The Best Makeup Brands for Sustainable Packaging Choices​

In recent years, as environmental awareness grows among consumers, "sustainability" has become a key trend in the beauty industry. Beyond cruelty-free formulas and natural ingredients, sustainable makeup packaging—focused on reducing waste, using eco-friendly materials, and enabling reuse or recycling—has become a deciding factor for many shoppers. If you’re looking to build an eco-conscious beauty routine, these 11 brands lead the way in sustainable packaging innovation.​

1. Kjaer Weis: Luxury Meets Refillable Elegance​
   

   Kjaer Weis is a pioneer of luxury sustainable beauty, and its packaging philosophy revolves around "less waste, more luxury." The brand’s compacts, blushes, and highlighters come in sleek, durable metal cases (crafted to last for years) that can be refilled with new product pans. By eliminating single-use plastic packaging for refills, Kjaer Weis cuts down on waste while keeping your vanity stylish. Even the refill pans are wrapped in compostable paper—no unnecessary plastics in sight.​

2. Axiology: Bamboo & Compostable for Lip Lovers​
   

   Axiology specializes in clean, pigmented lip products, and its packaging is just as planet-friendly as its formulas. The brand’s lipstick tubes are made from sustainable bamboo (a fast-growing, renewable resource) and feature compostable paper sleeves instead of plastic. For its lip glosses, Axiology uses recyclable aluminum tubes, ensuring every part of the packaging can be repurposed or broken down naturally. No greenwashing here—every material is chosen for its low environmental impact.​

3. Elate Cosmetics: Zero-Waste & Plastic-Free Packaging​
   

   Elate Cosmetics lives by the motto "beauty without compromise"—and that includes packaging. The brand’s entire lineup (from foundations to eyeshadows) uses plastic-free packaging: compacts are made from bamboo or recycled aluminum, while product pans are housed in compostable cellulose. Elate even offers a "Take-Back Program" for old packaging, ensuring it’s recycled or composted properly instead of ending up in landfills. For eco-conscious shoppers, this is zero-waste beauty at its best.​

4. Ilia: Recycled Materials & Minimalist Design​
   

   Ilia balances clean, natural formulas with packaging that prioritizes recycling and reduction. Many of its product tubes (like tinted moisturizers and lip balms) are made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic—giving new life to plastic that would otherwise pollute the planet. The brand also uses minimalist packaging: no excessive boxes or plastic inserts, just essential, recyclable materials. Ilia’s goal? Make sustainable beauty accessible without sacrificing quality or aesthetics.​

5. RMS Beauty: Glass Jars & Reusable Luxury​
   

   RMS Beauty, known for its "living" organic formulas, chooses packaging that’s both luxurious and eco-friendly. Its iconic cream blushes, foundations, and concealers come in reusable glass jars (easy to clean and repurpose for storage) with aluminum lids. The brand avoids plastic wherever possible, and even its shipping materials are compostable or recycled. RMS proves that sustainable packaging can feel indulgent—perfect for a self-care routine that cares for the planet too.​

6. Izzy: Affordable & Recyclable for Everyday Beauty​
   

   Izzy makes sustainable beauty accessible to all with budget-friendly products and recyclable packaging. The brand’s mascaras, eyeliners, and lipsticks use 100% recyclable plastic tubes (marked with recycling symbols for easy sorting) and cardboard boxes made from recycled paper. Izzy also skips unnecessary extras like plastic seals or glossy coatings, keeping packaging simple and low-waste. For shoppers on a budget, Izzy is a go-to for guilt-free, eco-friendly makeup.​

7. Lush: Zero-Waste Solid Products & Reusable Packaging​
   

   Lush has long been a trailblazer in sustainable beauty, with packaging that puts "less is more" into practice. The brand’s famous solid products (think shampoo bars, solid conditioners, and even solid blushes) come with zero packaging—eliminating single-use plastics entirely. For products that need containment, Lush uses reusable black pots (made from 100% recycled plastic) and encourages customers to participate in its "Return, Recycle, Repeat" program: bring back 5 clean black pots, and get a free face mask. Lush also avoids plastic wraps and uses compostable paper for gift packaging, making it a top choice for zero-waste enthusiasts.​

8. Juice Beauty: Plant-Based & Recyclable Innovation​
   

   Juice Beauty is a leader in clean beauty, and its packaging reflects its commitment to the environment. The brand uses plant-based plastics (made from sugarcane, a renewable resource) for many of its bottles (think serums and moisturizers), which are fully recyclable. Juice Beauty also prioritizes "lightweighting"—using less material in packaging without compromising durability—to reduce carbon emissions during production. Plus, its boxes are made from FSC-certified recycled paper, closing the loop on waste.​

9. MAC Cosmetics: Large-scale recycling programs and the application of recycled materials
   

   As a global beauty giant, MAC Cosmetics uses its reach to drive sustainable packaging change—most notably through its iconic Back-to-MAC Program. Customers can return 6 empty MAC containers (any size, any product) to stores or via mail, and in exchange, get a free lipstick or lip gloss. The brand also prioritizes PCR plastic in its packaging: many of its powder compacts, lipstick tubes, and foundation bottles now contain 30-50% post-consumer recycled plastic, with plans to increase this percentage. MAC has also phased out plastic inserts in product boxes and uses FSC-certified paper for packaging, proving that even large brands can make meaningful strides toward sustainability.​

10. Aveda: Circular Packaging & Renewable Energy​
    

    Aveda, a household name in eco-friendly beauty, has long prioritized sustainable packaging. The brand’s bottles (for shampoos, conditioners, and skincare) are made from 50%+ PCR plastic, and it offers a "Take-Back Program" for empty containers—recycling them into new packaging. Aveda also uses FSC-certified paper for boxes and avoids plastic wraps. Beyond materials, the brand powers its manufacturing facilities with 100% renewable energy, ensuring its packaging production is as green as possible.​

11. Tata Harper: Organic Formulas & Recyclable Glass​
    

    Tata Harper is synonymous with high-performance organic skincare and makeup, and its packaging matches its clean ethos. Most of its products (like foundations, serums, and blushes) come in recyclable glass bottles or jars with aluminum lids—materials that are easy to recycle and have a lower carbon footprint than plastic. Tata Harper also uses minimal, uncoated cardboard boxes (made from recycled paper) and avoids plastic inserts. For shoppers who want luxury, organic beauty and sustainable packaging, Tata Harper delivers.​

JXPACK offers sustainable and environmentally conscious cosmetic packaging solutions for numerous brands. JXPACK offers a full range of packaging products (from cream cans, essence bottles to spray bottles and makeup tubes), all of which are made from recyclable materials. The company also offers ODM/OEM services to help brands customize packaging that aligns with their sustainable development goals. For brands that aspire to pursue green development, JXPACK is a reliable partner.

Sustainable packaging isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. The beauty industry generates over 120 billion units of packaging annually, much of which ends up in landfills or oceans. By choosing brands like the ones above, you’re reducing your environmental impact while supporting companies that prioritize the planet.​