Review

Product Reviews

CLEAN CONSCIENCE

I tried these award-winning sustainable cosmetics and they’ve revolutionised my skincare routine

Emmie Harrison-West

Published: 17:14, 24 Feb 2022
Updated: 13:25, 2 Dec 2024

FINDING cosmetics that are great both for your skin and the planet can feel pretty much impossible.

I'm always on the hunt for skincare that's cost-effective, eco-conscious and a pleasure to use, which is why I jumped at the chance to review UpCircle skincare.

The pioneering brand offers a fuss-free, budget-friendly skincare range that comes in glass pots and bottles that can be returned and refilled at a discounted price.

The brand repurposes excess and leftover ingredients from manufacturing such as coffee granules and apricot seeds, and makes them a key ingredient in its products, saving on waste.

UpCircle is plastic-free, cruelty-free and vegan - but is it worth the cost?

UpCircle, skincare from £14.99 -

*If you click on a link in this piece, we may earn affiliate revenue.

Pros

Refillable
Recyclable
Palm oil free
Bundle discounts
Cruelty-free and vegan
Suitable for all skin types
Upcycled ingredients

Cons

Not your budget skincare
Bulky for travelling

READ MORE:

UpCircle review: what did we think?

Unboxing and first impressions

UpCircle Award-winners Bundle, £43.15 -

Though it's not exactly surprising from a brand that cares deeply about sustainability, I was really happy to see that UpCircle's packaging is fully recycled and recyclable, complete with tape made from paper rather than plastic.

Inside the box, each of the three skincare products from the were wrapped securely in brown paper to save on plastic bubble wrap.

Each product came in cardboard packaging and was contained in a luxury-feel, heavyweight glass jar or bottle with an aluminium lid and no plastic labels. Even the pipette for the face serum is glass and fully recyclable, and I was very proud to have the pastel-coloured products on show in my bathroom. So far, so good.

What I loved about each of the products was that the packaging of the product bore some words about UpCircle's sustainability ethos, and weren't just a case of green-washing.

For example, UpCircle says in black and white on the front that it's made with 'the extract of leftover date seeds'; the is made 'with repurposed coffee extract' and the is made 'with the fine powder of discarded apricot stones'.

As well as proudly displaying its upcycling methods, each product shouts loud and proud that it is vegan, 100% natural and cruelty-free.

How we tested UpCircle skincare

As previously mentioned, I tested UpCircle's 'Award-winners Bundle', which includes three things: a Cleansing Face Balm, Body Cream and Face Serum.

I am notoriously pretty bad with my skincare, and feel quite overwhelmed when it comes to routines with multiple steps including toners, acids and night creams - which is why I opted for the multi-award winning bundle, to keep it super simple.

I have combination skin, meaning it's oily around my nose and chin, and I am plagued with blackheads, but have super dry and sensitive skin elsewhere.

I already have a trusty moisturiser, but I've been looking for an everyday cleanser that is soft enough to use on my sensitive skin, yet effectively removes stubborn grime, pollution and make-up.

I used UpCircle's Cleansing Face Balm morning and night (but not in the shower, as direct streams of warm water are bad for your skin!). I rubbed a coin-sized amount into my skin and neck, left it for five minutes and then removed it with a lukewarm, clean cotton muslin cloth.

After the morning cleanse, I followed up with my usual moisturiser daily, switching it up with regular toner or UpCircle's Organic Face Serum on days where needed some TLC - usually twice or three times a week. I also used the serum every night after my cleanse.

When it came to the serum, I used about three to four drops - it goes really far.

I used the UpCircle Body Cream on my arms, neck, chest and legs daily after a shower (apart from the days I forgot - we're all human).

UpCircle Award-winners Bundle, £43.15 -

Does UpCircle work?

After only three days of using UpCircle's Cleansing Face Balm everyday, morning and night, followed by three to four drops of serum most days and every night, I can honestly say that my skin felt absolutely incredible.

The Cleansing Face Balm smells and feels amazing to use, acting as a fantastic, light exfoliator thanks to its use of discarded apricot stones. It's not too gritty, and provided a moment of mindfulness each morning and night.

I've been using it twice a day for just over two weeks now, and have seen a noticeable difference to my skin's plumpness: it feels softer, looks brighter and ultimately more healthy.

There has been a reduction in blackheads around my nose, chin and hairline, too, with acne drastically reducing (I've had two whiteheads in that time, which is a lot less than usual for me).

UpCircle Cleansing Balm, £18.99 from UpCircle -

My skin has felt noticeably less drier and sensitive thanks to the serum, which is made from repurposed coffee extract and oil. Less is definitely more with this one, as it can feel greasy at first but it absorbs wonderfully into skin, leaving it feel nourished (thanks to its key ingredient, Vitamin C).

I hasten to say it in case I jinx it, but I've also noticed a slight reduction in the appearance of my pores, and my cheeks look fuller and softer, with wrinkles looking less deep after a stressful week.

UpCircle Hydrating Serum, £14.99 from UpCircle -

When it came to the Body Cream, I found it pretty gloopy and ideal for super dry skin, but it wasn't something I'd want to use everyday as it took a while to sink into the skin.

It was a pleasure to use, but considering the size of the pot and its price, I wouldn't be rushing to refill it in the same way I would with the Cleansing Balm and Face Serum. In my opinion, it's probably more suitable for drier, mature skin.

UpCircle Natural Body Cream, £19.99 from UpCircle -

UpCircle's Return and Refill Scheme

UpCircle's Return and Refill scheme is pretty revolutionary, in my humble opinion - it makes upcycling and being eco-conscious easy and cost-effective.

Once you finish your products, you simply give the jar, tub or bottle a rinse with warm, soapy water and leave it to dry while you shop for a .

UpCircle offer refills on most products, including face cleanser, moisturiser, toner, body scrub, face masks, body lotions, serums, eye creams and hand soaps.

The great thing is that UpCircle's refills are 20% less in price than the usual products, so it's cost-effective, too.

Once your pot is dry and you've shopped your refill, checkout, pay and wait for an email with a free postage label to land in your inbox.

UpCircle recommends keeping the same packaging that your products come in, or you'll have to buy more yourself - either way, be sure to wrap the containers up securely.

Then simply print your label and drop your package off at the Post Office before refill day on a Thursday, and your pots will be sterilised, refilled and shipped back to you in no time. It really is that simple.

I haven't used UpCircle's refill scheme yet, but once I do, I will be sure to update this feature.

UpCircle Award-winners Bundle, £43.15 -

How much does UpCircle skincare cost?

The '' costs £43.15 in total - that's for three full-sized products, with a saving of 20% (£10.82) compared to buying them separately.

tend to start from £19.99; are from £14.99, and start from £18.99.

If you're on a budget, UpCircle has a page on its website for - it's a great place to search for gifts (our beloved Face Serum is on there too, for £14.99!)

Is UpCircle suitable for my skin type?

Thankfully, UpCircle has done the hard work for you by . This includes a sensitive skin bundle, one for acne-prone skin, a 'redness reducer', night-time bundle, mature skin bundle and another for dry skin.

If you're not sure on which UpCircle products or bundles to invest in you can take the brand's - it takes the pain away from being overwhelmed by choice.

Plus, you can bundles, too, building your own to make sure you get the best of most worlds if needs be.

The bundles are usually cheaper than buying the products separately, too. You can also choose to buy the , with all 11, full-sized products included.

How much is delivery?

Delivery-wise, orders over £20 is free for UK residents - which is very easy to do, if you're looking for a bundle or more than one product.

If you're not spending over £20 delivery is only £1.99, and tends to arrive within two days.

Our bundle arrived safe and sound in just 48 hours, complete with fully recyclable packaging, which was really impressive.

If you're looking to shop in the EU, visit UpCircle's EU website , and any US or Canada orders should shop and purchase from .

If you're looking for delivery information on UpCircle's (it's 20% cheaper after all...), after you checkout with your chosen refill product and have the jar ready, you will receive an email with a free postage label. You will only need to supply the packaging, and drop it off at the Post Office for no extra charge.

Is UpCircle sustainable?

Absolutely! As I mentioned above, UpCircle (a play on words from the term 'upcycle' - geddit?) is one of the most sustainable skincare brands I've come across.

UpCircle reuses and repurposes leftover ingredients like coffee granules, apricot stones and date seeds to be used in its skincare, rather than see it go to waste. Since it launched, its managed to repurpose more than 350 tonnes of ground coffee in its products, which is pretty impressive.

Its Return + Refill scheme is cost effective and not a fad. It's easy, simple and straightforward, saving you money and stopping products from going to landfill in the long-run.

All products are plastic-free, coming in refillable and recyclable glass pots (which look great, too) - its packaging is recyclable and all of its products are vegan and cruelty-free.

UpCircle review: the verdict

After just a few days of using UpCircle's skincare, my skin felt more nourished thank to the brand's Face Serum, and plumper and clearer thanks to my twice-daily use of its apricot-stone Cleansing Balm.

I have noticed a visible reduction in spots, my skin feels healthier and looks brighter, and (dare I say it) my wrinkles don't seem as deep-set as before.

I love the scent of the skincare, and UpCircle's ethos, and will definitely be refilling my products when they run out.

With UpCircle, I've found pleasure in my skincare routine, and actively look forward to doing it each morning and night - all without the complicated multi-step guide and expense.

UpCircle Award-winners Bundle, £43.15 -

I tried these award-winning sustainable cosmetics and they’ve revolutionised my skincare routine

Pros

Cons