3 sustainable beauty brands you need to know
I think it goes without saying that the majority, if not all, beauty brands centre themselves on the principles of cleanliness, care and preservation. So, with this in mind, it seems absolutely insane that these three key beliefs are only just being implemented by the beauty industry when it comes to looking after our planet and the environment. It is a well-known fact that the beauty industry generates a lot of plastic waste and by a lot I mean 120 billion units of plastic are produced every year by the cosmetics industry according to Zero Waste.
However, with that being said, over recent times there has been a definitive shift towards sustainable and conscientious beauty taking hold within the beauty industry at the moment whether it’s biodegradable packaging, organic plant-based ingredients or cruelty-free formulations, each brand in this list is doing their bit for the planet. So, let’s get started, shall we?
- BYBI Beauty
BYBI Beauty was founded in 2017 by two London-based female beauty bloggers (BYBI, an acronym for By Beauty Insiders), Elsie & Dominika. BYBI has been hailed as the pioneer of vegan, natural, millennial beauty. BYBI is not just an ethical brand but a super-sustainable one too. All of the brand’s packaging is recyclable and made entirely from bioplastic which is a naturally derived, biodegradable plastic alternative made from sugarcane. To top it all off, a lot of the products are made from by-products of the juice industry to really offset global wastage.
My hero product is the Strawberry Booster (£12) which is a one ingredient wonder (it only contains Strawberry seed oil). Strawberry seed oil is known as a natural moisturizer for those of us who have drier or sensitive skin types, boosting radiance and nourishing the complexion. The booster is designed to amplify your current skincare routine, it can be integrated effortlessly alongside other products. As well as this, it is entirely versatile to the point that you can add drops into your serums, moisturizers or alternatively into your foundation if you’re looking for a more glowy finish.
- BECo
BECo or BetterConsidered is a UK soap brand that has such incredible values. Launched by the social enterprise initiative Clarity, BECo creates ‘real jobs within the company for real people in the UK who are visually impaired, disabled or disadvantaged’. BECo employs a workforce of whom 80% are disabled and teaches them new skills like soap making, production and bottling, each person playing an invaluable role within the company. In fact, BECo has created more than 10,000 days of work for people with disabilities. And according to a recent statistic, if all households in the UK used BECo in their bathrooms, consumers would help to create nearly 45,000 new jobs for people with disabilities, now that is remarkable!
In terms of its product offering, BECo keeps it simple and straightforward. They currently offer a range of vegan and eco-friendly bottles and bars of soap, not forgetting their newest addition of shampoo bars all at a super-accessible price point. All the products are packaged in biodegradable, recycled materials and are 100% plastic-free, hypoallergenic, SLS and paraben-free. And you know what, they really are brilliant!
I can’t recommend enough trying the BECo Bar Triple Milled Organic Soap (£3) which comes in three different scents. It is a gentle yet hydrating bar of soap which honestly is something you just want to use forever if you like a good old bar of soap.
- Humble Co.
Now I don’t know about you but I am a stickler for a manual toothbrush. I simply cannot abide by an electric toothbrush and just how long brushing takes whilst using one. However, that being said, the one thing that really annoys about manual toothbrushes is the waste. I like to brush my teeth aggressively, thus leading to a significantly more rapid breakdown of bristles and eventually resulting in me throwing away said toothbrush. I needed to find a solution to throwing away all this plastic and then I was introduced to The Humble Co. Humble Brush(£3.99). It has been touted as the world’s most sold bamboo toothbrush. The brush has been designed by dentists with a handle made from 100% sustainably-grown and biodegradable bamboo and bristles made from nylon.
What makes it better than regular toothbrushes? Well, for one it lasts longer – I have personally found – than plastic toothbrushes and once it has seen its day you don’t feel as bad throwing it away because it will decompose. As well as being eco-friendly, it is also socially responsible too. For every brush sold, the company gives a child in need one too as well as funding projects for them.
Think sustainably and play your part in saving this precious planet of ours!
Opening image: @HONEYDON.T
