Are you feeling like your bottles of shampoo and conditioner, practically empty, are really starting to pile up? What about the numerous tubes and cans of sunscreen that’s always bought during the summer, then repurchased again the next year? Let’s not forget the various chapsticks that seem to always go missing, only to be found immediately after being replaced. Even your average plastic deodorant containers add up over time. It sounds like you’re interested in using more zero waste beauty products, but don’t know where to start.
What is Zero Waste?
“The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
Zero Waste International Alliance
Whether it’s hair care, body or skin, VALLEY has compiled a list of four beauty brands that are a perfect start to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
1. Ethique
If you’re looking to cut down on plastic bottle usage, look no further. Ethique offers shampoos and conditioners as well as other face and body products that all come in the form of solid beauty bars. The brand lives by #giveupthebottle and is proud to say its packaging contains no plastic, laminate or chlorines.
Being vegan and cruelty-free, Ethique has many partnerships with environmental protection, sustainability and animal welfare organizations. Plastic-free and compostable storage containers made from bamboo and cornstarch have been created to go along with its bars. Ethique was created to “put a bar in every shower and revolutionize the cosmetics industry” and it’s here to stay.
2. Meow Meow Tweet
Meow Meow Tweet gets its name from the founder’s two pet cats and bird. This cruelty-free brand is vegan with a range of beauty products that focuses on compostable, reusable products and eliminating waste. Using products like these is not only better for the environment, but also for your own skin because of the all-natural ingredients.
VALLEY recommends trying out the natural deodorant sticks, specifically the baking soda free collection. They’re made for sensitive skin and like all its products, have cute biodegradable packaging. Don’t forget to check out the bulk program which has a refill system and is 100% zero waste.
3. Raw Elements
Okay, let’s talk sunscreen. Would you believe us if we said there’s a brand out there that’s environmental-friendly and skin safe, while still being effective? Usually, the chemicals and other artificial ingredients in most sunscreens come off in the water and spread. Raw Elements is all about natural, chemical-free sunscreens that leave no negative impact on marine life or our health.
Along the way, the brand has partnered with ocean and reef foundations and is on an ongoing mission to make a difference. It’s a win-win situation, why not use sunscreen that is safer for both the environment and your skin? There’s even a completely plastic-free product line, as well as zero waste and plastic-free aluminum tins that can be recycled and more importantly reused.
4. Blue Heron Botanicals
With locally sourced ingredients and being 100% biodegradable and compostable, Blue Heron Botanicals consists of these three things: quality, plastic-free and supporting local. The adorable, colorful packaging for these lip products is just a major plus. The brand started as a passion project which has now grown into the committed, zero-waste brand it is today.
Funds from each product sold are donated to SEE Turtles and the Billion Baby Turtles Initiative, which protecting baby sea turtles with every product purchased. From the tinted Ruby Red Grapefruit to the herbal Lavender Lemon Balm, VALLEY says order yourself a Lip Therapy ASAP.
Let us know what your favorite sustainable beauty product is @VALLEYMag!
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