World Environment Day: Must Have Eco-Friendly Brands

Hold up! I know that you read the title and thought this is yet another “Save The Planet” spiel dished out, by a preachy writer. Well, you aren’t entirely wrong because we do have a planet to save, but I can assure you that this is far from the boring monologue you dread. Shall we? 

The unfiltered truth is often ugly, but it’s also, no secret - after enduring decades of neglect at the hands of pollution and other forms of degradation, our planet is slowly succumbing to its many injuries. While we beauty enthusiasts are no doctors or healers, we can still rise to the occasion by adopting green practices and supporting brands that are working on making a difference. 

I know that it sounds like a lot of work and so, we decided to create the perfect list of eco-friendly brands to help you kick-start your new beauty journey, this World Environment Day. Also, if you’re worried about draining your savings over sustainability, there are many brands on this list just for that pocket-friendly budget needs. Don’t worry, I got you, sisters & misters! 

Ecosystem Vs Economy, Fight!

The booming echoes of the battling Ecos are louder than ever with the Indian cosmetics industry that has been making quite the progress with industry experts predicting annual growth of 25%, touching $20 billion by the year 2025. 

While we are busy giving a shout out to the statistics, don’t let this undermine the shouts of plea from Mother Nature. With many big-name beauty companies turning the leaf with new ranges of cruelty-free and vegan products, we have a buffet of options to choose from, but most of us don’t even know about them or continue to shop from other beauty stops. Idea about sustainable cosmetic brands is limited for many of us. 

Read on to find out more about these amazing sustainable brands and who knows, maybe by the end of this article, you will be a believer in planet-friendly purchases. Oh, and for those of you who are gearing to join the green army action, I have some fun treats and tips for you to find here. Forge forward, private! 

#CleanBeautyGoals

1. Plum 

Range: Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, Fragrance

Categories: Paraben & Phthalates Free, Cruelty-Free, Vegan

Plum produces 100% vegan products that are all about “being good” for your skin, senses and the environment. It believes that people look the best in the skin they were born with, and so, all of its formulations protect, repair and nourish your pores by using only the most reliable sources with natural nutrients, combined with “good science.” 

You can’t begin with a list of sustainable skincare brands without mentioning Plum, not just because of its attractive price range and products, but also because of its recyclable packaging that’s used in all of its goodies. Now, you don’t have to take my word for it, try it out for yourself! 

Bestseller: Plum Green Tea Revitalizing Face Mist 

Price:  Rs. 360

Categories: SLS Free, Vegan, Recyclable, Paraben & Phthalates Free

Skin Type: Oily Skin, Combination Skin, Acne-Prone Skin

Spray this face mist for instantly refreshed and rejuvenated pores with the help of Aloe Vera juice that calms your skin, along with Green Tea extracts that combat acne and blemishes. 

Want to take advantage of these non-comedogenic ingredients but the skin type doesn’t match? They have another variant waiting for you! 

Beleaf It Or Not: The World Environment Day was launched in 1972 during the UN Conference on the Human Environment event. 

Let’s Makeup For Mistakes

2. Ruby Organics 

Range: Makeup

Categories: 100% Vegetarian, Paraben-Free, Cruelty-Free, Organic, No Petrochemicals

Ruby Organics was created by founder, Rubeina K., who yearned for cosmetics that aren’t toxic and so, she created a line of makeup that gives you the alternative to choose from organically made products that are kind to our environment and skin. 

The list of go-to sustainable cosmetic brands may be short but with names like Ruby Organics in there, what more could we ask? Not only do they use organically sourced ingredients but they ensure that they’re also locally sourced. Does this sound too good to be true? Good luck debunking it with this peppy treat! 

Bestseller: Ruby Organics Lipstick - Rani

Price:  Rs. 990

Categories: Cruelty-Free, Ethically Sourced, Alcohol-Free, No Artificial Fragrance, Paraben & Petrochemicals Free, Ecocert Certified Ingredients 

Enriched with the power of nourishing Shea & Cocoa Butter, this lipstick hydrates your lips for ultra-softness that lasts all day. Get the benefits of a lip balm in the form of lipstick with shades that are meant to be flattering for most Indian skin tones. 

Poppin’ pouts over Rani, not being your colour choice? Then hop onto the link above and meet the other 10 shades available in this range!  

Beleaf It Or Not: Every World Environment Day is unique thanks to the creative themes that help guide its actions each year - In 2018, India was the host country with the theme that focused on plastic pollution. 

Nature: For- REST My Case 

3. Forest Essentials

Range: Skincare, Hair Care, Makeup, Fragrances

Categories: Ayurvedic, Paraben & Sulphate Free, Cruelty-Free 

A pioneer of luxury products, Forest Essentials is a traditional brand primarily known for its skincare range. With its modern aesthetic for a more precise emphasis on its efficacy, pleasure of usage and sensorial experience, it’s in the lead for creating goods that are conscientious about the environment. 

Forest Essentials goes beyond artistic covers and impressive formulations, it’s a sustainable brand that constantly looks for ways to reduce its carbon footprint by using renewable plant sources, instantly making it part of our favourite sustainable makeup brands list. So try out environmental consciousness on luxe mode for size! 

Bestseller: Forest Essentials Hair Cleanser - Bhringraj Shikakai 

Price: Rs. 1,375

Categories: Recyclable, Paraben & Petrochemicals Free

Hair Type: Normal Hair, Dry Hair 

Revitalise damaged hair and flaky scalps with Bhringraj & Shikakai, which control hair breakage and promote hair growth, while the Liquorice treats and reduces dandruff. 

Who said saving the planet can’t be done in style? That’s right, this range comes with two more aromatic variants! 

Beleaf It Or Not: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the United States President, Joe Biden, will be joining forces to tackle the threat of climate change to strengthen the pillars of strategic partnership and shared interest between both countries. 

Under-Budget Flawless Fixes! 

4. Khadi Natural

Range: Skincare, Hair Care

Categories: Herbal, Cruelty-Free, Verified Against Harmful Reactants

Khadi Natural is part of a league of popular sustainable skincare brands that create authentic and herbal products that are distributed within India and exported across the globe. 

Dear budget shoppers, the previous listing might have left you yearning for cheaper options, so here’s one of the most wallet and eco-friendly brands on this list that formulates its goodies with herbal ingredients that are organically grown. Don’t think the price and claims match? Now, this one will surprise you! 

Bestseller: Khadi Natural Ayurvedic Sandalwood & Honey Body Wash

Price: Rs. 160

Categories: Naturally Derived Ingredients, Clinically Tested, Herbal, Cruelty-Free

Skin Type: Normal Skin, Dry Skin

Relax your aches with this mild cleansing body wash that moisturizes and nourishes, while the Sandalwood enhances your complexion. Its Honey extracts repair skin damage along with any signs of dryness or dullness. 

With this affordable price (Psst - and another variant), Mother Nature and you can reverse time to the good ol’ days! 

Beleaf It Or Not: I suggest staying seated for this one  - we consume over 80 trillion aluminium cans every year and just recycling one of them saves enough energy to run a T.V. for three hours. 

Not Vegan? Thank You, Next!

5. Wet n Wild

Range: Makeup

Categories:  Vegan, Cruelty-Free 

Wet n Wild is a trusted beauty destination for beauty lovers all over the world, thanks to its inclusive nature towards all ages, ethnicities, skin colours and economic statuses.

Any hype that surrounds Wet n Wild is worth the buzz owing to its affordable and eco-friendly products, making it one of those sustainable makeup brands that you must have in your collection. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we picked one for you! 

Bestseller: Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow 10 Pan Palette - V.I.P Purple

Price: Rs. 599

Categories: Fragrance-Free, Gluten-Free, Cruelty-Free 

Stand out or blend in on moody makeup days with bold and neutral options that come in a variety of finishes and shades to pick from. 

Are you ready to “makeup” your mind between the 8 variants available?

Beleaf It Or Not: Wet n Wild collected old mascara wands for “Wands for Wildlife”, which were used to groom fur or feathers to remove fly eggs and tiny insects. 

Mood Board Break!

Tic-Tac-Tips! 

1. Recycle - Stop The Vicious Cycle: It’s only normal to throw out products once they’re all used up, but it doesn’t hurt to opt for newer (and better!) treats that could go into the recycling bin. 

Meet Juicy Chemistry, your new recyclable destination

2. Waste Not, Want Not: Recycling is essential in this battle for bountiful Earth, but cutting the chase by trying to go plastic-free is a highway to the green dream. 

Plastic-free? That sounds like me! Hi, I am Earth Rhythm.

3. Whip Out The Wipe:  Riddle this - what takes off the gunk left by sustainable makeup brands or skincare with just a few swipes and is reusable? 

Make way for Cloth Wipes, y’all! 

4. Round 1..2..3…: There’s no denying it, we need our skincare routine but what about the growing piles of empty containers? Just two words - refillable products. 

Try this fragrant body wash that comes with a refill - no more wasteful purchases! 

5. Buying With Benefits: True or False? - There’s a coveted sustainable cosmetics brand that accepts 6 empty containers of their products and in exchange gives you a free lipstick with the colour of your choice. It’s true! 

Buy M.A.C for a steal, head to their counters for the deal! 

~ Let’s Carry On ~ 

Scents & Sustainability

6. Body Cupid 

Range: Fragrance, Skincare, Hair Care

Categories: Paraben & Sulphate Free, 100% Vegetarian, Against Animal Testing

Luxury brand Body Cupid believes that your face and body deserve the same tender love. Being an eco-friendly brand, they fused the principles of aromatherapy with modern botanical science to give us a variety of products that heal the damages unleashed by the elements. 

These nourishing potions are formulated without harmful parabens and mineral oils, who wouldn’t be drawn to such sustainable skincare brands like bees to pollen. But, if tangible evidence is what you need, we got you covered!

Bestseller: Body Cupid Seductive Perfume 

Price: Rs. 899

Categories: Paraben-Free, Against Animal Testing 

With just a spritz of this fragrant perfume on your pulse points, you will be swirling in a sensual cloud of utter seductiveness. So, savour the divine notes and treat your senses to their most indulgent experience yet.  

But, what if the mood is Floral & Fabulous? Fret not, Body Cupid has a wide range of perfumes and fragrances for men and women. Ready, scent, shop!

Beleaf It Or Not: In a study commissioned by Zero Waste Europe, it turns out that the use of beauty and personal care products produced 142 billion units of packaging in 2018 alone. Yikes!

D.N.D: Do Not Destruct!

7. Aroma Magic 

Range: Skincare, Hair Care 

Categories: Against Animal Testing, Cruelty-Free, Recyclable, Naturally Derived Ingredients

Back in 1994, Dr Blossom Kocchar and her late husband, Col. V. Kochhar decided to build - what would later become one of the cherished staples of sustainable brands - the natural and cruelty-free, Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic. 

Over the years, Aroma Magic has devoted itself to its pledge of planting trees and run many conservation drives with Give Me Tree (GMT) Trust. Recyclable packaging? Check. Cruelty-Free? Check. Saves Trees? Check. So, where’s the BS? The bestseller, of course! 

Bestseller: Aroma Magic Sunblock Lotion

Price: Rs. 210

Categories: Chemical & Paraben Free, Cruelty-Free, Recyclable 

SPF Rating: SPF 30

This all mineral, non-greasy and ultra-effective sunscreen creates a safe barrier between your skin and the scorching sun with the benefits of Vitamin B5, C & E. But, that’s not all - it visibly prevents signs of ageing, heals scars and improves the elasticity of the skin. 

While this product doesn’t come with variants, there’s no stopping you from checking out Aroma Magic’s other sunscreens! 

Beleaf It Or Not: Swachh over Swatches - Thanks to a nationwide initiative triggered by the Clean India Campaign and the National Nutrition Mission, India has achieved 100% rural sanitation! 

*Mother Nature after we start shopping from eco-friendly brands* 

So, what’s the final verdict? It’s time to add a healthy shade of green to our routine! That’s right, pick up our list of eco-friendly brands and shop from these sustainable brands - saving the planet is key! And, don’t worry, we have some amazing offers and discounts for you to avail, while you explore your wild side. Check these best eco-friendly & cruelty free brands you can get your hands on @Purplle.

Until next time, fellow shoppers!