Neutrally Beautiful
Being “green” when it comes to beauty is no longer just about concocting an organic product free from chemicals and other harmful ingredients. Skincare companies are beginning to broaden their scope and making more than just the products themselves eco-centric. The concept du jour when it comes to green beauty has gone beyond the impact the product has on the skin, but the impact the production of the product has on this earth. Packaging has evolved from plastic (the eco enemy) to recycled and biodegradable. Offsets are being bought to offset the environmental damage that production is doing. And, as a whole, practices are becoming much more eco conscious. Here are a few of our faves:
-Bella Lucce’s organic and fair-trade (when possible) line of sumptuous skincare is packaged in only recyclable plastic, labeled with corn-based paper that naturally decomposes in less than a year and is certified carbon neutral by TerraPass thanks to the purchase of 79 metric tons of carbon offset credits.-Aveda has always been an advocate for the environment. Even after it was acquired by Estee Lauder, the company remains true to its commitment, choosing post-consumer recycled materials to package their products, offsetting 100% of its electric use, and raising money ($8 million dollars since 1999) to help support environmental organizations.
-Burt’s Bees is another original champion of organics that recently sold to a big company not known for its natural endeavors—Clorox-—that has remained rooted in its green practices. They offset their electricity use, use recycled plastic to encase their lip balm, and have a very supportive internal green energy program—giving $100 to every employee who uses renewable energy and $500-$1500 to every employee who buys or leases a fuel-efficient car.
-Nude Skincare beautifies greenies with organic and fair-trade ingredients (whenever possible) including natures’ most supple oils including argan and rose. Though free from frills, the clean packaging is biodegradable, recyclable, and made with 50% post-industrial recycled polypropylene. Nude is carbon neutral.
