Conscious Collection: August 2022
What you need to know about sustainable beauty this week.
What a wild month it’s been. From Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s break-up to millions around the world breaking up with plastic for Plastic-free July, it feels like it’s time for a fresh start! As always, I have packed this roundup with fun and informative sustainability info so buckle up and take note.
NEW
MECCA has just announced the rollout of its in-store recycling program in all of its stores. It’s a little known fact that most beauty products can’t be recycled in your kerbside bin as they’re often too small and too complex (just think about how many different materials are in a blush palette!) which means that they need to go to specialty facilities to actually be recycled. In partnership with TerraCycle, MECCA is doing just that. Simply drop off your empties at your local store. Yep, it’s that easy.
NOTEWORTHY
Hyaluronic acid has been the talk of beauty lovers for the last couple of years but IMO we’re only just starting to see it become a staple in beauty cabinets across the globe. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar found in the body which is responsible for plumpness, evenness and volume in the skin. It acts like a giant sponge that soaks up moisture and most importantly holds onto it, hence the plumpness. As is all too common, the natural production of hyaluronic acid declines as we age–which is why it is important to supplement your regimen with products that contain this juicy ingredient. Plus, it is great for pretty much every skin type but especially for those with dehydrated complexions.
esmi Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum
Conscious Code: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Locally Made
Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Conscious Code: Cruelty-Free
Nécessaire The Body Serum
Conscious Code: Vegan, Cruelty-Free
CONSCIOUS CODE: ORGANIC
Organic may well be popping up on the front of products everywhere but what does it actually mean? Of course, it’s never that straight forward. If a product has organic ingredients they’ll include organic on the front even if they’re not technically certified. If you see this, make sure to have a look on the back of the pack to see the number of ingredients which are certified organic.
This is because certification of ingredients is far easier (and often more affordable) for brands than certifying products. Organic beauty is actually only certified by two bodies, COSMOS and ACO. The COSMOS standard is a global certification which combines the function of five global Organic certification bodies and requires brands to disclose the percentage of ingredients that are certified organic.
Whereas Australian Certified Organic (ACO) is the most well-known and stringent Australian certification. ACO requires brands to use organic ingredients where possible and to not include a specified list of nasties. There’s also two main differences to note in the wording you see on a product:
- Certified Organic: the product contains more than 95 per cent certified organic ingredients
- Made with certified organic ingredients: the product contains between 70 and 95 per cent certified organic ingredients
Bridget Carmady of Clemence Organics, one of the few Australian COSMOS certified brands explains that, “[COSMOS] take a look at each and every ingredient to ensure that it has been grown and processed naturally, without the use of chemicals. There is a lot of communication with suppliers, a lot of paperwork and it takes a great deal of time to achieve this. Having said all this, it’s something I feel is worth it because it provides clarity and trust that what we are providing really is the best quality and the most effective.”
Clemence Organics, Brightening Eye and Skin Serum
Conscious Code: Organic, Cruelty-Free, Vegan
SCOUT, Breathable Super Food Infused Nail Polish
Conscious Code: Organic, Locally Made, Vegan
TREND ALERT: EYELINER
In 2022, we’re all about eyeliner. Think of it as the perfect way to define your eyes and add a splash of colour without screaming ‘90s grunge. Think crisp clean lines and fun colours to brighten your usual base. Try the ‘60s graphic look by lining both your waterline and the crease above your eyes. To get the cleanest lines remember to sharpen your pencil regularly. Plus, did you know that your eyeliner pencil shavings can actually be composted?
Charlotte Tilbury, The Classic Liner
Conscious Code: Cruelty-free, Packaging (refills)
Flavedo and Albedo, Bright Stripe Eyeline
Conscious Code: Packaging, Cruelty-free, Vegan
SUSTAINABLE SWAP
Antiperspirant deodorants work by stopping you from perspiring. Think of it like a plug for your sweat glands. This means that your body holds onto all of the toxins it’s trying to expel. Natural deodorants, on the other hand, allow you to sweat but mask the odour. This is why the transition from one to the other can be so hard because you feel sweatier than ever before and like it’s doing nothing. But persevere and you’ll reap the rewards.
Something to note is that many natural deodorants contain baking soda but people with sensitive skin often react to this ingredient so look for a baking-soda free option. I always recommend people switch during winter so you can try it out when you aren’t so sweaty.
ASUVI, Natural Refillable Deodorant
Conscious Code: Cruelty-free, Vegan, Locally Made, Packaging (refills)
Conscious Collection: August 2022
What you need to know about sustainable beauty this week.
What a wild month it’s been. From Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson’s break-up to millions around the world breaking up with plastic for Plastic-free July, it feels like it’s time for a fresh start! As always, I have packed this roundup with fun and informative sustainability info so buckle up and take note.
NEW
MECCA has just announced the rollout of its in-store recycling program in all of its stores. It’s a little known fact that most beauty products can’t be recycled in your kerbside bin as they’re often too small and too complex (just think about how many different materials are in a blush palette!) which means that they need to go to specialty facilities to actually be recycled. In partnership with TerraCycle, MECCA is doing just that. Simply drop off your empties at your local store. Yep, it’s that easy.
NOTEWORTHY
Hyaluronic acid has been the talk of beauty lovers for the last couple of years but IMO we’re only just starting to see it become a staple in beauty cabinets across the globe. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar found in the body which is responsible for plumpness, evenness and volume in the skin. It acts like a giant sponge that soaks up moisture and most importantly holds onto it, hence the plumpness. As is all too common, the natural production of hyaluronic acid declines as we age–which is why it is important to supplement your regimen with products that contain this juicy ingredient. Plus, it is great for pretty much every skin type but especially for those with dehydrated complexions.
esmi Hyaluronic Hydrating Serum
Conscious Code: Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Locally Made
Paula’s Choice Hyaluronic Acid Booster
Conscious Code: Cruelty-Free
Nécessaire The Body Serum
Conscious Code: Vegan, Cruelty-Free
CONSCIOUS CODE: ORGANIC
Organic may well be popping up on the front of products everywhere but what does it actually mean? Of course, it’s never that straight forward. If a product has organic ingredients they’ll include organic on the front even if they’re not technically certified. If you see this, make sure to have a look on the back of the pack to see the number of ingredients which are certified organic.
This is because certification of ingredients is far easier (and often more affordable) for brands than certifying products. Organic beauty is actually only certified by two bodies, COSMOS and ACO. The COSMOS standard is a global certification which combines the function of five global Organic certification bodies and requires brands to disclose the percentage of ingredients that are certified organic.
Whereas Australian Certified Organic (ACO) is the most well-known and stringent Australian certification. ACO requires brands to use organic ingredients where possible and to not include a specified list of nasties. There’s also two main differences to note in the wording you see on a product:
- Certified Organic: the product contains more than 95 per cent certified organic ingredients
- Made with certified organic ingredients: the product contains between 70 and 95 per cent certified organic ingredients
Bridget Carmady of Clemence Organics, one of the few Australian COSMOS certified brands explains that, “[COSMOS] take a look at each and every ingredient to ensure that it has been grown and processed naturally, without the use of chemicals. There is a lot of communication with suppliers, a lot of paperwork and it takes a great deal of time to achieve this. Having said all this, it’s something I feel is worth it because it provides clarity and trust that what we are providing really is the best quality and the most effective.”
Clemence Organics, Brightening Eye and Skin Serum
Conscious Code: Organic, Cruelty-Free, Vegan
SCOUT, Breathable Super Food Infused Nail Polish
Conscious Code: Organic, Locally Made, Vegan
TREND ALERT: EYELINER
In 2022, we’re all about eyeliner. Think of it as the perfect way to define your eyes and add a splash of colour without screaming ‘90s grunge. Think crisp clean lines and fun colours to brighten your usual base. Try the ‘60s graphic look by lining both your waterline and the crease above your eyes. To get the cleanest lines remember to sharpen your pencil regularly. Plus, did you know that your eyeliner pencil shavings can actually be composted?
Charlotte Tilbury, The Classic Liner
Conscious Code: Cruelty-free, Packaging (refills)
Flavedo and Albedo, Bright Stripe Eyeline
Conscious Code: Packaging, Cruelty-free, Vegan
SUSTAINABLE SWAP
Antiperspirant deodorants work by stopping you from perspiring. Think of it like a plug for your sweat glands. This means that your body holds onto all of the toxins it’s trying to expel. Natural deodorants, on the other hand, allow you to sweat but mask the odour. This is why the transition from one to the other can be so hard because you feel sweatier than ever before and like it’s doing nothing. But persevere and you’ll reap the rewards.
Something to note is that many natural deodorants contain baking soda but people with sensitive skin often react to this ingredient so look for a baking-soda free option. I always recommend people switch during winter so you can try it out when you aren’t so sweaty.
ASUVI, Natural Refillable Deodorant
Conscious Code: Cruelty-free, Vegan, Locally Made, Packaging (refills)
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