9 of Our Favourite Australian Natural & Organic Skincare Brands
Clean, cruelty-free and effective skincare from Australia & NZ
The Green Hub
Natural skincare has come a long way since the days of coconut oil for everything and DIY masks that smelled better than they worked.
But not all “natural” products are created equal. With so many brands calling themselves clean, organic, or plant-based, it’s not always clear what those labels really mean, or which skincare products are worth your time (and your money).
So we did the hard part for you.
What do these skincare labels actually mean?
Before we get into our favourite brands, it’s worth clearing up what these labels really mean. They’re often used interchangeably, but in skincare, they’re not the same thing.
Natural
Natural skincare usually refers to ingredients derived from plants, minerals or other naturally occurring sources. That doesn’t automatically make a product safer or better tolerated. Poison ivy is natural too. What matters is how an ingredient is processed, its concentration, and how it interacts with skin. Well-formulated natural skincare often uses fewer ingredients, avoids unnecessary fragrance, and relies on plant compounds with known skin benefits, such as fatty acids, antioxidants and humectants. This is a great resource to help you check ingredients.
Organic
Organic skincare uses ingredients grown without synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers. When a product is certified organic, it has met standards set by an independent body, covering how ingredients are grown, processed and handled. In Australia, common certifiers include Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and NASAA. From a skin perspective, organic certification doesn’t guarantee better performance, but it does reduce exposure to certain agricultural chemicals, which can matter for people with sensitive or reactive skin.
Clean
“Clean” skincare is more of a philosophy than a standard. There’s no legal definition, which is why the term can feel slippery. Generally, it’s used to signal formulas that avoid ingredients some people prefer to limit, such as certain preservatives, sulphates or synthetic fragrance blends. Products described as “clean” often rely on simpler formulas with fewer fragrance components and a lower risk of cumulative irritation over time. Because the term itself isn’t regulated, ingredient lists and brand transparency tell you far more than the word on the label.
Cruelty-free
Cruelty-free refers specifically to animal testing. It means the finished product and its ingredients haven’t been tested on animals at any stage of development. While cosmetic testing on animals is banned in Australia, ingredients can still be tested elsewhere depending on supply chains and overseas regulations. Certification programs like Leaping Bunny and Choose Cruelty Free verify that animal testing isn’t used at any stage.
Low-tox
“Low-tox” is another unregulated term, but it’s usually used to describe a more cautious approach to formulation. In practice, it usually refers to products formulated to reduce the likelihood of irritation or sensitisation, particularly with repeated, long-term use. From a scientific point of view, toxicity isn’t about whether an ingredient is inherently “bad”, but about dose, frequency and how skin responds over time. Low-tox doesn’t mean chemical-free. Water is a chemical. It usually signals simpler formulas, fewer potential irritants, and a focus on tolerance rather than trend-driven actives.
You’ll see many of these terms used across the brands below. Some focus on certification, others on formulation philosophy. What matters most is how the product is made, what’s inside it, and how it works for your skin.
These are some of the best Australian (with a few New Zealand favourites) brands that we think deserve a place on your bathroom shelf.
Mukti Organics
Founded in Queensland over two decades ago, Mukti is one of Australia’s original certified organic skincare brands, and still one of its best.
Their formulas are a blend of native Australian botanicals (like Kakadu plum and mountain pepper leaf) and proven actives like peptides and vitamin C. Everything is made locally, housed in recyclable violet glass to protect the formulas, and free from single-use plastic, and even the travel minis come in glass.
Edible Beauty
Skincare you could (technically) eat, though we’d recommend sticking to your face. Edible Beauty was founded by naturopath Anna Mitsios, when she realised her clients needed skincare that was safe enough for pregnancy, free from hormone-disrupting chemicals, and still felt like a treat to use.
Their products are plant-based and pregnancy-safe, made with native Australian ingredients like Davidson plum and lemon myrtle, plus all the usual glow-giving suspects (hello, hyaluronic acid). There’s also a whole side range of herbal teas and ingestibles alongside the skincare.
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Sodashi
For anyone who sees skincare as a ritual, not just a routine, Sodashi is for you. Born in Western Australia and found in luxury spas from the Adelaide Hills to Kyoto, this is a brand built on the belief that what you put on your skin should feel as good as it is for you.
The range combines essential oils, mineral-rich clays, and plant actives, drawing on principles of aromatherapy and Ayurveda. Its skincare designed to nourish the skin and bring a sense of calm to your daily routine.
Emma Lewisham
Emma Lewisham is science-backed skincare that also happens to be refillable and climate-positive. The whole range is designed to be refilled (not just recycled), with a closed-loop system that cuts carbon emissions by up to 74%.
But what makes the brand worth the hype is their clinical-grade ingredients using plant-based actives, formulated to target things like pigmentation, dullness and dehydration. The Skin Reset Serum gets a lot of the buzz, but the SPF 50 and Eye Crème are equally worth a spot in your skincare routine.
Saya Skincare
Saya was born in Noosa more than two decades ago, when founder Saya McDermott started blending her own products to soothe chronic breakouts and hypersensitive skin.
The brand has grown since then, but the focus hasn’t shifted. Known for their certified organic, cruelty-free skincare that helps keep inflammation in check. Native botanicals like Kakadu plum and quandong are paired with nourishing, nutrient-rich oils to calm, brighten and support the skin barrier. Our personal favourite, their bestselling Lime & Lemongrass Body Wash.
Sans [ceuticals]
If you’re the kind of person who’d rather have one great product than five half-used ones gathering dust, Sans [ceuticals] will make sense immediately.
Based in New Zealand, they focus on multifunctional formulas made with clinical-grade actives. Designed to work across face, body and hair, without skimping on results. The range is small, but made for people who want to simplify their skincare routine.
Natural Skincare FAQ
What’s the difference between natural and organic skincare?
Natural skincare typically uses plant-based or mineral ingredients with minimal processing. Organic skincare means the ingredients must be grown without synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or chemical fertilisers. Certified organic brands meet strict standards for purity, sustainability, and traceability.
Is organic skincare better for sensitive skin?
Often, yes. Organic skincare tends to avoid harsh synthetics, artificial fragrances, and common irritants — all of which can aggravate sensitive skin. That said, “natural” doesn’t always mean gentle, so it’s still best to patch test and check the full ingredient list, especially for reactive skin types.
Does natural skincare actually work?
Yes, but quality matters. The most effective natural skincare uses active botanical extracts (things like Kakadu plum, Davidson plum, or vitamin C from natural sources) and proven ingredients. Brands like Mukti, Biologi, and Emma Lewisham combine these with scientific formulation to deliver real, visible results.
Where can I buy natural and organic skincare in Australia?
Here are a few of our favourite online stores that stock a mix of the brands above:
