Earth Day may be reserved for the 22nd April, but that doesn’t mean we can’t practice sustainable beauty every day of the year.
Every year since 1970, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd, marking a modern environmental movement which reminds us we need to take responsibility and care for our amazing planet – Earth. From sustainable beauty, to reducing our electricity output, there are so many daily actions we can take, to ensure every day is Earth Day.
Making a positive difference on an individual level can sometimes seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember that our beauty, skin, and hair care routines are a simple yet effective place to start.
From the use of plastic containers that are non-recyclable, to dangerous chemicals within beauty products that are washed down our waterways into our oceans – there is plenty of changes to consider.
Aveda have noticed significant growth in consumers wanting to purchase natural, environmentally-friendly products over the past two years, with online searches for ‘natural haircare’ in Australia increasing more than 147 percent since April 2019.
Other popular web searches also showed people searching for ‘eco friendly skincare’ in Australia increased more than 58 percent since April 2019.
It’s safe to say there’s definitely been increased awareness and efforts by consumers, wanting to be more sustainable with their beauty products. Not only to practice self-care, but also to care about our planet.
Becoming more conscious of not just the ingredients being used within products, but of the industry’s manufacturing and packaging practices as well. They both impact the environment, with one getting washed down the drain and the other being thrown into the rubbish.
With Earth Day being a time to celebrate, acknowledge and support the brands that are pioneering environmental leadership, and finding new ways to better protect our ecosystem. We need to look at more long term resolutions, and celebrate Earth Day every day of the year.
It’s easy to choose a sustainable beauty brand. We spoke with Aveda’s Education Development Partner and Artistic Lead, Mathew Wickham, on ways we can become a more eco-conscious beauty shopper, ensuring we practice better sustainable daily beauty regimes”, Mathew says.
- Check out the brand’s website and look for information or policies. Look deeper than the marketing claims. If a brand has sustainability in their DNA, they will have many different practical examples of how they are sustainable.
- Look for sustainable energy, sustainable packaging, sustainable sourcing and naturally derived ingredients.
- Products that are not tested on animals are super important, so my last tip is to look out for accreditations like the cruelty free bunny.”
Aveda is a brand that truly embodies sustainability with a long-term commitment to environmental and social responsibility which is demonstrated through several ongoing eco-forward initiatives.
This can be seen within their Responsible Packaging: 85 percent of Aveda’s skincare and hair care styling PET bottles and jars contain 100 percent post-consumer recycled materials and with 90 percent of their ingredients being naturally derived.
Skipping a shampoo wash, you can save approx. 45 litres¹ of water? You can extend a good hair day using products like dry shampoos and Aveda’s Rinseless Refresh Micellar Hair & Scalp Refresher.
Read more about Aveda’s Natural Ingredients, Aveda’s Responsible Packaging, and Aveda’s Mission to exemplify environmental leadership on their website.
Check out these three beauty brands who also deliver a sustainable message through their ingredients and packaging.
Garnier:
Today, more than half of Garnier’s ingredients come from renewable sources, and by 2025, their mission is to aim for 100% of their renewable ingredients to be sustainably sourced, with sustainable sourcing being another one of the brand’s priority with respects to packaging.
In 2019, Garnier empowered 670 communities world-wide to become of their solidarity sourcing. And by 2025, they predict more than 800 communities will be part of the program.
The solidarity sourcing program gives people typically excluded from the job market access to work and a sustainable income. By committing to implementing fair trade practices across the supply chain, seeking to support and empower farmers and workers to help them improve their revenues and livelihoods. Garnier also provides training to help improve skills in agriculture and give them the latest knowledge on organic farming.
GARNIER Micellar Cleansing Water RRP $8.39 and GARNIER Micellar Reusable Eco Pads 3 Pack RRP $10.19
Reduce your water waste, by switching your cleanser for a rinse free version, like this micellar cleansing water. It’s fragrance free and can be used for the eyes, lips and face. Match with the reusable eco pads, which are washable up to 1000 times per pad, and will also help eliminate daily cotton pad waste. Both products are suitable for sensitive skin and have been dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested.
Innisfree:
Innisfree are passionate about preserving the purity of Jeju Island, the island where all ingredients are grown and manufactured for the brand. They are also committed to replicating sustainability and philanthropic efforts around the globe as well.
The brand offers an innovative beauty solution in their skincare and makeup products, powered by the finest natural ingredients responsibly sourced from Korea’s pristine Jeju Island. Their proprietary extraction methods preserve the purity and potency of these wholesome ingredients from plant to bottle, offering advanced formulas that safely address all skin concerns without the use of harmful chemicals and preservatives.
Their skincare products are all formulated with an average of 80 percent naturally-derived ingredients, which have been responsibly sourced from the pure and protected island of Jeju.
Innisfree Brightening Pore Serum RRP $58
Jeju Hallabong, also known as ‘Jeju Citrus’ and ‘Honey-coated orange,’ is a seasonal winter fruit cultivated on Jeju Island. It is named after the shape of its pointy stalk end that resembles the peak of Mt. Halla on Jeju Island. Sustainable sourced and ethically harvested, Innisfree uses a revolutionary, ultrasonic extraction method that helps soften the thick peel to extract active ingredients effectively.
Alya Skin:
With a commitment to ensuring no people or animals are exploited in the production of all Alya skincare products, all ingredients are their products are completely plant derived, vegan and cruelty-free.
The 100 percent Australian own business uses core ingredients which are Australian grown and sourced only. Harvested ethically from certain areas of Australia, the pink clay is packed with botanical extracts and minerals all working together to refine pores, detoxify pollution ridden skin and remove impurities.
Alya will continue to commit to only ever sourcing their ingredients from Australia only, to ensure they can manage and maintain the sustainability of the ingredients and where they come from. This keeps their product clean, vegan ands cruelty-free always.
Australian Pink Clay Mask RRP $49.95
Australian pink clay contains a completely different set of minerals, silica, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Silica is great for locking in moisture in the skin’s barrier. Magnesium helps the skin to retain it’s natural fatty acids. Selenium is a great antioxidant that neutralises any harmful free radicals from damaging the skin’s natural barrier. And zinc is a great skin healer.
