Over the past decade or so, “Green, Sustainable, and Eco-Friendly” have become the defining characteristics of the beauty industry. Whether it’s color cosmetics or skincare, these philosophies have become the core of so many staple brands. And it’s for a good reason. Sustainable packaging not only reduces our ecological (carbon) footprint but also reduces environmental impact. For us to truly preach the necessity of conscious beauty, we need to first learn what it means to go green.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING?

Sustainable packaging is all about whether the container that holds the product is biodegradable or made from recycled materials. Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular substitutes:

Glass: The most preferred form of packaging for many brands. It has nearly zero rates of chemical interaction and does not degrade. Thus, it can be recycled infinitely and it looks super pretty.

Aluminum: One of the most powerful & environmentally friendly materials on the planet. It’s long-lasting, lightweight, and impermeable, making it the industry’s most well-loved material. She’s high-key their favorite.

Cardboard/Paper: This material is all about preserving water and energy. Cardboard is one of the easiest and most environmentally efficient components to use and recycle since its core fibers have already been processed.

Bamboo: The up-and-coming sustainable queen bee. Bamboo is a durable, biodegradable, and easy-to-grow resource. Using Bamboo also reduces pollution as it cultivates more oxygen and decreases carbon dioxide production by 35%. She’s THAT material.

BEAUTY BRANDS MAKING A STATEMENT

As conscious consumers, we must also be held responsible. Now that we know what it means to be sustainable, let’s jump into action and be proactive in this blossoming community. Here are our top three favorite eco-friendly skincare brands.

The Vegan Glow: A certified vegan k-beauty brand that believes in the power of natural ingredients, hypoallergenic formulas, and sustainable packaging. Their packaging consist of recycled paper, recycled plastic, and soy ink printing for a truly holistic experience.

LOLI Beauty: Living Organic Loving Ingredients Beauty is the world’s leading zero-waste + certified MADE SAFE® organic beauty brand that uses reusable, 100% certified compostable packaging. The company is known for its iconic 100% bio-compostable containers.

Green People: A cruelty-free, certified organic skincare brand with 100% recyclable packaging. Green people print their packaging information on the inside of their boxes to reduce paper waste.

AN ECO-FUTURE

Sustainable packaging is no longer optional. It is expected and a fundamental requirement for consumers. The future of sustainability seems undoubtedly bright. Even so, we stay vigilant by making better choices and influencing brands to create better solutions to this growing need.