanser: £47 

Previse

At £47, this is not cheap, but everything in the Previse skincare range is free from oil as well as being vegan.

This cleanser contains marine algae, which gently exfoliates the skin.

The brand also guarantees workers are paid a living wage and no child labour or human trafficking is involved in the entire supply chain.

FURTHER READING: Best cleanser: Discover which face cleanser best suits your skin from oily to dry and acne-prone

︎ Lush Movis Facial Soap: £9

Lush

In 2006, Lush removed palm oil from all its soap bases by creating a blend of rapeseed oil and coconut oil, which is used as the base of most of Lush’s soaps today.

However, the company was not certain other ingredients it used, like sodium lauryl sulphate used to make soaps foamy, were not derived from it.

So in 2017, the company created Movis, which is made from sunflower oil, organic cocoa butter, extra virgin coconut oil and wheatgerm.

Now everything in the company’s Gourmet Soap range is palm oil-free.

FURTHER READING: Skincare makeup: The best beauty products that are good for your complexion while saving you time and money

︎ Fat & The Moon Aloe Vera Lotion: £13

mamabella | mamabella

Again, everything by Fat & The Moon is palm oil-free, as well as containing natural ingredients and plastic-free packaging.

The brand’s aloe vera lotion is designed to soothe skin, particularly when it’s been sunburnt.

It contains coconut oil, sunflower oil and beeswax. The brand also sells cream deodorants, highlighters, lip paints and eye ‘coal’ which can be used as eyeshadow or eyeliner.

Don’t miss out! Sign up for the mamabella newsletter today

MORE LIKE THIS

• Best moisturisers for oily, dry and mature skin
• The truth about the acids in your skincare
• Wild natural deodorant review: Can this vegan, aluminium-free natural deodorant really keep us fresh all day long?
• Vegan vs cruelty-free: What’s the difference?
• Best eye cream
• Vegan beauty products: The best affordable vegan makeup and skincare brands in the UK
• The science of moisturiser
• What’s really in your foundation? The chemicals you need to look out for
• What does toner actually do?
• Perfect your skincare routine with these must-have facial products

Abigail Beall

Abigail is a leading science journalist writing about space, sustainability, technology and culture. She is author of The Art of Urban Astronomy, a must-have guide to the night sky that guides you through the seasons and learn about the brightest stars and constellations, the myths and legends of astronomy and how to identify star clusters and galaxies.

 

The post What is palm oil used for and why is it so bad? appeared first on mamabella.