Sustainable Beauty Gift Ideas For the 2021 Festive Season
Sustainable Gift Ideas: The Best Eco-Friendly Beauty Gifts For the 2021 Festive Season
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In 2021, we might lean on gifts more than usual to make up for last year. But that doesn't mean we need to go over the top on excess consumption, because that's the last thing the planet needs — especially in the beauty industry. Luckily, there are plenty of sustainable beauty gifting options that'll show your beauty-loving friend you're thinking of them whilst showing love to our planet, too. These gifts have thoughtful packaging (because currently no packaging solution is perfect), refillable options, and are considerate when sourcing ingredients. We believe that sustainable beauty products don't have to mean compromising on quality.
We've been hard at work finding some of the most eco-conscious beauty brands and gift selections out there to help make the season of gift-giving a little easier this year. We found mini fragrance sets that have the environment top of mind, smart solid skin care that helps reduce unnecessary plastic waste, and chic accessories that help breathe new life in old candles.
Read on to shop some of the best sustainable beauty gifts around this year.
The Body Shop Love & Plums Ultimate Gift
The Body Shop has always been at the forefront of sustainable and ethical beauty. From this year's dozens of Christmas gifts, we love the The Body Shop Love & Plums Ultimate Gift (£50), which comes Love & Plums Shower Gel, Love & Plums Body Scrub, Love & Plums Body Butter, Love & Plums Shimmer Mist, Love & Plums Hand Cream, and Love & Plums Body Yogurt all housed in an adorable reusable wash bag. Even better, this year the brand has partnered with The Honeypot, a charity providing respite to young carers aged 5 to 12 and giving ongoing support.
Susanne Kaufmann Bath Oil Trio
We all know someone who needs an excuse to have a bath and chill out, and we can't think of a better excuse than the Susanne Kaufmann Bath Oil Trio (£26). This luxe set contains mini versions of the Susanne Kaufmann Mountain Pine Bath Oil, Oil Bath for the Senses, and Witch Hazel Bath.
Diptyque The Inseparables
Diptyque just gets us. The brand knows that no Diptyque candle goes to waste but instead gets up-cycled into the most luxurious storage holders, which is why the newest addition to the 2021 holiday collection is genius. The Inseparables (£45) gives your old candle jars a second life, making them twice as functional and twice as stylish (we didn't know that was possible either).
Faith in Nature Soap Stack
If zero plastic packaging is your aim with gifting this year, Faith in Nature has some great options, including the Faith in Nature Soap Stack (£6). This sweet and affordable set contains lavender, orange, and aloe vera soaps that are all cruelty-free and vegan too.
Lush Have a Hippo Christmas
The bath bomb lover in your life will adore the Lush Have a Hippo Christmas (£16) which contains the I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas Bath Bomb, Butterbear Bath Bomb, Snowman Dreaming Bath Bomb, and Sleepy Bear Bath Bomb. The bath bombs are all handmade and the packaging is made from 100 percent recycled board that can be reused, regifted, or recycled in paper waste collection.
Davines Green Chimneys Gift Set
Davines has been at the forefront of sustainable beauty for decades. The hair-care company has been committed to sustainability from day 1 making it the perfect brand to gift for your eco-conscious loved one. We particularly love the Davines Green Chimneys Gift Set (£43.50), which includes NOUNOU Shampoo and conditioner OI All in One Milk.
Wildsmith Skin Compostable Handwash and Lotion Duo
Not only do both formulas in the set feature the same comforting scent (a mix of linden blossom, chamomile, and cedarwood), but the packaging of the Wildsmith Skin Compostable Handwash and Lotion Duo (£50) is made from mycelium, which is compostable. Yes, really. What is mycelium you ask? It's the vegetative root structure of a mushroom — an organic material that is then grown around a mould to form a custom-sized, sturdy structure (like these bottles) to be used in place of plastic.
Floral Street Light Discovery Set
If you're on the hunt for your next sustainable fragrance, look no further than the beautiful Floral Street. The brand uses recyclable and biodegradable boxes, (which can be used as a seed tray for plants and herbs) and the body lotion tubes are made from sustainable sugar cane bioplastic, which is 100 percent recyclable. If that wasn't enough, the products are also vegan, cruelty-free, and contain sustainably-sourced ingredients. We particularly love this Floral Street Light Discovery Set (£86).
Okiki Face & Body Soap Bar Gift Set
Proving that sustainability is possible for independent beauty brands is Okiki. The mother and daughter-owned skin care and candle brand hand-make all of their products — which are inspired by their Nigerian and Ghanaian roots — in small batches in the UK.
We adore the Face & Body Soap Bar Gift Set (£18), which contains the Lolu Facial Soap, Black Clay & Dead Sea Soap, Carrot & Papaya Soap, and Gunpowder Soap. The set is housed in recyclable packaging and is made in small batches, which helps to reduce waste.
Forgo Hand Wash
Forgo Hand Wash (£25) is the most sustainable way to wash with powder to liquid hand wash in plastic-free refills meaning 85 percent fewer emissions. Plus, it's super stylish for that friend who always loves to splurge on fancy hand wash.
Hello Klean Shower Filter
A shower filter that removes all the metals and minerals from your water, ensures that your skin feels softer, you hair looks shinier, and if you have highlights or single process, it will help it last longer. The Hello Klean Shower Filter (£65) not only looks great (something you can't say about a lot of filters on the market), but it's also one of the most sustainable options. Buy the metal canister once, and then going forward all you have to do is buy the refill capsules — all of which come in very eco-friendly packaging.
Sbtrct Christmas Bauble and Moisturising Balm Bundle
Sbtrct Christmas Bauble and Moisturising Balm Bundle (£32) is one of the smartest Christmas baubles out there. This bamboo pot contains a moisturising solid face balm that is cruelty-free, vegan, plastic-free, and is less than 0.5 percent water.
Wild Natural Deodorant
Transitioning to a more sustainable beauty routine involves reassessing every product you use regularly, and for many of us that definitely includes deodorant. It might seem like a strange gift at first, but the practical gifts are sometimes the best ones.
Wild Natural Deodorant (£12 for case and one refill, £25 for case and 3 refills, £32 for 5) not only creates gorgeous-scented aluminium-free formulas (we're currently obsessed Toffee Apple), but also has figured out a way to create a reusable tube that cuts down on plastic waste. Start off by buying your loved one (or yourself) one of the aluminium cases (available in various colours), along with a three or five deodorant refills depending on your budget (right now they come in five different scents). Then in the future, they can choose to buy refills as needed, or sign up for the company's subscription service.
As for how the actual deodorant works? Take a second to read our review of the formula itself.
Dr Hauschka Revitalising Shower Set
Sustainability has always been important to Dr Hauschka. The brand uses 100 percent certified green electricity and has done for many years. The plants, oils, and waxes are collected from controlled organic cultivation and under fair trade conditions. And of course, all of the products are made from recycled materials. When it comes to festive sets, we like the Dr Hauschka Revitalising Shower Set (£25), which contains Shower Cream, Shampoo, and Body Milk housed in a handy cotton bag.
Wet Brush Go Green Detangler
Wet Brush Go Green Detangler (£15) is a practical, pretty, and sustainable gift — what's not to love? The Go Green collection is made from PLA (plant-based plastic), using 65 percent less energy used, 68 percent less greenhouse gas, and promises to naturally biodegrade in 5 years once thrown away. The brushes are suitable for all hair types and textures, as well as extensions and wigs.
Object Plastic Free Starter Set
If you're looking to help your loved one step into the world of plastic-free beauty, consider Object. The Object Plastic Free Starter Set (£40) contains the brand's bestselling selection of a cleansing bar, shampoo bar, conditioning bar, a concrete shower dish, and two travel tins — everything one would need to get them going.
PLUS Biodegradable Wrapping Paper
One of the most wasteful aspects of the festive season is undoubtedly the wrapping paper, the majority of which cannot be recycled. That's where PLUS comes in. The sustainable body wash brand has created fully dissolvable gift wrap. The paper completely disintegrates when it comes into contact with water leaving absolutely no waste.
