‘Beauty shouldn’t cost the earth’
This phrase takes on a double meaning when it comes to creating an environmentally friendly skincare and beauty routine. Granted – It shouldn’t cost you a lot, but it also shouldn’t have an impact on our environment either.
It's hard to feel like we are making a big difference when it comes to the environment, but as Anne-Marie Bonneau so eloquently says "We don't need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly, we need millions of people doing it imperfectly'. One great way to start is by looking at your everyday routine and products - such as your skincare routine.
This blog outlines key ingredients to avoid, packaging to shop for, plus some mindful tips that you can start today!
How Changing Your Skincare Routine Can Save the World:
Promising Changes in Packaging
According to the British Beauty Council, 95% of cosmetic packaging is thrown away. Single-use cosmetic packaging is considered to be one of the biggest sustainability challenges in the beauty industry. Companies such as Boots and Superdrug now have services where you can recycle used packaging in stores. It’s estimated that - 70% of waste from the beauty industry is a result of packaging.
The time has come when the beauty industry needs to revolutionise its packaging products into recyclable, reusable, compostable and non-plastic packaging. Making strides in this movement many brands have already committed to packing into 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.
We are Nutrified only packages our beauty products in recyclable and environmentally friendly materials, including, paper, glass, and plant-based wax paper. We are Nutrified are committed to reducing and eliminating plastic, the only plastic in our beauty products is due to hygiene reasons as there is currently no alternative.
Make Good of Microbeads
Microbeads were a popular exfoliating ingredient in beauty products in the early 00s. However, in 2015 an act called the ‘Microbead-Free Water Act’ prevents the manufacture or distribution of microplastics in rinse-off cosmetics. This act was bought into action due to the environmental hazard and pollution it posed to aquatic biodiversity.
Say Sayonara to Sulphates
Sulphates are a group of ingredients that are most commonly used in hair care. Their role is to bind with oils and dirt to remove them from the hair and skin. In addition, they contribute to foaming properties within some cosmetics. Sulphates have not only proven to be damaging to hair but they have also been shown to affect aquatic wildlife. One ingredient to look out for is ‘sodium Laureth sulphate’ also written as ‘sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl sulphate’ and ‘dodecyl sodium sulphate’.
We are Nutrified's haircare range rightly named 'Gently does it' only contains 100% natural ingredients and is 100% sulphate-free
Palm-off Palm Oil
Palm oil is a plant-based oil used in a range of industries including food and cosmetics. In more recent years it has come to light that the growing and manufacture of palm oil is incredibly destructive to our environment. Palm oil became a commodity due to its high yield and cheap product. Moreover, it acts like animal fat in products but is 100% vegan. The issue is that palm trees that produce palm kernels only grow in select areas of the world. Due to the demand for exports large areas of rainforest have been cleared to meet demand. This had led to mass deforestation, flooding, and disruption of wildlife. The Orangutan Foundation estimates that each year palm oil production kills between 1000-5000 orangutans. Suddenly the beauty doesn’t look so beautiful.
A great alternative to palm oil is coconut oil, which is a common ingredient you’ll see across the We are Nutrified beauty range. We are Nutrified are committed to having absolutely no palm oil in any of our products – proudly palm-oil free.
Why we are Nutrified are a Great Choice?
All our beauty range is:
Vegan
Compostable Pouch
Cruelty Free
Palm Oil Free
100% Natural Excipient
What can you do?
- Always read the label
- Be aware of green-washing, organic, natural
- Look out for key ingredients such as palm oil, sulphates, parabens and Oxybenzone
- Do research into brands before purchasing with them
- Opt for recyclable or multiple-use packaging when purchasing your cosmetics
- Support small eco-friendly brands
- Find a brand with minimal transportation and air miles
- If you can, reuse your cosmetic packaging
- Limit your consumption, only repurchase when you have finished a product
- Shop we are Nutrified Beauty
- Find brands that give back by planting trees or giving profits to environmental charities.
References
https://britishbeautycouncil.com/ppbg/packaging/
https://issuu.com/britishbeautycouncil/docs/bbc_20_20the_20courage_20to_20change_screen_final
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/world-leading-microbeads-ban-comes-into-force
https://orangutan.org/palmoil/
https://www.treehugger.com/environmental-impact-of-cosmetics-5207672#citation-20
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