Scotland's 'clean beauty' capital named as shoppers look for greener products
Scotland's 'clean beauty' capital has been named in a new study. Research into the growing movement towards clean, green and toxin-free beauty products picked out the UK's top spots.
According to research by Rhug Wild Beauty, a respected organic skincare brand, Aberdeen ranked tenth out of 50 UK cities for its interest in ethical and sustainable skincare.
The findings were based on analysis of monthly Google search volumes for 22 key terms related to clean beauty, including 'ethical beauty brands', 'clean beauty products UK', and 'toxin-free cosmetics'.
Aberdeen recorded 100 searches per month from a population of nearly two million, which translates to 51 searches per 100,000 residents. Popular search terms from the Granite City included 'clean beauty UK', 'clean beauty products', and 'clean beauty brands'.
Edinburgh also made the national rankings, coming in at 28th place with 30 searches per 100,000 residents, showing a steady but smaller interest in the clean beauty trend.
Rhug Wild Beauty's analysis compared local search volumes against population figures to determine which parts of the country are most actively seeking sustainable and toxin-free skincare options.
Topping the list was Oxford, with 88 searches per 100,000 residents, more than 158 per cent above the UK average of 34.
Oxford's 171,380 residents searched terms such as 'clean beauty brands UK', 'toxin-free cosmetics', 'green beauty brands', and 'sustainable skincare products' around 150 times per month.
Newcastle upon Tyne ranked second with 83 searches per 100,000 residents, a 144 per cent increase on the national average. With a population of 192,382, the city recorded 160 monthly searches for phrases including 'ethical beauty' and 'transparent beauty brands'.
In third place was Bournemouth, with 79 searches per 100,000 residents. The coastal city's 163,600 residents searched keywords like 'clean beauty brands', 'green beauty products', and 'sustainable skincare UK' approximately 130 times per month.
A spokesperson from Rhug Wild Beauty said: 'This data highlights a significant shift in consumer values regarding personal care. With cities like Oxford, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Bournemouth leading the charge, there's a growing nationwide awareness of the importance of clean, transparent, and sustainable beauty.
'Consumers increasingly reject toxic or synthetic ingredients in favour of ethical, environmentally responsible alternatives. This presents a critical opportunity for brands to align with these values through honest labelling, sustainable sourcing, and cruelty-free practices.
'To meet this demand, brands must continue to invest in transparent formulations, plastic-free packaging, and local, traceable ingredients offering peace of mind to the ever-conscious British beauty buyer.'
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As demand for sustainable skincare grows, several bestselling products have become favourites among eco-conscious consumers. These include:
Ren Evercalm Global Protection Cream, a hydrating day cream rich in antioxidants, now priced at £29.40 (down from £42.00) on the Ren website.
Kora Organics Berry Bright Vitamin C Eye Cream, designed to firm and brighten the eye area, available in a refill pod format and currently reduced from £56.00 to £28.00 on SpaceNK.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil (30ml), a vegan formula infused with sustainably sourced ingredients and natural rose fragrance, retailing at £57.00 on SpaceNK.
Medik8 Press & Glow Daily Exfoliating PHA Tonic, a gentle acid toner suitable for sensitive skin, offered at £32.00 with a sustainable refill option on the Medik8 website.
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