The beauty industry is responsible for 120 billion units of unrecyclable packaging each year, the majority of which takes up to 1000 years to decompose. Scientists predict that by 2050 there will be more units of plastic as there are fish in the ocean, and while the cosmetics industry is beginning to take steps in the right direction: from banning microbeads to encouraging the production of vegan makeup, there is still much to be done. It is upon us, as consumers to pressure change. One way to make your daily habits effortlessly more eco-friendly is switch your everyday skincare products for sustainable, high-quality, affordable alternatives, as set out below in our easy-to-follow recommended guide.
Sustainable skincare products are created with social and environmental responsibility in mind. Characterized by a spectrum of eco-conscious criteria, including biodegradable packaging, ethical sourcing, no palm oil inclusion, or exclusively vegan ingredients, sustainable skincare products aim to ensure our planet will be able to flourish in years to come, without comprising on the quality or purpose of the product itself.
Although not all products are exclusively sustainable, certifications such as Ecocert, which guarantee the use of renewable ingredients, evidence that brands are starting to wake up to the current climate crisis and we too should take action.
Experts across the beauty industry are increasingly harnessing the benefits of sustainable skincare and it’s for you to discover why. Generally derived from natural and organic ingredients, sustainable skincare products are free form harmful chemicals and synthetics that cause damage or irritation to the skin. Sustainable skincare promises the perfect solution to gain a glowing, blemish-free complexion, whilst cleaning our conscious and supporting the livelihood of our planet. But what can we do to optimize the use of these products?
Step 1. Cleanse/ Exfoliate
To begin any skincare routine, you must first wash your face to remove dirt and impurities. This allows dead skin cells to shed, promoting the turnover of new, healthy skin cells to help illuminate dull skin and smooth the skin’s texture. However, embedded within our everyday exfoliators is ‘one of the greatest manmade disasters of all time’: microplastics. Poisoning both animal and human health, microplastics are broken down pieces of plastic that measure less than 5mm and can be found polluting ecosystems across the world. Fortunately, sustainable skincare brands actively exclude them.
Step 2. Toner
Toner is essential for shrinking the appearance pores and ensuring a deep facial cleanse beyond surface impurities; refreshing, revitalising and protecting the skin. Yet, many facial toners contain harmful synthetics and are packaged unsustainably, contributing to both dermatological and ecological damage and. Nonetheless, the below sustainable toners offer a solution to this.
Step 3. Serum
From fine lines and wrinkles to dark circles and dullness, facial serums are lightweight solutions specifically designed to treat your skin’s imperfections. Free from parabens, phenoxyethanol and petrochemicals, our recommended serums are bursting with essential minerals and vitamins; aiming to provide a wonderfully healthy and radiant looking glow.
Step 4. Face Cream
Sustainable facial creams are excellent for restoring moisture to dry skin and optimising your skin’s smoothest and softest possible texture. Unlike traditional products which may include artificial colours and fragrances, sustainable face creams nourish your skin, using only the most natural ingredients.
Bia Day Cream by Codex Beauty: Codex’s light-citrus flavoured Bia Day Cream utilises a silky yet non-greasy formula, that is clinically proven to improve skin hydration with 100% of all customers agreeing skin felt softer after use.
Step 5. Body Moisturiser
An everyday essential, body moisturisers are an absolute requirement for complete skin hydration, protection, and revitalisation. However, many conventional moisturisers found in beauty stores today contain hidden toxins such as parabens, isopropyl palmitate, and propylene glycol. These chemicals paradoxically dry out your skin over time by preventing the skin from its producing naturally occurring moisturizing oils. One way to protect yourself is to apply plant-based formulations to the skin, such as those listed below.
Booda butter by Booda Organics: Booda butter’s blissfully creamy texture easily melts on the skin for deep absorption, making your skin smell divine. Packing in powerfully moisturising properties, this body butter is derived from only the highest quality Fair Trade ingredients such as Cocoa Butter and Jojoba oil to ensure maximum health benefits for your skin.
Step 6. Oils
Oils must be applied after moisturiser to ensure proper absorption. In contrast to conventional oils which may clog pores or encourage greasiness, these recommended oils are tailored to work with, not against your skin’s natural texture; smoothing lines, soothing irritating and correction chemical imbalances.
+ Words: Stephanie Frank, Luxiders Magazine Intern
London-based student and journalist Stephanie Frank has become dedicated to repurposing fashion as a force for good and is committed to writing about the interfaces between sustainability, fashion, lifestyle and culture.