Are you looking to give your skin care regime a bit of a boost and not only pick products that work well, but are also eco-friendly? Sometimes it can seem a bit challenging to find products that do as they claim, provide you with incredible results, and do so in a way that is environmentally conscious.
Whether it is the ingredients or the packaging used, skin care products can really go off the rails and end up taking quite a toll on the environment. Ingredients can be hard to break down, the manufacturing process can be wasteful, and they may not make use of biodegradable packaging. To help make your choices a little clearer cut and simple, we’ve gone ahead and put together a list of five recommended eco skin care products that not only address your skin care concerns, but do so in an environmentally-sound manner.
Not only can you choose an environmentally-friendly product with the A’Kin Cleansing micellar water, but you’ll also be able to remove all traces of leftover dirt, makeup, and oil on your face. This product is cruelty-free, and is made of cucumber, green tea, and coconut water – all of which are extremely gentle and calming ingredients. The end result is clean skin that feels hydrated, not tight.
Micellar water can be used with a re-usable make-up remover pad to gently cleanse your face. It can be used before or after cleanser for a deeper clean. Just be sure to follow up with a facial moisturiser.
With the winter months starting to approach, it’s only natural that your skin reacts to the drop in temperature by becoming more tight and dry. For those who already have dry skin to start, winter can be downright uncomfortable with dry, itchy, flaking skin. This is where the Weleda Skin Food can really work wonders, as it is meant for “extremely dry skin”. It is so powerful it can even tackle extra dry spots like elbows and knees.
While this particular product is safe to use on your entire body, including your face, it has a very thick consistency which not everyone likes on their face. It’s best to use just a small amount on your face and see how you like it, and if it absorbs well enough.
As for its eco-friendly properties, this product has a real cult-following thanks to its pure and natural formula. It uses 100% natural organic plant actives which are either grown in their own biodynamic gardens or are ethically sourced using fair trade partnerships all around the world. The product is GMO free, doesn’t contain any synthetic dyes or fragrances, there is no animal testing, no petrochemicals, and it uses a sustainable production process.
If you happen to be the type that deals with oily skin, then you know exactly how tricky it can be to keep your skin balanced and clear. There’s actually a helpful blog on oglf.org that discusses all the steps to ensure you keep your skin balanced, which will also help to reduce pore size (common with oily skin). Part of the process is to have a good quality moisturiser that is able to address excess oils.
The Sukin Oil Balancing Mattifying Facial Moisturiser can be a perfect product to add to your routine. This one is under £10, so it’s extremely economical, and yet is an eco-friendly option. Formulated with natural Aloe Vera and antioxidants, it works to keep your skin hydrated in a non-greasy, non-clogging way. It is absorbed right away so you don’t have to deal with greasy slip or heavy residue.
Let’s also not forget how important it is to treat your lips, keeping them hydrated and soothed. Again, this becomes even more important during the long, dry, and cold winter months that can take a real toll on your lips. If your lips become chapped, then you also risk them peeling and cracking, which can even cause bleeding.
Neals Yard Remedies Bee Lovely Beautiful Lips is an organic balm that contains cocoa butter for moisturisation, orange essential oil, fair trade organic honey and beeswax. To make you feel even better about your purchase, a percentage of the sale goes directly to the all-important Save the Bees Campaign. This means your purchase will be directly helping the bees.
Sure, the mineral foundation from Angel Face Mineral Cosmetics isn’t a skincare product, but the fact that it is the UK’s first zero waste makeup brand definitely deserves a mention here. If you’re choosing environmentally conscious skincare products, why not take it a step further and follow suit with your makeup products?
The brand doesn’t use any plastic in its packaging, instead opting for cardboard. The mineral foundation itself is made here in the UK and features high quality all-natural minerals that are cruelty-free of course. Choose from six different shades of mineral foundation, all of which can be applied dry or mixed with your favourite balm, cream, serum, or even water. Priced at just £12, it won’t even require a big hit to your wallet.
It should also be mentioned that outside of your skincare products, you can also make other eco-friendly choices when it comes to your skincare. Items such as biodegradable cleansing wipes, reusable cotton rounds rather than the disposable ones, makeup remover cloths such as Face Halo that can remove your makeup without using any skincare products, and of course environmentally-friendly body soap and shampoo.
Remember, every little eco-friendly purchase decision you make will help the bigger picture. Even though it may seem like a small step, if everyone is taking small steps, it amounts to a whole lot of progress.