Natural, organic, clean, green or nontoxic beauty products have become more prominent over the past several years. While this trend can be beneficial to both our planet and health, it makes finding quality products challenging.
The good news is that there are sustainable brands out there that make it simple to simplify your beauty regimen with natural, plant-based ingredients.
DIY Recipes
An indulgent trip to Sephora for new face masks or hair treatments can be an indulgent form of self-care, but the beauty industry requires reform to protect our planet. Luckily, DIY natural beauty recipes offer equally effective results at much less expense.
Homemade skin care skin care allows you to better control the ingredients in your skin and is much less costly than purchasing branded products. From anti-aging skin care recipes to gentle cleanser options, countless ingredients can be combined to make homemade DIY skincare recipes.
One key consideration when developing your own beauty products is selecting safe and nutritious ingredients. Unfortunately, the beauty industry remains heavily unregulated, making it easy for companies to incorporate potentially harmful substances into their products. As a result, it is vital to purchase products that use organic ingredients or nontoxic preservatives.
Thrive Cosmetics is an example of an environmentally responsible brand. It gives back some of its profits to local nonprofits using organic, eco-friendly ingredients that minimize packaging waste—effectively becoming a zero-waste brand!
RMS Beauty is another brand to watch out for. They specialize in makeup with zero-waste manufacturing practices, utilize organic ingredients, and emphasize healing for skin conditions.
An effective way to save money while maintaining your skincare regimen is to purchase organic face and body oils. These oils hydrate the skin while maintaining natural elasticity. Another cost-cutting measure is to make tallow oil foot soaks, which deeply nourish skin while simultaneously reducing cellulite.
Honey and sugar face scrubs are a fantastic way to exfoliate, using ingredients that nourish skin and smell amazing! Additionally, this DIY scrub is easy and convenient—most ingredients can already be found in your pantry! This would also make a fantastic present for friends or family members!
Sustainable Brands
The beauty industry is one of the most resource-intensive sectors, but recent years have witnessed a monumental change. Now, more brands than ever are turning towards eco-friendly practices by using organic and sustainably packaged ingredients in their product lines. They are also contributing to local communities while adhering to ethical, vegan values.
Modern consumers have an increasing global awareness, prompting them to seek brands prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility. Some examples include Highr, which operates from a solar-powered factory and produces ultra-creamy lipsticks using 100% plant-based ingredients; Augustinus Bader, who make natural eye cream with niacinamide, vitamin C, and sustainably sourced botanicals housed in biodegradable, recyclable tubes made of camellia husks and wood by-products; L’Occitane which offers refillable pouches as well as recycling scheme where customers can bring empty beauty packaging back for refill;
REN is another brand dedicated to sustainable practices, striving for a plastic-free world by 2025. Their cleaners, body care, and makeup products use naturally derived ingredients that are cruelty-free cruelty-free, vegan, and visually stunning; for instance, their bioactive moisturizers contain algae harvested sustainably off Cornwall coast and a unique form of hyaluronic acid, which keeps skin youthful. Their other beauty offerings also boast impressive credentials – for instance, their probiotic face wash, which uses lactic acid for gentle cleansing without stripping skin of its vitality!
PHB Ethical Beauty of Birmingham has long been at the forefront of ethical beauty products since 1995 when they first adopted an eco-friendly ethos into all their products. Since 1995, all PHB products have incorporated cruelty-free policies rooted in cruelty-free vegan and eco-friendly principles, with none containing animal-derived ingredients and palm oil (which contributes to deforestation and habitat degradation), while all are PETA-approved vegan brands that donate a percentage of proceeds back into community nonprofit organizations.
Packaging
Clean beauty movements can be daunting, and making intelligent choices when purchasing natural products can be tricky. Many products are labeled “natural” or “clean” on store shelves despite containing synthetic ingredients; to stand out against the competition, brands that make natural cosmetics should consider their packaging carefully to stand out.
Sustainable packaging design can effectively convey a product’s inner values without using heavy marketing tactics. By choosing colors and minimalist design elements that express eco-friendliness without looking cheap or plain, sustainable designs show companies are taking responsibility for their environmental footprint and are striving to reduce waste. Furthermore, using recyclable materials demonstrates their care towards sustainability by showing they are actively doing everything possible to minimize waste production.
Biodegradable paperboard packaging has become an increasingly popular option for beauty packaging due to its compostability and non-damaging effects on living organisms. Furthermore, biodegradable paperboard offers an eco-friendly alternative that offers just as much protection – all while saving money!
Avoid plastic altogether by choosing recycled glass or aluminum containers instead. While this may make for harder-to-form lipsticks and makeup palettes, they won’t pollute our oceans as plastic does.
Natural beauty companies frequently partner with farmers worldwide to source ingredients ethically while supporting social and economic development through cultivation projects. This is especially true of brands certified organic through NATRUE certification organizations such as our own.
Natural beauty definitions can vary widely depending on brand and consumer values, though most natural beauty products follow strict environmental standards that ensure they adhere to sustainably sourced organic cruelty-free vegan cosmetics with no chemicals or other harmful additives. This allows consumers to understand what they get when buying natural cosmetics quickly.
Ingredients
When shopping for clean beauty products, it’s essential to read labels closely. Look out for words such as organic, natural, eco-friendly, and nontoxic, which indicate minimal processing and only contain ingredients that are safe for your skin and the environment. Unfortunately, there can be greenwashing within the beauty industry, so research companies and their claims. A great resource is the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database.
Conventional cosmetic ingredients often require heavy mining and can seriously adversely impact soils and wildlife habitats. Conversely, natural and organic raw materials come largely from plant extracts, which can be grown sustainably on land managed to protect biodiversity; moreover, sustainable production methods used by organic farmers enable companies to purchase these ingredients for use in cosmetic formulations.
An effective way to be environmentally friendly when selecting packaging options is through your selections. Many businesses are opting for reusable or recyclable bottles and containers; biodegradable sachets instead of single-use plastic samples; recycled paper; plant-based ingredients in their ingredients or products (i.e. Izzy make zero waste body care with sustainability in mind; they ship products using reusable glass bottles), partner with companies like Xampla to turn plant waste from ingredients into heat sealable films that replace traditional sachets; additionally they use recycled paper; recycled paper as well as plant-based materials sourcing plant materials sourcing plant-based ingredients and products (ie Xampla can turn plant waste from ingredients into heat sealable films that replace traditional sachets), recycled paper; use recycled packaging while using plant sourced ingredients/materials to source ingredients/ products; they even partner with companies like Izzy who make zero-waste body care with zero plastic replacement options like this brand’s Izzy makes zero-waste body care using glass bottles to ship product orders out; they partner with company called Xampla to turn plant waste into heat sealable films that replace traditional sachets).
DIY natural beauty products have never been more straightforward to make at home with suitable recipes! By gathering together just a few supplies and following these easy guides, you can experience a radiant glow while doing your part for the environment. Most recipes take less than an hour to make and utilize ingredients you likely already have in the home—perfect for gift-giving on Mother’s Day, birthdays, and Christmas! Homemade natural products also make lovely eco-friendly presents!
