How to Find Skincare that is Sustainable

People are becoming more aware of how our choices affect the environment. Our planet faces challenges like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Many people are now embracing eco-friendly and ethical lifestyles to live sustainably. This includes the beauty industry, which is a major polluter globally.

The skincare industry is a major contributor to environmental damage. They make products with harsh synthetic chemicals. Then package products in non-recyclable plastic that ends up in landfills and oceans. Euromonitor reports that 152 billion units of beauty and personal-care packaging were sold in 2018 globally. Most of this packaging won't be recycled. As we become more aware of how our actions affect the planet, it's important to look at the products we use and their harm to the environment.

This blog will cover sustainable skincare, its benefits, and how to make your skincare more sustainable.

What is sustainable skincare?

Sustainable skincare aims to reduce the environmental impact with skincare products that are:

• Formulated with natural and organic ingredients
• Cruelty-free
• Made with eco-friendly packaging to reduce the amount of plastic waste and pollution
• From companies that prioritise sustainability and ethical production practices

Sustainable skincare offers a range of benefits for your skin and the planet!

Benefits of sustainable skincare

Better for Your Skin: One of the biggest benefits is the use of natural and organic ingredients. These ingredients are often gentler on the skin and can help reduce the risk of reactions. Many conventional skincare products contain harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates, and phthalates. These synthetic ingredients can cause allergic reactions, dryness, and inflammation. 

Better for the Environment: Many natural and organic ingredients are environmentally-friendly and ethically sourced or produced. This reduces the impact on the environment while supporting ethical farming practices. Another benefit of sustainable skincare is the eco-friendly packaging. This helps reduce plastic waste and protect the planet. Many traditional skincare products come in single-use plastic packaging. This ends up in landfills or oceans and is a major contributor to polluting the environment. Choosing products with sustainable packaging helps the environment and promotes responsible consumption.

Better for People: Sustainable brands reduce their impact on the environment by using eco-friendly manufacturing processes. This reduces their carbon footprint so we all benefit. They also promote ethical business practices.   Your support of these brands creates a greener beauty industry and inspires others to make a positive change.

 Better for Animals: Sustainable skincare brands care about animal welfare. They don't use animal-derived ingredients or test on animals. You can enjoy using skincare products without supporting the unethical treatment of animals.

The bottom line, adopting sustainable skincare is better for you and the planet!

How to make your skincare routine more sustainable

Let’s look at how you can adopt a routine that’s good for your skin and the planet.

1. Read the ingredient label:

CHOOSE skincare products with organic or natural ingredients. They tend to have a smaller environmental footprint and are also gentle on your skin. There are plenty of plant-based ingredients and natural oils/butters; including: aloe vera, coconut oil and shea butter.

AVOID harsh chemicals (such as parabens, sulfates and phthalates) and microbeads. Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that can harm marine life and the environment.

LOOK FOR Third-party organic certification, such as the USDA.Choosing products that are certified organic can ensure that the ingredients used are grown and harvested in a sustainable way that minimizes harm to the environment. Organic products can be affordable, like Acure's The Essentials Moroccan Argan Oil is only $16.95. It is USDA certified organic, 100% Vegan and cruelty free as well as free from parabens and sulfates as well as other harsh ingredients.

2. Check out the product packaging: It's not just about the ingredients that go into your skincare products, but also the packaging of the product.

CHOOSE products that have eco-friendly packaging that can be easily recycled. These include: glass, metal, paper, cardboard, recycled &/or recyclable plastic. Refillable containers are another great option. They reduce waste and help to promote sustainable practices.

AVOID single-use plastic packaging as much as possible and products with excessive packaging.

LOOK FOR products that have minimal packaging and/or packaging that can be easily recycled or re-purposed. Woohoo is Australian-made and woman-owned company that is certified Plastic Negative.  They have vegan 100% natural formulas with packaging that is either plastic free or carries a beyond Net Zero Plastic Footprint!

3. Buy Australian-made: Choose skincare products made in Australia to lower the carbon footprint from transportation.

4. Support sustainable & ethical brands: These brands are more eco-friendly and use sustainable practices in their manufacturing processes. This means that they have less of an impact on the environment. Buying these brands help the growth of the sustainable skin care industry, which is vital for creating long-term change. By supporting these businesses, you can help make the world a healthier, kinder and more sustainable place.

CHOOSE brands that commit to ethical and sustainable practices that respect people & planet:  

• Reduce animal suffering and promote compassionate practices with cruelty-free testing. This means NO animal testing at any stage of their development, production, or distribution. Despite alternatives being available, animal testing remains prevalent in the skincare industry.  When you buy cruelty-free brands, you help reduce the number of animals used in testing and support more ethical practices in the industry.
• Ethical Sourcing from suppliers who follow fair trade practices and avoid exploitative labour. This may include Fair Trade-certified ingredients.
• Social causes that benefit communities. Such as charitable partnerships and advocacy for social justice.
• Planet earth charitable causes related to environmental protection or sustainability. For example, reforestation projects or conservation efforts.
• Environmental Sustainability throughout their supply chains. Including reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting eco-friendly alternatives.
• Carbon footprint reduction with specific actions or offsetting carbon emissions.
• Transparent about their practices, sourcing, and manufacturing processes. They provide clear and accurate information about their products. Encompassing: ingredients, materials, and production methods. They may have independent certifications or third-party audits to verify their ethical claims.
  

LOOK FOR product packaging that shows they are certified as cruelty-free and vegan by organizations such as PETA or Choose Cruelty-Free. A Certified B Corporation logo means the company is committed to using their business as a force for good and to making a positive impact on society, the environment, and their stakeholders.

Ethique is a B Corp™ Certified New Zealand brand and the world’s first zero-waste beauty company.

You don't have to tick all the boxes, but ticking any box is better for you and the planet! Even better, indulge yourself with sustainable skincare products and tick all the boxes! Nourish your skin while nurturing the planet!