A more mindful approach to your beauty regime can drastically reduce its impact on the environment and minimise your energy consumption. Here’s how you can make more positive, planet-friendly choices
Words EMMA NORTH
WASTE AWAY
It’s reported that 70% of the beauty industry’s waste comes from packaging – amounting to 20 billion units every year. Cutting down on your own consumption might seem like a drop in the ocean, but small changes quickly add up. One of the simplest transitions you can make is to refillable products. Foundation bottles with plastic pumps are notoriously hard to recycle, but some brands are now offering refill options. Refills, which work out cheaper, also require significantly less packaging, meaning less waste and a reduced carbon footprint because they’re lighter to ship.
BREAK UP WITH PLASTIC
Going plastic-free might seem like an impossible task, but you will be pleasantly surprised by some of the high-performing alternatives out there. We spoke to Brianne West, founder of solid beauty bar brand Ethique, for her top transitioning tips: Baby Steps
Don’t feel like you need to overhaul your entire lifestyle immediately, because that can be overwhelming. My advice is to try one or two new things at a time. When your shampoo runs out, try swapping it for a bar. Move onto your conditioner next, then your face wash. That way your old products don’t go to waste and you’re not spending lots of money buying a whole new range of products. Choose Wisely
People have this perception that bar products are drying and ‘just soap’. But, formulations have come a long way in the last ten years and, actually, they are now exactly what you get in a bottle of liquid – without the added water and plastic. Keep Going
Making a permanent change to your lifestyle can take time but everyone has to start somewhere. Your choices matter, but progress is far more important than perfection, so be kind to yourself and just do your best.
DOWN TO EARTH
Ever wondered where the ingredients in your skincare come from? While the majority are synthetically produced in labs, naturally-derived ingredients are mostly sourced from soil-grown plants. And as the ‘naturals’ market booms, the over-harvesting of natural resources is a highly contentious topic. A biodynamic approach to farming that focuses on giving more life back to the land than is taken away is now being tipped as the new frontier for eco-conscious beauty brands.
Essentially, biodynamic farming involves treating cultivation areas as circular, self-sustainable organisms. A plot produces its own fertilisation and unused plants are turned into compost.
