Plastic-Free Face Moisturiser: The Best UK Brands To Know

• The Body Shop
• Silvan
• Miniml
• Ethique
• UpCircle

The Body Shop says:

“Our moisturiser instantly peps up skin, helping it feel hydrated and refreshed, with a glowy finish! Made with 96% ingredients of natural origin, our vitamin C moisturiser is infused with camu camu berry extract. Camu camu berries are known to contain more than double the vitamin C content you’d find in juicy oranges. Skin feels instantly smoother and softer, with a visibly less dull and more radiant complexion.”

Wendy says:

I was surprised to find that the moisturiser itself has more of a gel texture to it than a cream, but it doesn’t affect how moisturising this lovely product is.

I have found that it takes a minute or two to sink into my skin, but once it does it leaves my skin feeling soft and refreshed, without any stickiness or pilling. It really does feel like a boost for tired skin. I don’t think it’s quite moisturising enough for my maturing skin care needs though – I think next time I would try its Edelweiss moisturiser – also plastic-free.

I also love its slightly citrus scent. It’s very mild, so if you don’t like strong scents then I don’t think this would bother you.

And on an entirely superficial level, this sleek jar looks very pretty in my bathroom cabinet!

Silvan Skincare says:

“[Use this] nourishing vegan moisturiser to care for naturally ageing skin with organic macadamia oil, frankincense and rose geranium to replenish the skin and help to reduce the appearance of fine lines.”

Wendy says:

Ever since I came across Silvan Skincare, I’ve been keen to try out its award-winning Rejuvenate moisturiser. Especially because it’s specifically formulated for more mature skin. Since I hit my 40s, my skin does feel like it needs more TLC, especially in winter.

I was instantly impressed. This really rich cream provides instant hydration – day and night – and has quickly become a new favourite. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t leave your skin feeling tacky or oily – making it a great base for applying makeup.

I was worried the smell would be powerful, but it wasn’t at all. Instead, it’s incredibly delicate,

Miniml says:

“A hydrating, cream moisturiser that’s suitable for all skin types. Niacinamide, Vitamin C, E & Aloe vera create a daily protective barrier which will support your skin barrier and even skin tone; soothe irritated skin; hydrate skin; and improve uneven skin tone, soften fine lines and wrinkles.” 

Wendy says:

I felt that this plastic-free moisturiser, as much as I wanted to love it, wasn’t moisturising enough for my 40+ skincare needs.

I think for teens and those in their 20s or early 30s, it would be fantastic, especially as it’s not as expensive as the other brands. My oldest daughter, a real skincare aficionado – loves this cream. It’s non-greasy, leaving a matt finish, and sinks in quickly. Plus it doesn’t contain palm oil, which is a real plus point. But for me, after application, my skin sadly felt dry and tight.

What I did love about this cream is that, unlike some moisturisers I’ve used in the past, it doesn’t pill. This cream is also unscented, which if you have sensitive skin or a sensitive nose, would be a real plus point.

Ethique says

“A creamy, deeply nourishing face cream that’s formulated for even the driest skin, The Perfector is chock full of luxuriously replenishing ingredients such as kokum butter, jojoba, and hydrating hyaluronic acid. The smoothing blend helps soften skin and protect it against transepidermal water loss for nourished, healthier-looking skin.”

Wendy says

Whilst I happily use a solid shampoo bar, I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy using a solid moisturiser bar on my face.

At first, it felt like the stick dragged on my skin and didn’t do anything. However, I quickly found that if popped the tube on my radiator for 30 seconds, this warms the bar, making it much easier to apply.

When I’m in a hurry, or the heating isn’t on, then I’ve found that applying the moisturiser to damp or freshly cleansed skin also helps the stick to glide across your skin. You can then use your fingers to press this rich moisturiser into your skin.

I prefer to use this moisturiser at night time. It is quite oily and feels like it sits on top of your skin – leaving it feeling greasy, which isn’t so great for daytime use.

When I first tried this stick out overnight, I didn’t think it would do much because it wasn’t sinking in. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that my skin felt incredibly soft the next morning – softer than any other plastic-free moisturiser I’ve tried.

I really like that it is truly zero-waste. I just wish it was made closer to home – it does come from quite literally the other side of the world.

Whilst Ethique says this moisturiser doesn’t have any added fragrance, this doesn’t mean it’s fragrance-free. It’s got a beautiful herbaceous smell – similar to a blend of rosemary and lavender. I really like the smell, but if you aren’t a fan of scented products then it may not appeal to you.

Upcircle says

“A multi-award-winning deeply hydrating, fast-absorbing face moisturiser with Vitamin E to nourish and brighten the skin.

This dermatologically approved vegan face cream is suitable for all skin types. Vitamin E-rich argan powder is combined with skin-soothing cocoa butter, aloe vera and blood orange.”

Wendy says

I was excited to try this moisturiser as I was impressed by its eco credentials. It ticks so many boxes. What’s more, if your local zero-waste shop offers UpCircle refills, you can even refill your jar there, minimising your environmental impact further.

I’m pleased to report that it lived up to my expectations (and beyond). This rich yet non-greasy cream sank quickly into my skin, leaving it feeling soft and supple all day. It didn’t pill or leave a sticky or oily finish.

I also like that it’s not heavily scented. Instead, it has a delicate fresh scent that isn’t overbearing.

The only I would say is that I think it’s best for daytime use – it feels a little too light for overnight use.