The more aware we are of the impact beauty has on the environment; the more conscious we become of how we can do our part to help save the planet with sustainable beauty products.
With nearly 50 percent of Americans not recycling their empty beauty and personal care products, nor adopting more sustainable beauty routines, we are reminded daily of how even the beauty industry can make a serious impact on our world.
According to the latest stats by Safe Cosmetics Australia, the global cosmetics market is anticipated to reach $429.8 billion by 2022. Safe Cosmetics have also confirmed there are more than 12,000 industrial chemicals registered for use in cosmetic formulations, with less than 20% of these chemicals having been tested & found to be safe to use.
This means, if we aren’t already being conscious of not just what we are putting onto and into our bodies, we should absolutely be paying attention to how that’s affecting the environment as well.
Making a habit to purchase from more socially conscious companies is now easier than ever before, as many of them are now using Fair Trade Certified ingredients, embracing ethical manufacturing techniques, or donating proceeds to charity organisations.
If you’re stressed about how you can make your beauty routine more sustainable, don’t be. Ultimately, one of the best sustainable steps you can take is just becoming more mindful of your beauty-buying habits.
Founder of Aussie-made vegan beauty brand esmi Skin Minerals, Evette Hess-McEwan tells us, when microbeads are washed down the drain after use, they don’t often dissolve properly and end up in our oceans, causing damage on marine life and the environment. And yet, despite this knowledge, many people unknowingly still use beauty products which use microbeads.
If you’re unsure what type of exfoliant you are using and whether it’s okay for the environment, it might be time to make the switch to an exfoliant which uses more natural based ingredients, that won’t take years to break down, dissolve easily under water and won’t harm the environment.
Worthy replacements for microbeads in exfoliants, are ingredients like beach sand, volcanic sand, and Fijian bamboo, which are ethically sourced and sustainable.
“Ensuring a brand stays true to being natural is important. I truly believe there is no place like Australia. Our skincare manufacturing and quality is second to none and we like to include as many Australian Native ingredients as we possibly can.
I think it adds something special, especially when we ship world-wide. Feeling like you are getting a little bit of Australia in the palm of your hand, no matter where you are in the world.
It’s important for a brand to keep things true and natural to that meaning as well. Using Australian ingredients, making sure it’s ethical and sustainable, and completely cruelty-free as well. Which is what we do at esmi,” Evette explains.
Whether you’re a philanthropist, an animal lover or an environmentalist, these are the sustainable beauty products you’ll want to add to your routine – with packaging that is also recyclable as well.
Esmi Fresh Sea and Salty Sand Gentle-Foliant RRP $105
Green is good, and that’s exactly what this exfoliant is.
Made of exotic Polynesian sand and tropical papaya enzymes help fight congestion and keep oily skin clear, fresh, and bright.
This is a soft exfoliant, which I normally don’t like, as I like to feel the rough sensation of tougher scrubs on my skin. But you know what, it still does the same job and doesn’t damage skin in the process.
I saw noticeable differences in skin congestion as well, meaning there was less of it.
Burt’s Bees Natural Acne Solutions Purifying Gel Cleanser RRP $15.89
Wash away acne-causing bacteria, excess oil and impurities without over-drying or irritating skin.
This cleansing gel uses naturally derived Salicylic Acid designed to not only keep skin clear, but also treat any skin inflammation and heal blemishes faster.
This was my hero product after days of wearing long makeup, which often triggers any skin inflammation I already have. It reduced swelling and make skin feel calm and fresh.
Ethique Pepped Up Cooling Peppermint Lip Balm RRP $8.96
Ethique is an award-winning international beauty brand, hailing from New Zealand.
They are on a mission to rid the world of plastic waste and to date have stopped over 9 million plastic bottles from being made & disposed of into landfills.
I love all things peppermint, so this lip balm won my heart simply just by the name before I had even tried it.
Thankfully it delivered on its promises as well, my lips felt well nourished, soft and hydrated.
Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures Shampoo Bar RRP $11.20
This natural shampoo bar for hair is packed full of fresh and organic ingredients, including fruits, seeds and flowers.
Made from 94 percent plant-based ingredients and packaged in recyclable materials, your hair is not the only thing treated, the environment as well.
Transitioning from liquid shampoo to hard shampoo can be a little challenging at first, but it’s worth the switch.
The results are amazing as the lather between the hands of the soap before applying to your hair means you can detox the hair easier, than if you were using liquid shampoo, which generally doesn’t to lather until it’s massaged into your locks.
Love Beauty and Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Body Wash RRP $11.10
This is one of the unsuspecting brands that started appearing on the beauty shelves of Woolworths and Coles, and then online at a variety of stores like iHerb.
Unsuspecting, as it’s truly natural, smells amazing and for the prize, the results are just as good as any luxury brand. And I mean it.
Now, hairdressers tell you, you should always shampoo twice, but I find after one use with this shampoo, I don’t really feel the need to do the second wash. It cleanses away grease and grime from the hair, and without the use of harsh chemicals.
And the matching conditioner makes me tough curly / frizzy hair really easy to detangle and comb, which is a winner. Though this product is designed for fine hair, I find it still works for my thick hair.
Bagn Body Firming & Brightening Beauty Treatment Brightening Serum & Mask RRP $62
It’s cruelty-free, vegan, and made with extra nourishing natural ingredients, and packaged in fully recyclable packaging too.
It’s made without any silicones, parabens, sulphates (SLS/SLES), GMOs, mineral oils, PEGs, chemical UV filters, petrolatum or synthetic colours.
What else could you want in a beauty product?
This is a multifunctional treatment that helps to deliver hydrating, firming and brightening properties to the skin, whilst delivering outstanding results which makes the skin glow.
When used at night before bed, I noticed a real glow to the skin when I woke in the morning, with an improvement in skin tone as well.
(NEW) Face Halo Active Skin Set + Washbag RRP $37
Take care of your skin and your planet and say no to disposable wipes and skincare items.
At BB headquarters we have been a little obsessed with the Face Halo cleansing pads for sometime. No cleanser is required, they are washable and feel great against the skin when you need a good cleanse, an exfoliation, or you simply want to massage in some rich hydrating oils and serums.
There’s nothing these beauties can’t do.
And now, they have evolved into next level amazing.
They are non-toxic, PH neutral and re-usable for up to 200 machine washes. Face Halo Active helps to maintain smooth, supple and radiant skin without the need for harsh chemicals.
This planet-friendly skincare pack comes in a handy washable bag, so the pads won’t go missing in your washing when cleaning.
And, here’s something super satisfying with the beautiful blue colour, when you use these on your skin, you’ll see a lot of dead skin cells sitting there after use – and that’s without having to use any cleanser or exfoliator – yes they work that well.
