11 Zero Waste Lotions Who Are All About Plastic Free Pampering
Healthy skin and a healthy planet are not mutually exclusive.
At least not when you’re using zero waste lotion. You can replenish your largest organ while leaving plastic out of the planet’s pores.
There are plenty of ingredients to avoid in skincare and plenty of reasons to avoid plastic skincare products.
Like the fact that by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. Or that up to 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic waste every year.
Thankfully, zero waste lotion brands can help.
Everything we recommend to you on Sustainable Jungle is independently researched and we ask all brands to confirm their claims. To avoid waste, we test products on an as needed basis. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about why we do this here.
EmpireSquid keeps plastic out of the oceans with their range of consciously packaged, chemical-free skincare.
For plastic free lotion that swaps out palm oil and synthetic fragrance for sustainable plant butters and essential oils, Flawless Beauty Store is, well, flawless.
Public Goods uses recyclable sugarcane plastic for their vegan zero waste lotion.
Head (to toe) down to the end of the article to find out how we smoothed out this topical list to choose the best plastic free lotion.
QUICKLINKS FOR PLASTIC FREE LOTIONS
- EmpireSquid Organics | Visit Store
- EcoRoots | Visit Store
- Flawless Beauty Store | Visit Store
- Plaine Products | Visit Store
- Public Goods | Visit Store
- Fat and the Moon | Visit Store
- Meow Meow Tweet | Visit Store
- Natural Wisdom Spa | Visit Store
- Bee You Organics | Visit Store
- Dirty Hippie Cosmetics | Visit Store
- Tap Tap Organics | Visit Store
1. EMPIRESQUID ORGANICS
*Note: Beeswax is used in some products but all products can be made vegan on request.
About EmpireSquid Organic’s Natural Zero Waste Lotion
EmpireSquid Organics has dedicated zero waste lotion options for the whole family including a men’s range, a Mama range of belly butters, and their Cushy Tushy diaper rash cream.
The Triple Body Butter is their “ultra buttery body lotion” made from all-natural, organic ingredients including coconut oil, jojoba oil, mango butter, grape seed oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter.
If you want a vegan version, minus the beeswax, just ask.
You can choose from Original (with organic essential oils of lavender, geranium, and rosemary), Sage, and Unscented.
EmpireSquid also offers organic face moisturizers for all skin types including facial oils and anti-aging wrinkle cream.
Each palm free zero waste lotion comes in a glass jar with a metal lid.
About EmpireSquid Organics
California-based EmpireSquid Organics is a small family business specializing in zero waste skin care, including cleansers, toners, natural acne treatments, soap, and sunscreen.
All products are handcrafted from cruelty free, palm oil free, and natural ingredients, about 70% of which are currently organic.
2. ECOROOTS
*Note: EcoRoots offers some palm oil free and zero waste lotion but their face lotion contains palm derived ingredients.
About EcoRoots’s Zero Waste Body Lotion USA
EcoRoots’ Everything Balm is a plastic free vegan lotion for, well, everything.
You can use it for your face or body. The formula contains all-natural ingredients including grapeseed oil, candelilla wax, calendula flowers, and olive oil.
For really dry skin, their zero waste lotion bar makes use of organic cocoa and shea butters and jojoba oil to lock in moisture.
For something light on the face, their Facial Cream with Rosehip is high in vitamin C to support skin elasticity and is suitable for all skin types.
The face cream and Everything Balm come packaged in a reusable glass jar with a metal lid while the palm-sized lotion bar in a tin is perfect for travel.
These plastic free lotions are free of petroleum, parabens, silicones, phthalates, and synthetic colors.
About EcoRoots
Colorado-based EcoRoots is a zero waste online store carrying a range of ethical and sustainable bath and beauty products.
All of their products are vegan, cruelty-free, handmade in small batches in the USA, and shipped using biodegradable and recyclable packaging.
Although the majority of EcoRoots’ products are palm oil free, the facial cream contains palm-derived ascorbyl palmitate.
1% of profits are donated to Ocean Conservancy.
Also available on Amazon
EcoRoots has featured in an article on zero waste lip balm.
3. FLAWLESS BEAUTY STORE
About Flawless Beauty’s Zero Waste Vegan Lotion UK
Flawless Beauty’s zero waste body lotion is formulated using carrier oils infused with a variety of essential oils.
To help you get a good night’s sleep, Sweet Dream contains ylang ylang and lavender oils, Tonka bean extract, cocoa butter, argan oil, and grapeseed oil.
Other scents include Sparkling Citrus, Oriental Bliss, and Vanilla Chai.
These plastic free lotions come in aluminum-lidded glass.
About Flawless Beauty:
Women-owned, UK-based brand Flawless Beauty believes that “zero waste, cruelty-free and vegan beauty should be an industry standard.”
All products are handmade in their North Wales studio using responsibly sourced ingredients.
They are PETA-approved vegan and free from parabens and palm oil.
Packaging is plastic free, down to paper tape and biodegradable packing peanuts.
4. PLAINE PRODUCTS
About Plaine Products’ Zero Waste Lotion Refills
If you like the idea of zero waste lotion refills, then this is plain(e)ly your best bet.
With their non-toxic formulas housed in refillable bottles, Plaine Products make some of the best zero waste body lotion.
Their Body Lotion contains a hydrating and absorbent blend of organic aloe, safflower oil, and rosehip oil.
It’s hypoallergenic and baby safe, making it a good choice of zero waste lotion for sensitive skin.
Currently available in two scents: Citrus Lavender and Rosemary, Mint, & Vanilla plus an unscented version.
It comes in 16oz aluminum bottles (or a travel-size option). When the time comes for a zero waste lotion refill, just send back the containers in the box they came in.
About Plaine Products:
Founded by sisters Lindsey and Alison Delaplaine, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council-certified Plaine Products specializes in vegan, cruelty-free, chemical-free, palm oil free, and plastic free beauty products.
Their collection includes refillable haircare, body washes, and more.
Every ingredient is checked for toxicity by running it through the Environmental Working Group database—meaning no parabens, sulfates, dyes, or synthetic fragrances.
All products are certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny and everything (including the aluminum bottles) is made in the USA.
They’re a Certified B Corp and members of the Plastic Pollution Coalition and 1% for the Planet.
5. PUBLIC GOODS
*Note: Not all Public Goods’ products are vegan. Those that are, like the zero waste vegan lotion, are clearly marked.
About Public Goods’ Gentle Zero Waste Lotion
Embracing their namesake, Public Goods offers lotion for all.
It’s gender-neutral, kid-friendly, and a suitable zero waste lotion for sensitive skin.
You won’t find any parabens, phthalates, SLS, or synthetic fragrances.
What you will find though are essential oils, coconut oil, and other non-toxic ingredients. While the ingredients used are not as recognizable, they explain the purpose of each.
It’s also vegan and cruelty-free but does contain palm oil-derived glycerin and cetyl alcohol. We’re not sure if these come from ethical channels and will inquire directly.
The minimalist, refillable lotion bottles are made from sugarcane bioplastic which is carbon neutral and recyclable.
Lotion and body wash refills come in plastic pouches which are currently only recyclable through specialty recycling services like Terracycle.
About Public Goods
Public Goods is a one-stop shop for ethical home essentials including organic groceries, personal care, cleaning (like eco friendly sponges), pet products, plants, and more.
From tree-free paper products to sugarcane plastic packaging, they’re on a mission to find solutions that tread more gently on the planet.
Their membership model allows you to access an impressive selection of products at below retail prices.
Orders are shipped carbon neutral in 100% recycled packaging.
In partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, a tree is planted with every order. They also donate money and goods to a range of charities.
6. FAT AND THE MOON
*Note: Many of Fat and the Moon’s products are vegan but their zero waste lotion options largely contain beeswax.
About Fat and the Moon’s Plastic Free Lotion
If you prefer understated or rather unscented then Fat and the Moon’s organic plastic free lotion is what we’d recommend.
Their Aloe Lotion uses organic sunflower oil, and coconut oil to soothe and protect. It’s ideal as zero waste lotion for dark skin since aloe is shown to be particularly beneficial for melanated skin.
For a plastic free shea butter lotion, Fat and the Moon’s All Cream combines shea butter with organic sunflower oil, aloe, and rose water for hydrating and toning properties.
Both contain beeswax and are thus not vegan, but are packaged in reusable and recyclable glass containers with a recyclable metal lid.
They also offer various zero waste balms for specific purposes that come in tin pots.
About Fat and the Moon:
Women-owned zero waste beauty brand Fat and the Moon makes all of their skincare and beauty products in-house.
Everything is cruelty-free, plastic free, and toxin free.
Thanks to founder Rachel Budde’s herbal wisdom, you’ll find plenty of plant-powered healing concoctions made from ethically harvested and mostly-organic ingredients.
Fat and the Moon gives back via donations to various charitable and social justice organizations.
Fat and the Moon has featured in articles on organic eyeshadow to natural shampoo.
7. MEOW MEOW TWEET
About Meow Meow Tweet’s Zero Waste Lotion for Dry Skin
Meow Meow Tweet’s plastic free lotion is a purrfect choice for vegans (or those who just don’t see the need for animal byproducts in skincare) with itchy dry skin.
It’s full of nourishing oils including pumpkin seed, rosehip, and tamanu that help “reduce scars and fine lines”.
These natural ingredients are absent parabens, phthalates, palm oil, and gluten.
Suitable for both face and body, it comes in a reusable glass jar with an aluminum top.
About Meow Meow Tweet
Certified B Corp Meow Meow Tweet handmakes their products in small batches from certified organic, non-GMO, and responsibly sourced ingredients.
From zero waste deodorant that comes in compostable tubes to vegan sunscreen in reusable aluminum bottles, all Meow Meow Tweet’s products are consciously packaged, vegan, and certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny.
Orders are shipped carbon neutral in compostable or recyclable packaging.
Meow Meow Tweet offsets their plastic use via a partnership with rePurpose Global.
One percent or more of monthly sales are donated to causes that share their values.
8. NATURAL WISDOM SPA
About Natural Wisdom Spa’s Zero Waste Shea Butter Lotion
The Solace Raw and Organic Cream Serum by Natural Wisdom Spa is suitable for all skin types but especially if you’re looking for a zero waste lotion for dry skin in the UK.
It contains raw, organic shea butter along with botanical extracts, vitamin C, and colloidal oatmeal.
Ingredients are either organic or Ecocert COSMOS Approved.
Choose between unscented or Wisdom, an essential oil blend of cedarwood, sweet orange, patchouli & ylang ylang.
If plastic free balms are on your menu, the Like Sunshine for Skin is a soft buttery formula infused with a blend of frankincense, immortelle, lavender, and sweet orange.
It’s packed in a 100% recycled flint glass jar with a cork stopper and a handcrafted olive wood spoon.
About Natural Wisdom Spa
Natural Wisdom Spa uses raw, cold-blended oils for their range of natural “superfood skincare”.
The founder is a herbalist, homeopath, and nutritionist who has spent many years researching the best way to nourish our skin.
As well as skincare, they offer haircare products and a range of sustainable perfume and cologne.
Everything is freshly made in small batches and packaged in reusable and recyclable packaging.
9. BEE YOU ORGANICS
About Bee You Organics Plastic Free Lotion Bar
Bee You Organics creates a zero waste lotion bar made from organic ingredients including beeswax, coconut oil, shea butter, and sweet almond oil.
Choose from two scents—Lavender and Orange Dream—or an unscented version.
Each waste free lotion comes in a reusable metal tin for on the go convenience.
About Bee You Organics
Bee You Organics and their buzzing range of natural and organic skincare products are made from scratch in the Pacific Northwest.
They also offer a selection of affordable organic makeup.
They endeavor to only use food-safe ingredients, most of which are USDA Certified organic as well as cruelty free and palm oil free.
Shipping is plastic free and carbon neutral and they offer a take-back program for empties.
Bee You Organic supports various community causes and plans to hire economically disadvantaged women as they expand.
10. DIRTY HIPPIE COSMETICS
*Note: One of their suppliers is not able to guarantee that the cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate used in several of their products is palm oil free.
About Dirty Hippie Cosmetics’ Plastic Free Lotion Australia
Dirty Hippie Cosmetics’ plastic free vegan lotion is a bit of a misnomer.
Why?
Because it’s anything but dirty.
It’s made from certified organic ingredients and a food-grade, EcoCert accredited, non-GMO preservative that extends the shelf-life to 12 months.
They’ve got all skin types covered with their choice of three different blends.
If you need a zero waste lotion for oily skin, their Tea Tree, Calendula, Tamanu + Zinc soothes break-outs.
The Rose Hip, Helichrysum, Avocado + Rose Geranium blend is formulated for dry and combination skin types.
Zero waste lotion for sensitive skin, the Blueberry Seed, Carrot Seed, Evening Primrose + Frankincense blend is designed to protect sensitive and mature skin.
Each blend comes in either a 60ml or 120ml glass container with an aluminum lid which can be sent back to the brand if you’re in Australia.
To complete your skin nourishment regime, you’ll also find hand-whipped body butters, zero waste balms, body oils, healing salves, and serums.
About Dirty Hippy Cosmetics
Australian zero waste lotion and beauty brand Dirty Hippie has a huge selection of natural, cruelty free, and vegan beauty products.
They include zero waste makeup, shampoo bars, shaving creams, zero waste toothpaste, and more—each handmade in small batches in Australia.
Ingredients are ethically sourced and fair trade. Some are also grown at their solar-powered headquarters in Bywong, where they harvest rainwater and offset their emissions by 50%.
Their cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate may not be palm-oil free–affecting their facial moisturizing creams and primers, concealers, and select eye cosmetics.
DHC supports several local and Australian causes including The Stroke Foundation Australia, ACT Wildlife, Trees for Life, and Autism Spectrum Australia.
11. TAP TAP ORGANICS
*Note: The Head To Toe Beauty Butter is vegan but the Radiance Beauty zero waste balm contains beeswax.
About Tap Tap Organics’ Natural Plastic Free Lotion
Tap Tap Organics create two varieties of zero waste shea butter lotion.
For a “multitasking moisturizer” with a tropical theme, the Head To Toe Coconut and Cocoa Beauty Butter has you (and your body) covered.
It contains wild-harvested Costa Rican coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil—all organic and safe for pregnant bellies and children.
For faces, the Radiance Beauty Balm contains organic oils to nourish and restore skin.
Eke out extra moisture from this zero waste lotion for dry skin by using it as an overnight mask.
All zero waste balms come in glass jars with metal lids.
About Tap Tap Organics
Latina and woman-founded Tap Tap Organics is based in San Francisco (no surprise considering the many zero waste stores San Francisco has to offer) but inspired by Costa Rica where founder Patricia grew up.
To create a taste of tropical paradise, Tap Tap Organics uses organic and wild harvested ingredients responsibly sourced from Costa Rica and Latin America.
They’re on a mission to make clean, conscious skincare and that includes packaging.
It’s reusable and they operate a take-back scheme for empties.
TTO supports various causes including beach cleanups and Black Lives Matter.
HOW WE FOUND THE BEST ZERO WASTE LOTION
How did we find the best zero waste lotion?
We used our sustainable beauty and skincare standards, of course! Here’s a quick recap:
- Cruelty free: Being a truly gentle zero waste lotion means being gentle on more than just our skin. We don’t want anything that’s been tested on animals.
- Vegan: Some of these plastic free lotion brands use beeswax (which should be ethically sourced) but many offer to substitute this for vegan alternatives on request.
- Non-toxic: Natural skin care ingredients are a great way to show our skin some love.
- Palm oil free: More and more brands are ditching palm oil for good. If still used it should be sustainably sourced.
- Ethical ingredient sourcing: To avoid greenwashing we ideally want to see third-party certifications for supply chains.
- Thoughtful packaging: Ideally, this means zero plastic lotion, but we made the exception for plastic refillable lotion bottles. Otherwise, we opted for compostable or reusable containers.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON PLASTIC FREE BODY LOTION
Clean beauty, clean planet.
That’s the aim with natural zero waste lotion and skincare products.
Swapping to a less waste lotion still makes a difference. All the little things add up on your low waste living journey.
Progress over perfection, right? And you know what would really butter us up?
Spreading the word about the best zero waste lotion to friends and family just as you would your lotion.
