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Sustainability is a hot topic in today’s society, where overconsumption is normalized and environmental impact is more important than ever. According to epa.gov, many things can contribute to what makes products more sustainable, such as waste disposal, the use of natural resources, pollution and more. It can definitely pose a challenge for companies, especially those in the beauty industry, to create sustainable, accessible and high-quality products.
Nonetheless, it is extremely important for us as consumers to be as aware as possible about how the companies we support affect the environment. It is also our responsibility to avoid companies that partake in “greenwashing”, which is a process where companies market themselves as being more ecologically friendly than they truly are. Sometimes, eco-friendly products and methods get less marketing, making them less known. Let’s dive into some cosmetics that can contribute to environmental harm and discuss methods and brands that you can utilize to help you be a green gator.
1. Makeup
There are many environmental flaws involved in many makeup products; however, the most prevalent one is the use of unsustainable packaging and microplastics. Most makeup brands use packaging which is bad for the environment, but many beloved makeup brands have products containing microplastics. Beatthemicrobead.org states that 85% of Maybelline products contain plastics, and 83% of Sephora products contain them. The same site provided that only products from a brand called puroBIO didn’t contain any plastics. Additionally, zerowastestore.com recommends more sustainable makeup brands such as Elate Cosmetics and River Organics amongst others. Furthermore, it explains that some of the reasons these brands are considered environmentally ethical are for their packaging, minimal use of plastics, recycling and more.
2. Makeup Removers
The makeup-removing process often involves things such as makeup wipes, cotton pads, or micellar water. The production of cotton pads can chemically pollute rivers, damage wildlife and use up considerable amounts of water, according to euronews.com. Additionally, the constant disposal of cotton pads and makeup wipes also harms the environment; this is why switching over to reusable cotton pads is best for the environment.
Greenzla is a zero-waste, eco-friendly company with the goal of providing tools so that people can live greener. They produce multiple products, but the one that I love, and is most beauty-related, is their reusable cotton pads. These “cotton pads” are easy to use and come with a little bag that makes them easy to wash. Many brands make things similar to this, but Greenzla is one whose goal heavily focuses on overall sustainability. They even make their packaging recyclable, which is a good sign of their actual sustainability efforts.
A more accessible and affordable option that has a wider variety of beauty-related products is EcoTools. This brand believes in recycling, using biodegradable packaging and vegan methods. It is likely that if you frequent stores like Walmart, TJ Maxx and Target, among others, you will come across these ecologically friendly products, which span from makeup remover pads to hairbrushes. I highly recommend checking if your local store has any of their products in stock the next time that you need a cosmetic tool.
3. Fragrances
Many fragrances are ethanol-based, which is very bad for the environment according to ecocult.com; you should search for brands that use sugar cane alcohol as their base. Additionally, perfumes are sprayed directly into the air, worsening the harm they do. It is also always important to ensure that brands do not test their products on animals, so be sure to do your research before purchasing if there are no signs on the bottle. Some more ethical suggested brands are Maison Louis Marie, Henry Rose and Petit Vour.
4. Sunscreens
Much research has been done to prove that wearing sunscreen daily is something that will protect your skin’s longevity. Due to the spread of this information and influence by the media pushing it, many people have incorporated sunscreen into their daily skincare regimen. However, it has been found that sunscreens can greatly harm marine wildlife. Oceanservice.noaa.gov states how some aquatic life that sunscreen can harm are fish, sea urchins, dolphins and mussels. The biggest threat that it states sunscreen poses to ocean life is to coral reefs; some of the ingredients used in sunscreens can bleach, damage and even kill the coral, which is the center of life for many other species. Popular brands such as Hawaiian Tropic and Banana Boat are rated a 30 out of 100 on ethics based on studies conducted according to ethicalconsumer.org. Meanwhile, they state that brands such as Odylique, Badger, Green People and more are much more ethical in their production. If you are an avid sunscreen user, then I recommend that you look into more environmentally friendly brands. Additionally, if you are looking for sunscreen to wear at the beach, then you should look into more sustainable options because it is likely that the product will come in direct contact with the ocean.
5. Hair Care
To start off, the production of many hair care products utilizes extensive energy and water, while also involving harmful chemicals, states thegoodzestcompany.co.uk. This site also explains that they contain microplastics, which easily enter water systems and harm marine life. On the other hand, many organic hair care products can actually do some good for the environment. The Good Zest Co. is a company that focuses on creating organic products that are healthy for your hair, skin and the environment.
Furthermore, another solution is the use of bar soaps. Bar soaps usually use more sustainable packaging, and lead to people using less soap overall. Theearthlingco.com elaborates that the ingredients used in bar soaps are also better for the environment; bar soaps are often made of more natural oils, while liquid soaps contain emulsifying agents, stabilizers, preservatives, fragrances and dyes. Some sustainable bar soap options are Ethique, Save Bamboo and Humby Organics.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to becoming a greener gator. It can be overwhelming to hear that most of the products you use are not very ecologically sustainable; however, making any small change can help. Plus, many products that are better for the environment are also better for you, so you are also probably doing yourself a favor. I encourage you to check out some of the brands mentioned in this article, or do your own research to find more sustainable brands now that you understand the amount of harm that cosmetic products can have on the earth!