Environmentally-friendly.

Sustainable.

Eco-conscious.

Green.

These words have become an integral part our daily lives and practices. You recycle everything you possibly can. You might even compost. You take reusable bags to the grocery store. Instead of driving somewhere, you might opt for a walk, bike ride, or public transportation. You pick up trash in your neighborhood. You turn off the water while you brush your teeth. You turn off the light when you leave the room. You donate unwanted clothes instead of tossing them in the trash.

All of these things are so important, but when it comes to practices in sustainability, we often forget to seek out brands that are environmentally aware. Choosing to support eco-friendly brands can create a lasting ripple effect of sustainability.

When choosing a skincare brand, look for these sustainability signs:

• They don’t use excess packaging. Many skincare companies needlessly package individual products in boxes. Generally, this serves no purpose other than creating an illusion of luxury. Hopefully, these unnecessary boxes make their way to the recycling bin, but oftentimes, they get thrown in the trash and ultimately end up in the landfill. Instead, look for skincare brands that skip the charade altogether and forgo excess packaging, boxes, etc.

• Their bottles are recyclable. Not all plastics are created equal! And therefore, not all plastics are recyclable. The packaging should indicate explicitly if the empty bottle is recyclable.

• The products are made locally. Products that are made overseas need to be shipped many times before they end up in your bathroom cabinet. Each shipment is a major source of carbon emissions. Look for skincare brands that manufacture their products in each country where their products are sold.

• They don’t test on animals. When it comes to protecting the environment, animals can not be left out of the discussion. They deserve our love and respect as much as our beloved planet Earth. Look for brands that explicitly state they don’t test on animals (cruelty-free).

Because the skin is an ecosystem, it’s important to seek out skincare brands that respect not only the ecosystem of the skin, but also the ecosystem of our planet.

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