World Environment Day 2025: 14 Indian beauty brands that nurture sustainability at their core

The Indian beauty industry has come a long way. From first introducing international labels to the country to presently, celebrating the country's own brands, the times are changing and so are the ways of the worlds of beauty, skin and hair. Today, being a careful consumer who uses products which are environmentally-conscious is on top of every list. On the occasion of World Environment Day 2025, we're taking a look at a list of beauty brands which are Indian in every way and sustainable in their formulas and packaging.

14 SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY BRANDS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR

1. Shankara 

Shankara has been around in the world of beauty since 2001, long before beauty became a trend and was a lifestyle. The brand is known for making handcrafted beauty products that are infused with rich and active ingredients like Ayurvedic herbs and modern actives. Their soap bars are lye-free, sulphate-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free and handcrafted in small batches to retain freshness. Their commitment to sustainability reflects in the way they package their products in plastic- and paper-free packaging made out of upcycled textile waste. Shankara also runs an ‘Exchange for Change’ initiative where customers can return 5 empty bottles to the brand’s address and receive a full-size product with their next purchase.

2. Inde Wild 

Inde Wild may have made hair oiling trendy but the brand is rooted in sustainability, as the Ayurvedic brand's principles are that beauty should serve both people and planet. They achieve sustainability by creating 100% vegan beauty products that are cruelty-free, as the products are not tested on animals. The source all the ingredients in an ethical manner, like RSPO-certified palm oil and bakuchiol farmed in compliance with the Nagoya Protocol. Further, the brand makes sure that their products do not leave permanent waste on the planet by making use of recyclable glass bottles that carry the hair oil; their eye patches are made of reusable and eco-friendly silicon that reduces single-use plastic. 

3. Beauty by Bie 

From vegan, cruelty-free formulations to recyclable packaging and ingredient transparency, every product from Beauty by Bie's range practises the best of sustainability standards. They make use of no parabens, sulphates, mineral oils, or synthetic fragrances. "Sustainability is not a trend for us, it's an essential part of how we formulate, educate, and empower mindful skincare. Every product we create is designed with intention: clean, cruelty-free ingredients, sustainable packaging, and a no-compromise approach to efficacy, " promises the team.  

4. The Bare Bar 

The bare bar centres around small-batch, handcrafted production of their beauty products, allowing them to preserve ingredient freshness, reduce waste, and craft effective, skin-loving formulations. What makes their products extra special is the fact that they source ingredients from local vendors and farms, limiting their carbon footprint and supporting small businesses. Many of the bottles and jars used by them are aesthetically pleasing and made of elements that make them easy enough to be reused at home. 

5. Kama Ayurveda 

Kama Ayurveda, an Indian Ayurvedic beauty brand, advocates for sustainability by using locally produced and sourced ingredients in the making of their luxury beauty products. Most of the brand's packaging is made out of recycled plastic, making it environmentally friendly.  They also own a sustainable, small-scale research facility backed by a medicinal garden and make use of rainwater harvesting while making the products. 

6. 82*E

Deepika Padukone's brainchild, 82*E, stays rooted to sustainability from product to packaging. Their formulations are PETA-awarded vegan and cruelty-free. But they recognise that sustainability as an approach is more than just what goes on your skin but instead what you give back to nature. The brand is known for its support of many environment-friendly initiatives that support plastic waste management, encourage reforestation and replenish air quality in parts of India, proving that they recognise beauty is not just skin deep, but an embodiment of a holistic lifestyle. 

7. Pahadi Local 

As the name suggests, Pahadi Local honours nature and the hills, specifically the Himalayas. They believe in savouring the mountain life with the help of local produce, mainly with the use of apricots. What started with the beloved gutti ka tel has helped them grow an innovative range of products, sourced from potent, pure and benefit-packed apricot kernels. Through their practice of upholding the humble hill-sourced ingredient, they're empowering local culture and people who sustain a livelihood from it. 

8. Neemli Naturals 

Many natural skincare brands are based on the notions of being clean, fresh and cruelty-free. Some convert theory into action, like Neemli Naturals. At Neemli Naturals, the brand has a simple yet sustainable belief—long-term goodness using local ingredients for the diverse range of Indian skin types. Natural, age-gold formulations with minimum carbon footprint using recyclable packaging. All natural, all value for money, all heart, what more does one need?

9. Forest Essentials

In the Indian luxury beauty segment, no name is as synonymous as Forest Essentials. The brand is renowned for its commitment to pioneering luxurious Ayurvedic beauty in a way no other beauty label has achieved. But they recognise that beauty is not just skin deep, but an embodiment of a holistic lifestyle. Beyond their recyclable packaging and reinventing ayurvedic beauty, the brand is committed to empowering women, encouraging education and ethical sourcing of ingredients.  

10. SoulTree 

From makeup to skincare, SoulTree reimagined what it meant for luxury makeup and skincare to blend with Indian traditional practices. They built a successful brand and with it, created a positive impact on the environment too, with their responsible initiatives, like water conservation, reforestation and women's empowerment. 

11. SUYU

Touted to be India's first organic skincare line led by superfoods, SUYU harnesses the power of superfoods like astaxanthin, reishi, and bakuchiol to deliver plant-based formulations in a variety of products like their serums, creams and shampoos. By bringing the wisdom of nature into their formulas, it goes from being just a skincare routine into a purposeful lifestyle decision. Sustainability is present in every aspect; from sourcing ingredients, to harvesting them responsibly, to ensuring they are made free from harmful chemicals and synthetic additives. Through it, they promise products which are clean, potent and 100% organic.

12. Gulori

This newly launched conscious luxury skincare and wellness brand aims to celebrate the richness of India’s ancient beauty rituals. While staying rooted in tradition, Gulori is also modern in its approach and reclaims time-honoured practices through sensorial, herb-powered formulations that are crafted with care, intention and efficacy. The brand brings together the wisdom of Ayurveda and the precision of modern science to create therapeutic products rooted in ritual and intention. Each formulation is crafted during the spiritually potent purnima (full moon) period, harnessing the heightened natural energy believed to enhance the efficacy of the ingredients.

13. Plum 

One of India's premier vegan beauty brands known for their classic purple-coloured kajal pencil, Plum has come a very long way since then. Backed by intensive research and no animal testing whatsoever, the brand is PETA certified, has their own recycling program and their 100% vegan formulas come in recyclable packaging. Over ten years ago, the brand launched with a simple aloe vera moisturiser. Today, they offer a host of products; from body washes to shampoos to perfumes, which are available across India and even worldwide in 15 countries.

14. Dromen & Co.

This homegrown wellness brand blends ancient beauty traditions with modern self-care. One of the first labels to officially introduce jade rollers and gua sha in India, it also has a strong focus on Ayurveda and natural ingredients. The brand has created innovative haircare and skincare solutions using unique combinations like rosemary, lavender and manuka honey. Every product is designed to be effective and indulgent, to transform everyday self-care into a luxurious ritual while staying true to holistic wellness.

Text by Sabrina Mathews, Tasneem Patanwala, Dayle Pereira