Ahhhh, the joys of end-of-the-day removal…
You take off your ethical heels and your organic bra, but your smudged cosmetics will need a little help.
Alà safe and sustainable makeup remover.
Shockingly, many makeup removers contain synthetic solvents and hydrocarbons that damage our skin—and the Earth.
On the other hand (or face), as with all our beauty guides these options provide a much safer way to scrub away the day by shunning both the plastic bottle and petrochemical ingredients in favor of ingredients and formulations that are safe to use.
We’ll soon be rolling out our new Brand Rating System, which will score brands across 22 criteria, including resource efficiency and chemical use. You can learn more about it here.
Now what are fave makeup removers?
We independently research all featured brands, and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. We explain this further in our Terms of Use.
The Best Eco-Friendly Makeup Removers For A No-Waste Wash-Up
After testing, we think Activist Skincare is definitely one of the best makeup removers on this list. It offers a rich, all-natural formula to clear up your clogged pores without clogging our waterways with more plastic. Activist Skincare has been comprehensively rated by us on their sustainability credentials – find the full rating here.
Then there’s Eu’Genia, providing plant-based face care that doesn’t rely on unnecessary fillers and additives. They keep their environmentally friendly makeup remover super simple and sensitive-skin friendly with minimal (i.e. 3) ingredients.
Index: Low And Zero Waste Makeup Removers
- Activist Skincare Jump to brand
- Eu’Genia Jump to brand
- Plant Makeup Jump to brand
- Ethique Jump to brand
- Leafology Jump to brand
- Andrea’s Organic Market Jump to brand
- DIY Zero Waste Makeup Remover Jump to brand
Activist Skincare
Circular
All or some products are circular in nature - such that no part of the product needs to end up in landfill at the end of its life
Cruelty-free
Products are not test on animals at any stage in their production.
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.
Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.
Locally Made
Products are made local to the brand's headquarters.
Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxic
Refillable
Product packaging can be refilled with more product, either at a physical store or via a return program.
Take Back Program
Brand offers a take back program for their products and responsibly manages returned items.
Thoughtful packaging
Product packaging has been designed and created with the end of life outcome in mind and can be easily recycled or composted.
Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their products
Woman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.
Zero Waste
Products are made with a low or zero waste approach where ideally no or limited waste is created throughout the production process or at the end of life.
1% for the planet
Leaping Bunny
1% for the planet
Certified Environmental Giving — Businesses give 1% of their annual sales directly to vetted environmental partners.Leaping Bunny
The Leaping Bunny certification, managed by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), is the globally recognized gold standard for cruelty-free products. It ensures that neither a company’s finished products nor their ingredients are tested on animals at any stage of development. Brands must also agree to independent audits and supplier monitoring, guaranteeing genuine cruelty-free commitment across their entire supply chain.Activist Skincare Cleansing Balm
Activist Skincare offers several luxurious, sustainable makeup remover alternatives in oil, gel, or balm form.
We’d suggest the soft, supple shea butter and grapeseed oil in the Deep Moisture Cleansing Balm, which provides a highly moisturizing method for makeup removal.
If your face is prone to oily breakouts, though (we’ve been there), the Sea to Skin Cleansing Gel is probably more your speed.
For a zero waste oil-based eye makeup remover, try Botanical Cleansing Oil.
All three come in eco-friendly glass jars and do not contain artificial colors or fragrances, formaldehyde, lanolin, mineral oil, parabens, phthalates, silicones, sulfates, and more.
About Activist Skincare
As a small woman-owned zero waste skin care brand with a conscience, Activist Skincare are activists in the beauty space.
Not only members of 1% for the Planet, they also support Rainforest Trust, Earthjustice, and the Environmental Defense Fund.
Ingredients for all formulas are exclusively those approved by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group.
Their entire line is non-GMO, most of it is certified organic, and just two products contain RSPO palm oil.
All Activist Skincare products are sold in reusable/recyclable glass bottles with minimal plastic waste (i.e. droppers). And we love that these are refillable via their refill pouches, which can be sent back to Activist or to TerraCycle for proper recycling.
These refill pouches (just by the way) lessen CO2 emissions by 99% compared to their heavier glass counterparts.
All shipping is from their studio-lab in LA in paper-based materials.
Activist Skincare has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
My Personal Review of Activist’s Sea To Skin Cleansing Gel:
“After trying several Activist products, the Sea to Skin Cleansing Gel is definitely one of my faves. I love the striking blue from its spirulina extract, which cleans my pores without stripping away any essential skin moisture. It triples as a make-up remover and moisturizer, and I find it fully absorbs in about an hour. I like to use it as part of my pre-bedtime cleansing and moisturizing routine.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Eu’Genia
Eu’Genia has not been rated.
Eu’Genia’s Alt Makeup Remover
It’s all about plant power with Eu’Genia’s Everyday Strength Unscented Shea Butter.
Wait, isn’t shea butter a moisturizer?
It sure is, but this “wonderbalm” is also one of the best sustainable makeup removers for all skin types—including sensitive, dry, mature, blemish-prone, combination, and normal.
In Ghana—where shea butter is sourced—it is celebrated for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidizing, and antifungal properties thanks to being rich in vitamins A and E.
Simply warm in your hands, apply to your face and eye area, and wipe with a warm, damp cloth.
This 80% unrefined shea butter formula also includes Moringa Oil and antioxidant-rich Baobab Oil to leave your skin with an added natural glow.
They also offer scented varieties that utilize essential oils, but be sure to only use the unscented variety as an eco-friendly eye makeup remover, as essential oil may lead to eye and skin irritation.
About Eu’Genia
Eu’Genia was started by Naa-Sakle Akuete, a former Wall Street analyst and her mother, the former head of the Global Shea Alliance.
No wonder they’re committed to using the best shea butter on Earth.
Eu’Genia is also a social enterprise, and commits to fair wages and increasing opportunities for their female workforce in Ghana, where the shea butter is farmed and formulated.
They donate 15% of their profits back to their workers through an education fund.
Everything is sold in recyclable and eco-friendly tin packaging.
Plant Makeup
Plant Makeup has not been rated.
Plant Makeup’s Makeup Remover
Watch your beauty blossom thanks to the botanicals in Plant Makeup’s low-waste makeup remover liquids.
The Herbal Cleansing Oil is made with olive oil, argan oil, lavender, and chamomile. It’s gentle and restorative while remaining powerful enough to remove thick makeup like stubborn, waterproof mascara.
To use, apply some of the oil to your favorite reusable makeup remover pads and gently wipe your makeup away.
Plant Makeup also offers Pore Hug facial mist, an astringent with moisturizing properties.
With lilacs, elderflowers, linden, lemon balm, calendula, helichrysum, yarrow, chamomile, and lavender all as ingredients, your face will be soft and gorgeous as a petal.
Both products are all-natural, ethically sourced, cruelty-free, and vegan.
About Plant Makeup
One of our favorite eco-friendly makeup brands, Plant Makeup is the solo initiative of artist, musician, aesthetician and all-around creative indie goddess Jes.
After discovering her passion for plants, Jes began blending herbal teas. This led to the magic alchemy of turning plants into makeup, skincare, haircare, incense cones, and perfume.
Based in Massachusetts, Plant Makeup is a thriving artisanal apothecary that uses local or organic ingredients, all completely non-GMO, sustainably sourced, and made fresh in small batches.
When it comes to packaging, Jes uses recycled and compostable materials and whimsical, ornate labels that Jes draws herself.
Ethique
Ethique has not been rated.
Ethique’s Makeup Remover
Ethique keeps it simple with their Bliss Bar.
The plastic-free makeup remover bar gently works as an everyday general cleaner and moisturizer.
It’s suitable for all skin types but works especially well on dry ones.
The Bliss Bar is made from richly moisturizing creamed coconut butter and soothing kaolin clay—among other non-toxic, non-greasy, and sustainable ingredients.
It’s not tested on animals, is totally vegan, and is certified palm oil-free.
About Ethique
Ethique creates an array of natural products for the body and home alike—zero waste cleaning products, anyone?—and they keep our planet pretty clean, too.
This Certified B Corp was one of the first companies to revolutionize soap and shampoo by getting rid of the bottle altogether.
Everything in their product range comes in the form of a 100% plastic-free bar or compostable cardboard tube—preventing the use of millions of plastic bottles.
They also plant a tree for every online order and donate 20% of their annual profits to charity.
Leafology
Leafology has not been rated.
Leafology Makeup Remover
Among Leafology’s impressive skincare clays, serums, cleansers, and face food, their zero waste eye makeup remover is one of their most versatile products.
It rids your mascara eyes from looking like a bandit by lifting away makeup, rather than smearing it all around your face—all while moisturizing.
The Eye & Lip makeup remover is non-irritating, unscented, lightweight, and nourishing thanks to a fruit sugar-derived and coconut emulsifier.
All options come in a recyclable glass jar with an aluminum lid.
About Leafology
Leafology is all about “pure naked plant knowledge”.
The brand was started by Ella, who spent a decade traveling around the world and using her approach to natural beauty in various fine art photography projects.
This UK-based and award-winning skincare brand features a handcrafted range of vegan products for our skin, hair, and home.
All products are free of synthetic fragrances and colors, preservatives, petrochemicals, PEGs, sulfates, and parabens.
The products are made fresh by Ella and tested on friends, not animals.
Everything is packaged in a recyclable glass bottle or metal, with paper bag refills for powdered products.
Shipping is 100% plastic free and one tree is planted through TreeSisters per order.
Andrea’s Organic Market
Andrea’s Organic Market has not been rated.
Andrea’s Organic Market’s Makeup Remover Substitute
Andrea’s Organic Market offers a refreshing and nourishing astringent zero-waste makeup cleanser with witch hazel and aloe.
The Luminous Skin Facial Cleansing Astringent is a gentle vegan facial cleanser and makeup remover combo that retains your skin’s natural oils to leave it feeling soothed, soft, and clean.
It’s perfect for all skin types, especially those with sensitive skin or damaged skin.
It comes in a glass bottle with options of dropper, pump, or plain cap tops, so you don’t need to waste droppers and pumps on reorders.
There are a variety of other scrubs and cleansers to choose from that contain some of Earth’s finest medicines—cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil, matcha green tea powder, raw wildflower honey, aloe vera juice, and more.
They’re all cruelty-free and vegan, with exception to the Acne Scrub, which contains goat’s milk by default but can instead be formulated with coconut milk.
About Andrea’s Organic Market
Andrea’s Organic Market is a sustainable skincare brand that creates products that harness the power of nature.
Everything is made with organic, chemical-free, non-GMO, palm oil-free, and non-synthetic ingredients, sourced fair trade when possible.
Only glass containers are used, and she accepts containers for refills or offers biodegradable refill pouches for certain products.
You’ll receive your eco-friendly makeup remover in 100% recycled paper cushioning and labels, compostable packing peanuts, and biodegradable hemp string and tape.
DIY Zero Waste Makeup Remover
How do you remove makeup without waste?
For the most waste-free alternative, DIY makeup remover pads are the ticket, especially given it’s so simple to make.
If you have acne-prone skin or dry skin, simply mix witch hazel with equal parts of water to cleanse away your organic foundation and the daily grime.
Alternatively, make a natural remover with oil.
It may sound counterintuitive—especially when we spend so much time with our zero waste face wash trying to get rid of our oily skin—but our skin thrives on oil. It’s why it produces it!
Simple and effective, oil dissolves the oil from your clogged pores, which helps clean and balance both dry or oily skin.
There are many suitable oils for a DIY zero waste makeup remover, and they’re often found around the house or at the supermarket.
- Olive oil: Ideally extra virgin (and organic). Combine with water (two parts oil, one part water), shake, and put it to work with your eco-friendly makeup remover cloth.
- Castor oil: Used similarly, with the added benefit of supporting hair growth, making it one of the best zero waste eye makeup removers to promote lush lashes.
- Sweet almond oil: Unrefined sweet almond oil has skin-supporting nutrients and is directly applied to your face (just a few drops) before wiping off.
- Coconut oil: Virgin coconut oil for makeup removal is also an excellent option and can be applied direct-to-skin.
- Jojoba oil: You can either apply directly to your skin or add a few drops to dampened zero waste makeup remover pads.
Zero Waste Makeup Remover Pads
Now we get to the other half of the makeup removers: zero waste makeup remover wipes.
It’s not very useful to forgo the plastic bottle if you’re going to use plastic-tubed Q-tips and wasteful disposable makeup wipes.
Fortunately, reusable makeup remover pads are easy to come by. You probably even already have one in the form of a washcloth!
However, if you want something a little softer and face-specific, try the reusable, washable organic hemp facial rounds from Juniperseed Mercantile.
If you just decluttered and are wondering what to do with old clothes, cut or sew your own DIY sustainable makeup remover wipes. Flannel and other cotton fabric garments are ideal.
Hailey is a full-time world traveler and a part-time content writer with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida. She loves exploring the world by participating in local sustainability projects. Her project highlights include volunteering at a farm animal sanctuary in Hawaii, a butterfly biodiversity garden in Laos, and an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand. All experiences which have further developed her passion for universal animal welfare and advocacy. In her free time you might find her cuddling stray animals, hand crafting, café hopping, and literally hugging trees.
