While it has long been known that the chemicals found in make-up and sunscreen can harm marine life – making it essential to invest in ocean-friendly grooming products on board – the issue of the plastics they are packaged in has only recently made headlines. With plastic pollution posing one of the greatest threats to the world’s oceans, there is no time like the present for the superyacht industry to address its contribution and begin to make changes.
And, while many charter yachts have begun removing plastic drinking water bottles, have you ever considered the amount of plastic hiding in your bathroom cabinet? Just as plentiful and often harder to recycle than other single use plastics, the packaging used for your favourite moisturiser or foundation could be causing just as much harm to the environment. Scroll down for our edit of the best the luxury beauty and grooming brands vowing to reduce their plastic usage and to find out more about how you can help fight the plastic crisis from some of the world's top experts register to attend Ocean Talks here.
Aveda
Hair and skincare brand Aveda was the first in the market to use 100% recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate – the plastic commonly used to make single-use bottles) and now more than 85% of its bottles and jars contain recycled materials. Aveda also strives to reduce the size of packaging where possible, uses renewable energy in its manufacturing processes and is pioneering the use of 96% plant derived bioplastics. If that wasn’t enough, the products inside are superb as well.
Suncare protective hair veil, £22.50 for 100ml, Aveda
Kari Gran
Organic make-up and unisex skincare brand Kari Gran packages all its products in sturdy dark glass bottles which can be easily recycled, help products stay fresh for longer by protecting against UV rays and result in virtually no plastic usage. The brand also offers a Never Out programme which allows you to subscribe to receive your favourite products every 30, 60 or 90 days.
The KG System: Cleansing Oil, Hydrating Tonic, Essential Serum and Three Sixty Five SPF 28, $188, Kari Gran
L’Occitane en Provence
When it comes to beauty and grooming, many people tend to stick with a favourite product once they’ve found it. L’Occitane is helping its loyal customers cut down on their plastic waste with new eco-refills for its most popular products. Using 90% less plastic than its traditional bottles, the brand estimates it saved 124 tonnes of material in 2017 alone. The brand also uses recycled materials in much of its packaging and limits air transport where possible.
Repairing shampoo refill duo, £35 for 2 x 500ml, L’Occitane en Provence
Neal’s Yard Remedies
As well as producing all its signature blue glass bottles and plastic lids on the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle, British brand Neal’s Yard has even gone so far as to build an eco-friendly factory. Opened in 2005, the factory features environmentally friendly oak structural beams, greywater recycling in the bathrooms, energy efficient air management and many of the brand’s organic ingredients are grown on site to reduce carbon production from transport.
Frankincense Intense Lift skincare cream, £65, and serum, £75, Neal’s Yard Remedies
Alluvian
Every single product in Alluvian's range of high-end grooming products is packaged using plastic-free materials that are recyclable, biodegradable or a combination of both making it one of the most guilt-free brands around. Handmade in the USA, it also uses organic ingredients which are locally sourced where possible and donates a portion of proceeds to the 5 Gyres campaign which supports scientific, artistic and educational projects aimed at tackling the plastic pollution crisis.
Wild Grove Pre-shave and Beard oil, $40, Alluvian
Kjaer Weis
Just as with L’Occitane, this brand by Danish make-up artist Kirsten Kjaer Weis aims to cut down on the effects of packaging via refills. Its chic metallic compacts do away with plastic altogether and are designed to allow the cardboard-packed refills to be swapped in quickly and easily. Made in Italy, almost all of the brands products are Certified Organic or Certified Natural as well.
Cream foundation, €61, and refill, €36, Kjaer Weis
Kevin.Murphy
Australian brand Kevin.Murphy promises to deliver ‘skincare for you hair’ in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way. All its packaging is recyclable and biodegradable and products are made from sustainable ingredients using environmentally sound harvesting methods. Kevin.Murphy has also partnered with Green Circle Salons to help educate salons about ways to reuse and recycle everything from hair clippings to colour tubes.
Young Again masque, £30, Kevin.Murphy