Let's be real: Beauty products can be seriously bad for the environment. From oft-wasteful packaging to the inclusion of microbeads, some products and brands leave a lot to be desired.
So how do you use the products you want, without hurting the environment? Is it even possible to be eco-conscious, animal friendly and a beauty lover at the same time?
Well, yes. Luckily for us all, there are plenty of beauty brands out there doing their best to reduce their carbon footprint. So we're spotlighting some of our favorite zero-waste beauty brands. They set a great example — and who knows? They might even give you a few tips on how to implement more sustainable practices to your beauty routine.
Founded in 2008, Well People makes it a priority to use botanical ingredients and pure, plant-based pigments in its products. With ingredients such as algae, beeswax, and broccoli seed oil being key ingredients in many of their products, this brand's products are packaged using Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper stocks.
Now, this brand is top tier clean beauty: Danish makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis created her own line after noticing that many of her clients had reactions to synthetic ingredients. Her brand features organic, eco-conscious cosmetics all packaged in refillable metal compacts or recyclable and compostable alternatives; like the popular cream foundation and cream blush.
Ilia doesn't believe that all synthetics are bad and that all natural ingredients are good. This means their modern approach focuses on using eco-conscious ingredients, as well as packaging, that not only work, but are safe for use on your skin.
Ilia also collaborated with TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box platform so customers in the US can mail in up to five empty beauty products per month (regardless of brand), so TerraCycle can break them down responsibly.
Convenient as they may be, disposable makeup removal wipes and cotton rounds are not great for the environment. So brands like Croon have come up with an answer: eco-friendly, reusable makeup removers! Reusable for up to 200 washes, Croon's microfiber pads use just water to remove makeup, exfoliate and cleanse.
