If you care about using beauty products that are both good for your skin and good for the planet, UpCircle should be on your radar. This UK skincare brand has made waves for their dedication to sustainability. Their entire range is crafted using food waste like coffee grounds and repurposed natural materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Over the past 6 months, I‘ve incorporated multiple UpCircle products into my daily skincare routine. Here‘s my honest review of this rising green brand after half a year of first-hand use.
My Skin Type and Preferences
Before jumping into the products, let me give you a little background on me! I have combination skin that skews more normal/dry during the winter and slightly oilier in the summer months. I prefer gentle gel and cream cleansers to foaming types. And I look for lightweight moisture that won‘t clog pores.
As someone who cares about sustainability, I try to choose natural skincare whenever I can. Harsh chemicals irritate my sensitive skin anyway. UpCircle‘s earth-friendly approach immediately appealed to me when I discovered the brand last year.
Overview: UpCircle‘s Mission and Top Items
UpCircle was founded in 2016 by sister and brother duo Anna and William Brightman. Based in London, the company collects used coffee grounds from local cafés. The grounds are then reborn into Scrubs, Balms, Serums, and other skincare. UpCircle also repurposes materials like soy wax and apricot kernels for their online shop.
The brand‘s most popular skincare items include:
- Coffee Face Scrub – Exfoliates with gently buffing coffee grounds
- Organic Face Serum – Brightens and nourishes with antioxidant oils plus upcycled coffee
- Cleansing Balm – Removes makeup and impurities with soothing apricot and chamomile
Beyond skincare, UpCircle also crafts vegan soy wax Candles in lush coffee and chai latte scents.
After trying all three of the above skincare items for myself, here’s the inside scoop…
UpCircle Coffee Face Scrub Review
The Coffee Face Scrub was the first UpCircle product I purchased. I‘ve used coffee in DIY scrubs before but was eager to try their high-quality, premade formula.
Here’s how this antioxidant exfoliator stacks up after months of use:
Key Ingredients: Recycled Arabica Coffee Grounds, Chamomile Flower Extract, Shea Butter, Rosehip Seed Oil
Texture: Grainy from the grounds yet creamy from the oils and butters
Fragrance: Light coffee and floral scent
Packaging: 100ml frosted glass jar with aluminum lid (both recyclable)
How to Use: Apply to damp skin in circular motions. Rinse. Use 1-2 times per week.
My Experience: This gentle scrub buffs away dry flakes wonderfully. The coffee grounds provide the perfect non-harsh exfoliation for my skin. Meanwhile, the botanical extracts leave my face smooth and nourished. This is now a staple in my weekly routine.
Cost per oz: Comes out to around $1.60 per oz, very reasonable for a natural scrub.
Overall Rating: 5/5 – An essential for soft, glowy skin! I wish they offered a larger size.
UpCircle Organic Face Serum Review
After falling for the Coffee Scrub, I decided to try UpCircle’s popular vitamin C-rich Face Serum. Packed with even more upcycled coffee plus brightening oils, this antioxidant elixir gets rave reviews. Here’s how it fared for me:
Key Ingredients: Upcycled Arabica Coffee Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Rosehip Oil
Texture: Silky lightweight fluid that absorbs rapidly
Scent: Fresh citrus and floral notes from essential oils
Packaging: 1oz glass bottle with dropper
How to Use: Apply 4-5 drops morning and night after cleansing. Can also be mixed into moisturizers.
My Experience: This serum gives my skin a visible glow and radiance boost. The orange-hued elixir is packed with vitmain C goodness. And a little goes a long way so an ounce lasts 2-3 months. Blemishes and sun spots have faded thanks to the coffee and oils.
Cost per oz: $20 for 1 oz, very competitive given the high concentration of botanical oils. Much cheaper than most natural vitamin C serums.
Overall rating: 5/5 – My go-to for bright, nourished skin. The gorgeous glass bottle looks so chic on my counter too!
UpCircle Cleansing Balm Review
Remove, nourish, soothe. That‘s what UpCircle‘s lush Cleansing Balm promises. And it delivers. Here‘s the full review:
Key Ingredients: Apricot powder (finely milled apricot kernels), Chamomile flower extract, Calendula extract, Marshmallow root
Texture: Smooth, creamy balm that melts beautifully into an oil on skin. Rinses cleanly.
Scent: Gentle herbal aroma
Packaging: 1.8oz frosted glass jar
How to Use: Scoop out a small amount of balm with fingers. Gently massage into dry face and neck to dissolve makeup and impurities. Rinse with a damp muslin cloth.
My Experience: From full-coverage foundation to waterproof mascara, this nourishing balm breaks down even the most stubborn makeup. The formula doesn’t leave an oily residue. And it removes daily grime without stripping my skin. Soothing ingredients like calendula prevent redness. I use it every evening as the first step in my routine.
Cost per oz: Comes out to just over $1 per ounce, very affordable for a natural balm.
Overall rating: 5/5 – A makeup remover and skin treat in one. Leaves me fresh-faced and hydrated!
How UpCircle Stacks Up to Other Green Beauty Brands
UpCircle isn’t the only natural skincare game in town. Eco-conscious beauty has exploded in recent years. So how does UpCircle compare to competitors in the green space?
I evaluated UpCircle against 5 top eco beauty brands across 10 factors:
| Factor | UpCircle | Biossance | Youth to the People | Versed | Pai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Product Price | $$ | $$$ | $$ | $ | $$ |
| Selection | Limited | Broad | Medium | Broad | Medium |
| Key Ingredients | Upcycled coffee grounds | Squalane | Peptides, antioxidants | Naturally-derived | Sensitive skin-friendly |
| Sustainability Practices | Reuses >3 tons of coffee grounds annually. 100% recyclable packaging. | Uses sugarcane-derived squalane. Partners with forest conservation nonprofit. | Uses 100% post-consumer recycled boxes. | Packaging made with >20% post-consumer recycled plastic. Working towards carbon neutrality by 2030. | Carbon neutral. Supports forest communities through ingredient supply chains. |
| Social Impact | Active in food waste reduction and local community engagement | Supports female coffee farmers via Whole Planet Foundation | Partners with women‘s rights nonprofit | Supports environmental justice organizations | Works closely with all ingredient suppliers |
| Cruelty-Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (some products contain beeswax) |
| Size Range | Limited lineup | Broad lineup of both skincare and body care | Focused lineup of skincare | Broad lineup of both skincare and body care | Focused lineup of specialized skincare |
| Skin Types | Suitable for all | Best for oily and combination | Best for normal, dry and mature | Best for normal and sensitive | Specifically formulated for sensitive |
| Ratings | Very positive (4.8+/5 avg) | Very positive (4.6+/5 avg) | Very positive (4.5+/5 avg) | Very positive (4.5+/5 avg) | Positive (4+/5 avg) |
While UpCircle‘s selection is still limited, their uniquely sustainable process sets them apart from even the most eco-progressive competitors. No other brand harnesses wasted coffee grounds on the same scale.
UpCircle also sets itself apart by making beauty products exceptionally suited to all skin types, not just a target demographic. Customers with dry, oily, sensitive, or mature skin alike find items their skin loves.
For shoppers prioritizing sustainable packaging, fair labor practices, and skin nourishment, UpCircle checks every box. No wonder their customer satisfaction remains sky-high.
Now let‘s hear from actual UpCircle users in their own words…
UpCircle Reviews: Real Customers Share Their Thoughts 🌟
Don‘t just take my word for it! Here‘s what real UpCircle shoppers are saying:
Caroline, 32 (Dry, sensitive skin)
"I‘ve struggled with red, flaky skin for years. Many natural products just weren‘t rich enough for me. But the Coffee Face Scrub leaves my skin calm AND hydrated. I follow up with the Cleansing Balm and Face Moisturizer for a soothing ritual that finally keeps dryness at bay. My skin has never been so happy!”
James, 27 (Oily, blemish-prone skin)
"Keeping zits and shine under control is tough for me. Harsh scrubs can make it worse. So I took a chance on UpCircle‘s Coffee Serum which has incredible reviews for troubled skin. It clears up my breakouts without over-drying. And gives me an instant healthy glow – way better than pricey vitamin C serums!”
Sofia, 44 (Mature skin)
“Mature complexions need all the moisture we can get. But so many oils and night creams feel heavy. UpCircle‘s ultra-light yet nourishing Face Oil gives me dewy radiance without clogging my pores or causing millia bumps. And the glow lasts all day. Obsessed!”
Emma, 38 (Sensitive skin)
“Most skincare, even the gentle stuff, makes my skin red and irritated. Not UpCircle! Being free from alcohol, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and other nasty stuff means even my reactive skin stays calm. Finally a brand that soothes instead of stinging!”
See more genuine reviews from real customers on UpCircle‘s website and Trustpilot where they maintain a ‘Excellent‘ 4.9/5 average score from over 1,200 ratings.
💚 93% recommend UpCircle to a friend
With quality ingredients that work, ethical principles customers admire, and proven results for all skin types, it’s no wonder UpCircle earns top marks from users.
Now let‘s look at how the brand has grown…
The UpCircle Brand Continues to Upcycle & Uplevel
Since launching in 2016, UpCircle Beauty has diverted over 3 tons of waste coffee grounds from landfills annually. That stacks up to over 100 tons given the weight of the average car is 1-2 tons!
Beyond the tremendous environmental impact, UpCircle has achieved explosive business growth. From 2018 to 2021, UpCircle increased their revenue 10 times over.
The brand now ships to over 40 countries from their London headquarters. Their Instagram audience exceeds 80,000 organic followers.
UpCircle’s customers span all ages and genders. But a whopping 83% are women focused on clean, eco beauty products.
With the green skincare market expected to grow at nearly 10% per year to reach $11 billion by 2027, UpCircle still has enormous potential. This beloved brand sits poised to become a global leader at the intersection of sustainability and beauty.
The Verdict: UpCircle Beauty Gets My Glowing Approval
Over 6 months of integrating UpCircle products into my daily routine, I’ve experienced outstanding results. These thoughtfully crafted formulas outperform department store skincare that can cost 2-3 times more.
What sets UpCircle apart is how they provide both skin nourishment and environmental nourishment. Their unique reuse of coffee grounds and other unloved scraps reduces waste in an industry that creates 120 billion units of packaging per year. Now that‘s what I call putting your best face forward.
From the satisfying scrub of caffeine-packed grounds to the soothe of vitamin-rich apricot, UpCircle delivers clean beauty that works from the inside out. My skin has never been more radiant. And I feel good supporting a purpose-driven brand aiming far higher than profits.
Ready to make your skincare routine more sustainable and skin-loving? Do as I did: grab a Facial Scrub, Serum, or Balm to see the UpCircle difference. Our planet and complexions will thank you.
