These Sustainable Beauty Brands Are Making a Positive Impact on Our Planet
Save the Earth with brands like Aesop and Costa Brazil.
Although Earth Day only takes place once a year, sustainable practices are ideally part of a comprehensive lifestyle that can be integrated into our routines year-round – may it be tiny first steps or a large overhaul of changes. As the topic of responsible production and consumption comes to the forefront, we look to areas of day-to-day life that are affected. Much like fashion, sustainability in beauty and skincare can be defined by many different factors. However, whether it’s in the way that the ingredients are sourced or by the way that the packaging can be reused, one thing is for sure: change is coming for the beauty industry.
By using new technological developments, brands are creating more sustainable alternatives to disposable plastics and are discovering more optimal ways to source their ingredients. Regardless of whether the brand is shaking up the entire industry as a vanguard or if they are simply making small changes that are accessible to consumers, it is clear that the beauty industry is experiencing a shift for the better.
Read on to find out more about some of our favorite sustainable beauty brands and how you can make small changes to your routine to contribute to the safekeeping and longevity of the planet.
(M)ANASI7
View this post on Instagram
Along with its beautifully minimal packaging, Stockholm-based clean beauty label (M)ANASI7 is loved for its high-quality products that are responsibly made. The entire vegan organic range is made in small batches, which ensures that the production cycle is environmentally friendly from beginning to end. In addition, all of the products’ packaging is eco-friendly – they are produced at a slow pace, designed to last and encouraged for re-use.
From its “All Over Colour Manketti” Multi Créme to its Silk Finish Translucent Powder, (M)ANASI7 is a purveyor of products to achieve the perfect “no makeup-makeup” look.
Kjaer Weis
View this post on Instagram
Kjaer Weis is recognized as a pioneer of sustainable luxury beauty. Known for its wide range of refillable products, the label is gaining repute not only for its premium organic offering but also for its minimal environmental impact, which is an aspiration for beauty brands at large. The brand was founded by renowned makeup artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis.
She saw a void in a market dominated by harmful, synthetically-made beauty products and set out to fill this space. Thus, Kjaer Weis was born and now includes among its growing roster of refillable goods such creations as lipsticks, cream blushes, cream foundations, pressed powders and more.
Meow Meow Tweet
View this post on Instagram
There is nothing in the world that tickles us more than finding a way to somehow integrate cats into our daily lives in unexpected ways. So when we come across a brand called Meow Meow Tweet, you know that we are about to give it our full, undivided attention. Boasting a range of natural, vegan products, MMT is also a low-waste skincare brand that encourages its users to participate in its Bulk Refill Program.
As its name suggests, customers can buy refills for their containers in bulk (with a 15 percent discount, no less), which are then shipped right to their doorsteps. Once the bulk product is finished, you can even ship your product back to MMT to be sterilized and essentially used until the end of time. From deodorants and shampoo bars to cleansing oils and daily sunscreen, there is a product for every step of your daily beauty routine.
Costa Brazil
View this post on Instagram
Launched by Francisco Costa, former Creative Director of Calvin Klein, Costa Brazil is a clean luxury beauty concept inspired by the founder’s Brazilian roots. By harnessing the enriching, all-natural ingredients of the Amazon rainforest, Costa is creating a brand that is becoming known for its effective yet responsibly produced products housed within chic and minimalist packaging made from sustainable materials.
From its cult-favorite “Kaya” Anti-Aging Face Oil to its jungle-scented candle made from 100 percent plant-based wax, Costa Brazil is challenging the standards of the beauty industry by introducing new products that promote the restoration and preservation of our planet.
Cosmydor
View this post on Instagram
First launched in 1877 in Paris, Cosmydor is transforming into an esteemed heritage beauty label with this mantra at its core: “Nature provides everything we need.” All of the brand’s products are crafted using natural, certified organic ingredients and are completely free from harmful chemicals.
Boasting a roster of creams, balms, serums and soaps for your face, lips, hands and body, each product in its expansive roster is sustainably handcrafted and packaged in France. For an immediate, revitalizing lift, we recommend the Eye Contour Serum with hamamelis and the “Unifying” Serum, made with coffee seed powder.
La Bouche Rouge
View this post on Instagram
This French beauty brand is recognized as the “first luxury sustainable makeup brand.” CEO Nicolas Gerlier said in a statement: “La Bouge Rouge is the first cosmetic brand to avoid plastic on a global scale: from the production process to the design of its lipsticks and in the formula.” Apart from its beautifully colored lipsticks, LBR is known for being entirely cruelty-free and vegan. Its entire product range is completely free of micro-plastics and animal fats (in fact, the brand removed beeswax from its formula earlier this year).
In addition, each stunningly chic lipstick tube is crafted from vegetable-tanned leather and is refillable once you finish the product. Whether you’re already mindful of plastic consumption or are looking to make a small change to your daily routine to reduce waste, La Bouche Rouge is an excellent brand to add to your beauty repertoire.
Aesop
View this post on Instagram
Although this is not a largely advertised fact, every single Aesop store in Hong Kong partakes in a recycling program. Not restricted solely to Aesop products, the Australian beauty brand accepts any emptied (and rinsed) plastic and glass cosmetic packaging. The materials are then collected and transferred for future recycling in partnership with HK Recycles.
Rituals
View this post on Instagram
Ritual’s Director of Innovations & Sustainability, Niki Schilling, is making it her mission to make personal wellbeing the same as environmental wellbeing. Only using ethically sourced ingredients, the brand makes sure that both environmental and social impacts are taken into consideration through the entirety of the sourcing process – this includes the safety and fair treatment of the workers involved.
Le Labo
View this post on Instagram
Perhaps best known for its cult-status “Santal 33” scent, the NYC-based luxury fragrance brand founded by Eddie Roschi and Fabrice Penot is one of the most ubiquitous perfume houses in the world. Apart from its instantly recognizable olfactory creations, Le Labo’s refillable service is one of the brand’s most sought-after features by customers.
For all the sentimental folks out there, you’ll be able to keep your personalized label with this eco-friendly choice, as well as enjoy a discount on the refill.
Angela Caglia
View this post on Instagram
Nicknamed the “Hollywood Glow Girl,” Angela Caglia counts stars like Barbara Streisand and Minnie Driver as her clients. After establishing success as an A-list facialist, Caglia launched her eponymous skincare line two years ago. Known for her “No No List” of ingredients that are banned from her products, the label fervently practices clean beauty and is known for both the efficacy and thoughtfulness behind each skincare creation.
Caglia herself believes in accountability in a holistic way that serves not only the consumer but also the planet – sustainability efforts are practiced at every step, from sourcing ingredients, designing packaging and selecting manufacturers. With this philosophy in mind, it’s evident why so many users look to the brand for luxurious yet ethical products.
Tata Harper
View this post on Instagram
The thing that impressed us the most when we first learned about Tata Harper is the fact that all of its products are processed and formulated on the founder’s farm and lab in Vermont via small batch productions. As a result, the brand is 100 percent natural and prioritizes freshness. For the beauty entrepreneur, skincare is about efficacy, quality and purity.
Most of the packaging is also made of glass, which the brand encourages you to recycle. The minimal plastic resin that may be found in its packages is derived from corn, which means that it is made from a renewable resource and not petroleum. All of this, combined with the fact that its products yield proven results, makes it no wonder that Tata Harper is at the forefront of clean, sustainable beauty.
Biossance
View this post on Instagram
We first discovered this brand through none other than Queer Eye‘s Jonthan Van Ness. As we began to dive deeper into Biossance’s mission however, it reaches far beyond sustainable beauty. In addition to creating effective products backed by science and sustainability, the company also operates in collaboration with the non-profit organization Zagaya, which is committed to eradicating malaria in developing countries.
When you support Biossance, you’re not only investing in quality skincare products but also helping to create positive change in the world – all without harming the environment or animals.
Everyday Humans
View this post on Instagram
One of our favorite things about Everyday Humans is that it’s a very accessible brand – without breaking the bank, they produce wildly effective SPF products. Although it doesn’t market itself as sustainable, it’s a reef-friendly brand that uses recyclable plastic and FSC-certified paper for all of its packaging. For those who are looking to take that first step towards being more environmentally conscious, Everyday Humans is a great place to start.
While you’re here, check out our round-up of the best vitamin C serums.
