In the beauty world, misconceptions often persist. Do you think that the most reputable brands are mainly found on supermarket shelves, with endless and incomprehensible ingredient lists?
Think again, eco-friendly cosmetics are experiencing a flourishing boom, as evidenced by surprising data from a survey conducted by the Treatwell platform on Earth Day 2022 (with results that may be even more significant in 2024):
According to this study, 7 out of 10 French people regularly buy eco-friendly beauty products, while 5 out of 10 French people pay particular attention to the ingredients contained in these products.
These commendable figures reflect a growing interest among consumers in switching from conventional cosmetics to more environmentally friendly cosmetics.
If you are still hesitant to turn to eco-friendly cosmetics, explore the benefits of natural ingredients, environmentally friendly production practices, and even zero-waste packaging.
We will explain what an eco-friendly cosmetic is, why it is worth adopting, and how to effectively incorporate it into your beauty routine.
This eco-friendly gesture is beneficial for you, but also for the environment, while allowing you to take care of your skin in a healthier and more sustainable way.
What is an eco-friendly cosmetic?
It is a product that takes care of both your skin and the planet, and even more: Eco-friendly cosmetics prioritize ingredients from natural sources, such as plant extracts, vegetable oils, natural butters… Some products focus on the use of organic ingredients, grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers.
Eco-friendly cosmetics promote environmentally friendly production practices, reducing water and energy consumption and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
Their packaging is recyclable or biodegradable, which helps to reduce the amount of waste and encourages reuse or recycling.
Some eco-friendly products are certified by independent organizations such as Ecocert, COSMOS, or carry labels indicating their compliance with strict ecological criteria.
Now, imagine a skincare routine including a day moisturizer and a night serum, carefully formulated without allergens, without controversial products or essential oils, but also designed to prevent any feeling of tightness or redness on the skin.
By prioritizing ingredients of natural origin, healthy and effective, the products of the brand Melahuac meet the needs of your skin even the most sensitive. Thus, they work in harmony with your skin, providing you with hydration, soothing, and essential nourishment for a complete skincare routine.
That is one of the promises of eco-friendly cosmetics!
Melahuac moisturizing day cream and night serum - €45
Using ethical cosmetics means taking care of your skin and also making a great gesture for the planet. So, are you ready to take this step towards a more environmentally friendly beauty?
Why prioritize the use of eco-friendly cosmetics?
Let's dive into the debate opposing environmentally friendly skincare to traditional beauty products.
There is no shame in choosing affordable, commonly used beauty products that seem to have proven themselves (but sometimes thanks to controversial ingredients).
Often, the worse a product is for your health, the more effective it will be. So it is not easy to do without. But these cosmetics are full of questionable ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, and other components whose names are not so reassuring. These preservatives are known to disrupt hormones, cause skin irritation, allergic reactions...
These harmful impacts are not limited only to your skin and your well-being, but also disrupt the environment:
-
Some ingredients pollute marine ecosystems when they are discharged into the water, such as those found in some sunscreens (like oxybenzone: a UV filter).
-
Palm oil, which can be found in many beauty products, contributes to deforestation, leading to the loss of natural habitats for many species and the decrease of biodiversity.
-
The use of non-recyclable or difficult-to-recycle plastic packaging in cosmetics contributes to the accumulation of waste in the environment.
- Beauty product residues that are rinsed off can end up in wastewater and thus cause disruptions in the aquatic environment, notably by contributing to water pollution.
As you may have understood, the assessment is not very glorious. But it is possible to act and turn to green and ethical alternatives. Many brands are committed to creating eco-friendly cosmetics, preserving both your skin and our environment.
There are products with natural, organic, vegan ingredients, from local products, plants… Like Kadalys, which stands out as a natural cosmetics brand by using ingredients from agricultural byproducts of the banana industry.
Organic Precious Nutritive Green Banana Oil by Kadalys - €3.50
Their precious nutritive oil, rich in green banana bio-actives, offers a sensory treatment that provides comfort, softness, and purification, exclusively with ingredients of natural origin beneficial for the skin. This product has won several awards from recognized institutions in the cosmetics field. Their approach, in agreement with the preservation of the environment and its resources, gives birth to addictive products without additives.
It is time to find your way among this diversity of choices to get beauty products that truly suit you!
How to choose your eco-friendly cosmetics?
When you are looking to choose eco-friendly cosmetics, it is important to follow a few simple steps, especially if you are starting from scratch:
1. Analyze the ingredients
Always look at the ingredient list. The longer it is, the less it is a good sign. You know, like in that restaurant that offers pancakes, pizzas, but also seafood and burgers… It is too much, right?
For cosmetics it is the same, from the unpronounceable ingredient to the one you can see in consumer alerts, beware!
2. Understand labels and certifications
Prioritize eco-friendly cosmetics with recognized ecological labels or certifications. However, even in the absence of these certifications, often costly for young brands, it is possible to find excellent cosmetic products.
Some brands give themselves the means to make quality and this is felt in obtaining certification like Ecocert, COSMOS, or even the “Cruelty-Free” label for products not tested on animals.
3. Find out about brands
Go fishing for information about emerging brands that offer healthy cosmetics and are completely transparent about their ways of producing, their manufacturing locations, the choice of ingredients… You will find all these elements on websites, in the “about” page, “brand history”… and beware of greenwashing!
4. Start with the essentials
Choose the basics you really need, such as face cleanser, moisturizer, and possibly sunscreen. Focus on quality rather than quantity. It is not necessary to accumulate too many products. A minimalist routine also does its little thing!
5. Take your time and be flexible
Gradual changes will allow you to test new brands and find what works best for you. Finding alternatives can seem difficult at first, so learn as much as possible before consuming and stay curious.ses.
Online resources, the eco-inspiring blog of Meanwhile Boutique and communities focused on sustainable beauty can provide you with valuable information to help you choose the eco-friendly cosmetics that best match your needs and values.
Eco-friendly cosmetics: the steps to change your beauty routine
Evaluate your current routine
Sort through your current products, examine the ingredients in them. Recycle or use expired creams to nourish your leather items (vegan or not). After sorting, you will see more clearly to establish a list of products to buy again.
Look for new products (eco-friendly)
Take an interest in eco-friendly cosmetics brands and find out about their product ranges. According to your needs (skin types, issues…) but also according to your desires.
You could be seduced by the colorful and quirky universe of JOD, created by Olivia Bordeaux Groult, former developer at Sisley. Founded in 2021, the brand offers solid face care sticks, natural, vegan and concentrated in precious active ingredients, practical to take everywhere. Combining efficiency, sensoriality and eco-friendly commitment, JOD shakes up the codes of clean beauty while respecting your values.
JOD cleansing and makeup remover milky oil stick - €32
The goal is to offer you a practical and sensory beauty routine, which takes care of your skin while respecting your values. Slip a care stick in your bag and enjoy an easy and pleasant gesture for a moment just for you!
Opt for sustainable products
Choose ecological cosmetics with recyclable, refillable or biodegradable packaging and turn to brands using ingredients that are more than 80% natural, organic and environmentally friendly with or without labels.
Test products little by little
There is no point in rushing into a complete routine and changing everything at once. Take the time to get used to a new product, test it to see also how your skin reacts.
Consider other eco-friendly gestures
Since you are changing your whole routine, you might as well do it fully. This also involves the choice of your accessories such as reusable cotton pads, zero-waste makeup remover wipes, products bought in bulk, or even handmade care products.
So ready to go from theory to practice?
You have discovered a little more about the exciting universe of eco-friendly cosmetics. A world that combines beauty, health and respect for our beautiful planet. You now know that it is possible to take care of yourself with natural products. So don't hesitate anymore, contribute too, in your own way to a greener future thanks to eco-friendly cosmetics.
Discover our products, care, soaps, creams and eco-friendly accessories for your bathroom.
