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Ethical Beauty Brands

These women run beauty brands with an ethical ethos

Banasa, 41, is co-founder of Ksoni

Ksoni means ‘earth’ in Sanskrit - for Joti and Banasa, it was their experiences tackling the plastic problem and its impact on Earth which inspired the brand. Joti saw the devastating impact of plastic on our oceans while diving on holiday in Asia in 2017. She returned home committed to cutting plastic out of her life. Banasa made eco-friendly beauty products and wanted to cut plastic out of the bathroom. When the pair met in 2018, they got on so well and their morals aligned, so they went into partnership within months, launching a natural beauty brand which is 100% plastic-free. Their shampoos come in an aluminum can, which is infinitely recyclable and can be back on the shelf just 60 days after recycling - a truly circular economy. They’re in the process of becoming a Certified B Corporation.   

 Melissa, 42, is the founder of Awake Organics.

The brand is three years old. She sells shampoo, serums, deodorants and cleansers, all 100% natural and housed in plastic-free bottles made from glass, aluminium and card. She is committed to a small supply chain, with almost all ingredients and packaging made in the UK, to keep money in the local economy. Every ingredient used must meet at least one of five criteria - Soil Association Certified Organic, Fair Trade, Wild-Crafted, Food Grade or Local Organic. She’s a passionate advocate for using materials which leave as little impact on the Earth as possible. The brand is certified Cruelty Free by Leaping Bunny, the best assurance that a company has made a genuine commitment to ending animal testing. They’re also in the Zero Waste 500 Club, which is a packaging return programme. Customers return their glass jars to earn discounts on future purchases.

Mary-Rose, 40, is the founder of Skinirvana

(Mary Rose has appeared in Best magazine in a piece about earning money from the kitchen table)

Struggling with rosacea prone skin, Mary-Rose took an interest in the ingredients list of the lotions she was applying. Shocked by the toxic, chemical compounds she’d been applying, she started making her own blend of nourishing, natural oils which quickly cleared up her skin troubles. Creating the ultimate blend of seven pure plant and seed oils, she launched Skinirvana in July 2017. Mary makes the oils by hand in small batches (25 at a time) so there’s no wastage. Even the 100% cotton pouches are made by hand and will decompose in the compost within 5 months. The glass bottles are recyclable. 

Big brands manufacture in bulk and stock is stored in warehouses, often reaching the consumer years after it has been made. If the product is not sold, it goes to landfill. Skinirvana customers receive the products within weeks, even days, of it being made. She buys ingredients from one ethical wholesaler and despite invitations to expand her range to increase profit, Mary refuses to create unnecessary products to ‘bulk’ out the line and sell more units.