The 7 eco-friendly brands you need to know

Eco-friendly beauty: What is it?

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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.

Aveda

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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.

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

Innisfree

3/8

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.

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

L'Occitane

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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.

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

The Body Shop

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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).

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

Origins

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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.

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

Osea

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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

Use refills already

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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.