Navigating the shift towards sustainability in beauty can be a rewarding yet complex endeavor.
While the pandemic has heightened awareness of environmental issues, many consumers and brands are stepping up to make meaningful changes.
Here’s how the beauty industry is evolving and what you can do to join the movement toward sustainability.
The Rise of Sustainable Practices in Beauty
Sustainability in beauty is gaining traction, with brands increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices. Companies like Osea Beauty have long championed green initiatives, integrating sustainable methods into their product development.
Founder Jenefer Palmer underscores the importance of incremental steps, such as minimizing packaging, sourcing responsibly, and pursuing climate-neutral certification to reduce carbon emissions.
Sean Garrette, a Dior esthetician and skincare expert, acknowledges that sustainability in the beauty industry can be challenging, particularly when testing multiple products.
Yet, he stresses the importance of researching non-toxic ingredients and mindful consumption as part of the journey to minimizing waste.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Switching to eco-friendly beauty practices doesn’t mean giving up luxury or overhauling your entire skincare routine. It’s about making thoughtful choices that align with a more sustainable lifestyle. Here are some practical steps to consider:
- Rethink Packaging: The beauty industry’s packaging can take decades or even centuries to decompose. Recyclable packaging is key to reducing environmental impact. Brands like Korres use packaging that is up to 100% recyclable, while Fenty Beauty recently launched an eyeliner in a wooden pencil format to reduce plastic waste.
- Embrace Multi-Use Products: Simplify your routine with versatile products that work across different applications. Charlotte Tilbury and Ilia have introduced multi-use items for lips, cheeks, and eyes, which can reduce both waste and clutter.
- Opt for Reusable Tools: Replace single-use items with reusable alternatives like washable cotton pads and loofahs. This shift not only saves money but also decreases the amount of waste generated.
Choosing Sustainable Ingredients
Researching a brand’s ingredient sourcing practices can reveal their commitment to sustainability. Look for products made from naturally derived ingredients such as natural oils and agricultural plant extracts.
For instance, Dior’s La Mousse cleanser uses water lilies sourced from their Latour-Marliac garden, harvested in a way that supports plant regeneration.
Osea’s latest product, a night serum with AHAs and spirulina, showcases their dedication to finding natural, effective ingredients. Palmer emphasizes that “the earth provides the ingredients we need to nourish and enhance our skin.”
The Refill Movement
Refill stores offer a practical way to reduce packaging waste. These stores allow consumers to purchase products like shampoo, lotion, and dish soap by weight and refill them in reusable containers.
Vivian Chuang, a sustainability advocate, has been visiting refill stores since 2014 and finds it an accessible way to test products without committing to excess packaging or branding.
“I can try new products, and if they don’t fit my lifestyle, I can switch without waste,” she notes.
In New York, options like A Sustainable Village in the East Village provide a range of zero-waste goods, including lotions and soaps.
For those in Brooklyn, places like The Nature at Park Slope offer similar sustainable shopping experiences.
Progress Over Perfection
Achieving a completely zero-waste lifestyle may be unrealistic for most, but adopting a “low waste” mindset, as recommended by TikTok sustainability expert Chelsy Christina, is a great start.
Christina suggests using up existing products before purchasing eco-friendly alternatives to maintain sustainability progress without pressure.
As Garrette puts it, adopting sustainable beauty practices is about being mindful and responsive to the changing world.
By making thoughtful, incremental changes, you can maintain the luxury and ritual of beauty while reducing your environmental impact.
Every step counts, and each effort contributes to a larger mission of sustainable living.
