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OCEANIC BEAUTY

June 07 2016 – Delikate Rayne

 

The Blue Gem, also known to many as the vast and limitless ocean, is being honored on June 8th in celebration of World Oceans Day. According to United Nations’ reports, over 220 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, a large percentage of which sadly ends up in beautiful oceans throughout the world. What’s the point of buying non-toxic skin and body care products if you’re left with a pile of non-recyclable plastic containers that will float for centuries and leach toxins into oceans? A growing number of people may be rejecting conventional products in favor of safer ones, but more attention needs to be given to the packaging that these sustainable, paraben-free, organic-you get the point-beauty products are packaged in.
 
The problem is that packaging is not nearly as glamorous as the product itself, and a customer’s desire for the product will often outweigh concerns about packaging. Organic Monitor, a marketing research firm, made this observation in 2014: “Although packaging has the highest environmental footprint within the realm of cosmetic products, it appears to be largely ignored when beauty companies and consumers look at sustainability.” Ironic, huh!
 
Thankfully, however, the tide is beginning to turn. Some companies, particularly small and homegrown operations, are starting to think about the entire lifespan of their products. It is possible to find biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable packaging, if you look hard enough. And don’t worry we have done the leg work for ya! In an effort to promote prevention of plastic ocean pollution and bring awareness to how much of a large part this vast body of water plays in our lives, we have rounded up 5 plastic-free beauty products worth saving the ocean for.  

 

FABLE NATURALS VEGAN LIP BALMS

This tiny skin care company is based in Vancouver and making a huge impact in the world of sans-plastic packaging. And sells all natural, Fair trade products, many of which come in green packaging. Our favorite is the vegan lip balm, which comes in a compostable cardboard tube that you squeeze upward to apply.

 

FARM TO GIRL ORGANIC NAMIBIAN SKIN NECTAR


This heavenly-smelling lotion is truly the nectar of the gods. It is made with Fairtrade, organic Ximenia oil from rural cooperatives in Namibia. More importantly, it comes in a recyclable glass jar with a metal screw-top lid, as do all of this company’s products.

 

ORGANIC ESSENCE RELENTLESS ALL DAY DEODORANT

 


This coconut oil-based deodorant comes in a compostale paper tube for easy application and home composting. It has no preservatives, petro-chemicals, or artificial colors, nor do they test on animals. All Hail-Organic Essence

 

LUSH COSMETICS SOLID SHAMPOO BARS


The greenest packaging is no packaging, of course, which is exactly what LUSH does for its solid shampoo bars. Lush recommends storing the bar in a repurposed metal tin. Not only are the black pots that they use made with 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, but they also have a package return program. Just bring back 5 empty, clean black LUSH pots to your local shop for recycling and they’ll give you a free fresh face mask.

 

KEEPING IT NATURAL CREAMY CAKE MASCARA

 



Mascara is almost impossible to find without a plastic tube, and this vegan mascara cake is a godsend. It is a homemade product sold on Etsy that comes with rave reviews from hundreds of shoppers. Simply apply with a mascara brush, clean and repeat!

 

Imagery via product's own sites and Vogue India

Words written by Mallory Maupin