Be eco-friendly this Christmas and shop from ethical beauty and sustainable fashion brands which are working to reduce waste.
Every Christmas, millions of items of clothing end up in landfill. In 2019, an Oxfam survey found most partygoers wore outfits just five times before casting them aside. Over in the world of beauty, the cosmetics industry produced 120 billion units of packaging in 2008 — and it has only increased each year.
To avoid unnecessary waste this festive season, it is important to be selective when you’re shopping. We’ve rounded up three top brands which are committed to sustainability and ethical practice in the world of fashion and beauty, so you can feel you’re best while helping the planet.
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Sustainable clothing and gym wear
TALA first broke on to the fashion scene in 2019 as an activewear brand but has since broadened its range of clothing to loungewear, athleisure, and outerwear. Founded by fitness influencer and entrepreneur Grace Beverley, the company is committed to sustainable practices and works with select ethically accredited factories across the globe. All clothing and accessories are made from recycled materials (such as plastic bottles upcycled into yarn) or factory offcuts.
If you’re shopping for a fitness fanatic, SkinLuxe is TALA’s buttery-soft, lightweight, made-for-movement activewear collection featuring performance styles in sport bras, racer vests, cycling shorts and high-waisted leggings in an array of colours (£32-£56). For every day, the Zae T-Shirt (£26) is a figure-hugging tee with double-layered fabric for extra support and sculpting. This comes in different lengths and colours too, from sky blue to arctic white.
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Ethical skincare products
REN Skincare is one of the only high-street brands with a commitment to using recycled, recyclable, or reusable packaging by the end of 2021. On a journey since 2018 to fulfil its 2021 Zero Waste pledge, REN has partnered with UK charity Planet Patrol, US charity Surfrider Foundation and global recycling company Terracycle to prevent more than 1.5 tonnes of plastic from entering our ocean. Its products – ranging from face cleansers to body washes – are also PETA accredited and vegan.
Our pick for beauty gifts include REN’s All is Bright set (£57) contains the exfoliating Daily AHA Tonic, which can reduce the appearance of pores, and the evening Dark Spot Sleeping Cream, known for hydrating and targeting dark spots. The All is Calm set (£57) features REN’s antioxidant rich Global Protection Day Cream and ultra-nourishing Overnight Recovery Balm, which calms and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier. Both sets are packaged in a gift bag with a 100% recycled cardboard band to keep your products together.
Eco-friendly wellness products
Inspired by its glorious surrounding landscape, ARRAN Sense of Scotland is committed to protecting the natural environment and is actively working towards reducing its carbon footprint. The brand combines wellness with sustainability through its use of recycled plastic and encouraging customers to opt for eco-friendly refills in its selection of handwashes and shampoos. Its recent collection, Sannox, boasts a selection of premium men’s wellness and fragrance products, all crafted with Scottish ingredients and blended with unfiltered, mineral-rich local water. The Sannox Men’s Wash Bag (£49) is an ideal gift for any man in your life who likes to take care of themselves as well as the environment, and contains bath and shower gel, after shave balm, shaving gel and soap, all packaged within the water-resistant, stylish wash bag.
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Eco-friendly make up
Danish cosmetic company Kjaer Weis is one of the leading make-up brands in sustainability, being one of the first luxury beauty companies to introduce refillable packaging at the time of its launch in 2010. All its products, packaging and shipping materials are 100% recyclable, compostable and refillable, sourced from FSC-certified materials, and printed with water-based ink. The company’s refill system allows you to choose your shade and how it is packaged, minimising what gets thrown into landfills. It’s not only the packaging which is ethical but the beauty formulas too, with all products being cruelty- and gluten-free. Kjaer Weis ingredients are all certified by one of two leading European certifications for organic: COSMOS or CCPB.
This autumn, Kjaer Weis launched its Im-Possible Mascara (£30), that delivers dramatic length and high definition which lasts all day long. The Im-Possible mascara is Ecocert COSMOS Organic, a certification it can only achieve if a minimum of 95% of plants it contains are organic and at least 20% of organic ingredients are present in the total formula. Sustainably and organically farmed Beeswax and Carnauba Wax work together to create a beautifully balanced creamy texture, preventing clumps for natural appearing lashes.
Natural beauty products
Australian brand Loving Tan is dedicated to creating products with certified organic and naturally derived ingredients. Cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, the brand offers consumers a guilt-free glowing tan. Its latest release, The Purest Collection (£89), is formulated using over 97% certified organic and naturally derived ingredients, so that you can feel your best while having done your part to protect the environment. The set makes a great gift to any beauty-lover who loves an eco-friendly find.
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