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Did you know you can buy makeup and help the planet?

It's true! When you purchase eco-friendly makeup brands, you help reduce your carbon footprint and much more while enhancing your beauty routine.

Discover the world of eco-friendly cosmetics and learn how you can make a positive impact on the planet while still looking and feeling your best.

What is Sustainable Beauty?

An animation depicting the Earth and hearts. The text reads: 'The World is Yours'

You probably heard the word "sustainable" buzzing around, but when it comes to beauty, what does it mean?

"Sustainable" in the beauty industry refers to products and practices that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable in the long term.

A hand pouring a bottle into a mortar containing items, with a pestle inside the mortar.

Eco-friendly makeup is made from natural and organic ingredients sourced sustainably. These ingredients are safe for humans and the environment. They're free from any synthetic chemicals like parabens and phthalates.

Eco-friendly packaging plays an important role in sustainable beauty brands. They use materials like bamboo and cardboard that are renewable and biodegradable, naturally breaking down over time.

Why is sustainable beauty important? Well, the beauty and skincare industries are infamous for their harmful effects on the environment. When you're conscious of your beauty purchases, you can reduce harm to the planet and promote the sustainable beauty movement!

Did you know?

The beauty industry produces at least 120 billion pieces of packaging each year globally! 

How to Identify Eco-Friendly Beauty Brands

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Eco-Friendly Makeup

Ingredients:

  • Plant-based

  • Organic and sustainably sourced ingredients like safflower oil, almond oil, and carrot seed oil

  • Cruelty-free and not tested on animals

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Packaging:

  • Recyclable or compostable

  • Refillable options

  • Biodegradable packing materials like cardboard, bamboo, and cornstarch

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Conventional Makeup

Ingredients:

  • Synthetic substances like isobutylparaben, mineral oils, and talc

  • Chemical-based preservatives and fragrances

  • Tested on animals

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Packaging:

  • Excessive use of plastic packaging

  • Single-use packaging

  • Non-recyclable or biodegradable materials

Quiz

Ariel would like to switch her current beauty routine to an eco-friendly makeup routine. What ingredients should she try to AVOID when buying her product?

Eco-Friendly Cosmetic and Beauty Routine: Beginner-Friendly Tips

Now that you're excited to make your beauty routine more eco-friendly, let's look at some simple ways you can start:

Use All of It

While it's tempting to buy new beauty products, the first step to switching to a more eco-friendly routine is to use what you already have. This not only saves you money, but also reduces waste and minimizes your impact on the environment.

A person using makeup products with a brush and some trays. Flowers surround the trays.

Dispose of and Reuse Your Beauty Products

Recycle or repurpose your cosmetics and beauty products to reduce waste and protect the environment. Consider donating or gifting products you don't want to use anymore.

A reusable tote bag with the words'Go green!' printed on it

Read the Ingredients

Do research on the brands you want to buy and get familiar with natural skincare ingredients and what to avoid. Check out Organic Authority to learn more about these ingredients.

A girl putting on drops of a beauty product on her face.

Buy Less

With sustainable beauty, less is more. Opt for a minimalist approach, buying a few high- quality products that benefit both you and the planet!

Flashing text that reads: 'buy less buy better'.

Did you know?

Replacing cotton swabs and rounds with reusable options can save you money in the long run, as they're designed to be used up to 1,000 times depending on the user!

Quiz: Melody's Shopping Trip

Melody walks into her favorite beauty store, excited to try out some new eco-friendly cosmetic products.

 A set of makeup brushes with metallic blue handles white bristles tipped in purple.Photo by Laura Chouette on Unsplash

As she looks at the shelves, she sees numerous options from different brands, all claiming to be better for the environment. How can she decide which products to buy?

A. Read the ingredients

B. Look for products with certifications like USDA Organic and Cruelty-Free

C. Do some research on the brand's overall sustainability efforts and ethical practices

D. Consider products with refillable options to reduce waste

Quiz

What advice would you give Melody if she wants to buy sustainability beauty products? Select all that apply:

Take Action

Ready to make your beauty routine more eco-friendly?

A woman applying lipstick. The text reads: 'The final touch'.

License:

This Byte has been authored by

KH

Kirsten H

Learning Designer Volunteer

Master

English

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