The beauty industry is full of buzzwords – and words like “clean,” “green” and “sustainable” are probably used the most. The meanings of these words can be vague, so I wanted to share with you guys how you can *really* be eco-friendly when it comes to beauty products. The word “clean,” doesn’t actually mean a lot because it’s not a regulated term. So a lot of companies label their products as “clean” regardless of their ingredients. The word “green” isn’t regulated either! Basically in the industry, “clean beauty” has more of an emphasis on the lack of certain harmful ingredients, while “green beauty” has more of an emphasis on prioritizing sustainability in both ingredients and packaging. So how can we truly make our beauty routines more eco-friendly? Here are 5 ways!
Look for certifications
Beauty products that have certifications have met specific standards and eco-friendly guidelines with production, packaging and ingredients. Organic certifications you can look for include: Ecocert, Cosmos, Leaping Bunny Certification and the Forest Stewardship Council.
Look for sustainable packaging
Beauty products layered in plastic are most likely not sustainable options. Opt for products in cardboard boxes, recyclable plastic or glass containers. You can also use reusable makeup wipes or cotton pads, or opt for a natural cleansing oil so you don’t need to use a wipe at all!
Avoid specific ingredients
Specific beauty ingredients have a negative environmental impact, like petrochemicals, palm oil, BHA, BHT, sodium laureth sulfate and DEA Petrochemicals aren’t the best choice for your skin or the environment; they don’t offer any real nourishment and they’re a byproduct of the oil industry, making them an unsustainable resource.
Beauty products with palm oil are contributing to rapid deforestation and climate change. Certified sustainable palm oil is becoming more available, which is good for the indutsry!
BHA and BHT can kill the fish and shellfish population and cause genetic mutations in amphibians, while sodium laureth sulfate can alter fish behavior and increase mortality. DEA is fatally toxic to amphibians, crustaceans, fish, nematodes, flatworms and animal plankton.
Try waterless products
Waterless products save water, so try incorporating products lie oils, serums and balms into your beauty routine. Since they’re made without water, they’re super concentrated. So a little goes a long way, which helps these products last longer than water-based products – and your skin get concentrated nutrition that’s filler-free!
Recycle or upcycle packaging
This is one of the easiest ways to be a more eco-friendly consumer! When you’re finished with a beauty product, recycle the empty container (if it’s recyclable). If it’s not recyclable, then you can upcycle it. Here is how you can repurpose your empty beauty product containers!
