We're Making Our Skincare More Sustainable

To many people, just as important as the effectiveness of skincare treatments are that the products themselves are sustainable. More and more individuals are becoming aware of the environmental risks and damages some skincare products (and the packaging they come in) can cause and are instead looking for much more ethical options.

In North America, various areas of the beauty industry are wasteful and not well regulated. This can lead to the inclusion of low-quality ingredients, negative environmental impacts, and ocean pollution.

However, as consumers and manufacturers start to take notice of the impact and earth implications, attempts to make products more sustainable are beginning. Earth Day is getting closer, but every day can be Earth Day as you focus on sustainable skincare. It’s not the ultimate solution, but it’s a great way to start.

What Is Sustainable Skincare?

The term “sustainable skincare” can mean something different to each person you talk to. In general, sustainable skincare describes products that are environmentally friendly and don’t harm Mother Nature or its inhabitants at any step of the process, from manufacturing, sourcing, all way to marketing.

Each of us wants to ensure we make the right choices when it comes to our skin care, but now more than ever it’s important to be sure our choices are right for our Earth as well. Whether you pay attention to organic certifications or are more focused on reusable or recyclable packaging, sustainability doesn’t have to be a concept out of grasp for consumers or manufacturers. In fact, even with sustainable skin care being the goal, you can still enjoy a full range of products that meet all of your beauty needs.

We aim to make the right choices when it comes to the ingredients we source, as well as the packaging we use for each of our products. We know it can be difficult to find a brand with transparent sustainable practices, which is why we strive to give you detailed information about each product we carry and the ingredients used in each.

For instance, all of our packaging is Forest Stewardship Council certified and sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Our paper inserts have all been replaced with recyclable paper. Our shipping boxes have also been resized to minimize excess waste.

How Can Skincare Be Sustainable?

There are a few select ways you can determine if an item is sustainable or not. The first and easiest way to find out is by reading the company’s information page. In most cases, a sustainably focused company will be proud to announce this fact in their information.

Other ways you can tell if a product is being made with sustainability in mind includes:

Packaging

Products that are made with sustainability in mind will focus on having reusable or recyclable packing. For reusable packaging, glass containers are a common choice, especially containers that can be refilled or used for other purposes after the skincare product has been used up.

For recyclable packaging, glass and aluminum are both very commonly recycled products. Plastic is also recyclable, though may be slightly more difficult to find proper recycling facilities for. Recycling packaging can also be in the form of compostable materials such as plant fibers or paper fibers.

Ingredients

Sustainable ingredients are those that are easily grown and not invasive. Organic materials are also considered sustainable as they are under heavy regulation when growing. Fast-growing botanicals that can be easily cultured are highly sustainable, as opposed to things like sandalwood or corals as they can take many years to grow to a harvestable size.

All natural ingredients are also more sustainable than some synthetic products. We focus on a wide range of natural ingredients including Plantago Lanceolata Leaf Extract in our AGELESS total overnight retinol masque, avocado oil in our ORMEDIC lip enhancement complex, and Saponaria Officinalis leaf extract in our VITAL C hydrating facial cleanser.

Bulk Amounts

Certain products can be found in bulk amounts which ends up being more sustainable in the long term than single use amounts. Products such as oils, clays, and botanical mixtures can be found in bulk amounts which gives you the option of purchasing the product and refilling your own smaller skincare containers.

Beauty can come to us in many ways. It can come through radiant, healthy skin but also by protecting and caring for our earth. Happy Earth Day!