The Beauty Brands Supporting World Oceans Day

Marine pollution is a big problem. More than eight million tonnes of plastic enters the oceans each year, equal to dumping a garbage truck of plastic every minute, a 2015 report published in Science found. And according to WWF, 80 per cent of plastics in our oceans are generated by land-based activities. Plastic rubbish is a direct threat to our marine animals and plants. Often, wildlife will mistake plastics for food and swallow it; once digested, these plastics can block breathing passages and stomachs, leading to a painful death.

The Take 3 For The Sea initiative encourages beach-goers to do their bit by taking three pieces of rubbish with them when they leave. It’s a small gesture but can you imagine the impact if we all did it?

Want to get involved this World Oceans Day? Take your three for the sea; use this tool to find an event near you; sign this petition to protect 30 percent of the ocean by 2030; share on social media; speak up and give a damn.

And, if you’re going to buy beauty products regardless, why not vote with your dollars…

La Mer has close ties with the ocean. The brand’s Miracle Broth–the key ingredient in GP favourite Crème de la Mer–is created using sustainably hand-harvested sea kelp from pristine, protected waters off the coast of Vancouver Island. As such, La Mer has made an ongoing commitment to our oceans, launching the Blue Heart Oceans Fund in 2017. Through this, the brand donates vital funds to charities including:

• EarthEcho International (an organisation that helps educate and inspire young people to become agents of change)
• The Nature Conservancy (a global environmental nonprofit that works to safeguard against the impacts of climate change)
• Oceano Azul Foundation (a not for profit that helps to educate and inform policymakers about developing a blue economy).
• GreenWave (an organisation that scales ocean farming across North America by partnering with fishermen, Indigenous groups and other under resourced coastal communities directly affected by climate change).

La Mer has released a Limited-Edition Blue Heart Crème de la Mer to help raise awareness for the Blue Heart Oceans Fund. Buy one to do your bit.

KEVIN.MURPHY is committed to creating a more sustainable future all year ‘round. The Australian hair care brand has made the switch, converting to bottles made of 100 per cent Ocean Waste Plastic (OWP). In doing so, KEVIN.MURPHY predicts it will save 360 tonnes of plastic from the ocean per year. Once more for those in the back: 360 tons per year!

In 2018, REN Clean Skincare announced that it was collaborating with the Surfrider Foundation to help facilitate beach cleanups in Europe, Australia and the UK. Not only that, the brand also pledged to become a zero-waste brand by 2021 and–get this–actually did! It has since introduced bottles made with ocean plastic, tubes made from post-consumer-recycled plastic and designed for circular recycling and continue to innovate. In Australia, you can shop REN from Mecca.

LUSH Charity Pot is a hand and body lotion that not only nourishes skin but also gives back: the brand donates 100 per cent of the selling price (minus taxes) to local grassroots organisations in the country of purchase. In Australia, each purchase of Charity Pot benefits Surfrider, Mandurah Dolphin Rescue, Australia For Dolphins, My Green World and Positive Change for Marine Life, among others.

Love Beauty and Planet is a haircare brand founded on five goals: source ingredients responsibly, reduce waste by using 100 per cent recycled bottles, create fast-rinse formulas to cut down shower time, reduce their carbon footprint and make products that make you look beautiful. You can read more about their goals here.