Fashion is finally waking up to sustainability – but the lexicon surrounding eco-friendly and ethical fashion and beauty is fraught with inaccuracies. In ‘Get Your Greens’, Vogue explores how the industry is advancing towards a greener future.
No matter how strong your conviction or good your intentions, setting yourself on the path of truly sustainable beauty can feel like a mammoth task. The jargon is confusing, the acronyms are mind-boggling and the sheer size of the job can be simply overwhelming.
Flounder no longer – FHM has established five painless, easy things you can do to make your routine kinder to the planet, without the need to sacrifice the potency of your products – or indeed the sanctity of your nights in.
Here’s where to get started…
Choose less packaging
“Go for products that have minimal and generally avoid products that have excess or multiple layers of packaging,” said Amarjit Sahota, founder of sustainable development firm Ecovia. “We know from UN records that there’s already an estimated 8 million tonnes of plastics entering the ocean each year – you want to avoid contributing to that where possible.”
For example, next time you buy your favourite cleanser, examine just how many layers of packaging it’s shrouded with. Some sort of packaging is nearly always necessary, of course, but a box, plus internal packing pellets or cushioning, plus shrink-wrap is rather superfluous. LUSH pioneered packaging-free beauty with its “Naked Shop”, while brands like Rituals and Kjaer Weis offer a refill scheme, cutting down on the waste each transaction produces. You can also shop around if you’re ordering online to find a retailer who uses less packaging to ship, or more recyclable options.
Ditch single-use
As alluring as they may be when you’re at a low ebb and you just want to get into bed, make-up wipes are as bad for the planet as they are for your skin. “Where possible, try and use flannels or towels instead of wet wipes and tissue paper,” said Sahota. “Apart just from having a lower environmental impact, you’ll save money in the long run.” Swap your wipes or cotton pads for something like FaceHalo or The Makeup Eraser – both only need water to activate their cleansing properties and can be washed and re-used many times.
Marie Kondo your cupboards
Maximalists, look away now. Beauty products do have expiry dates, and while some last longer than others, if you’ve got a product that’s been open more than a year, chances are it’s not probably not so fresh anymore. “Do try and finish existing beauty products before moving onto new ones. While it can be tempting to have wide a really wide selection of products, it’s hard to use them all up,” noted Sahota. If you really love a shampoo or conditioner, look into buying a salon size, but generally, save your beauty splurges for when stocks are low or a genuine need arises.
Pay it forward
If you’re lucky enough to end up with surplus beauty products, or find something unsuitable for your skin, don’t just put it at the back of a cupboard and forget about it. “Rather than just letting them expire, donate unwanted gifts or products, or give them to friends,” offered Sahota. You might not think this applies to you, but after birthdays and other holidays, or perhaps an encounter with a sample-happy shop assistant, you might have more than you need. Essentials like cleanser and body wash can be donated to charities like Beauty Banks who pass them on to food banks, while it’s worth checking with your local women’s shelter to see if they can accept more luxury products.
Manage your empties efficiently
Beauty products and packaging can be made up of a whole host of materials, with glass, paper and plastic being the most common culprits. Instead of just heaping them in together, try and separate them somewhat. “It really is better to try and recycle waste packaging, rather than put in garbage bins,” added Sahota. Joseph Joseph offer a handy split-body recycling bin with pedals to make separating glass and paper, or recyclable and non-recyclable, a doddle (£50, available at Josephjoseph.com).
