Over the past few years, I have increasingly become more and more educated about climate change and all of the negative factors that are harming the Earth. I’ll admit that at first I didn’t know a whole lot about the push for sustainability. More recently, I have been seeing lots of content on Instagram and TikTok about sustainability and what we can do to make a positive change for our future and the future of generations to come.
Young people typically want the newest products from brand names because that’s what’s “cool.” However, more and more young people are choosing to shop for clothes sustainably and are going thrift shopping. Most people have gotten rid of using plastic water bottles and have opted into using reusable Hydroflasks and other reusable water bottles. Right now, sustainability is trendy and I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all! There are so many changes that we can make in different areas that pertain to us that will have a positive impact on our environment. Recently, I have been starting to look at switching my beauty and skincare brands over to brands that use clean ingredients and have sustainable packaging. To my surprise, there are so many brands out there that are taking the initiative to do their part on reducing their waste. Although, it makes sense because now more than ever, consumers are buying from brands that have values and morals that align with their own.
I get most of my beauty and skincare products from Ulta Beauty so I was ecstatic when I was scrolling through their website and found an entire category called “Conscious Beauty” which is full of brands that use clean ingredients and sustainable packaging. For people like me who were curious about what qualifies as “sustainable packaging,” Ulta explains it as soon as you click on the category. According to their website, sustainable packaging means that “at least 50% of packaging must be made from recycled or bio-sourced materials or be recyclable or refillable.” I was so excited to see all of the brands, most of which I actually recognized. I am going to share some of them with all of you & urge you to start opting in for sustainable products when you can!
#1. Pacifica
Pacifica has the cutest packaging and a wide variety of products. From makeup, to skincare, to perfume, they have all your needs covered. Not to mention, they are 100% vegan and cruelty free. They use sustainable packaging made from PCR, glass, aluminum, and paper. They have their own recycling program where they take #5 plastic waste and turn it into razors and toothbrushes. How awesome is that?! All of their formulas are clean and non-toxic as well!
#2. Spotlight Oral Care
Okay, as someone who has tried so many products to get whiter teeth, I can tell you that these products work great and are worth the money. All of their toothpaste tubes are made from 100% sugarcane which means they are recyclable and don’t produce any carbon. You can choose from their toothpastes, whitening pens, whitening strips and more while feeling great about their mission to saving our Earth.
#3. EcoTools
This brand has been around forever and I have been using their sponges and brushes since middle school. They are tried and true! This year they have made huge strides in their efforts to become more sustainable, reducing their plastic use by 88%. That’s amazing! All of their packaging is 100% biodegradable and recyclable paper and they use soy ink to print. They are also vegan and cruelty-free!
#4. UpCircle
This is a skincare brand that uses repurposed coffee grounds, chai spice, and fruit stones from local coffee shops to make their products. Now, I have the excuse that my coffee addiction is actually helping a bigger cause! I’ll take a caramel macchiato with a strawless lid, please & thank you!
#5. Here are some other popular, sustainable brands you can find at Ulta: bliss, Bumble and Bumble, Drybar, Kiehl’s, Josie Maran, Kitsch, Kristin Ess, Living Proof, Mario Badescu, Philosophy, Redken, St. Tropez, The Ordinary, & Truly.
These are just 4 out of 119 brands on the Ulta website that are categorized under conscious beauty for their sustainable packaging and clean formulas! I urge you all to make the switch to clean, good for the environment brands. And hey, if you need a little push, think of it as a guilt free shopping spree that is not only going to make your skin and body happy, but it’s also going to make our Earth happy as well. Add “sustainable care” into your “self care!” Happy shopping!