We’ve rounded up 15 local clean, vegan and sustainable beauty brands that offer ethical makeup, skin and body care. These brands never test on animals, contain no hidden animal-derived ingredients, use sustainable production and packaging, and more.
Climate change is no joke! If you’ve been looking to do your part in helping the environment, your daily skincare and beauty routine is a great place to start. By shopping locally from brands with a conscience, you’re saying “no” to animal testing and “yes” to a more eco-friendly way of living. We’ve rounded up 15 homegrown Hong Kong clean, vegan and sustainable beauty brands — so you can pamper yourself and simultaneously support local businesses, all while giving back to the world we live in.
Read More: 15 Eco-Conscious Brands To Have On Your Radar
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Local Clean, Vegan & Sustainable Beauty Brands
What Do We Mean By Clean, Vegan And Sustainable Beauty?
Before you start adding to cart, let’s talk clean beauty – it’s been the buzzword on everyone’s lips, but what does it even mean? In the beauty industry, “vegan” simply means there aren’t any animal-derived ingredients in your products. Easy enough, right? And when it comes to clean beauty, it’s all about using items that are not only ethically sourced, but also gentle, non-toxic, and sustainable. These clean beauty brands are going the extra mile to protect both your skin and the planet. For instance, they may be using recycled packaging, natural and locally sourced ingredients, and partner with suppliers that are just as committed to saving the environment.
Plus, these brands often help give back to the community and avoid using cheaper shortcuts when creating their products, whether that means employing people in the region or paying more for higher-quality ingredients. They’re ethical — so purchasing from these local Hong Kong brands will help you look good, feel good and do good!
Read More: 7 Ways To Live A More Sustainable Lifestyle
Local Clean, Vegan & Sustainable Beauty Brands
Botanic Pretti5 — Clean and vegan local skincare brand
Infused with ingredients used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and made in Japanese labs, Botanic Pretti5 is the perfect blend of Eastern adaptogens and Western skincare technologies. The cruelty-free skincare brand prioritises herbal ingredients that are beneficial for our skin to create low-irritant and non-comedogenic products, with zero animal by-products and testing. Plus, its minimal packaging is completely recyclable and looks good on your shelf.
Our pick: The advanced hyaluronic serum, tailored for dry and sensitive skin but suitable for everyone — packed with 12 botanicals, vitamin B3, provitamin B5, and, of course, hyaluronic acid. You can shop its products online and at Sephora Hong Kong.
Botanic Pretti5, www.pretti5.com
Read More: Our Favourite Face Serums For Every Skin Type
Natasha Moor Cosmetics — Paraben, sulfate and cruelty-free makeup
When award-winning Hong Kong-based makeup artist Natasha Moor found herself having to mix and match different shades of lipstick to get the perfect colours for her clients, she decided to take the plunge and make her own shades — creating Natasha Moor Cosmetics. Every product in each collection is cruelty, paraben, and sulfate-free. And, as part of its #DoMoor campaign, a percentage of sales from all lipsticks go towards supporting victims of domestic abuse around the world.
Our pick: The molten matte liquid lipstick, packed with vitamin E for hydration and promising up to 12 hours of staying power. You can shop products online or at Sephora Hong Kong.
Natasha Moor Cosmetics, natashamoor.com
Read More: Our Favourite Lipglosses — The Top 10 We Couldn’t Live Without
Bathe to Basics — Clean and organic bath and body products
Skincare, bath and body brand Bathe to Basics is committed to making all-natural products for everyone, made right here in Hong Kong courtesy of its workshop space. Officially established in 2011, this clean and organic brand is formulated with modern science while staying true to its cruelty-free and eco-friendly values: it only uses vegetable oils and plant butters (like shea butter) in all of its products, is toxin-free and biodegradable in water.
Our pick: The bestselling cream bar soaps, mild yet moisturising and made with a special cold process method that keeps the product below 40 degrees to retain the nutrients and active properties of the ingredients. You can shop products online and at its branches throughout Hong Kong.
Bathe to Basics, S404, 4/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2858 8135, WhatsApp: 9473 5366, www.bathetobasics.com
Odriem — Plant-based and cruelty-free skincare specialist
Minimal yet mighty – that’s the name of the game with Odriem, one of Hong Kong’s hottest clean beauty brands. Founded by skincare specialist Yuki Wong, this salon-grade collection is redefining healthy skin with vegan, scientifically backed formulas that pack a serious punch. With a focus on versatility and maintaining a healthy skin barrier, Odriem’s entire range is designed to cater to any and all skin types. And how can we resist all its chic packaging?
Our pick: The star (pun intended) of the show is definitely the Star Aura Cleansing Balm, a gentle and effective makeup remover that leaves skin purified and nourished, never stripped. You can shop its products online and at Weirdo Beauty locations.
Odriem, www.odriem.com
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RARE SkinFuel — Natural and organic anti-aging skincare range
Founded by Hong Kong entrepreneur Michelle Chen, RARE SkinFuel is a natural anti-ageing skincare range that aims to give women the confidence to show their bare skin without fear. All products are made from certified organic and native Australian ingredients, using a complex heat-free cold press blending procedure that enables the finished product to retain its nutritious goodness. Fair warning: this pick is not cheap (with cleansers starting at $680 and moisturisers upwards of $1,550), but rest assured you’ll be investing in an ethically sound company. The brand is committed to a cruelty-free process and opts for infinitely recyclable PET packaging to ensure optimum sustainability.
Our pick: Its signature Australian clay powder masks (one detoxifying, one restoring), paired with its nourishing or refreshing activator. You can shop products online and at select locations and retailers throughout Hong Kong.
RARE SkinFuel, Shop 309, 3/F, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, 2866 8689, www.rareskinfuel.com
Purearth — Sustainable and vegan Ayurvedic skincare
Purearth takes inspiration from Ayurvedic alternative medicine, harnessing the power of sustainably wild-harvested, organic and natural botanicals. The best-selling (but perpetually sold out) Mitti Raw Honey Masque, a brightening concoction made with raw organic honey and antioxidant cacao folded into high-performance clay, is a firm favourite of Team Sassy. Purearth began in Hong Kong but makes every effort to give back to the global community through its Pure Purpose Foundation, which includes projects like an eco-toilet initiative that provides safe sanitation spaces for women and girls in the Himalayas and in Maharashtra, India.
Our pick: This 100 percent pure wild seaberry supercritical oil that’s responsibly hand-harvested by Ladakhi women at over 13,000 feet! You can shop products online and at select locations and retailers throughout Hong Kong.
Purearth, Unit B, Room G, 2/F, E Tat Building, 4 Heung Yip Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, 6080 0045, www.purearth.asia
Read More: Alternative Therapy In Hong Kong
Woke Up Like This — homegrown cruelty-free beauty brand
Made in California but born in Hong Kong, Woke Up Like This (or WULT Beauty!) is the homegrown cruelty-free brand that’s about to become your new beauty obsession. The brainchild of BFFs and cosmetic fanatics Jenn Lam and Tawnia Lai, this line is all about having fun, boosting your confidence, and keeping your skin healthy and happy. When the two realised just how many harmful toxins were lurking in mainstream makeup products, they knew they had to take matters into their own hands. Enter WULT – a collection of nourishing lip oils, mineral concealers, and hydrating face tints that are not only a joy to use but also totally safe for your skin.
Our pick: The nourishing lip oils’ glossy formulas melt onto lips like a silky dream, transforming them into smoother, plumper, gleaming works of art. You can shop products online and at its branches throughout Hong Kong.
Woke Up Like This (Central Flagship), 19/F, Stanley 11, 11 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong, 6229 5555
Woke Up Like This (Causeway Bay Branch), B245, Basement, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, wokeuplikethisbeauty.com
Read More: How To Apply Makeup To Suit Your Features
Zero Yet 100 — Vegan and toxin-free deodorants, body scrubs & more
Founded by Anita Patel and Sheetal Avlani, Zero Yet 100 specialises in gender-neutral, toxin-free beauty products. On a mission to provide a healthy alternative to the chemicals ingested when using commercial brands, this Hong Kong-based pick formulates its products with a range of natural ingredients, including shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera. As a bonus, Zero Yet 100 also uses recyclable packaging, making it the perfect low-waste beauty and skincare solution.
Our pick: The super cute non-sticky and long-lasting all-natural deodorants! You can shop products online and at select retailers across Hong Kong.
Zero Yet 100, www.zeroyet100.com
Read More: 10 Aluminium-Free Natural Deodorants That Really Work
Skin Need — Clean, vegan and cruelty-free skincare brand
Formulated by chemist Christal Leung (and sister brand to B.Y.O.B), Skin Need is California-made and Hong Kong-based. Focusing on botanical sources and high-tech deliveries, this clean skincare brand is for those with super sensitive skin who want to skip out on synthetic fragrances and denatured alcohol. And it’s cruelty-free!
Our pick: The alcohol-free light toner, formulated with goji berries and red dates for nutrients and gentle exfoliation of the skin. You can shop products online and at Sephora Hong Kong.
Skin Need, skinneed.com
GLOHS — Natural and organic skincare
When GLOHS founder Giselle Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, she had no idea it would lead her down the path of natural, plant-based remedies. But after dealing with the harsh side effects of her treatments, she realised just how many harmful chemicals were lurking in her everyday skincare. So she took matters into her own hands, diving deep into the world of minerals, essential oils, and herbal ingredients. The result? A line of products that use only the good stuff – such as organic Manuka honey, chia seeds, chamomile, and lavender. And with total transparency about the origins and composition of each formula, you can feel good about what you’re putting on your skin.
Our pick: GLOHS’ facial cream, night cream, and overnight hydrating gel mask are skincare essentials that’ll have you glowing with Korean glass skin. You can shop products on the brand’s website.
GLOHS, glohs.hk
Read More: 5 Reasons To Use Organic Beauty Products
La Thea — Products containing the famous Bulgarian rose Damascena
Bulgarian Damask Rose is at the heart of La Thea, a local brand that’s all about celebrating your natural radiance. Inspired by the founder’s grandmother, an avid herbalist, La Thea combines traditional knowledge with modern science to create products that hydrate, rejuvenate, and nourish sensitive skin. The brand’s mission is simple: to inspire self-love and embrace natural beauty.
Our Pick: La Thea’s Rose Water Natural Face Toner is a game-changer for those with sensitive skin, as it not only regenerates and calms the complexion but also preps the skin for better absorption of your favourite serums and moisturisers. You can shop products on the brand’s website.
La Thea, www.latheacosmetics.com
INUF Breakfast Club — 100% natural skincare
Mindful lifestyle concept INUF Breakfast Club’s in-house skincare brand INUF Responsible Skincare is homegrown, eco-friendly and 100 percent natural. Founder Olive Wong Chui is committed to creating socially conscious vegan and cruelty-free skincare that actually works, stocking products that are free from toxins and chemicals and are never tested on animals. If you’re ever feeling crafty, head over to its Green Beauty Bar where you can make your own natural face or body scrub.
Our pick: The bestselling HYDRATION: B5 Balancing Serum with pure hyaluronic acid that delivers both immediate hydration and rehydration over time. You can shop products online and at select locations throughout Hong Kong.
I Never Use Foundation Breakfast Club (Tsim Sha Tsui Flagship), 21/F Penthouse, MW Plaza 40 Kimberley Road,
Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 3904 0390, Whatsapp: 5633 8189
I Never Use Foundation Breakfast Club (Central Branch), 18 Kau U Fong, Central, Hong Kong, Whatsapp: 5667 6057, www.inufskincare.com
Read More: Our Beauty Editor’s Gentle & Affordable Skincare Routine
B.Y.O.B. — Vegan and eco-certified, tailored skincare products
This local brand isn’t just about giving you great skin, it’s about empowering you to take your beauty routine into your own hands. The brains behind B.Y.O.B., cosmetic scientist Christal Leung (and sister brand of Skin Need), wasn’t content with the one-size-fits-all mentality that dominates the mainstream beauty market. Nope, she wants you to ditch the endless search for that “miracle product” and start custom-crafting your perfect routine. And that’s exactly what BYOB allows you to do. Formulated in Leung’s very own GMP-certified Hong Kong lab, these vegan and eco-certified products are tailored to your unique skin type and concerns.
Our pick: The soft lather gel cleanser; bubbly and milky, it’s a refreshing and purifying jelly that froths up to a moderate foam. You can shop products online.
B.Y.O.B., 5/F, CS Tower, 50 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, byobskinlab.com
Soaper Delights — Natural and sustainable soap bars
Soaper Delights makes sustainable soaps in its Fo Tan workshop using ethically sourced ingredients. Its handcrafted soaps, balms, and deodorants are personally tested to ensure quality, and the brand won’t sell anything it doesn’t believe in. Soaper Delights believes in making a green lifestyle accessible to all and is absolutely wallet-friendly (most products are between $80 and $200).
Our pick: The vegan and mineral oil-free insect repellent to stay free from any pesky bug bites. You can shop its products online and at select locations throughout Hong Kong.
Soaper Delights, Workshop 1213 B, 12/F, Goldfield Industrial Center, 1 Sui Wo Road, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, 6298 2492, www.soaperdelights.com
Coconut Matter — Vegan and sustainable deodorants, lip balms & more
Founded in 2015, nature-focused Coconut Matter uses organic, fair-trade virgin coconut oil as the core ingredient in all its products, which are hand-pressed in the Solomon Islands. The brand also provides a livelihood for local communities while also protecting their rainforests and natural habitat. And, this local sustainable brand disrupts traditional single-use plastic packaging with biodegradable cardboard or reusable glassware, which means you’re supporting sustainable production with your every buy. As a nice bonus, Coconut Matter has a neat glossary detailing the ingredients it’s free from as well as mission statements that outline the brand’s social and environmental impacts.
Our pick: The prebiotic, vegan-friendly and toxin-free deodorants, perfect for our city’s hot and humid summers. You can shop products online and at its location in Wong Chuk Hang.
Coconut Matter, 12B, 12/F, Block 2, Kingley Industrial Building, 33 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, www.coconutmatter.com
And you can always shop global clean, vegan and sustainable beauty brands that make every effort to be eco-conscious and friendly, and ethical. To make that tiny difference where you can, try to browse in-person to avoid an additional shipping-produced carbon footprint.
- All Aesop products are vegan and cruelty-free, not testing both its formulations or ingredients on animals. The company is Leaping Bunny approved.
- BEYORG stocks natural and organic beauty products and brands, including AORskincare and more.
- iHerb is home to a few eco-friendly beauty brands, including 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free brands e.l.f. Cosmetics and EcoTools.
- LUSH is a Sassy favourite, with fresh handmade cosmetics that range from shower jellies to bath bombs, creams and scrubs, toothpaste tablets and more — all-natural, vegan, cruelty-free and packed up in little to no packaging.
- Italian brand KIKO Milano is cruelty-free.
- Lane Crawford stocks cruelty-free brands Tatcha and Charlotte Tilbury, both of which carry vegan options.
- Sephora Hong Kong is home to many, many vegan and cruelty-free brands, including AMUSE, bareMinerals, Biossance, Drunk Elephant, Fenty Skin, Herbivore Botanicals, Hourglass, Sunday Riley, and The Ordinary to name a few!
- The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong stocks Igane, a clean, sustainable beauty brand originating from the Azores archipelago.
- Zero-waste store Slowood stocks sustainable and cruelty-free brands like AROMATICA, SALT & STONE, AOTEA, and Davines.
- 10/10 HOPE stocks, in its own words, “niche and ingenious brands from all over the world”, so you’re bound to find tons of nature-focused cruelty-free and vegan beauty here! One of our favourites is Grown Alchemist, which uses active botanicals and advanced peptides to target the root causes of aging.
Editor’s Note: “Local Ethical Beauty Brands We Love” was most recently updated in April 2024 by Catherine Pun. With thanks to Inés Fung for her contribution.
Hero image courtesy of Ron Lach via Pexels, image 1 courtesy of RossHelen via Shutterstock, image 2 courtesy of Botanic Pretti5 via Instagram, image 3 courtesy of Natasha Moor Cosmetics via Instagram, image 4 courtesy of Bathe to Basics via Instagram, image 5 courtesy of Odriem, image 6 courtesy of RARE SkinFuel via Instagram, image 7 courtesy of Purearth via Instagram, image 8 courtesy of Woke Up Like This via Instagram, image 9 courtesy of Zero Yet 100 via Instagram, image 10 courtesy of Skin Need via Instagram, image 11 courtesy of GLOHS via Facebook, image 12 courtesy of La Thea via Facebook, image 13 courtesy of Native Essentials via Instagram, image 14 courtesy of INUF Breakfast Club via Facebook, image 15 courtesy of B.Y.O.B via Instagram, image 16 courtesy of Soaper Delights via Instagram, image 17 Coconut Matter via Facebook.