Maisie Gervais – 16/04/2022
Sustainable Beauty
With our planet having entered code red, it is more important than ever to reevaluate our habits, routines, and consumerism, so we can all work together to save and preserve the earth. Today, we will be looking at sustainable beauty – what is it really, what should you look out for, and how can you make your skincare routine more sustainable?
What Is Sustainable Beauty?
Sustainable beauty reaches so much further than recyclable packaging and natural ingredients; it means actively limiting the impact a product has on the environment from start to finish. Beauty can only be considered sustainable if the brand’s ethos is solidly dedicated to mitigating its environmental impact: from responsibly sourcing ingredients and packaging materials, making sure the production and despatch processes are appropriate, all the way to how a consumer uses and then disposes of the product.
A recent study by the British Beauty Council revealed that in the UK alone, amongst 23,000 beauty shoppers, almost half are actively seeking more clarity and transparency about the brands they are using. They don’t just want more information, but they are also keen to know about brands’ values and the commitments they are making toward sustainability and conserving the environment.
Have you ever stopped to consider how your beauty routine and the products you’re using might be affecting the planet? When it comes to making a difference, remember that every little helps! Humānery is here to guide you so you can take the first step toward sustainable beauty. But first things first – what do consumers need to know about sustainable beauty?
What Should You Know About Sustainable Beauty?
With so many new beauty brands on the market, it’s not always apparent at first sight whether a brand truly is sustainable or not, so we urge you to conduct some research into the brand before investing. Ask the all-important question: is the brand just looking to make money, or are they actually committed to enacting change?
Trust, but verify – if a brand claims they are sustainable, find out how. What ingredients are they using; are the ingredients natural, organic, or responsibly sourced; have they invested in innovative packaging solutions; are they cruelty-free? These are all valid questions you should be asking before buying.
Beyond this, look for brands that offer more than just sustainable products. Is their ethos verifiable from start to finish? Have they taken any other actions to curb climate change and give back to the environment? This could include things like using green energy, minimising their CO2 footprint, having a traceable supply chain that is regularly audited, and being approved by important societies like the FSC, the Soil Association, or the Fairtrade Foundation.
Humānery shares the same ethos as countless others in the matter of sustainable beauty: we want to support authentic brands that stand for something beyond responsible consumerism. This is why we have put together a green guide with some of the most fantastic and truly sustainable beauty brands we have partnered with that are deeply committed to preserving the planet…
Sustainable Beauty Brands
Their Idea Of Sustainability: This independent and proudly British brand utilises wine byproducts to make wholesome skincare products that naturally support the skin by harnessing the power of nature. Made with love, Pelegrims is committed to producing select, high-quality products in small batches with as little intervention as possible, and they only work with wineries that share the same ethos.
Brand Type: Skincare
Discover Pelegrims’ sustainability with their Exploration Set.
Pelegrims Exploration Set
Perfect for travelling or sampling products before committing to a full size, this set includes a facial oil, facial balm, and hand pomade that come in a reusable and washable kraft paper pouch.
Price: £31.00
Their Idea Of Sustainability: Founded in 2020, this brand was inspired by the drought-resistant evolution of the indigenous African Kalahari melon plant following drastic and more frequent droughts as a result of climate change. Not only is this brand devoted to innovative and sustainable packaging, but they also support the Kalahari community in South Africa by creating job opportunities and a chance for sustainable economic development on their organic-certified farm.
Brand Type: Skincare
Discover Nêô Sephiri’s sustainable beauty with their Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil.
Each drop of their luxurious Kalahari melon oil is completely traceable, 100% natural, and even with daily use, a 30ml bottle will last three months!
Price: £85.00
Their Idea Of Sustainability: Driven by tackling the global waste issue and conserving oceans, Haeckels is another UK-based brand we applaud for its efforts towards minimising waste through biodegradable, recyclable packaging, and responsibly sourced ingredients. Their efforts toward implementing solutions to save the oceans are inspiring, for instance with refillable products, or their campaign that offers customers a free product when they bring a bag of waste collected from the beach.
Brand Type: Skincare, Fragrances, Wellness, Hair & Beard
Discover Haeckels’ “from the ocean, for the ocean” ethos with their Earth Marine Water + AHA 4%.
Haeckels Earth Marine Water + AHA 4%
A 100% natural leave-on exfoliant that rejuvenates the skin overnight and helps smoothen the skin while reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines.
Price: £30.00
Their Idea Of Sustainability: Seeking to make hair care easier and more accessible for men, this British brand follows the mentality that less is more by putting simplicity and quality first. In an effort to give back to the environment, Salt Grooming uses minimal ingredients that are sustainably sourced, and their products are responsibly packaged, 100% recyclable, and made using raw or recycled materials.
Brand Type: Hair
Discover the simplicity of sustainability with Salt Grooming’s Marine Mist Sea Salt Hair Spray
A lightweight and volume-boosting styling spray formulated with natural and organic ingredients that nourish the hair and scalp.
Price: £14.99
Their Idea Of Sustainability: In 2019, this independent brand set out to create what they felt was missing from the market: sustainable and responsible home and lifestyle products that make a difference. Wanting to minimise the impact on the environment, all products are vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic. Their range of candles is made with plant-based wax and targets specific well-being needs. Being committed to preserving nature, they have ensured that all of their packaging is either recyclable or compostable.
Brand Type: Fragrances & Wellness / Home & Lifestyle
Discover plant-based and sustainable wellbeing with Holistic London’s Egyptian Jasmine + Sandalwood Reed Diffuser
Holistic London Egyptian Jasmine + Sandalwood Reed Diffuser
A calming scent to balance and revitalise your energy, even if you’re not into candles or diffusers, keep them in mind as a thoughtful gift for a loved one!
Price: £40.00