More Beauty, Less Plastic
Plastic-free July, a global movement originating in Australia that challenges millions of people around the world to reduce single-use plastic waste for the entire month of July, was a great reminder for us to take a step back and re-evaluate our spending habits, especially when it comes to beauty products. When shopping for beauty products, stop and think “where will this container go when I finish the product inside it and toss it in the trash?” Most plastic waste is either tossed into landfills and incinerated, which causes a lot of pollution, or it is scattered across oceans where it disrupts the ecosystem. Because of the nature of beauty products like mascara, lipsticks, shampoos, etc, tiny pieces of plastic, also known as microplastic, is a key part in most packaging. The problem with microplastic is that it is nearly impossible to recycle, and doesn’t break down easily, which means their life on Earth ends hundreds to thousands of years after you toss it in the trash. On the bright side, amidst the call-to-action for beauty brands to reduce plastic in their products, many Earth-friendly brands have reduced or completely eliminated all plastic in their packaging. We’ve gathered a list of some of the best plastic-free brands to try out as plastic-free July comes to an end
Skincare
Luxury: Loli Beauty
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Loli Beauty, which actually stands for “Living Organic Loving Ingredients,” focuses on clean, superfood ingredients in all their products, and a lot of their products come in a reusable glass yogurt jar, with compostable labels, bags and boxes. Additionally, every purchase of $75 or more, $1 is donated to organizations that are supporting an end to human trafficking. Among their most popular products is their Date Nut Brulee Moisturizer, which is a “3-in-1 miracle melting balm that cleanses, moisturizes and treats.”
Budget: Face Theory
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Face Theory has affordable, clean vegan and cruelty-free skincare formulas which cater to every skin type while also being mindful of packaging, as most products come in amber glass jars with aluminium caps, or 100% aluminium tubes which are easy to recycle. Their Clarifying Cleanser C2 with Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Lactic Acid is one of their best-selling products to “clarify oily, congested, blemish-prone skin.”
Haircare
Luxury: Plaine Products
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Plaine Products is certified organic, vegan, and cruelty free, and does a great job at sustainable packaging. Most products (mostly haircare and soap) come in aluminum bottles which you can send back and get refilled once you use all of the product. Their shampoo and conditioner is a gentle, sustainable option for transitioning to plastic-free bottles.
Budget: The Earthling Co.
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The Earthling Co. does sustainable haircare and body care with an affordable price tag. The brand emphasises creating clean and sustainable alternatives to products that typically come in plastic packaging, and even give back to the community by donating “a portion of every sale to a variety of environmental organizations that work on well-rounded ways to create the harmonious and sustainable world we envision.” Their shampoo bars come in a beautiful rainbow of different natural fragrances, and contain only concentrated, plant-based ingredients.
Makeup
Luxury: Athr Beauty
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Athr specializes in clean and sustainable makeup, specifically eyeshadow palettes, blush palettes, and liquid highlighter. They actually infuse their products with real crystals for “the amalgamation of transcendent, shimmer and glow and profound wellness benefit,” which is a really unique way to incorporate natural elements into beauty products.
Budget: Axiology
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Axiology uses clean and natural ingredients in their lip products, and their bestseller, the Lip-to-Lid Balmies, come wrapped in paper and in a recyclable carrying case that’s made from up-cycled materials, so no plastic waste is involved. Additionally, they come in 10 different colors, so you are bound to find one that suits your complexion.
If No-Plastic July has taught us anything, it is to be ultra-mindful when shopping for anything that might create plastic waste, especially beauty products. Shopping feels a lot less wasteful when you know you aren’t polluting the Earth!
