Each day, for me at least, it feels like we’re being showered with new product launches, next-gen innovation and green initiatives–it’s an information overload. Enter: the Conscious Collection. A guide to how you can crack the code to decipher the greenwashing, discover the latest in sustainable beauty and maybe learn a thing or two.

I am so thrilled to launch this column with Gritty Pretty, an extension of my regular contributions to share with our audience the best in the biz when it comes to sustainability. Aiming, as always, to help educate and inspire.

YSL Beauty has launched a global sustainability initiative called Rewild Our Earth in partnership with the global NGO, Re:wild. Rewild Our Earth will enable YSL Beauty to make progressive efforts, in terms of environmental impact, in four key regions where they source their ingredients: Morocco, Haiti, Madagascar and Indonesia. This really is a marathon, not a sprint. The projects include protecting and restoring 100,000 hectares of land by 2030 and are as specific as the world’s largest Oceanic island, Madagascar–where geranium and vanilla are primarily sourced for the brand’s signature fragrances Black Opium, Libre, Le Vestiaire de Parfums and Y. 

The brand has plans to plant over 400,000 trees by 2023, helping to restore forest areas that have been ravaged by deforestation. It’s really exciting to see a global brand take responsibility for its environmental impact at a local level.

Essano has just launched the first 100 per cent recyclable pump in Australia and New Zealand. Generally speaking, most skincare pumps contain a metal spring inside a plastic casing which makes them almost impossible to recycle. Essano’s range uses a springless pump, meaning it can be recycled in household recycling bins once it’s empty.  

Essano Daily Hydration Body Lotion

Conscious Codes: Packaging, Vegan, Cruelty-free

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The first week of May is International Composting Awareness Week, so to celebrate let’s take a closer look at compostable packaging. Firstly, you need to make sure you choose items that are certified compostable so look out for the official symbol. If the symbol uses the code AS 5810-2010 this means it can breakdown in home compost bins. Otherwise AS 4736–2006 means that it can breakdown in commercial facilities.

On that, the next time you receive an online shopping order take a closer look at the packaging. Hero Packaging was Australia’s first home compostable mailer. In four years they’ve sold over 15 million mailers and helped thousands of Australian businesses reduce their packaging waste. Don’t forget to remove any sticky tape or plastic labels before popping them in your compost and give your compost bin a helping hand by cutting the mailer into smaller pieces to speed up the process.

More and more brands are releasing refillable options for their signature ranges. More than just a trend, this really is better for our environment. Refills not only mean less packaging but they also reduce the carbon footprint of a brand as they aren’t as heavy to transport and make. While, yes, most refills come in plastic packaging, they are actually in many cases better for the environment than purchasing a full-sized product again. Many refills you can also soft plastic recycle. Alternatively, look for a brand that offers to recycle them for you like L’OCCITANE, Sabbia Co and Zero Co.

Fenty Skin’s Instant Reset Overnight Recovery Gel-Cream

Conscious Codes: Packaging, Vegan, Cruelty-free

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This month’s sustainable suggestion is to try dry body brushing. As the temps drop our skin starts to dry out. It might feel counterintuitive to scrub your body with a dry brush but this is a practice that has been used for thousands of years (and by Gritty Pretty cover star and supermodel Miranda Kerr) which helps boost hydration and skin cell renewal. Dry body brushing works by stimulating the lymphatic system which promotes circulation, reduces inflammation and water retention and removes dry skin cells, which stimulates the production of new skin cells. The beauty of dry body brushing (pun intended) is that this practice means you need to use fewer products and no chemicals to unlock a radiant glow.