10 Natural Beauty Products that are Good for You and Good for the Earth
1/12You may have noticed a certain change in the beauty landscape over the past few years. We call it the green movement. Not too long ago, green beauty products were better known for being ineffective than anything else, especially compared to the rest of the beauty pack. Now, with brands inventing cool new ways to incorporate naturals, the old distinction has all but disappeared.
In honor of Earth Day, we decided to scope out the hair care, skincare, and makeup that will make you want to go green. Granted, there’s a fair amount of debate over vague terms like “organic” and “natural” when it comes to beauty, so we looked specifically for brands that are as gentle on the Earth as they are on you. While we didn’t come up with an official ranking, companies scored points for EcoCert Certifications (think Tata Harper and Kahina Beauty), cruelty-free ingredients, and partnerships with eco-minded charities.
Ready for our rundown? Here are 10 chic ways to celebrate Earth Day this year.
Photo: Courtesy of plantbrooklyn.com2/12Consider us convinced that a great day starts with this golden bottle of body wash. The formula smells fresh and sweet (thanks to essences of peppermint and geranium), and the base is made from organic ingredients like coconut, olive, and jojoba oils. Plant’s products are cruelty free and devoid of SLS, petroleum, and parabens — so you can count on a gentle shower experience that won’t strip your skin of moisture.
Plant Get Happy Body Wash, $20. http://plantapothecary.com/
Photo: Courtesy of integritybotanicals.com3/12Get ready to smell exquisitely good. Kahina’s lightweight body serum contains steam-distilled essential oils that wrap you in a cloud of rose, orange blossom, citrus, sandalwood, and patchouli. A combination of watermelon, sunflower, olive, coconut, and argan oils deeply hydrate skin and absorb in seconds. We’ve also noted that Kahina Giving Beauty sources its argan oil directly from women’s cooperatives in Morocco, and then donates a portion of their profits back to these women to ensure fair and proper treatment. And the freehand illustrations that decorate the packaging? Kahina’s founder recreated those from signatures of the Berber women who extract the oil for her line.
Kahina Giving Beauty Fez Body Serum, $98. Integritybotanicals.com
Photo: Courtesy of us.nyrorganic.com4/12We’ve tried plenty of study aids over the year (coffee makes frequent appearances on the list), but aromatherapy is a new one. This glass rollerball from NYR Organics contains a blend of invigorating essential oils meant to sharpen your concentration and provide an olfactory pick-me-up when you’re slogging through finals week. Roll it on your pulse points and inhale: we get notes of leafy forest, sugared mint tea, and citrus. Also calming: the knowledge that NYR Organic is sustainably sourced and minimally packaged as part of their commitment to the environment.
NYR Organics Study Remedies to Roll, $13. Us.nyrorganic.com
Photo: Courtesy of amazon.com5/12Aloe vera boasts some impressive skin benefits (just think of its soothing effects when you get a sunburn), but aloe beauty beverages tend to be loaded with sugar — effectively cancelling out their benefits. Aloe Gloe dials back the sweetness, while processing the plant in a way that retains its antioxidants and amino acids (the leaf is scored, spun in a centrifuge, and dried). We’re partial to Crisp Aloe, but the water also comes in coconut, lemon, and white grape flavors. The brand adheres to Fair Trade standards, and the bottles are recyclable — so don’t forget to toss them in the right bin!
Aloe Gloe Organic Aloe Water, $2.49 at select grocery stores nationwide.
Photo: Courtesy of meowmeowtweet.com6/12Attention, all cat lovers: this soap is calling your name! Let’s start with the packaging so cool you won’t want to toss it, which happens to be made from PCW paper. The chic bar contains French pink clay and crushed rose petals for light exfoliation on face and body, and smells beautiful to boot. Plus, the brand (named for the owners’ pet cats and pet bird) keeps their line entirely free from animal-derived ingredients.
Meow Meow Tweet Pink Clay Rose Soap, $14. Meowmeowtweet.com
Photo: Courtesy of tataharperskincare.com7/12Tata Harper was one of the original leaders of the luxe green skincare movement, and her line remains one of the best options on the market. Try the popular Resurfacing Mask — the translucent, pink jelly is packed with pomegranate enzymes, pink clay, and white willow to promote cellular renewal and impart some serious glow. The company sources many of their ingredients from Tata’s Vermont farm (a facility considerably larger than it sounds), which runs on renewable energy. Now that’s eco-friendly.
Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask, $58. Tataharperskincare.com
Photo: Courtesy of drugstore.com8/12You might be familiar with Kevin Murphy for their line of salon-level hair products, but we just recently found out that their pretty packaging happens to be 100% recyclable. The brand partners with environmentally friendly organizations like Green Circle Salons to sustainably manage waste from their products (in 2015, they diverted 74,126 pounds of waste from landfills and water streams across North America). You can’t really go wrong with anything you choose from this line, but we’re particularly loving Smooth Again: a fragrant, leave-in treatment that protects against heat and imparts shampoo-commercial strands.
Kevin Murphy Smooth Again Treatment, $34. kevinmurphy.com.au
Photo: Courtesy of integritybotanicals.com9/12These colorful tubes from Axiology hit every requirement on the lipstick checklist: pigmented shades, buttery glide, comfortable wear, and insanely good packaging (the last one isn’t essential, but we’re giving points for the frosted gold containers). Fun fact: the formula is vegan, and the brand donates 6% of their profits to the Orangutan Foundation International. Stuck on your shade choice? Try Elusive, a warm, creamy red that looks just as good with a bare face as it does with smudgy, smoky eyes.
Axiology Lipstick, $28. axiologybeauty.com
Photo: Courtesy of iliabeauty.com10/12Speaking of eyes, these buttery shadow sticks from Ilia are a one-minute makeup dream. The containers are composed of recycled aluminum, and the 42% organic pencils are packed with emollient oils like coconut and olive. In Between Days, a cool-toned gold, makes for a gorgeous lid wash or inner corner highlight. The creamy formula also layers well under your favorite powder shadows for a hint of dimension.
Ilia In Between Days Silken Shadow Stick, $28. Iliabeauty.com
Photo: Courtesy of integritybotanicals.com11/12The bamboo handle and vegan bristles on this eco-friendly makeup tool will literally give your brush collection a green makeover. The dense, slanted shape is perfect for buffing in powders and creams, and the angle fits nicely under cheekbones (for fans of the contour). While natural brands usually shy away from the word “synthetic,” this is one case where synthetic bristles win out — if you prefer to stay away from animal-derived components.
Bdellium Tools Slanted Precision Kabuki Brush, $20. Integritybotanicals.com
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The most important thing is to do what makes you happy. Keep that in mind, and your life will improve immeasurably. What beauty product are you loving right now?
By Terry Baume de Rose is easily the best lip balm I've ever used, ... Read More
