Brands Riding the Sustainability Wave for Our Oceans
Surf’s up? More like time’s up.
Surf’s up? More like time’s up. By 2050, there will be more plastic populating our planet’s oceans than sea creatures. It’s 2019, which means it’s about time we stop riding the waves and take real action against climate change, oceanic pollution, and species endangerment.
Oceans cover over 70% of the earth’s surface, providing plenty of space for the 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris lurking at the surface as well as the dark depths where coral reefs are being bleached and destroyed. The lifespan of a plastic bag can extend to almost one thousand years, which means the plastic bag you grabbed from the supermarket yesterday will most likely live your life ten times over— only to release toxic chemicals into the environment once it finally decomposes. Single use plastic is one of the biggest culprits in sea life endangerment, as well as the toxic chemicals from our toiletry products that get dumped into the ocean by the thousand every day.
While the most wide-scale environmental changes happen at the corporate level, it is crucial now more than ever to be a conscious consumer. Support brands that are implementing the most feasible sustainable practices and providing waste-free products with safe and cruelty-free ingredients. Not sure where to shop? BWB fished for sustainable brands taking progressive steps to protect our friends down in the deep blue sea while also nourishing our skin.
Phytomer Wrinkle and Dark Spot Correction Moisturizing Serum & Radiance Reviving Mask
Phytomer transforms the sea into skincare with locally sourced ingredients from the French coast of Brittany and advanced biotechnological processes. If they are not extracting algae from open sea zones, they are surely cultivating algae in their own laboratories in order to preserve the natural sea environment as safely and ethically as possible. From sustainably extracting ingredients to utilizing renewable energy sources to filtering gardens that clean up protection water, Phytomer is doing everything they can to indulge the skin with the restorative powers of the sea without exploiting natural resources.
Wondering how the ocean can help wash away hyperpigmentation? OligoForce Advanced Wrinkle and Dark Spot Correction Moisturizing Serumcontains Eternal Marine, which produces powerful antioxidants, repairs skin cells, stimulates collagen and elastin production, and smooths wrinkles. If you’re a city gal like me, you may also want to try the Radiance Reviving Mask with Clay, which combats deeply rooted pollution, tightens pores, and boosts skin glow with marine sugars. Pollution doesn’t belong anywhere— not in the ocean and not on your face!
REN Skincare Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm
100% recyclable packaging, bioactive ingredients, cruelty-free production, and organic oils. This hyper-nourishing overnight treatment doesn’t just nurse dry, irritated skin back to health; it works its hydration magic without releasing harmful toxins or single us plastics into oceanic ecosystems. REN helps your skin and the environment recover together.
P.S. The holiday season is just around the bend! For every gift set sold, REN will donate $1 to the Surfrider Foundation, a grassroots organization aiming to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves and beaches. It’s Christmas for everyone— even the sea critters!
One Ocean Beauty Ultra Marine Cellulite Night Cream
One Ocean Beauty sources algae from around the world to produce wellness products through the remarkable process of blue biotechnology. Marine microorganisms, such as kelp and algae, have adapted advantageous properties to protect themselves against UV radiation, which makes them the perfect organic material to utilize in skincare products.
This particular product contains “active marine ingredients from the Coast of Malaga [that] target a circadian protein at night to breakdown fat deposits and enhance collagen synthesis to improve firmness.” Complete with murumuru seed and shea butter, the cream has a lush and soft finish— but perhaps nothing feels quite as good as protecting the planet.
S.W. Basics Orange Blossom Water Spray
Refreshing, light, citrusy, and affordable! There are plenty of reasons why this multi-purpose spray is one of my favorite products at the moment. Unlike many skincare brands that are guilty of high amounts of water waste and synthetic ingredients, S.W. Basics brings you a perfectly balanced spritz with just one simple component: organic orange blossom water. The pure ingredient makes this product a great, light toner for all my sensitive skin buddies out there, although it can also be used as a deodorant or perfume.
No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides in the ingredients means lower pollution potential, and glass packaging means lower waste potential. With locally-sourced, fair-trade ingredients, the ocean is happy and so are you!
Teresa Deely is a graduate from Columbia University with majors in English and Creative Writing. She is a freelance writer and marketing assistant working for clients in the wellness, jewelry, creative, and sports industries. She believes that one’s skin is yet another canvas and vehicle for art, and has loved styling her hair and applying makeup from a young age. Spending much of her time in educating youth and leading enrichment programs for children, she is highly motivated in discovering new ways to care for herself and sharing them with others.
By 2050, there will be more plastic populating our planet’s oceans than sea creatures.
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