by Saya Skincare
There’s no doubt that living a plant-based and sustainable lifestyle is at an all-time high. With a rising demand for eco-friendly products and environmentally ethical business practices, it can be difficult to know what companies stand for what and what ingredients we’re actually slathering on our faces every day and night.
Having said that, what makes a brand or product truly ethical and sustainable? We discuss the key factors and why it’s important to choose sustainable skincare.
What to look for?
Sustainable and ethical ingredients
A good way to start is to find skincare companies that hold certifications such as Cruelty-free, COSMOS Organic, Vegan, and Palm Oil Free. Buying any product that ticks all of these is no doubt a great step in the right direction!
Cruelty-free and vegan friendly
This means products with ingredients that have not been tested on animals at any stage in their development. You wouldn’t believe it but even if a product claims to be cruelty-free, it may still contain animal ingredients. That’s why it’s important to also choose skincare that is also vegan friendly.
Unsustainable palm oil
Simply put, palm oil is the most consumed vegetable oil in the world, and although it’s not common to slather palm oil all over your food, it’s used in just about every product we consume, from shampoo to peanut butter and everything in-between. The real question is, why is it so damn popular? One hectare of a palm plantation can produce nine times more oil than other competing oil crops, making it one of the most economical choices for consumer products. But why has palm oil created such a bad name for itself? Unsustainable palm oil has been and continues to be a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most important and biodiverse forests, destroying the habitat of already endangered species like the Orangutan, Pygmy Elephant, and the Sumatran Rhino.
Unsustainable palm oil is also a major contributor to global warming, expelling millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. There also remains some exploitation of workers and child labor within this industry. There’s no doubt that there are some serious issues surrounding palm oil that need to be addressed. Our tip? Palm oil is often disguised, hidden behind many different ingredient names you probably wouldn't recognise ( over 200 names) so it’s important to do some research on what these terms may be, and whether or not the source of the palm oil is sustainable.
What does COSMOS Organic mean?
In order for a product to be certified COSMOS Organic, 95% of the ingredients used have to be grown and harvested organically. These standards are recognised as some of the most stringent organic standards for cosmetics on an international scale. This certification requires products to be free from genetically modified or irradiated ingredients, nanoparticles, and animal testings. For a product to be certified organic, product packaging must also meet strict sustainability requirements.
Looking for an organic sustainable skincare brand?Saya Skincare is certified COSMOS organic! When you choose organic skincare you're also choosing to minimise the environmental impact. Our ingredients are produced without the use of:
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Parabens
- Phthalates
- Our formulations adhere to strict standards that will never contain harsh toxic ingredients.
We care about sustainability and we incorporate it!
From the ingredients that Saya products source, the manufacturing processes of our products, to the packaging- we care about every step of the process. We bring you products that are safe, non-toxic, and highly effective. By choosing Saya products, you’re also choosing products that are:
- Australian made & owned
- Certified Organic (ACO)
- Vegan & Cruelty-free
Sustainably harvested native botanicals.
We use unique native species that grow wild in abundance across Australia’s harsh northern wilderness (The Kimberly’s, Northern Territory, and Arnhem Land) such as the Kakadu Plum, the world’s richest source of Vitamin C.
Our Australian Natives are sourced and harvested directly from communities across Australia, including local indigenous communities. These Australian native plants and fruits used in our formulations are acquired through practices that support Fair Trade, community development, and eco-sustainable practices.
Our sustainable practices
To us, being sustainable runs through every step of our business. From the moment our ingredients are harvested right through to the package arriving at your doorstep. We use PET and Miron Glass to keep our products safe, stable, and UV protected. Our bottles and jars are 100% recyclable. Not only that, we use compostable satchels and recyclable cardboard for all our orders. We protect our products with Ranpack which is a sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable alternative to traditional bubble wrap.
Natural ingredients are better for your skin
Over 80% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into the deeper layers of our skin and our bloodstream. Choosing organic, chemical-free skincare is an investment to healthy skin and avoids exposure to toxins and irritants that can damage the skin's protective barrier.
Not only can you enhance your skin quality naturally, but sensitive skin can also respond better to natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Marshmallow, and Chamomile. If you have sensitive skin, you may face unpleasant, painful, or itchy side effects when you use products containing chemicals- natural ingredients tend to be less abrasive and more soothing. Looking for a soothing cleanser? Our Foaming Cleanser is ideal for removing oil, makeup, and any impurities whilst keeping your skin balanced and nourished!
Healthy skincare means no fillers
Want to know a secret? Many skincare companies cut their costs by adding fillers to add volume to their product. One of the most frequently used fillers used in skincare is H2O, also seen as ‘aqua’. Although water isn’t harmful, be mindful of the concentration ratio and where active ingredients are placed on the ingredients list.
Every ingredient serves a purpose
At Saya Skincare you’ll find no synthetic nasties and fillers here, just an A to Z of skin-loving botanical extracts and antioxidants. Our preservative systems are all naturally derived which allows our products to be a lot safer to use, which maintains their integrity to last longer (12 months after opening). You may see this in our ingredients list as ‘fragrance’, ‘parfum’, ‘potassium sorbate’, ‘salicylic acid’, or ‘sorbic acid’. These plant-based and salt derived preservatives are highly effective against yeast and molds, and bacteria.
Turn intention into action
By switching to sustainable skincare you can help to reduce your carbon emission, reduce your impact on the environment, and help local communities. These powerful natural ingredients will not only beautify your skin but help to heal and protect it as you age. Every purchase makes a difference, starting with ethically sourced and sustainable skincare!
