In celebration of Earth Day, coming up on Sunday April 22, here are the brands at the forefront of the eco-friendly movement – from nontoxic and natural ingredients, to sustainable, no plastic packaging.
Linden Leaves
Known for their range of quality natural skincare, bodycare and lifestyle products, Linden Leaves is a New Zealand brand certified by NATRUE – guaranteeing no chemicals or animal testing. Many of the products are produced by hand, plus the body oils contain hand-harvested natural botanicals. The natural botanical ingredients are sourced locally and sustainably wherever possible, maintaining the highest quality and kind-to-skin formulas. All products are contained in recyclable packaging.
Weleda
Weleda has a long history in using the very best natural and organic ingredients to create high quality, effective products. With a NATRUE certification under their belt, all products are made with ingredients grown in their own biodynamic gardens, certified wild collection or sourced from their fair trade partnerships around the globe. Originally developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1921, their innovations stand the test of time.
Sukin
Australian made and owned, Sukin offers a variety of natural and effective skin, hair and bodycare. You won’t find any of these nasties in the formulations: sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium laureth sulphate, propylene glycol, artificial colours, triethanolamine, EDTA, mineral oils or parabens. Doing their best to minimise environmental impact, their products are also certified carbon neutral.
Dr.Hauschka
With products to revive skin damaged by the sun, wind and other external factors, Dr. Hauschka products contain ingredients from nature and selected medicinal herbs from their biodynamic gardens. The makeup and skincare is NATRUE/BDIH certified natural and organic, plus the brand is a co-founder of the new NATRUE standard for organic and natural cosmetics. They have a big focus on sustainability, using easy-to-recycle packaging materials and obtaining plants, oils and waxes under fair trade conditions.
NZ Spa
Embodying the spirit of natural New Zealand, NZ Spa uses the exotic fragrances of the country’s native botanicals in their bodycare and candles. All products are free from harsh chemicals, SLS and paraben free. The salon-only brand uses natural exfoliants such as passionfruit and passiflora seeds to soften and soothe the skin, and uses fragrance from natural, native sources such as the pohutukawa flower.
Trilogy
One of New Zealand’s most recognisable brands, Trilogy is ethical, sustainable and cruelty-free when producing their natural skincare. Aiming to have minimum effect on the environment, their high-performance formulas are created with pure plant oils and botanical extracts. The brand is inspired by certified organic rosehip oil and uses this ingredient across the range. Select Trilogy products are certified natural and organic by BioGro New Zealand.
Antipodes
Use of natural ingredients, with science to back up their claims, Antipodes is one of New Zealand’s most globally recognised brands. Their certified organic and premium natural skincare range includes antioxidants such as Vinanza Grape, harvested from sauvignon blanc grapes in Marlborough. Their green beauty ethos extends to the makeup range including the natural lipsticks made from some of nature’s best superfoods.
LUSH
Leading the way in terms of non-plastic packaging, LUSH is an incredibly environmentally conscious company. Against animal testing and committed to ethically sourcing ingredients, the brand uses responsible, minimalistic packaging, or no packaging where possible. The naked shower gels – a solid formula in the shape of a bottle –show LUSH’s dedication to all things handmade, vegan and organic. The company is involved in active campaigning for animals, no plastic packaging and more.
The Body Shop
The Body Shop is known for supporting community trade, taking a stance against animal testing and helping protect the planet. The company started in England back in 1976, the founder Dame Anita Roddick believing business could be a force for good. The Body Shop’s ‘Enrich Our Planet’ campaign commits to reducing the environmental footprint, developing sustainable packaging innovations and more.
Ashley & Co
This New Zealand made brand has a focus on natural ingredients and scents. In their bodycare range, all products are 99-100% natural which is no mean feat. Key ingredients include grapefruit seed and aloe in the Wash Up Original range, and organic borage oil and olive extract in the Gone Green range. What started as a small company has grown into a fully-fledged business yet they keep their manufacturing within New Zealand.
Plantae
Based in Nelson, New Zealand, where all products are handmade, Plantae was created out of love for nature. The entire range is certified organic by Bio Gro New Zealand, with all raw materials responsibly collected and produced. Committed to being completely transparent with customers, the brand maintains integrity while producing their effective products.
Zeosoft
New Zealand owned business Zeosoft uses zeolites, minerals found in a volcanic region of the central north island, to make their range of cleansers. Grinded into a powder and mixed with 100% natural ingredients, the products are especially good for sensitive skins. Unlike microbeads, the use of zeolite enters waterways and improves the environment rather than damaging it.
Nude by Nature
Makeup that is effective and good for skin can be hard to come by, but Nude by Nature manages to achieve this near impossible feat. Harnessing some of nature’s most powerful ingredients like kakadu plum, lilly pilly and vitamin E, it is an alternative to chemical-based makeup. The products don’t contain synthetic ingredients including talc, parabens, silicone, bismuth, phthalates, PEGS, siloxanes, triclosans and sulphates.
INIKA
Recognised globally for their organic and natural makeup, INIKA is 100% Australian owned and started in Sydney in 2006. At this time, there wasn’t a healthy option for conscious consumers wanting chemical-free makeup, but they soon had a loyal following. All ingredients are ethically sourced, natural and derived from botanicals or minerals.
Karen Murrell
Known for their environmentally-friendly lipsticks that are ‘good enough to eat’, Karen Murrell give mainstream brands a run for their money. Their lipsticks contain natural ingredients like avocado oil, evening primrose oil, candelilla, carnauba wax, cinnamon and sweet orange to nourish and protect lips.