World Environment Day is celebrated in June, and we thought it’d be fitting to put sustainable beauty brands under the spotlight to mark the occasion. With the ever-growing popularity of eco-friendly products, brands now embrace sustainability as a core tenet in their production process. Many beauty labels are also shifting to green ingredients and natural formulations that are good for the environment and gentle on your skin.
The recent ‘Blue Beauty' trend has also brought into focus brands that make ocean-friendly products, taking vital steps to reduce the harmful effects of chemicals on the aquatic ecosystem. So, let’s dive in and explore 10 sustainable beauty brands spanning skincare, hair care, and makeup, that’ll help you give back to Mother Earth.
1. Forest Essentials
The manufacturing facility of Forest Essentials has won an award for being ecologically responsible. They use recycled PET and glass, biodegradable packaging, and air-filled paper to reduce plastic waste in packaging. Better yet, they ethically source all ingredients from small-scale farmers to support rural communities, which essentially means you get the best possible quality. This luxury Ayurveda brand has much to offer, including the cult-favourite, herb-enriched Bhringraj oil which promotes healthy growth and restores hair volume.
2. Aminu
Determined to take nothing more than what’s required from Mother Earth, Aminu promotes sustainable living in the quest to lighten its carbon footprint. Their packaging is not only shrink-plastic-free but also biodegradable and free of microplastics. Try their brightening and hydrating body oil with Vitamin C, which has nine nourishing, cold-pressed oils. You can recycle the glass jar, and the plastic on the dropper can be recycled up to six times.
3. Aveda
Aveda is transparent in its efforts to be sustainable. For one, you can check sourcing details and the benefits of key ingredients on their website, along with blockchain tracing of their supply chain. The hair care brand also has a B Corp certification that verifies the social and environmental performance of companies. If you’re looking for a hair loss solution, try their rosemary mint clarifying shampoo and weightless conditioner.
4. Juicy Chemistry
With formulations free of harsh chemicals, Juicy Chemistry offers products that protect waterways and marine life. They also support local farmers by ethically sourcing organic materials and focus on making every aspect of their business sustainable with initiatives like biodegradable packaging and no animal testing. Try their eye cream made with damask rose and coffee, which helps reduce the appearance of dark circles, fine lines, and wrinkles.
5. Earth Rhytm
This eco-conscious brand is all about bringing clean and clinically effective products of the highest quality to the market. They focus on using ethically sourced raw materials and believe in giving back to Mother Nature. Earth Rhythm’s most popular product is the multi-tasking Lip & Cheek Tint that has taken the internet by storm. Its fruit pigments give your skin a boost of vitamin C while adding rich moisture for a smooth feel.
6. Soultree
Soultree promises to be organic, Ayurvedic, and ethical, while producing products with zero chemical contamination. Try their nourishing cream, which is fortified with vitamin E to reduce fine lines and help you achieve smooth, supple skin. It also boasts Ashwagandha Shatavari which eliminates signs of ageing, saffron that unclogs the pores, and almond which helps your skin feel fresh and smooth.
7. Ruby’s Organics
Well, we’ve all been there – throwing away a tube of unfinished lipstick because it’s older than your last relationship. Ruby’s Organics got an idea to reduce this waste and go beyond just paper or plastic for their sustainability goals. You get 16 mini lipsticks that suit all complexions, reduce the use of plastic, and limit product wastage. It’s also a great way to find the perfect shade that you can be sure of using completely.
8. L’occitane
This luxury brand is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and creating formulas with fair-trade ingredients. They draw inspiration from Mother Nature in everything they do, including the development of their products. You cannot miss out on their Reset Anti-Ageing Serum, which features the breakthrough ingredient Immortelle, known to dispel 2x more anti-ageing and antioxidant properties than vitamin E.
9. RAS Luxury
RAS Luxury is well-known for its oils, and offers natural and organic products – or as they call it, ‘farm to face skincare’. With initiatives to dispose of waste safely, utilise organic waste for manure, recycle paper, and prevent the use of single-use plastic, the brand is actively trying to reduce its carbon footprint. Their award-winning, oil-based elixir serum is a must-have with 24-carat gold that makes your skin radiant, saffron for a youthful glow, and rosehip to help you achieve soft skin.
10. Disguise Cosmetics
This PETA-approved, cruelty-free brand uses naturally derived ingredients while being budget-friendly. Their bestselling matte lipstick is 100% vegan and nourishes your lips with shea butter, vitamin E, and oils. While it's available in 11 stunning shades, the Black Slayer shade is a social-media favourite.
FAQs
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What are sustainable skincare products or cosmetics?
Sustainable skincare products or cosmetics simply mean products that come in recyclable packing to reduce pollution. They are also made of eco-friendly ingredients and aim to have a minimal or no negative impact on the environment during their production or use.
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Is organic and sustainable the same?
Organic often refers to the cultivation of ingredients and agricultural processes. A product you’re using may have organic ingredients but its packaging may be unrecyclable plastic and hence, not eco-friendly. Similarly, the term sustainable may not always be a good indicator of the quality of ingredients in the products.
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Is Nykaa a sustainable brand?
Nykaa aims to bring sustainable brands to consumers while promoting overall awareness around environment-friendly products. The brand itself uses 100% recyclable paper for its outer cardboard packaging and has made several attempts to reduce the use of plastic. One such example is their switch to paper fillers instead of bubble wrap.
