We all want to make our beauty routine more sustainable and plastic-free, but sometimes it can be hard to know the best way to go about it.
Thankfully, Holland & Barrett has given us a little helping hand and has launched a limited edition beauty bag, worth £67, to celebrate National Zero Waste Week (Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th September).
The Zero Waste Starter Kit is filled to the brim with 11 products from cult ethical beauty brands including Ethique, UpCircle and Beauty Kitchen.
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BUY NOW Zero waste starter kit, Holland & Barrett, £20

Holland & Barrett
The bag acts as the perfect introduction to sustainable beauty, or a welcome top-up for those already in-the-know on their eco-friendly cosmetics, and contains everything from moisture masks to body cream.
Google searches for ‘eco-friendly beauty’ are higher than ever before, so not only is this beauty kit good for the environment, it's on-point too.
Joanne Cooke, Head of beauty at Holland & Barrett, said: “We understand that the current high street options for sustainable beauty can often come with a hefty price tag, which can result in people being put off looking for eco-friendly alternatives.
“We’re delighted to be the first British retailer to offer a ‘starter-kit’ style cross-brand bag, at just a fraction of the combined recommended retail price, showing that sustainable beauty doesn’t have to cost the earth."
The launch comes as part of Holland & Barrett’s continued Clean & Conscious Beauty initiative, following announcements of a ban on wet wipes from stores, and the world’s first zero waste, vegan beauty bars which sold out in its first 48 hours.
All of the products in the new beauty bag are vegan and free from a host of environmentally detrimental chemicals.
Joanne continued: “When you shop with us, either with this new combined bag or any of our stand-alone brands, you’ll find products that are zero waste, recyclable and refillable, waterless and palm-oil free.
"You also won’t find parabens, SLS or micro plastics in any of the products that we sell, because there should be no compromise on the products you put on your skin, hair, face or body.”
Want the full rundown on what's in the starter kit? Here goes:
- Beauty Kitchen Citrus Burst Organic Body Cream 150ml, £8.00
- Humble Bamboo Toothbrush Adult Blue Medium, £3.99
- My White Secret Charcoal Floss in a Jar 30ml, £5.49
- UpCircle Fennel & Cardamom Chai Soap Bar 30g, £6.99
- Beauty Kitchen Abyssinian Oil Quick Fix Moisture Mask 60ml, £12.50
- Ethique Hair, Face & Body Trial Pack Normal Skin & Hair Types, £10.99
- Scence Summer Citrus Deodorant Balm 75G, £12.00
- Holland & Barrett Thick Cotton Pads, £8.00.
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22 zero-waste beauty and bathroom swaps
Grapefruit & Neroli Soap
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThis handmade soap contains essential oils that produce a fresh and uplifting citrus scent. Grapefruit is the perfect energiser, whilst neroli’s sweet orange scent is known for its great antioxidant properties.
100% Natural Deodorant
Credit: Body KindThis natural deodorant has a fresh scent and contains both sodium bicarbonate and arrowroot extract combined with a mixture of plant oils, seed oils, extracts and essential oils.
It's packaged in paper tubes which are plastic-free and recyclable.
Bamboo & Organic Cotton Buds
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThese organic cotton-tipped bamboo buds are the ideal bathroom accessory for those seeking to reduce plastic waste whilst offering a minimal apothecary-style storage solution.
Choose between an amber glass jar or unbleached tissue paper packaging – either way, these cotton buds arrive completely plastic-free!
Bamboo Washable Cleansing Cloth
Credit: Magnitone LondonThese reusable cleansing cloths are able to remove makeup with only warm water. The microfibre finish expands when wet to trap makeup particles for smear-free removal.
A waste-free alternative to disposable makeup wipes, these cloths are reusable up to 1000 times and machine washable too.
Mandarin & Lime Sugar Body Scrub with Green Coffee Oil
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThis gentle yet uplifting Mandarin & Lime Body Scrub features organic essential oils to gently soften and condition the skin – there's no need for a follow-up moisturiser. Once finished, the glass jar it comes packaged in can be repurposed for use around the home.
Refillable Lipstick
Credit: TropicPromising hours of wear in shades to suit every skin tone, this vegan, 100% natural lipstick offers long-lasting colour and a deliciously creamy texture. Better still, it's refillable, so once you've used it all up, you can simply pop in another cartridge.
Luxury Back Body Brush with Cotton Cords
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThis luxury body brush cleanses and exfoliates your skin, helping you to achieve a healthy, natural glow. Use on dry skin, or in the shower, bath or sauna.
Body Lotion Bar
Now 25% Off
Credit: Holland & BarrettCocoa butter, babassu, coconut oil and pure essential oils combine to create a bar that is easy to use, supremely hydrating and fabulous for heels, elbows or anywhere else needing a little TLC. Simply glide the bar over your skin and massage in.
Bath Salts - Unwind
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThese mineral-rich Epsom and Himalayan salts are infused with a relaxing blend of essential oils to help you unwind and soothe your skin. Better yet, they're stored in an amber glass apothecary bottle which can be repurposed or refilled after use.
Bamboo Club Floss 50m
Now 30% Off
Credit: OcadoThis plant-based dental floss is 100% biodegradable and its cardboard dispenser is 100% recyclable – a win, win.
Hand & Body Exfoliating Wash
Credit: Country Living MarketplacePacked with natural ingredients and gentle exfoliants, this hand and body wash bar will refresh your skin. It's perfect for travel, as each bar is packaged in recyclable and reusable plastic-free packaging.
Ethique Frizz Wrangler Shampoo Bar
Now 80% Off
Credit: Holland & BarrettThis shampoo bar is a plastic-free alternative to your usual bottled version. Simply smooth the bar over wet hair a few times and rub it into a foamy lather, then rinse.
Reusable Bamboo Makeup Pads
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThese makeup pads are the perfect addition to your everyday cleansing routine. They're made using two layers of super soft bamboo, helping to remove make-up gently and easily – ideal for sensitive skin. After use, just pop the pads in the washing machine.
Waken Toothpaste Tablets PepperMint
Now 54% Off
Credit: OcadoA fresh and cool recipe, blended with natural peppermint extract to help freshen breath, these toothpaste tablets don't require water and are a great alternative to traditional toothpaste.
Bath Creamers - Pack Of 4
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThese luxurious bath creamers include cocoa butter, organic shea butter, avocado oil and coconut milk powder. A plastic-free way to elevate your bath.
SPF 25 Mineral Sunscreen
Now 29% Off
Credit: UpCircleThis SPF 25 sunscreen provides a dermatologically approved defence against premature ageing caused by the sun. The packaging is 100% recyclable and can be repurposed, too.
Bee Reusable Eco Sponge
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceThis handy sponge is reusable. On one side, you'll find a super soft bamboo surface to nourish your skin, and on the other, a gently exfoliating linen.
Bio Toothbrush
Now 69% Off
Credit: OcadoThese toothbrushes are made from cornstarch, making them biodegradable.
Buttered Rose Handmade Soap
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceWith a deeply relaxing yet delicate fragrance, this handmade bar of soap is packed with nourishing plant oils and butter to moisturise and hydrate your skin.
Cleansing Face Balm with Oat Oil + Vitamin E
Credit: UpCircleA 100% natural cleanser to remove mascara, make-up and other impurities. Use it with a reusable makeup cloth and recycle the packaging when you've used it all up.
Reusable Bamboo Shower Mitt
Credit: Country Living MarketplaceMade using four layers of bamboo, this reusable shower mitt is a luxurious alternative to nylon and plastic-based options.
Kitsch Coconut Oil Moisturising Hair Conditioner Bar
Now 22% Off
Credit: Oliver BonasFresh coconut pulp, vanilla, tonka bean, and amber provide a rich creamy texture which also keeps your locks smelling lovely. You can use this conditioner bar as a hair mask by melting down a small amount.

Ruth is an experienced freelance digital writer and editor, covering everything from travel and interiors to fashion and beauty. Outside of work, her biggest loves are endless cups of tea, almond croissants, shopping for clothes she doesn’t need, and booking holidays she does.