Last minute Christmas gifts that are as much fun to give as receive
Christmas comes but once a year. However, between the busy working days and all our life commitments, somehow it still seems to sneak up on us.
Read full postWellbeing is about lots of different things and increasingly we’re aware that our health and happiness is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the world around us. Sustainability is something that more and more businesses are making a priority and that we value as consumers as well.
What we put on our skin is an important part of our health. So, the ingredients, their provenance and the impact that the packaging and processes have on the environment should be important to us. Here are some of the most sustainable skincare products currently on the market and why we like them.
The brand: Ethique
The product: Shampoo bar
What makes it sustainable: All the products from this brand are compostable, free of plastic, palm oil and non-sustainable paper stock. Products come in bar form, delivered in compostable boxes to dispense with unnecessary bottles, but also saving about 1l of water each versus bottled products. They’re easy, everyday, and while the shampoo bar is not the cheapest product on the market, it lasts much longer than a bottle of shampoo!
The brand: Zao
The product: Mineral silk powder foundation
What makes it sustainable: Certified organic, vegan, cruelty free and doesn’t contain synthetic chemicals, Zao minimises plastic waste by bamboo and refillable options wherever possible. They also use natural active ingredients, such as vegetable oils, waxes, plant extracts (bamboo, shea butter, apricot, corn, etc). Bamboo is their hero ingredient in various forms - not only in packaging but in the actual products, it’s got lots of positive skincare benefits, but from a sustainability perspective it’s also quick to grow and replace.
The brand: Herbivore Botanicals
The product: Coco Rose coconut oil body polish
What makes it sustainable: This vegan, organic skin care brand from Seattle makes a point of having products are all natural and ingredients that have a conscious thought behind choosing them. They don’t use any synthetic ingredients at all and their packaging is glass which is comparatively easy to reuse or recycle.
The brand: Pai Skincare
The product: Rosehip Oil
What makes it sustainable: This organic skincare line has long been a spa favourite. Pai is independently certified by COSMOS (Soil Association), Cruelty Free International and The Vegan Society. Their Soil Association COSMOS Natural certificate certifies that their products are 98% natural and they don’t use GM plants or endangered species.
The brand: VOYA
The product: Seaweed baths
What makes it sustainable: This brand is known for harvesting seaweed from the Irish coast in Strandhill, Co. Sligo. It is a practice that has lasted more than 100 years. Products take all the benefits of the wild Atlantic coast, and distilling them in nourishing skincare products, VOYA is as green and organic as it gets. Certified by the organic standards of both the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association and the Organic Soil Association, they are committed to preserving the seabeds using sustainable harvesting practices, products contain as much certified organic ingredients as possible (a minimum of 70%) and they are packaged using recycled, recyclable or biodegradable materials.
If you like this post, here are some similar ones that you might be interested in:
Christmas comes but once a year. However, between the busy working days and all our life commitments, somehow it still seems to sneak up on us.
Read full postSpa leader, Claire Caddick and Amy Bates, founder of Beauty Rebellion, are redefining what it means to be body positive in the spa world.
Read full postMore and more of us want to include or opt for plant-based approaches to health and wellbeing, whether it's our skincare or what we eat. From treatments to restaurants, plant-based to vegan, here are some of our top recommended spas and spa experiences.
Read full post