Eco-Friendly Brands to be aware of, because you shouldn’t have to choose between looking good and doing good for the planet. Unfortunately, many non eco-friendly brands don’t share that sentiment. Between harmful chemicals in cosmetics and the packaging those products come in, the beauty industry is one of the most damaging to the environment.
There’s good news, though! In recent years, more and more cosmetics and skin care companies are shifting toward products that will make you look your best – while leaving a minimal footprint.
The Trouble with Skin Care Products
Think about the beauty products you use on a regular basis. There’s a good chance you’ve got a daily routine which includes shampoo and conditioner, body soap, face wash, moisturizer, sunscreen, deodorant and toothpaste. Now, add to that your routine use of makeup, hair styling products and even lip balm.
The result is tons upon tons of waste in the landfills. From the plastics used to package cosmetics, to the chemicals in the cosmetics themselves, our beauty routines are causing a lot of harm to the environment.
Poisoning Our Planet
It’s long been known that there are ingredients in skin care products which are poisoning our planet. For instance, triclosan, an ingredient which has historically been used in hand sanitizer and soaps, has been banned from use in many countries. The chemical would seep into our waterways and unfortunately destroy aquatic life.
It’s not only fish and animals affected, either. Chemicals like triclosan aren’t removed from drinking water in treatment facilities. As a result, we ingest those chemicals, which are known to cause endocrine disruption.
Triclosan isn’t the only chemical villain in skin care products. DEA, BHA, BHT, DBP and P-phenylenediamine sound as ominous as they are. These chemicals are very commonly added to skin care and beauty products. They disrupt the behaviour of fish, kill plankton and increase the mortality of aquatic life.
Poisoning Our Bodies
Skin care routines and cosmetic purchases are harmful to our health. In an effort to make cosmetics affordable, manufacturers include ingredients like petroleum, phthalates and parabens in their products. Some of these substances are known carcinogens, while others are irritants. Still, others impact the health of our internal organs and can disrupt our hormonal balances.
Of course, your skin craves nourishment. Every product you spread on your body is absorbed into your skin; shouldn’t those products be beneficial to your health? Instead, these cheap chemical ingredients are added to our skin care products. Formaldehyde, sulphates and parabens are in the products we use to care for our skin; along with cancer-causing phthalates and synthetic colours too.
Making the Switch to Eco-Friendly Brands
It’s time to make the switch to natural, eco-friendly brands. Of course, scientific research is ongoing. There’s plenty of work to be done in discovering new, innovative substances which are gentle to the environment, beneficial to skin and harmless to animals and wildlife; but many advancements have already been made.
Science has discovered that vitamins and nutrients carry benefits which improve the health of your skin, including minimizing the signs of aging, while doing no harm to you or to the planet. Proteins and essential oils do the same. This research on natural, eco-friendly brands and ingredients means you don’t have to sacrifice looking good in order to do good.
We strongly encourage you to research carefully before you buy your next skin care product. There are companies that are making moves toward a greener, more environmentally friendly approach to beauty like us here at purelygreat. This approach may include:
· Organic ingredients which contain no pesticides, GMOs or toxic herbicides
· Using renewable energy sources in the production of skin care and beauty products
· A refusal to test on animals or use animal byproducts in skin care solutions
· Ensuring that each ingredient used in products is ethically sourced
· Adhering to fair trade practices, from source to sale
· Ensuring that each product is sold in recycled and recyclable packaging
· Philanthropic efforts, which support organizations that do good for the planet and global community
To help you make the switch to eco-friendly brands, we’ve compiled a list of the 11 best eco-friendly brands in the beauty and skin care industry. These companies were hand-picked for the effort they demonstrate in caring for the planet. Choose any one of them, and you can feel good about supporting brands for a healthier planet.
11 Eco-Friendly Brands
1. Ecco Bella
Ecco Bella creates everything you need to look and feel your best. The company makes hair and skin care products, makeup and even perfumes. But what’s more is that they create these products to be organic, vegan, cruelty-free and environmentally friendly.
So, what’s in Ecco Bella products? You’ll find ingredients like lycopene from tomatoes. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from toxins in the environment. You’ll also find Vitamin C from oranges, which helps to boost your collagen production. That means fewer fine lines and wrinkles.
Check out each of the products available from Ecco Bella for more information. And know that each purchase you make helps to support a company which is doing good for the planet; Ecco Bella are members of the American Sustainable Business Council and Friends of Animals.
2. Aveda
You’ve likely heard of Aveda. That’s because the brand has been in existence since 1978, and has built a reputation as both a manufacturer of quality beauty products and as one of the most eco-friendly brands available.
Aveda formulas are based on Ayurvedic medicine. Throughout the company’s history, Aveda has partnered with Ayurveda doctors to create holistic formulas for skin care and hair care as well as makeup. But there’s much more to love about the company than just the roots in Ayurveda.
Aveda has committed to leaving the smallest environmental footprint possible. The packaging of Aveda products is recyclable and often made from recycled materials. Each of the products is crafted in Minnesota using 100% wind power. And each product is responsibly sourced from natural, fair trade ingredients.
Since 1989, Aveda has subscribed to the principles set forth by the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies. That means fair working conditions, environmental restoration and close attention to waterways.
3. Kiss My Face
Kiss My Face is the third on our list of eco-friendly brands you can feel confident about buying. The Kiss My Face brand began with a simple bar of olive oil soap and has since expanded to include just about any beauty product you’ll ever need. They create products for men, women and even babies. And you’ll find shampoo, soap, hair care products and even sunscreens in the Kiss My Face collection.
Each of the products at Kiss My Face is created from natural ingredients. You’ll never find parabens, phthalates, sulphates or other harmful chemicals in the products. And, each of the Kiss My Face products are gluten free, cruelty-free and made primarily from plant ingredients. In fact, many are vegan.
Avocado, olive oil, beeswax and chamomile are just a few of the ingredients you’ll find in Kiss My Face creams, soaps and other beauty products. Essential oils are used to create fragrances, and each of the herbs and plants used in the skincare line is researched and deliberately added to the products. For instance, rosemary is an antioxidant, while sunflower oil contains essential fatty acids.
When you purchase Kiss My Face products, you’re helping give back to the global community. For years, the company has donated a portion of all proceeds to Rescue + Freedom Project and Seeds of Peace.
4. Yes To
Every one of the Yes To products contains at least 95% natural ingredients. And you’ll never find parabens, harsh chemicals or toxic sunscreens in Yes To products.
So what will you find? Yes To products feature natural ingredients like grapefruit, carrots and charcoal. Even cotton extract has found a place in the Yes To line. Choose from face washes and masks, eye cream, hair care and lip care products.
In addition to loving Yes To products, you’ll love the Yes To mission. The Pasadena-based company seeks to boost the self-confidence of women and girls through the “Yes to Happiness” mission and mantra. Yes To is absolutely one of the best eco-friendly brands that you can feel good about supporting.
5. Korres
Korres is a Greek company fully committed to a mission to create sustainable, natural beauty and skin care products. In fact, each of the Korres products is sourced from small, Greek farms which operate under sustainable, fair trade conditions.
So what’s in Korres products? Only natural, plant-based ingredients. In the environmentally friendly product lines, you’ll find ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, sunflower oil and almond oil. There are never parabens, phthalates or petroleum products, and many of the products at Korres are vegan.
When you purchase Korres products, you’re helping to support Greek farmers. Korres works with each of the farmers in its supply chain to learn sustainable and organic agricultural systems. They’ve partnered with the Agricultural University of Athens to provide education to these farmers, ensuring a future of sustainable, natural products.
Avalon Organics are, as you may have assumed from the name, the makers of organic skin care, hair care and bath products. The company is continually involved in research to ensure that each Avalon Organics creation uses only ingredients from the earth.
In these products, you’ll find ingredients like cranberry, orange and lavender. Or, you’ll love the scent of rosemary or cucumber in Avalon’s hair care line. What you won’t find are parabens, GMOs, sulphates and synthetic fragrances. Each product is vegan and they are never tested on animals.
Avalon Organics products are green from start to finish. They’re formulated using natural ingredients, and each product is displayed in recycled and recyclable packaging. The beauty products are tested for biodegradability, and the carbon footprint of the company is as small as possible.
Avalon Organics works with the Leaping Bunny program and the USDA National Organic Program. The company also adheres to the NSF/ANSI 305 standard, ensuring that each product is at least 70% organic.
And they’re doing good socially, too. Avalon Organics was one of the founding members of Empower Her Through Education. This initiative helps provide educational opportunities for girls in developing countries. There are 31 million girls on the planet who don’t have access to education – Avalon Organics seeks to change that.
Drunk Elephant is one of the most eco-friendly brands available. And they take product safety to a whole new level. While some companies stop at rejecting parabens, phthalates and other ingredients, Drunk Elephant takes one step further.
The company uses only ingredients which are proven to be not harmful. So if there’s an essential oil that’s yet to be studied, you won’t find it in Drunk Elephant products. In fact, each of the products at Drunk Elephant are unscented; the company doesn’t even allow natural fragrances.
The result is an environmentally friendly and safe line of products, suitable for every skin type. There are no drying alcohols, sulphates or silicones in the skincare line. Instead, you’ll find well-balanced ingredients like aloe and mango seed butter.
In addition to ensuring that products are safe for your skin, Drunk Elephant is also very cautious of what production will do to the environment. The company is mindful of chemicals released into waterways, and Drunk Elephant products are never tested on animals.
8. Acure
There’s a whole list of reasons you’ll love Acure products. They’re 100% vegan, free of parabens, sulphates, phthalates and mineral oils. You’ll never find petroleum in Acure products. Nor will you find silicone. And, of course, the company never tests on animals.
So, what’s in Acure skin care products? Only ingredients from the earth. You’ll love how your skin looks and feels when you use ingredients like pomegranate, blackberry, acai and rooibos. Of course, they’re certified organic and sourced ethically and responsibly.
Your Acure product will be packaged in 100% biodegradable materials. In fact, most packaging comes from recycled plastics and papers. And Acure is a family-owned business – the owners of the company frequently give back to the global community including supporting cancer research, reforestation and fair trade farming communities.
9. 100% Pure
Historically, it’s been difficult to find makeup that’s 100% naturally sourced. Mascara, eyeshadow and lip colour are often tinted with harmful toxins – toxins that rest close to your face all day!
100% Pure is on a mission to change the availability of safe, eco-friendly products. It’s becoming more and more easy to find lotions, creams and soaps that are naturally sourced. But now 100% Pure is making it easy to create your perfect look – with natural makeup.
In 100% Pure products, you’ll find organic aloe, organic teas and even organic fermented rice water. Each ingredient benefits your skin as fruit pigments provide the colours you crave.
And 100% Pure is no stranger to philanthropy. The company gives back to many organizations, including PETA, Keep a Child Alive, the American Red Cross and Farm Sanctuary.
10. Juice Beauty
Juice Beauty is another company which is making great strides in environmentally friendly, cruelty-free makeup production. Juice to beauty is proud of its “Farm to Beauty” supply line. Sourcing organic ingredients from local farms in California, the company has created a wide array of cosmetics, skin care products, and even products for kids.
Even the production of Juice Beauty products is sustainable. Using renewable energy in its plants, each Juice Beauty product is crafted with wind and solar power. There are no harmful toxins in Juice Beauty cosmetics, only organic, natural and plant-derived ingredients.
You can feel good about buying Juice Beauty products. The company gives back to the global community through Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and Environmental Working Group.
11. Honest Amish
Men deserve to pamper their skin, too. That’s why we’ve included Honest Amish on our list of the 11 best eco-friendly brands in skin care. These products are made in the USA and are 100% cruelty-free. They also contain ingredients which are naturally derived, and they’re even packaged in recycled materials.
So what’s in Honest Amish products? Nothing but 100% natural, organic ingredients. Care for your skin and beard with organic, sustainable ingredients like locally harvested beeswax, organic fruit and nut butters and essential oils.
There are no GMOs, phthalates, parabens or artificial fragrances in Honest Amish products. And each product, packaged in biodegradable materials, is handmade in the United States.
Honest Amish is marketed to men, with a large line of beard care products. But women find that the earthy scents of Honest Amish products are deceptively unisex.
These eco-friendly brands, along with PURELYGREAT offer products that you can easily incorporate into your life. If you can switch out at least one or two products to start, then you are on the right track! Do your part this Earth Day and invest in our planet, we only get one.
Embrace A Natural Lifestyle!
