The 7 eco-friendly brands you need to know

In a world where terms like ‘vegan’, ‘natural’, ‘organic’ ‘cruelty-free’, and ‘eco-friendly’ are used so loosely and interchangeably, it can be a daunting task to sift through all the products that claim they are good for you and Mother Nature. And really, what exactly does eco-friendly beauty mean?

It doesn’t just cover sustainable ingredients (ethically sourced raw materials that can be grown and harvested without damaging the environment). It also involves phasing out non-biodegradables like silicone and plastic microbeads, reducing carbon footprint, using less packaging or recycled/recyclable packaging, getting customers in on the refill act, and using renewable energy from the wind and sun to power the brand’s daily operations and manufacturing processes. For instance, 90% of French medicine and dermo-cosmetics company Pierre Fabre’s (its brands include Avene, Klorane and Rene Furterer) manufacturing waste is used – 65% via recycling and 35% for energy production.

Here, we present you the brands that are currently championing the eco-friendly beauty movement.

• Deeply inspired by the Indian healing system of Ayurveda, and is organic and cruelty-free.
• Regularly partners various organisations to raise public awareness about caring for wildlife and the environment.
• Saves more than 600 tonnes of virgin plastic a year because nearly 90% of its plastic bottles are made mostly of post-consumer recycled materials.
• Try: Aveda Tulasara Firm Concentrate, $105.

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• Sources natural ingredients from Jeju Island.
• A big proponent of recycling and protecting the environment through its various initiatives.
• 9.7 million of its bottles have been recycled in South Korea since its 2003 Empty Bottle Recycling Campaign.
• Try: Innisfree Orchid Enriched Cream, $43.

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• Transports 72% of its products to subsidiaries by sea, reducing freight-generated CO2 emissions.
• Gives back by supporting projects that fight against childhood blindness and advocate for the economic empowerment of women.
• Try: L’Occitane Terre de Lumiere Perfumed Soap, $11.50.

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• One of the largest and most accessible eco-friendly beauty brands, it is also the organiser of the Forever Against Animal Testing and Bio-Bridges campaigns, which help to preserve biodiversity around the world.
• Bought 3 million kg of community fair trade ingredients between 2014 and 2015.
• Try: The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Mattifying Toner, $24.90 (250ml) and $28.90 (400ml).

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• Combines the skincare benefits of plants with science and technology to create safe, non-toxic products.
• A strong proponent of alternative testing and the founder of the Plant-A-Tree programme, which supports reforestation worldwide.
• 600,000 trees have been planted by Origins through its international reforestation projects.
• Try: Origins Three Part Harmony Soft Cream for Renewal, Repair and Radiance, $130.

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• Its name stands for Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere.
• Founded 20 years ago, this seaweed-based skincare brand contains only natural, organic, vegan, gluten-free and non-GMO ingredients that are sustainably grown and harvested.
• Most of its products are packaged in recyclable glass bottles, never plastic.
• Try: Osea Hyaluronic Sea Serum, $141. Shop it at Pure Tincture.

READ MORE: The best face masks for a great skin detox and Review: The facial blotter you’ll actually want to show off all the time

Less packaging = less to recycle. So why are so few cosmetic brands doing it? Here are two which have embraced the act.

• L’Occitane: Out of 22 ranges, eight come in refill packs.
• Orbis: All of the Japanese company’s products in bottles and tubs are refillable.

READ MORE: How to find a unique perfume that stands out from the usual and It’s proven by science: Look younger with just 4 basic makeup tricks

Part of this story first appeared in the November 2017 issue of Her World magazine.