5 Eco-Friendly Brands Making a Difference Today
Beauty without the guilt. Here is a round-up of our top 5 favorite brands at the moment that are thinking about the environment for us!
If there’s one topic that will forever remain evergreen in the beauty and wellness space, it is environmental consciousness. I’ve been thinking about this more and more after taking a recent hike in upstate New York and seeing the great outdoors from a new perspective. How can we help make a positive impact on our Earth today and support sustainability in the future? Sure, it may take more time and effort to live a greener lifestyle (recycling, reducing electricity use, carpooling), but there are also some simple ways to make a change. Many brands are making it easier by creating eco-friendly products that are good for you and good for the world at large; double-yes! Read on for a few of our tried-and-true favorites:
1. JOHN MASTERS ORGANICS: Geranium & Grapefruit Body Wash
25 years ago, John Masters dared to dream big and ventured into the organic beauty world. As a leading stylist in New York City, he started to create products that are kind to your hair, skin, body, and the planet. His inspiration for ingredients came from the local farmer’s market, and soon after, he opened the first “clean air” salon in Soho—a place free of chemical treatments, damaging colorants, and aerosol hair sprays. The fruity scent of the Geranium & Grapefruit Body Wash is ideal for morning showers (or anytime, really) as it wakes you up thanks to the two key ingredients in its name. Thanks to the sunflower oil filled with vitamins, the body wash also helps keep your skin super-moisturized.
2. KORA ORGANICS: Rose Quartz Heart Facial Sculptor
Mother and international model, Miranda Kerr, created KORA Organics to keep skin healthy and glowing. Founded in Australia, the brand works closely with researchers to create products that are organic, cruelty-free, and free of animal testing. Ever since I started using the Rose Quartz Heart Facial Sculptor, it’s hard to resist using it every day. Besides how eye-catching it looks, the light pink heart-shaped tool does wonders to reduce puffiness, smooth fine lines, and improve circulation. It also boosts the efficacy of facial products like the Noni Glow Face Oil. Gently use the sculptor to massage your face and décolletage—rose quartz is believed to spread soothing energy and encourage love, hence its shape!
3. SAJE NATURAL WELLNESS: Pocket Farmacy
Trying to treat a cold, cough, or tummy pain? Need to relieve stress? Just want a pick-me-up? Enter: Saje Natural Wellness. Created by husband and wife, Jean-Pierre LeBlanc and Kate Ross LeBlanc, this brand helps you live a happier and healthier life with products spanning the categories of skincare, body care, and home goods. Saje sources all ingredients from safe and renewable resources, including essential oils made with 100% natural formulations. Currently, I keep the Pocket Farmacy in my purse, which has five essential oils (Peppermint Halo, Fortify, Gutzy, Stress Release, and Pain Release) tucked in a chic black pouch made of recycled fabric. At home, the Extra Strength Pain Relieving Oil Blend sits on my desk and I reach for it to help with muscle aches from long days spent on the computer.
4. RAINCRY: Large Pure Natural Bristle Paddle Brush
Raincry is all about consciously-crafted beauty. Founded by beauty pro Feisal Qureshi and handmade by French craftsmen, the brand creates luxe hairbrushes and hair products from materials that have been harvested through ethical and renewable resources. Pure boar bristles not only feel relaxing when run through the scalp, but they also help transfer your body’s natural oils from root to tip. I’ve been using less hair serum since picking up a Raincry brush, and my typically straight and thick hair is softer and shinier. Upon my first use, the bristles were a bit on the stiffer side because of the way it’s designed (to ultimately reduce drying time). But not to worry—after about six uses, the bristles “break-in.” Just like the idea of leather, it gets better with age.
5. AGENT NATEUR: Holi(rose) N4 Deodorant Large
No getting-ready process is complete without a swipe of deodorant, and Agent Nateur is aiming to bring more mindfulness when it comes to this step. Founded by Jena Covello, the green beauty company sources non-toxic ingredients from Europe and small suppliers in the U.S. Each deodorant is made without any trace of aluminum, with a formula created after much thought and testing in Covello’s West Hollywood kitchen. The Holi(rose) N4 Deodorant feels soft and nourishing on the skin (coconut oil, beeswax, sunflower butter and avocado butter are among its star ingredients). After wearing it for a full day while running around New York City, I found that it doesn’t completely stop me from lightly sweating, but the subtle scent of sandalwood and rose lingers and keeps me feeling fresh.
Illustration by Maggie Stephenson.
Wendy Sy is a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle writer based in New York City. In addition to her editorial website, Style Meets Story, her work has been featured in Allure, Avenue Magazine, InStyle, and more. When she’s not brainstorming ideas for upcoming articles, you can find her spending countless hours searching for lost treasures at vintage shops. Photo by Sophie Elgort.
How can we help make a positive impact on our earth today and support sustainability in the future?
”
