Far from being just another ecological trend, living more sustainably is something that we should all be trying to do. This is because it’s the only way to protect fragile ecosystems, preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all. Living this lifestyle prioritises both people and the planet and is something that is necessary for the environment – and those who inhabit it – to thrive. One way that people are doing this is by making the switch to sustainable beauty buys.
What is Sustainable Beauty?
The beauty industry might help us look beautiful but it doesn’t have the same effect on the planet. It is solely responsible for over 120 billion units of packaging ending up in landfills each year, much of which isn’t recyclable. This doesn’t even account for the microplastics lurking in our products that end up in our oceans and even our drinking water!
Sustainable beauty is about creating products that are safe for us while also being safe for the planet at every stage of the production chain. Current numbers predict that the global market value for natural cosmetics will increase from $30 billion in 2021 to an estimated $50.5 billion by 2027. This indicates that more and more people – as well as beauty brands – are realising that we need to collectively reduce our impact if we are to stave off the effects of pollution and global warming.
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Brands on Board
But what are brands doing to try to make their offerings more sustainable? Many of them have products and schemes to help incentivise consumers to make eco-friendly choices. Several now offer refills, including MAC Cosmetics, Lancôme, MUGLER, Dior, L’Occitane en Provence, La Mer and Fenty Skin.
This reduces the amount of non-biodegradable packaging produced by the industry. If all brands go this route – and all consumers buy into it, too – this will cause less harm to the environment (and you still get to look, feel and smell amazing!).
What can you do on an individual level to make your beauty and personal care routine a more sustainable one? Being more selective about the brands you buy, support local and look out for recycling initiatives at your local Edgars store. Because helping the planet and getting your beauty fix don’t have to be mutually exclusive!
