If you’re looking to level up your skincare game, and are on the hunt for a brand that’s gentle on your skin and the planet, you’re in the right place – we’ve got you covered! Say hello to UpCircle, a UK-based sustainable skincare brand (available online in the US) that gives waste products a second life. This brand uses upcycled ingredients that would otherwise have ended up in landfills in their eco-friendly skincare products. They’re also B-Corp Certified, vegan, cruelty-free, and zero-waste, so you know they’re the real deal.
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UPCIRCLE USES NON-TOXIC, CLEAN INGREDIENTS
One of their most popular ingredients is leftover coffee grounds, which they source from local cafes in London – so coffee lovers, you can’t miss this one! To date, UpCircle has “rescued” over 450 tonnes of grounds. Coffee grounds are super rich in antioxidants, which get even stronger after the coffee has been brewed – making used grounds even better than fresh ones. In addition to coffee, UpCircle uses residual chai spices that are leftover from chai syrups, leftover date seeds which are a by-product of date farming, and maple bark extract, a by-product of the wood industry.
Favorite Product: Kaolin Clay Face Mask
My favorite UpCircle product is the Kaolin Clay Face Mask. Priced at $28, it is slightly pricey, but I promise you won’t be disappointed with the results. The tub looks small, but it lasts forever – I’ve had mine for nearly two years! Plus the jar isn’t super clunky and won’t clutter up your (precious) counter space.
While this mask doesn’t contain coffee, its hero upcycled ingredient is discarded olive stones, a by-product of the olive oil industry. The stones are ground up and mixed with white kaolin clay, coconut powder, and baobab oil (amongst other ingredients). This detoxifying mask draws out dirt and toxins, minimizes pores, fights blackheads, and helps prevent breakouts.
First impressions – the texture feels super rich and creamy, but not too heavy. While it’s suitable for all skin types, like any new product (especially if you have sensitive skin), we recommend doing a patch test first. My skin feels super smooth and clean afterward, and my makeup glides on seamlessly. The mask is gentle and doesn’t dry out or irritate my skin, which is a huge win because a lot of exfoliating masks can be too harsh for me.
Depending on how oily your skin is or how clogged your pores feel, we recommend using this mask once a week or even every other week. We also love mixing things up – alternate this mask with a DIY scrub (some ideas here!) or follow up with some rice water as a toner.
Other UpCircle Products You Should Add to Your Beauty Routine:
I have also tried their Organic Bamboo Cotton Buds which are plastic-free and biodegradable, and come in a recycled paper box. One $6 box contains 200 sticks, so it’s not a bad deal either. Would definitely recommend as a sustainable swap to standard plastic buds. Their Chai Soap Cleansing Duo ($18 for a set of two) also makes a great gift.
Next up, I’m tempted to try their Coffee Body Scrub with Lemongrass ($24), containing sea salt, lime, coconut oil, and shea butter – sounds divine!
