With more people becoming conscious of what they put on their skin and the impact their purchases have on the planet, eco-friendly skincare products are becoming increasingly popular.
But what does “eco-friendly skincare” actually mean?
Eco-friendly skincare is about more than simply using natural ingredients. It considers the ingredients, packaging, manufacturing methods, sourcing and ethical standards behind a product. The aim is to create skincare that is kinder to people, animals and the environment.
At Green Laurels, we believe that looking after your skin shouldn’t have to come at the expense of the planet. Our handmade products are created using naturally occurring ingredients wherever possible, while we actively avoid ingredients and packaging that have an unnecessary environmental impact.
What Makes Skincare Eco-Friendly?
There isn’t one single ingredient or feature that automatically makes a skincare product eco-friendly. Instead, it is about considering the environmental impact of the product as a whole.
Some of the characteristics commonly associated with eco-friendly skincare include:
- Natural or naturally derived ingredients
- Plant-based oils and butters
- Responsible sourcing of raw materials
- Vegan and cruelty-free formulations
- Plastic-free or recyclable packaging
- Reduced use of unnecessary synthetic ingredients
- Handmade or small-batch production
- Long-lasting products that reduce consumption
- Responsible manufacturing practices
For example, Green Laurels’ natural handmade soaps are produced using traditional methods and packaged in plastic-free, recyclable card. Our shampoo bars are also designed as a low-waste alternative to conventional bottled shampoo, with each bar capable of providing many washes.
This demonstrates an important point: eco-friendly skincare isn’t just about what’s inside the product; it’s also about what happens before and after you use it.
Common Ingredients in Eco-Friendly Skincare
Natural skincare can contain a wide variety of botanical oils, butters, waxes, clays and essential oils. The exact ingredients will depend on what the product has been designed to do.
At Green Laurels, some of the ingredients used across our skincare range include olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, macadamia nut oil, peach kernel oil, rose hip oil, thistle oil, vitamin E and essential oils.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is a versatile plant-based ingredient used in skincare because it contains fatty acids and naturally occurring antioxidants.
It features in our natural lip balm and natural deodorant, where it helps provide a nourishing and conditioning feel.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another popular plant-derived skincare ingredient. It can help moisturise and condition the skin and is particularly useful in products such as soaps and balms.
Green Laurels uses coconut oil in products including our natural lip balm and handmade soaps.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is widely used in skincare formulations because of its skin-conditioning properties. At Green Laurels, jojoba oil is used in products including our facial skincare and natural deodorant.
Shea Butter
Shea butter is a rich, plant-derived ingredient commonly used in moisturising skincare. It features in our handmade natural soap and facial skincare formulations.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can provide natural fragrance while also contributing their own properties to a formulation.
Green Laurels uses essential oils such as lavender, lemon, geranium, tea tree, orange, peppermint and ylang ylang across different products.
However, “natural” doesn’t automatically mean that an ingredient is suitable for everyone. Essential oils are concentrated substances and skincare products should always be formulated and used appropriately.
Why Ethical Sourcing Matters
Eco-friendly skincare isn’t only about choosing natural ingredients. Where ingredients come from and how they are produced also matters.
Ethical sourcing means considering the people, communities, animals and ecosystems involved in producing the raw materials used in a product.
For example, responsible sourcing can involve considering:
- Where an ingredient is grown or produced
- How workers are treated
- Whether farming practices are sustainable
- Whether ecosystems are being damaged
- Whether renewable resources are being used responsibly
- Whether animal testing is avoided
- Whether suppliers share similar environmental values
This is one reason that simply seeing the word “natural” on a skincare label isn’t enough to understand a product’s overall environmental impact.
A genuinely eco-conscious approach looks at the whole supply chain, from the raw ingredients through to manufacturing, packaging and the customer’s eventual disposal or recycling of the packaging.
Ethical Production and Handmade Skincare
The way skincare is manufactured can also make a difference.
Small-batch and handmade production can allow greater attention to ingredients, formulation and packaging. At Green Laurels, products are handmade in the UK, with our approach centred around naturally occurring ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging.
Our handmade natural soap, for example, is produced using traditional methods and allowed to cure for at least four weeks. The result is a product made with care rather than something produced as quickly as possible on a huge industrial scale.
Packaging Is Part of Eco-Friendly Skincare
Even an excellent natural skincare formula can create unnecessary environmental waste if it is packaged in excessive amounts of plastic.
That’s why packaging is such an important part of sustainable skincare.
At Green Laurels, we actively avoid single-use plastic and use environmentally friendly packaging wherever possible. Our natural soaps are packaged in recyclable, plastic-free card, while our shampoo bars are also supplied in 100% recyclable, plastic-free packaging.
Our approach is simple: the less unnecessary packaging we use, the less unnecessary waste we create.
Eco-Friendly Skincare Doesn’t Have to Mean Compromising on Quality
Choosing environmentally conscious skincare doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the enjoyable parts of your daily routine.
Natural oils can provide a luxurious feel, essential oils can provide beautiful fragrances, and handmade products can offer something a little different from mass-produced alternatives.
For example, our facial moisturiser combines ingredients including organic rose water, peach kernel oil, macadamia nut oil, rose hip oil, vitamin E and geranium essential oil to create a nourishing skincare formulation.
Likewise, our natural deodorant uses ingredients including olive oil, jojoba oil, magnesium hydroxide and zinc ricinoleate, while avoiding aluminium and baking soda.
How to Choose More Eco-Friendly Skincare
When shopping for sustainable skincare, don’t just look for a single word such as “natural” or “green”.
Instead, look at the whole product.
Ask yourself:
What ingredients are being used?
Look for naturally derived and responsibly sourced ingredients where appropriate.
How is the product packaged?
Can the packaging be recycled, reused or composted? Is unnecessary plastic being avoided?
Is the product vegan and cruelty-free?
If this matters to you, check the company’s claims and policies rather than relying solely on marketing language.
Where is it made?
Buying products manufactured closer to home can sometimes help reduce the environmental impact associated with transportation.
Does the company explain its sustainability practices?
A responsible brand should be willing to explain its approach to ingredients, production and packaging.
Making More Conscious Choices
Eco-friendly skincare isn’t about finding a product that has absolutely zero environmental impact. Almost every product has some environmental footprint.
Instead, it’s about making better choices wherever possible.
Choosing a long-lasting shampoo bar instead of repeatedly buying bottles, selecting recyclable packaging, supporting responsible sourcing and choosing products made with carefully considered ingredients can all contribute to a more conscious skincare routine.
At Green Laurels, our philosophy is straightforward: create quality handmade products using natural and sustainable ingredients, while reducing unnecessary plastic and considering the environmental impact of our packaging.
From natural soaps and shampoo bars to facial skincare, lip balms and natural deodorants, we want to make it easier to enjoy everyday personal care while making choices that are kinder to the planet.
Discover Eco-Friendly Skincare from Green Laurels
If you’re looking to make your skincare routine more environmentally conscious, explore the Green Laurels range of handmade, natural and eco-friendly skincare products.
From nourishing facial creams and natural lip balms to handmade soaps, shampoo bars and deodorants, every product is created with our commitment to sustainability in mind.
Natural skincare. Handmade in the UK. Kinder to your skin and the planet.