Sustainability is, thankfully, woven into our everyday more than ever before but it doesn’t mean we can’t strive for better. From upcycling and plastic-free products to sustainable beauty routines and supporting B Corp certified businesses, we’re all for it.
Speaking of B Corp businesses, we’ve teamed up with B Corp certified global beauty giant L’Occitane (pronounced Lox-ee-tarn to settle any disputes) to help you enhance your sustainable skincare routine—starting with their uber-moisturising Almond Shower Oil that sells every seven seconds worldwide*.
With some help from L’Occitane, we’ve curated sustainable tips and tricks to bring into your beauty cabinet (and beyond) this year.
Refill And Feel Good Inside And Out
Here at Urban List, we love aesthetically pleasing containers and vessels to place on display around our homes and offices. Get the most out of the vessels you use and switch to refillable alternatives for a simple, stylish and sustainable swap.
Next time you’re out of Almond Shower Oil, add the refillable alternative to your cart for top-ups to the bottle already on your shower caddy. Made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials, refill your wash while getting a moisturising glow that is good for you and the environment. Or if you’re close by to one of their 53 boutiques nationwide—stop in to drop off empty recyclable bottles, or use the refill fountains on offer in select boutiques.
Repurpose Empties
Staying on the aesthetic containers and vessel train, another conscious (and adorable) way to incorporate sustainable practices into your routine is finding a new purpose for those empty products you aren’t looking to rebuy. If you’re beginning the transition from summer to winter moisturiser, turn those empty jars into containers for Q-tips and bobby pins.
If you’re like us and have become faithful disciples of Martina Calvi, go beyond the beauty cabinet with empty hand cream tins filled with candle wax for ambient lighting and accessories sculpted from cut-open toothpaste and moisturiser tubes.
Reduce Your Plastics
Even though sheet face masks may feel good on your skin they aren’t too great for the planet. Reducing your plastic from head to toe is another way you can add a touch more sustainability to your routine. Next time you run out of shampoo, opt for a shampoo bar instead of a bottle and cut back on plastic waste while getting more use out of your product.
With different bars for all hair types, we recommend a shampoo bar from L’Occitane—the ingredients listed and processes are transparent and traceable across the board. Plus, L’Occitane products are also transparent in their practices and ensure relationships with the producers of their ingredients are supported. We love.
Reuse, Reuse, Reusable Products
Reducing the cycle of repurchasing and opting for reusable products in your routines is another way we can incorporate sustainable practices into our routines this year. We’re not saying ditch the disposable products this instant but next time you run out of cotton rounds or razors look to invest in the reusable options on offer. Not only is it better for the planet but better quality, meaning you can get more use out of them than ordinary disposable products.
If you’re stuck for inspiration, Go Gently by Bonnie Wright is always creating simple swaps for everyday disposables (hello reusable baby wipe solution).
Be Clear
One way we can incorporate a sustainable mindset into our beauty routines this year is by checking the brands we are investing in ethical practices. Instead of denying yourself a little beauty treat in the form of a new treatment or dewy and glow-worthy serum, put your money where your mouth is and invest in transparent and ethical brands.
Beyond the clear and traceable ingredients and producers, L’Occitane believes people and nature matter. Providing social and economic support across the globe through paid parental leave, treatment for avoidable eye illness, tree replantation and entrepreneurial support for women L’Occitane is ensuring their customers and company feel good from each purchase.
Our tip for next time you’re looking to try a new brand? Treat those products and brands like any dwindling situationships—don’t settle for murky untraceable promises and instead, look for traceable and clear ingredients and practices.
For more information, explore L’Occitane products and sustainable practices here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by L’Occitane en Provence and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Supplied, Go Gently and Urban List.
*Worldwide, Full Year 2023 (1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023), Sell in + Sell out, all channels, all hand creams status & formats except 10ml sizes.