UpCircle Beauty Review: Why This Sustainable Skincare Brand is Taking Over Your Feed
Hey eco beauty lover! If you‘ve been anywhere near social media lately, you‘ve probably seen the stunning blue glass jars and bottles of UpCircle skincare all over your feed. This London-based brand has been making major waves in the industry thanks to their natural, upcycled ingredients and sustainable packaging – but does the hype live up to the results? As a clean beauty junkie always seeking the best earth-friendly products, I knew I had to put UpCircle to the test.
First, a little background on the brand. UpCircle was founded in 2016 by brother-sister duo William and Anna Brightman, who had a brilliant idea: what if they could repurpose food and plant waste into effective, natural skincare products? They started by collecting used coffee grounds from local cafes and transforming them into exfoliating body scrubs. The concept took off, and today UpCircle offers a full range of face and body products made with upcycled ingredients like fruit pits, chai spices, and olive stones.
Not only does this process reduce waste and carbon emissions, but it also harnesses the potent skincare benefits of these nutrients that would otherwise end up in landfills. UpCircle‘s products are all 100% natural, vegan, cruelty-free, and housed in recyclable and reusable packaging. But the best part? Every product actually works wonders for your skin.
I‘ve been using UpCircle exclusively for the past few months, and I‘m blown away by the results I‘ve seen in the brightness, clarity, and texture of my skin. So today I‘m breaking down my full UpCircle review, including my honest thoughts on the products worth your money and how they compare to other green beauty brands. Let‘s dive in!
Why UpCircle is Leading the Circular Skincare Movement
Before we get into the products themselves, we need to talk about UpCircle‘s incredible sustainability initiatives. Did you know that the beauty industry creates over 120 billion units of plastic packaging every year, most of which are not recycled? UpCircle is on a mission to change that staggering statistic through what they call "circular skincare."
As a certified B-corp and pending zero-waste company, UpCircle goes above and beyond to reduce waste and resources at every level of production, while supporting various eco and social causes. Here are just a few of the ways they‘re making a positive impact and pioneering the circular beauty economy:
- Repurposed over 350 tons of coffee grounds, fruit stones, and spices into natural skincare ingredients since 2016
- Operates a plastic-free supply chain, with all products housed in glass, aluminum, cardboard, cork, or other recyclable and compostable materials
- Uses 100% renewable energy sources in their UK production facility
- Circular and carbon-negative company, meaning they double offset their emissions and waste
- Donates 1% of all sales to environmental non-profits and charities
- Certified PETA cruelty-free and vegan, Leaping Bunny approved, and palm oil free
- Certified organic by the UK Soil Association, ensuring the highest quality natural ingredients
- Partnered with social enterprises like Luminary Bakery to support disadvantaged women through employment and mentorship
UpCircle also offers full transparency into their sourcing, manufacturing, and give-back efforts. For every product you purchase, you can see exactly what waste byproduct was recycled, how much was collected, and what non-profit initiatives they support, like Ocean Generation and The Hygiene Bank.
So not only are you getting high-performing, glow-boosting skincare, but you can feel good knowing your purchase has a positive impact. That‘s something I can definitely get behind! Now, onto my UpCircle product diary.
My UpCircle Skincare Routine
For reference, I have combination-oily, acne-prone skin that can also get dehydrated and dull. I‘m always looking for products that will clarify and balance my skin without stripping or irritating it. After experimenting with UpCircle‘s full product range, I‘ve put together my ultimate UpCircle skincare routine:
Cleansed Skin Is In: The Cleansing Face Balm
I start my morning and evening routine with the Cleansing Face Balm. This 100% natural cleansing balm contains finely-ground powder made from discarded apricot stones, which gently buffs away dead skin, makeup, and impurities.
The balm has a thick, luxurious texture that melts into a silky oil on contact with the skin. I scoop out a chickpea-sized amount and massage it all over my face and neck, breathing in the calming scent of rosemary, geranium, and patchouli essential oils. After emulsifying the balm with a bit of warm water, it transforms into a creamy milk that rinses clean, revealing baby-soft, nourished skin.
Not only does this balm thoroughly cleanse, but the apricot powder provides physical exfoliation without feeling harsh or scratchy. Nourishing oils like sea buckthorn, grapeseed, and blackcurrant work to replenish moisture and antioxidants for a healthy glow. After every use, my skin looks instantly refreshed and feels so soft and supple.
The Cleansing Face Balm comes in a reusable 50ml glass jar with an aluminum cap for £18.99. A little truly goes a long way with this balm, so one jar lasts me about 2-3 months with almost daily use. It‘s also a great multitasker – I love using this as a hydrating face mask for a boost of moisture.
Bright & Balanced: The Coffee Face Scrub
One of UpCircle‘s hero products that put them on the map is the Coffee Face Scrub. This scrub uses repurposed Arabica coffee grounds collected from London cafes to create a gentle yet effective physical exfoliant. The premise is genius – normally these grounds would get thrown away, but UpCircle gives them a second life as a skin-smoothing superstar.
In addition to buffing away dead skin and cleaning out pores, the coffee provides a hit of caffeine to energize the skin and stimulate blood flow for a healthy glow. This scrub also contains hydrating shea butter and calming rosehip, chamomile, geranium, and patchouli oils so your skin never feels dried out or tight after using it.
I like to use this scrub 2-3 times per week in the shower. I shake a small amount into my palm, mix with a few drops of water, and gently massage the gritty paste all over my face and neck in circular motions, avoiding the eye area. The scent is intoxicating – it smells like a fresh cup of coffee with floral notes. After rinsing, my skin feels insanely clean, polished, and glowy.
Over time, I‘ve noticed this scrub has really helped smooth my skin‘s texture, clear out blackheads, and reduce post-acne hyperpigmentation for a more even tone. It‘s become a staple in my routine, and at £14.99 for 100ml in a recyclable glass jar, the price per use is incredible. Plus, UpCircle donates a portion of proceeds from the scrub to Project Waterfall, a charity that brings clean drinking water to coffee-growing communities – another feel-good reason to add to cart.
Glow Recipe: The Coffee Face Serum
For my daytime and nighttime serum step, I reach for UpCircle‘s Organic Face Serum with Coffee Oil. This award-winning facial oil is a powerhouse of good-for-skin ingredients: vitamin C-rich rosehip oil to brighten, coffee seed oil to protect with antioxidants, jojoba and sea buckthorn oils to moisturize, and a cocktail of essential oils like geranium and rose to nourish.
I dispense 2-3 drops of the serum into my palm, rub my hands together to warm it up, and gently press and massage into my face, neck, and décolletage. The texture is silky and lightweight, absorbing quickly with zero greasy residue. It layers beautifully under makeup too. The scent is an energizing floral with a hint of coffee that dissipates as it sinks into the skin.
I swear by this serum for giving me an instant glow and improving my skin over time. After a few weeks of consistent use, I noticed my breakouts were less frequent and my dark spots were fading faster. My skin also feels bouncier and more supple. I‘m on my second bottle and don‘t see myself stopping any time soon.
In addition to the skincare benefits, I love the multipurpose nature of this product. It can be used on the ends of your hair to smooth frizz, on cuticles to soften, and anywhere on the body that needs a moisture boost. The 1oz glass dropper bottle goes a long way and retails for £14.99.
Body Love: The Cinnamon & Ginger Chai Soap Bar
We can‘t forget about the body! UpCircle offers several plastic-free body products that give your shower an aromatic, spa-like experience while leaving skin soft and nourished. My favorite is the Cinnamon & Ginger Chai Soap Bar.
This soap utilizes repurposed chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and peppercorn that would otherwise get discarded by UK cafes and restaurants. The spices have natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties to gently cleanse and soothe the skin. It also contains ultra-moisturizing coconut and olive oils so your skin never feels stripped or dried out.
The scent of this soap is so warm and invigorating – perfect for a morning shower pick-me-up. It lathers up into a creamy foam that softly exfoliates and makes your bathroom smell like a luxe coffee shop. My skin always feels supple, clean, and lightly scented after using it. No plastic bottles means less waste, and the 100g bar lasts for weeks and weeks.
At just £6.99, this soap is a steal – and a great plastic-free addition to any beauty routine. It also makes a lovely gift or stocking stuffer. UpCircle offers a few scent varieties like the best-selling chai and a floral patchouli & sandalwood blend.
Why UpCircle Gets My Vote
After dedicating my skincare routine to UpCircle the last several months, I can honestly say this brand is the real deal – and a major leader in the circular beauty movement. No greenwashing here, just highly effective, mindfully-made products that give you great skin while giving back to the planet.
A few key things I love about UpCircle:
- Truly natural and organic ingredients that are safe for my sensitive, acne-prone skin
- Visible results in the brightness, smoothness, and clarity of my skin
- 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and palm oil free formulas
- Infinitely recyclable and plastic-free packaging
- Accessible price points for the quality – most products are under £20
- Incredible customer service and speedy worldwide shipping
- Feel-good contributions to environmental and social causes
- Transparency around sustainability initiatives and impact
- Woman-owned, indie beauty brand
Of course, everyone‘s skin is different, so what works for me may not be your holy grail. But after years of trying countless natural brands, UpCircle has earned a permanent place in my beauty hall of fame. Not only am I personally obsessed with the products, but I feel great supporting an ethical, transparent brand that shares my values.
How UpCircle Compares to Other Natural Brands
The clean beauty space has exploded in recent years, with more brands than ever touting "natural" and "sustainable" products. So how does UpCircle stack up? Let‘s compare a few popular options.
| Brand | UpCircle | Facetheory | Tata Harper | Herbivore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural/Organic Ingredients | 100% natural, certified organic options | 100% natural, some organic | 100% natural and organic | Natural, some organic |
| Packaging | Fully recyclable glass, aluminum, cardboard | Recyclable glass & plastic | Glass and plastic, some recycled | Glass and virgin plastic |
| Vegan & Cruelty-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upcycled Ingredients | Coffee, chai spices, fruit stones | No | No | No |
| Sustainability Initiatives | Circular & carbon-negative, charitable donations, B-corp | Recycling program, ocean waste plastic, carbon-neutral delivery | Farm sourcing, glass packaging, wind power | Recycling program, monthly eco donations |
| Price Range | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$ |
As you can see, UpCircle goes above and beyond with their sustainability efforts, especially when it comes to upcycling waste ingredients and using zero plastic in their packaging. They are also one of the more affordable options when it comes to quality natural skincare.
That‘s not to say these other brands aren‘t doing great things – they each have their own sustainability angle. But UpCircle really stands out for their innovation in the circular skincare space and commitment to accessible, eco-friendly products that don‘t sacrifice results.
TL;DR
Whew, that was a lot of information! Here‘s the bottom line: if you‘re looking for a natural skincare brand that will give you clean, glowing skin without costing the earth (literally), UpCircle is your girl. Between their proven results, zero-waste packaging, and give-back initiatives, this isn‘t just another green beauty brand hopping on the eco bandwagon.
But don‘t just take it from me – hop on over to the reviews and before & afters on UpCircle‘s website and Instagram for more real-life results. I also recommend signing up for their email newsletter, where they often send exclusive offers and gifts with purchase.
So what are you waiting for? Time to do something good for your skin and the planet. Your at-home coffee grounds can thank me later.
