The eco-conscious beauty brands to know about in 2024

The lowdown: What better brand to kick off World Environment Day than the results-backed, seaweed-enriched and sustainability-driven VOYA? Born out of the desire to improve an existing system, this luxury skin care brand has utilised the skin-rejuvenating benefits of wild, organic seaweed as it simultaneously champions environmental conservation, ethical sourcing of ingredients and sustainable practices at every step within the supply chain from harvesting to packaging. 

January 2023 marked an exciting time for VOYA as they announced their partnership with the social enterprise, Plastic Bank. Over the next two years, VOYA has made a pledge to stop the equivalent of over two million single-use plastic bottles from entering the ocean. 

How exactly? For every VOYA product sold, the brand will help to prevent three plastic bottles from entering the ocean.

Try: VOYA Angelicus Serratus Nourishing Body Oil. Designed to deliver intense hydration, rosehip oil and evening primrose work alongside the hand-harvested wild seaweed to help combat fine lines, boost firmness and leave the skin feeling velvety-soft. 

$80, currently $65 at VOYA Beauty

The lowdown: Not only are we obsessed with what this family-owned brand is doing for our hair, but we're also loving how they're doing it. Based out of Parma, Italy, every product has been created with 100 per cent clean energy, deriving its energy from renewable sources such as photovoltaic panels and solar power since 2006. 

Try: Davines Oi Liquid Luster. One of the brand's newer launches, this illuminating hair treatment has been developed to keep our hair bright, soft and sparkly. 

$75.95 at Oz Hair And Beauty

The lowdown: When it comes to environmental sustainability, Aveda were one of the first and remain one of the strongest. Each product within its range has been meticulously crafted using rigorous eco-conscious practices, including the utilisation of renewable energy, water conservation efforts, and a steadfast commitment to the complete elimination of animal testing.

Try: You know that bond-building hair serum that you just love, but aren’t too sure about its ingredient list? Well with this equally hard-hitting botanical blend, you can totally forget about it. Free-from a huge range of nasties there’s no doubting your strands will be next level glossy or gorgeous. 

$80 at Aveda 

The lowdown: When it comes to being eco-conscious, ILIA Beauty tick every box. Each product has been formulated using natural and organic ingredients, free from parabens and synthetic fragrances, and sits housed in recyclable or refillable packaged. 

Try: ILIA's Multistick. If you love an on-the-go touch-up or you're an efficient queen, try ILIA's creamy lip tint, blush and eyeshadow stick. 

$60 at MECCA

The lowdown: We get it, sacrificing your strands is so not on the cards. And trust us when we tell you, this completely plastic-free way to wash your mane is anything but lacklustre. Aside from the fact that the range already caters to all kinds of hair types, the plastic bottle saving (34 million to be precise) bars actually have 10 times more active ingredients than your standard shampoos. Yep, it’s pretty world-saving.

Try: Ethique Calming Shampoo Bar for Dry Scalps: Heali Kiwi™

The strand-soothing bar is pH-balanced and designed with irritation-prone, flake-flurrying scalps in mind. A quick lather of the natural blend of oatmeal and nourishing oils will see your strands shining bright. 

$22 at Ethique

The lowdown: There’s absolutely no doubt in our minds that The Body Shop is on a mission for good. Their natural, environmentally friendly ethos has been a clear north star from the start. And it’s only gotten shinier with age. How? Well, The Body Shop has recently been certified as the first global brand to be 100 per cent vegan. It’s a huge effort, and we can’t wait to see what good they do next!

Try: The Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector. The unbelievably hydrating hand cream is going to give you seriously long-lasting hand hydration. The non-greasy formula is housed in an (infinitely) recyclable and already recycled aluminium tube. 

$26 at The Body Shop

The lowdown: As Aussies, water conservation is literally a huge part of our day to day lives, which is why Conserving Beauty have waved their change-making wands to create a range of incredible, effective products (that even celebs love), that don’t cost the earth. With a sustainability report on each and every product, Conserving Beauty is showing just how much transparency matters in the fight for better environmental-protections. 

Try: Conserving Beauty InstaMelt™ Day Dissolver Wipes. It’s a hygienic way to cleanse the day away, and with the oil formulation you’re not left with dry uncomfortable skin. But the best thing about this product is that they literally dissolve in water after use (and are packed in compostable packing). Your makeup literally all washes away. 

$39 at Conserving Beauty

The lowdown: This small-batch brand is here to shake up the skin care world. It might only be small, but the products are mighty. And their commitment to animal-protection is strong. With cruelty-free, vegan products made right here in NSW, you can rest assured that quality is key. 

Try: Kenzako AHA Body Reset Scrub. This TikTok viral product is made from totally evidence-based ingredients that means your skin will be seeing all the benefits. 

$49.99 at Kenzako

The lowdown: Okay, sure. Natural deodorants aren’t exactly *breaking news* these days. But these picks have been hand selected for their long list of benefits and environmentally-friendly claims. Here to help your skin stay healthy, the cruelty-free, vegan deodorants have been formulated with magnesium, AKA BO-buster. 

Try: Totem Eco Natural Deodorant Stick - Blue Gum. This fresh fun stick is seriously easy to apply – no scraping about in messy pots here. The 100 per cent natural velvety texture melts into your skin, giving you seriously long-lasting odour control. 

$22 at Totem Eco Natural Deodorant