Crisis cabinet
From sustainable natural ingredients to recyclable packaging, these Eight complexion perfectors will help save the planet. Words Helen Hawkes.
In an age of conscious consumerism, splurging on that luxury skincare product can seem akin to a capitalist crime. Not to worry. The luxury beauty industry has heard environmental activists’ cries and put its research and development teams to work on cleaner, greener high-performance options. The result: you can be perfectly groomed and guilt free. Here, eight products with squeaky-green credentials.
1. Vela Days Lipid Complex, $89
There aren’t many non-pharmaceutical ingredients that are greener than cannabis. This multipurpose gel-textured formula is designed to purify pores as well as restore and hydrate skin with, you guessed it, essential fatty acid-rich hemp seed oil. There’s also vitamin A, B, D and E, and omega-6 and -9 to pack a nutrient-powered punch. Artificial fragrance and cruelty free, with recyclable packaging, it is also Australian made. veladays.com
2. Cosmetics 27 Baume 27 Bio-Energising Cell Repair Balm, $164
This cult creamy formula contains 27 ingredients, from sesame and sunflower seed oils to hibiscus extract and citrus, all formulated to repair and protect skin. Every Cosmetics 27 product also contains Centella asiatica, an Ayurvedic medicinal plant prized for its healing properties. Cosmetics 27 is a pioneer in the emerging field of green chemistry, using renewable, sustainable raw materials. Minimal packaging and sustainable sourcing elevate the brand’s appeal among the eco-conscious. mecca.com.au
3. Susanne Kaufmann Glow Mask, $121
From the solar and thermal energy that powers production, to responsible sourcing of botanicals and refillable packaging, this brand ticks all the green boxes. Free of gluten and nasties such as silicone, sulphates and GMOs, the Glow Mask brims with delicious-sounding ingredients such as papaya, ginger, coffee, date extract and raspberry, all designed to banish dead skin cells and boost skin health. mecca.com.au
4. Heartwood Royal Oil for Body + Hair, $95
Doubling as a perfume and hydrator, this eco blend of botanicals and nut oils can be used almost anywhere. The standout ingredient? Sandalwood harvested from the pristine wilderness of Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region and scientifically proven, according to the brand, to naturally enhance mood and defend against premature ageing. Add in the heady fragrances of ylang-ylang, patchouli, frankincense, orange and amber and the result is a blend designed to not only boost radiance but also inspire inner peace. Heartwood’s sandalwood farming, harvesting and distillation practices are planet-conscious, while its bottles can be refilled or recycled for a 10 per cent discount. heartwoodco.com.au
5. Purely Byron Divine Ritual Multi-Mask Collection, $200
Actor Elsa Pataky, whose own flawless skin emits an otherworldly glow, is the face of this sustainable, female-founded Byron Bay brand. Designed to embody the essential spirit of the celebrity- and haute-hippie haven, the products are based on local ingredients such as kangaroo paw and Davidson plum, formulated into clinically proven actives. Steal some me time with the Multi-Mask Collection, a combo of clay mask, four “boosters”, a handmade ceramic bowl, a mask brush and a soft cotton muslin cloth. Naturally, there are no nasty ingredients or animal testing and the packaging is post-consumer recycled. purelybyron.com
6. Votary Nutrient Cream Light, $140
Following in the footsteps of Votary’s popular Nutrient Cream is this light daily moisturiser for dry, sensitive and dehydrated skin. It’s vegan and fragrance-allergen free, and powered by plant oils and botanical actives including moisture-plumping hyaluronic acid. While you’re soothing and hydrating, you can feel good about the fact that the brand — birthed by a London makeup artist — supports the World Land Trust to offset emissions and uses biodegradable and recyclable packaging. sephora.com.au
7. Costa Brazil Body Scrub, $142
From the place that brought us the cheekily cut bikini bottom comes a product that helps us get there. This Brazilian exfoliating scrub transforms from a gel into a lightweight milky mixture and is designed to smooth and hydrate skin. The body-buffing formula includes caffeine-rich green coffee oil, nutrient-dense sweet almond oil and crushed murumuru seeds rich in fatty acids and vitamins A and C. Costa Brazil believes it’s not enough to create products that benefit the body: they should also be good for the spirit and the earth. Cue sustainably sourced, environmentally friendly, vegan, cruelty-free ingredients, zero nasties, sustainable production and fair-trade practices. mecca.com.au
8. Lamav Hydra-Calm Cream Cleanser, $35
It was Australia’s first certified organic anti-ageing skincare range, and Lamav continues to be a winner thanks to new — and more potent — Ayurvedic and scientifically proven botanical bioactives. The luxuriously gentle Hydra-Calm Cream Cleanser, which uses aloe vera juice, avocado and camellia oil to remove impurities and makeup while nourishing skin, is an absolute steal. Lamav is vegan, cruelty free and an accredited Australian Toxic-Free brand, with $1 from every purchase donated to charity. lamav.com or healthylife.com.au
This is an extract from an article that appears in print in our fifth edition, Page 136 of Winning Magazine with the headline: “Crisis cabinet”. Subscribe to Winning Magazine today.
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