Once upon a time these were the products your folk-music-loving, daggy Aunty might be pushing on you. Fast-forward to 2020 and reading that your favourite skincare brand is reducing their carbon footprint is just about the sexiest thing you could possibly hear.
And in case you’re yet to discuss it over a vegan, organic, biodynamic lunch with Leo or Greta, climate change is happening people. It’s not good for the animals, or for us, and it’s not going to fix itself. From the war on plastic straws and single-use water bottles, to keep-cup crusaders and plastic bag bans, we’re beginning to fight the good fight and boy, it feels good.
@itslemonwater
But saying no to a takeaway coffee cup is just the tip of the (melting) iceberg. And as one of the biggest culprits of plastic consumption, the beauty industry is slowly beginning to future-proof their products and in turn, future-proof our planet.
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How are beauty brands becoming more sustainable?
Recycled product packaging
Did you know there is approx 17,000 kgs of plastic dumped in the ocean every minute? The main source of waste in the beauty industry is of course: packaging. Plastics are incredibly difficult to recycle, so by collecting waste materials (like empty water bottles) and repurposing them as shampoo bottles and body lotion tubs, brands are not only eliminating waste that already exists, but stopping new plastics from being created. One example of this is Summer Fridays, who have introduced a recycling program in a big to keep the Earth a little cleaner. Customers who recycle five empty containers will receive a free mini Jet Lag Mask.
Sustainable farming
Regenerative and biodynamic farming is beginning to be adopted by more and more beauty brands. Once seen as a ‘spiritual’ way of farming, studies suggest that this method helps to protect the ecosystem by enriching the soil and improving the water cycle. Jurlique has had its own biodynamic farm in Adelaide for years, while Weleda just announced in its Annual Sustainability Report its working toward bring 100 per cent biodynamic in the future.
Eliminating single-use packaging
By creating either re-fillable options or reusable packaging, brands are helping consumers decrease the amount of plastics they’re having to throw away and re-purchase. Refillable hand washes, shampoos and body wash are now stock-standard, and even the makeup categories are getting on board with refillable foundations (eg. Lancôme Miracle Cushion) and customisable magnetic palettes (eg. The Organic Skin Co. Palette With Pods). Some are even rewarding you for your recycling efforts, such as luxe fragrance brand Le Labo, which offers 20 per cent off your fragrance refill when you bring in your empty bottle or MAC cosmetics who gift you a free lipstick upon return of six packaging containers as part of their Back To Mac program.
Helping us recycle
Unfortunately a lot of our empty beauty products can’t go in regular recycling bins. But if it must be thrown away, one solution is Terracycle. Ren have pledged to zero waste by 2021, partnering with Terracycle to help them achieve this commitment. The recycling initiative allows you to recycle all the tubes, dispensers, pots and more from all of skincare, haircare and cosmetic bits and bobs. All you have to do is collect your used products (from ANY brand) in a box, sign up and download a (free) shipping label online, then pop to your nearest post office to send them off. Waste not, want not.
Want more eco-friendly beauty buys?
Aveda
Aveda’s ingredients are not only naturally-derived, but they’re also sustainably sourced in collaboration with indigenous communities around the world. Aveda has been an environmentally sustainable brand from day one, and have now released Shampure in 1 litre bottles, so you can buy in bulk and reduce your plastic consumption.
bh recommends: Aveda Shampure Shampoo
Face Halo
Your answer to single-use face wipes and cotton pads. Face Halo removes makeup with nothing but water, it’s machine washable, reusable and most importantly, it works.
bh recommends: Face Halo Original ($22, pack of 3, facehalo.com.au)
L’OCCITANE
By 2025, L’Occitane have comitted that all bottles will be made from 100 per cent recycled plastic. In fact, by reducing the thickness of their packaging, the French brand believe they have already saved 28,000 kgs of plastic.
bh recommends: L’OCCITANE Almond Shower Oil
La Mer
La Mer’s champion product is seaweed, so it should come as no surprise that they have a vested interest in the ocean. They have donated more than 7.8 million dollars to conservation projects through their Blue Heart Oceans Fund.
bh recommends: La Mer Crème De la Mer ($665, Mecca)
Fluff
From the previous founder of Frank Body comes Fluff. A bronzing powder aimed to replace all your other makeup products (and therefore, less waste). It’s also one of the first bronzers to not contain palm oil (which is seriously over-farmed, causing rainforest devastation).
bh recommends: Bronzing Powder ($43, itsallfluff.com)
Kevin Murphy
Kevin Murphy’s cult status hair care boasts only natural ingredients, all sustainably sourced. The cute bottles are also made from 100 per cent reclaimed Ocean Waste Plastic.
bh recommends: Kevin Murphy Repair.Me.Rinse ($45, Adore Beauty)
Jurlique
Jurlique sources its skin care ingredients from its own biodynamic farm, right here in Adelaide. The brand is so ethically and sustainably minded, they haven’t sent any waste to landfill since 2016.
bh recommends: Jurlique Herbal Recovery Signature Serum
Karen Murrell
If you love a long-lasting lippy, you don’t have to compromise on quality to be more eco-friendly. Karen Murrell lipsticks pack a punch of pigment using only natural ingredients, AND the packaging is printed using vegetable-based ink on ethically-sourced paper. Win-win.
bh recommends: Karen Murrell Natural Lipstick – 02 Cordovan Natural
Yes I own face halo’s that now I gift them. I use them to remove masks; I have Chloe Morello’s videos on how she uses it, money saver!
Love the Ethnique shampoo bars. If I use anything else in my hair I get a hair breakout.
Atm using Etique body butter bar that comes in recyclable paper (omg it is aaamazing!). And so far all skincare I bought comes in glass packaging, does not us animals in any way in the production and bought vegan haircare in 1 ltr bottles. All sorted.
Interesting article, nice to see the way that companies are doing their bit to be more eco-conscious.
This is good to know.
Ooh I really want to try Kevin Murphy!!!
Karen Murrall lispsticks and Jurlique products are my picks here. It's more important for products to be natural, no nasties for me, being sustainable usually comes with this
Great article! I am definitely going to give Fluff a try! Also shout out to Australian owned sustainable beauty brands Peggy Sue Soaps and RawKanvas. Both make great skincare.
Most of the face, body and hair products that I buy are from eco-friendly brands.
These are fantastic beauty brands, doing the right thing. I recycle as much as possible and have been using the Manicare Makeup Removal Towel, it is washable and reusable, I recently received the towel in a Beauty Heaven show bag.
Great article, good to know
Face Halo looks incredible, have been trying to get it but it's always sold out!
All these sustainable? hmm
It is so important
Yes it is
Me too!
Natural is important
Cool
Thats really responisble of you
It is super important
It was so informative
You should try Priceline
Im not too sure
So important to recognise the products we buy have an impact on the environment and to support the brands who are doing amazing things to support the planet. Everything we use end up in the water ways so also important to ditch the toxins.
The LaMer range has been natural for many years and a fantastic range of products but so expensive. Wish I could afford their products. Perhaps a trial would be offered?
Nice products to use too
I really like the Jurlique range – natural – sustainable is a bonus
Good job!
Love Face Halo great for travel and money saving and saves a lot of beauty pads going to landfill
The problem now is that most brands are "greenwashing" and are using these words as a marketing ploy to increase sales
"Natural" ingredients do not automatically make a product/brand anymore sustainable, eco friendly, green etc etc. That in and of itself is a greenwashing tactic.
We also need to hold brands accountable. Having articles like this is nice and all but are we commenting on these brands socials to show support? Are we holding them accountable? Are we encouraging other brands to follow suit?
We need to be more vocal and not just speak with our wallets.
A big thing I look for is not just natural ingredients, sustainable practices but also no animal testing and I try to buy Australian made & owned products.
I love Jurlique.