What are carbon neutral beauty brands? And why are they ready to disrupt the beauty industry? Read on to learn more!
By Gina Gambhir
First, it started with ‘clean’ beauty brands that were free of all nasties. We wanted natural deodorants, fluoride free toothpastes and paraben free shampoos. And we got them.
But then that wasn’t good enough. Organic beauty brands started trending. And after awhile, we all wanted more than just organic ingredients in our skincare, so brands started noting their ‘zero waste’ practices as well. But even that wasn’t good enough! So the game got upped again.
And that’s why today, carbon neutral beauty brands are trending.
It is, shall we say, a ‘beautiful’ thing that the brands we use to make ourselves prettier are ever-more eco-friendly. It feels like with zero waste, organic, carbon neutral skincare, we’re miles away from those nasty chemical creams that came in three layers of packaging and did slow damage to our health and the planet’s.
What exactly are carbon neutral beauty brands?
You may already know, everything that we make, buy and sell leaves a carbon trail. Whether you believe in man-made global warming or not, the reality is that carbon usually relates to pollution. But when you encounter a carbon neutral beauty brand, its sorcery is zero net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
How can we be sure a brand is carbon neutral?
There are several non-profit organisations working to reduce global carbon emissions. They certify brands as being carbon neutral after measuring their current carbon footprint and then advising on how they can offset it to zero.
If they can’t offset it through, say, planting carbon sinks or using only solar energy for production, brands will usually then have to purchase carbon credits instead to reach carbon neutrality.
Having carbon neutral beauty brands that are certified by organisations such as Climate Neutral makes the decision-making process much easier for those of us who care about the planet.
When we buy carbon neutral beauty brands, we truly can make a difference!
Here below, I share some of my favourite skincare and cosmetics brands that are going carbon neutral.
For reference, pricing is set like this:
Low: $5-$20 average for a product Medium: $20-$50 High: Over $50
Carbon Neutral Beauty Brands We Love
1. OSEA
When it comes to carbon neutral beauty brands, we’re kicking things off with one of our faves! This vegan and sustainable skincare brand was founded by a mother and daughter duo. OSEA produces a range of skincare that is potent and enriched with powerful bioavailable minerals and nutrients that are readily absorbed and intended to nourish and rejuvenate skin cells.
This heavenly skincare brand not only promises to deliver results, but they are working hard to help decrease global emissions, too.
The ethical family-owned business has always been passionate about reducing its impact. That’s why they make products that are good for you and the planet. And that’s why they’re working to measure, offset and reduce all of the carbon required to make their innovative range.
What they make: Serums, creams, cleansers, toners and more
Price range: High
2. Vintner’s Daughter
The much-hyped Active Treatment Essence and Active Botanical serum belongs to this visionary brand. Their ethos is to simplify your skincare regime. In fact, Vintner’s Daughter believe one powerful product can deliver a myriad of benefits, which is good for the planet, too.
How so? Well, it means fewer products are needed, fewer are produced and fewer natural resources are used.
Their products offer skincare nutrition in a bottle, and promise to amplify your skin’s power to regenerate, balance and repair.
This is another of the carbon neutral beauty brands that offsets its annual emissions by purchasing carbon credits through The Conservation Fund.
They also offer sustainable packaging initiatives, including boxes made from 80% post-consumer recycled materials for FSC certified board. The brand also prints with eco-friendly ink and uses recyclable glass bottles. There’s a lot to love!
What they make: Science and nature based skincare products of all kinds.
Price range: High
3. Plant People
With a name like Plant People, it’s no surprise that this brand really cares for the planet. So much so, they plant a tree for every single product sold. To date, the mushroom, CBD and herb based beauty brand has planted over 150,000 trees, and are committed to restoring natural environments.
Plant People is added to the carbon neutral beauty brands that we love due to the fact they’re 100% carbon neutral across their whole supply chain. This made possible by the fact they measure and offset their goods, production and distribution carbon costs for a greener world for all.
They also offer a reduce, reuse and recycle programme. They use 75% recycled glass and minimal plastic. And any packaging carrying the Forest Stewardship Certified Seal represents zero deforestation, environmental protection, Indigenous people’s rights and fair wage and work environments.
What they make: Skincare and sleep care products of all kinds. They even make a healthier coffee!
Price range: Low
4. Saie
Yay! Carbon neutral beauty brands also include makeup! Your quest for dewy skin, voluminous lashes and glossy lips need go no further. Whilst it champions numerous best sellers, you may have heard of their Mascara 101? It’s a bestseller, with good reason!
They are full steam ahead on their carbon neutral policy as they purchase carbon credits to offset all transport emissions associated with their products.
No-flake mascara, yep. And no flaking on their promise to the planet, either. This is our kinda brand!
What they make: A wide array of colour cosmetics
Price range: Medium
5. Nécessaire
Nécessaire makes only what is, well, necessary for your beauty routine. Body washes, moisturisers….you get the drift. The brand is committed to improving its manufacturing emissions by changing its current line of plastic tube and bottle materials from the clean plastics it uses today to bio-resins and/or partial post-consumer waste resins in the future.
Nécessaire will also improve its transport emissions by extending its shipping eco-system into a dual-location platform in the United States, thus lowering carbon emissions in getting its product to its clients. For the past few years, the entire carbon footprint of the brand has been offset by using verified carbon credits.
What they make:
Price range:
6. WA:IT
We live in a fast-paced world, where waiting is something few of us can do. But the beauty brand teaching us that waiting is a labour of universal love towards the beauty of life is aptly named WA:IT.
This pioneering beauty brand unites two cultures – Italian and Japanese – through its holistic approach to perfume and skincare. In the pursuit of uniting and balancing an individual’s inner well-being as well as their outer beauty, this clean beauty brand is highlighting how attentive the beauty industry can be to the environment we live in.
This year, WA:IT became the first European beauty brand to attain carbon-negative status. The brand strives to offset its carbon footprint via their support to restore ecosystems and agricultural communities. They also contribute to the restoration of healthy water cycles and grassland biodiversity.
What they make: Delicious, all natural perfumes, incense and skincare
Price range: Medium
7. All Good
As their name suggests, All Good is a brand committed to making everybody better. They do so by using their business as a platform for good.
How so? Well, their sunscreen packaging is made from post-consumer recycled plastic. Their headquarters being powered by 100% renewable energy. And of course, all their products are as clean as can be!
But that’s still not enough for All Good. The brand is currently working on even better packaging options. They’re also seeking more ingredients from projects dedicated to regenerative farming in indigenous communities. It’s all GREAT, if you ask me!
What they make: A wide range of skincare products, with a speciality in natural SPFs.
Price range: Low
8. Tropic
Tropic is a multi-award-winning range of skincare and beauty products that have all been handmade in the UK using some of the most innovative, effective ingredients that nature has to offer. But their loyalty to nature extends beyond the products they make.
Tropic is not only a certified carbon neutral company but one that has doubled its offset emissions since 2018! They recently moved into a new HQ and power their offices with renewable energy, with heat from the manufacturing machines warming their offices on the floor above.
Tropic sent zero waste to landfill both in 2019 and 2020. On top of this, the brand has also managed to fund conversation work in the Amazonian rainforest and helped to protect 65,000 hectares of trees from unsustainable palm oil conversions in Indonesia.
What they make: Multi-award-winning range of skincare and beauty products
Price range: Medium
9. Prima
Prima knows all too well how toxic the modern world can be, especially when it comes to the products we use on our skin. Unapologetically strict about their safety standards, nature – combined with the best science and health experts – is harnessed and celebrated in every aspect of Prima.
Prima is 100% carbon neutral across its entire operations and supply chain. This means that, as a company, the brand works to measure, reduce and offset its entire carbon footprint. They are also working to improve the recyclability profile of their packaging and are working towards using fewer virgin materials and more recycled content.
What they make: Supplements and skincare
Price range: Medium
10. Davines
Since 2006, Davines has made offsetting and mitigating its carbon emissions a top priority. This includes achieving a carbon neutral production site, for example. They’ve also recently announced that they’re offering US consumers the opportunity to have carbon neutral shipping.
The genderless brand has also released its first 100% carbon neutral shampoo. Their A Single Shampoo is kind to the planet and your hair. Itworks to gently cleanse and add moisture to even the dullest of locks.
What they make: Haircare
Price range: Medium
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