Best skincare brands UK 2022: ethical, organic skincare from great brands, including Neal’s Yard, Pai, Akt

And while the recent spate of beauty brands proclaiming their skincare products are ethical and organic at first seems positive, there are concerns that ‘green-washing’ - appearing eco-minded, without much actual operational change - means that progress is not as great as we’d hope within the industry.

While in the food industry, the term organic has a clear definition, it’s a little murkier when it comes to beauty

But it would be a mistake to hold out for perfect at the cost of doing anything. Better to do something now than nothing, and the following brands are all doing things for the betterment of the planet (whether or not they could be doing more)

What are organic skincare products?

Organic means products which are grown without the use of chemical fertilisers, GM ingredients and additives such as preservatives and colourings. However, while many skincare brands now eschew chemical additives, many use water as a core ingredient. Water is not farmed, so it can’t be claimed as 100% organic, meaning there are tricky hoops to jump through to get that all-important organic accolade.

Who can I trust?

But don’t despair! There are still many amazing skincare brands that are prioritising organic, natural ingredients, alongside considering how to be more sustainable. And there are some brands who have managed to get the Soil Association or COSMOS certification, which lets you know they are fully organic.

The below are our top picks of brands we feel are flying the flag in creating cleaner, natural, more sustainable skincare with no compromises on leaving your skin feeling and looking fantastic.

Ere Perez

Ere Perez could be the poster-child for organic beauty, with their minimalist packaging, sleek, luxurious aesthetic, and non-GMO formulations. An Australian ‘clean’ make-up brand with Mexican roots, think treaty and decadent, not hair-shirt and worthy.