This year’s theme is Planet vs. Plastics, which calls on government leaders, businesses, and everyday people to reduce plastic production by 60% by 2040. It is also calling for the full elimination of single use plastics by the end of this decade.  

How does Earth Day Translate to Skincare:

In skincare and beauty, sustainability means having recyclable packaging, reducing the use of single-use plastics, carefully selecting non-toxic ingredients, ensuring product safety, and decreasing the carbon footprint from manufacturing to delivery.

The beauty industry is finally starting to think about its carbon footprint, but it’s still hard to separate sustainable skin care products from their greenwashed counterparts. Yes, everyday cleansers, sunscreens and other essentials may look benign, but they have the potential to harm our planet to an irreparable degree, with packaging that’s often derived from nonrenewable resources and formulas that release toxic chemicals and microplastics into the environment.

What makes a Skincare products sustainable?

That collectively places us in the perfect position to understand more about what makes a given skin care product sustainable, or an all-around better choice for the planet.

Defining Clean Beauty vs. Green Beauty

These terms have lacked a clear definition because green is often equated with natural and natural is associated with clean. But as the industry has evolved, so has the understanding of clean versus green. At the most basic level, clean beauty products generally do not include potentially toxic and harmful ingredients, including parabens, which some research suggests may be carcinogens, hormone disrupters, and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen. Green, or sustainable, beauty, however, puts a focus on eco-friendly production, from where ingredients are sourced to packaging that can be kept out of the environment. Clean beauty and green beauty often overlap, but not always, which is why conscious consumers should look carefully at the claims being made.

Clean Beauty:

1. Safety: Clean beauty products prioritize safety by excluding certain ingredients that are believed to be harmful or potentially harmful to human health, such as parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. They often focus on transparency regarding ingredient sourcing and manufacturing processes.

2. Health-conscious: Clean beauty is more concerned with the potential health effects of cosmetic ingredients on individuals. It aims to provide products that are free from potentially harmful substances, making them suitable for people with sensitive skin or those concerned about the long-term effects of chemicals on their health.

3. Ingredients: While the term "clean" doesn't have a standardized definition, clean beauty products typically avoid certain synthetic chemicals and focus on using natural or naturally-derived ingredients. However, not all clean beauty products are entirely natural; some may still contain synthetic ingredients deemed safe.

Green Beauty:

1. Environmentally Conscious: Green beauty goes beyond personal health concerns to include a focus on environmental sustainability. Products under this category aim to minimize their impact on the environment throughout their lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, packaging, and disposal.

2. Natural Ingredients: Green beauty products often prioritize natural, organic, and sustainably sourced ingredients. They tend to avoid synthetic chemicals and instead focus on plant-based, biodegradable, and renewable resources.

3. Sustainability: Green beauty brands may use eco-friendly packaging, such as recyclable or biodegradable materials, and may engage in practices like carbon offsetting or supporting ethical sourcing and fair trade practices.

Earth Conscious Sustainable Beauty, Skincare and Hair Care Brands

Jane Iredale: "You can look good and do good
Since responsibility never stops, we are always searching out new ways to minimize our environmental impact."

ECOCERT Natural and Organic Certification

"Our Hydration Sprays have been awarded ECOCERT’s Natural and Organic Cosmetic certification and our BeautyPrep™ Face Cleanser and BeautyPrep™ Face Toner have been awarded ECOCERT’s Natural Cosmetic certification."

Jane Iredale POMMISST Hydration Spray

Jane Iredale Balance Hydration Spray

Jane Iredale D2O Hydration Spray

Jane Iredale Calming Lavender Hydration Spray

Jane Iredale Refillable Compact

Jane Iredale BeautyPrep Face Toner

Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen Refillable Powder Brush

Eminence Organics

EMINENCE PROMISE:

"Our promise is to deliver happiness and extraordinary service by providing the healthiest and most effective skin care products. We are committed to protecting the future of our planet through our green practices - We plant a tree for every product sold. "

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Retail Boxes

"Our retail boxes are printed with eco-friendly inks and made from recyclable material while the majority of our marketing materials are made with FSC certified materials. FSC identifies products which are made of 100% virgin material from FSC-certified forests. These labels provide you with an assurance that the product you are buying is made from responsible sources and have been verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards."

Eminence Organics Bearberry Eye Repair Cream

Eminence Organics Facial Recovery Oil

Eminence Organics Yellow Sweet Clover Anti-Redness Masque

 iS Clinical is a renowned skincare brand that offers a range of products. While not all their products are exclusively plant-based, they do have some options that incorporate natural ingredients. Here are a few plant-based iS Clinical products you might find interesting:

 iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advanced+

iS Clinical Hydra-Cool Serum

iS Clinical Cleansing Complex