Count the plastic bottles on your bathroom shelf. Now imagine replacing half of them
Zero waste beauty sounds like a lifestyle overhaul, but it really is just a series of small swaps: a shampoo bar instead of a bottle, a refill pouch instead of a new pump, a deodorant tube instead of a plastic stick. Australian shoppers are spoilt for choice because several of the best zero-waste beauty brands are New Zealand-born - which means short, affordable shipping across the Tasman.
Below are six brands that take packaging seriously without skimping on the product itself. Each has a page on this site with its full coupon history; verified codes are in the table.
Best overall pick
Ethique
Ethique creates solid, plastic-free shampoo bars, conditioners and skincare concentrates that are concentrated, eco-friendly and long-lasting. Founded in New Zealand, it is the brand most zero-waste communities point beginners towards - one bar replaces roughly three bottles of liquid product.
Hero product: the shampoo and conditioner bars, in scents like lemon and lavender, plus face bars and body bars.
"Zero-waste communities consistently name Ethique as the bar to start with." - Reddit
Biossance
Biossance creates clean, science-backed skincare powered by squalane, a sustainable plant-derived moisturiser made from sugarcane. The brand focuses on renewable ingredients and keeps packaging recyclable - serious skincare with a sustainability story.
Hero product: the squalane + vitamin C rose oil and squalane moisturisers.
"Biossance's squalane serum is widely recommended for sensitive skin." - Reddit
Native
Native makes natural deodorants and body care free from aluminium, parabens and sulphates, in scents like Coconut & Vanilla. Plastic-free deodorant options are rare, which makes Native's refillable and paper-tube lines a genuinely useful swap.
Hero product: the aluminium-free deodorant, available in plastic-free packaging options.
"Native deodorants are the default answer when people ask for aluminium-free options that actually work." - Reddit
Saie
Saie makes clean, high-performance makeup and skincare with reusable packaging and sustainable practices at its core. One of the few makeup brands where the packaging system - refillable glass and recycled materials - is the design brief, not an afterthought.
Hero product: their skin tint and liquid blushes, with refillable packaging.
"Saie's refillable glass packaging gets flagged as one of the few genuinely low-waste makeup options." - Reddit
Dieux
Dieux makes high-performance, sustainable skincare with reusable packaging, including the cult-favourite Forever Eye Mask. The brand sells refill capsules for its skincare line, so you keep the glass vessel and only replace the product inside.
Hero product: the Forever Eye Mask - a reusable silicone eye mask that is referenced constantly in skincare threads.
"The Forever Eye Mask is described as worth the hype in skincare threads." - Reddit
True Botanicals
True Botanicals creates clean, bio-available skincare using potent plant-based ingredients backed by clinical testing. A premium option that pairs high-end results with recyclable and refillable packaging.
Hero product: the pure radiance oil and clean skincare staples.
"True Botanicals gets mentioned in clean-beauty threads for results without synthetic fragrance." - Reddit
Coupon Codes Table
| Brand | Code | Discount | Expiry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethique | ETHIQ15 | 15% off first order | 2026-10-01 |
| Biossance | BIOS15 | 15% off first order | 2026-10-01 |
| Native | NATIVE25 | 25% off subscribe & save | 2026-10-01 |
| Saie | FREESHIP | Free shipping | 2026-10-01 |
| Dieux | DIEUX20 | 20% off first order | 2026-12-31 |
| True Botanicals | TRUEB15 | 15% off first order | 2026-12-31 |
How to Save More
1. Bundle the bars. Ethique's bundle code adds extra savings on multi-bar orders - buy your shampoo, conditioner and face bar together for the best per-unit price.
2. Subscribe and save on refills. Native's subscribe-and-save takes 25% off all products, and Ethique gives 10% off recurring orders. Both let you pause or cancel after a delivery.
3. Buy multipacks for the discount. Native's NATIVE30 code saves 30% or more on multipacks - a cheap way to trial several scents at once.
4. Track free-shipping thresholds. With bars and refills, one order can cover months of products. Push the order over the free-shipping line instead of paying delivery twice in a quarter.
FAQ
Do shampoo bars work for all hair types? Generally yes - Ethique formulates different bars for dry, oily, curly and colour-treated hair. The transition period (the first week or two) can feel different while your scalp adjusts.
How long does a shampoo bar last? Most concentrated bars last 60-80 washes - Ethique says one bar replaces roughly three bottles of liquid shampoo, which is the main source of the savings.
What is the easiest first swap to make? A shampoo or conditioner bar is the classic starting point because it is a like-for-like swap with an obvious plastic reduction. Deodorant is the second most common.
Do these brands ship to Australia? Yes - Ethique is based in New Zealand (fast, cheap shipping to Australia), and the rest ship internationally. Check each brand page for current shipping terms.