5 ethical and sustainable beauty brands you should be supporting

All of us are aware of the current climate and waste crisis happening in our 21st century society, but how much of your daily routine is contributing to this? Reusable water bottles, eating a low animal product diet and shopping second hand are all more sustainable ways of living - but the shampoo we use and mascara we apply everyday are often over looked as areas to improve our planet-friendly lifestyles.

The disposable nature of these products paired with: the chemicals they are made with, animals they are tested on and materials they are packaged in, are all reasons why they are harmful to a more sustainable future.

Luckily, there are many beauty brands in the industry who are actively making a difference in the way their cosmetics and self-care products are manufactured and distributed. Here are a few you should definitely support:

1. Axiology - £££ (stocked on Asos and the Axiology website)

A female owned factory in Bali, converting local waste into packaging for their innovative lip products. Using recycled paper boxes and recycled aluminium tubes, to encase the vegan, peta approved and palm-oil free lipsticks. Boasting a 'multi use, minimal waste' mantra with their lip to lid, dual use 'balmies' - these products can contribute to saving the planet whilst, also, saving space in your makeup bag.

2. Odylique - £ (stocked on the Odylique website)

A cosmetics company that utilises the power of plants. Avoiding all synthetic chemicals and using certified organic, vegan, and totally non-artificial ingredients in every product. Not only are Odylique conscious of what goes into their makeup, but also who makes it, how it is tested and where it is manufactured. Therefore making them a Fairtrade, peta approved company, that manufactures in the UK to keep their supply chain short and therefore minimise carbon footprint.

3.Wild Deodorant - ££ (stocked on the Wild website)

Refillable and reusable, natural deodorant - what is there not to love? Wild's completely natural deodorant sticks come in a variety of flavours and can be fit into any of the colourful, durable aluminium and recycled plastic cases: making it a completely customisable experience. The company offer a refill subscription service, taking the hassle of buying deodorant away, whilst making it personalised and more sustainable, due to the use of non-harmful ingredients and the refillable, durable nature of the packaging. On top of this a, % of all sales are given to reforestation projects in an attempt to counteract their carbon footprint caused during manufacture and distribution - a circular company that promotes giving back to the planet what it takes.

4.Eco tools brushes - £ (stocked in Boots, Superdrug, the Eco tools website and a plethora of other online outlets)

100% cruelty free and vegan product range, including: biodegradable sponges, interchangeable, fur free brushes, and other bamboo handled cosmetic tools. Their "clean beauty, clean planet" mission statement epitomises the direction the beauty industry needs to move in, and with biodegradable packaging, sustainably innovative products and a peta approved stamp - Eco tools are certainly taking steps in the right direction.

5.Lush - ££ (stocked in Lush - bricks and mortar and online)

A staple in the sustainable wash bag - it had to be given a mention. Not only are the products all natural and chemical free, 90% of the packaging is recycled with (allegedly) half of products being completely, packaging free. They stock a range of products from bath bombs, to lip scrubs and offer an outstanding in-store service, as well as an aftercare bonus if you return empty packaging to them. Overall a great moral and ethical company to support.

Freya Fowler