8851bb2fe7a4243cc232 joel vodell 8ogfqvw15rg unsplash

April 22 is Earth Day, and this year it’s all about climate action. Every April since 1970, Americans have come together to protest practices that are harmful to the environment and seek better, more sustainable ways forward. In fact, the movement was a major factor in getting key legislation—like the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act—passed. 

This year, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Earth Day organizers are focusing on the most pressing issue facing our planet: climate change. It’s a massive challenge—but one with enormous amounts of opportunity for action and change. While many Earth Day 2020 events have moved to virtual platforms due to the current coronavirus pandemic, there are still plenty of ways you can get involved. Take part in a digital Earth Day event, or commit to making a few small changes at home that can have a major impact. 

 

The Professional Beauty Industry’s Impact on the Planet 

It’s no secret that green, sustainable beauty is a huge movement in the beauty world right now—and for good reason! The beauty industry is a major producer of plastic waste, a lot of which ends up in our oceans. And, the actual processes involved in manufacturing and distributing products, not to mention providing services, are huge contributors to environmental damage and climate change. 

The good news? It doesn’t have to be this way! In fact, some brands are already taking action and committing to more sustainable products and practices. For both consumers and beauty pros alike, this presents an ideal opportunity to make better, more environmentally friendly choices. 

 

Eco-Friendly Brands We Love 

What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to swap out less-sustainable products for those created by brands focused on doing what they can to protect the environment? Plus, many of these products are also vegan, cruelty-free, and contain naturally derived ingredients, so you can feel good about what you put onto your hair and skin and how it affects the planet. 

Blue Beauty: KEVIN.MURPHY

Kevin Murphy, founder of the eponymous brand, is committed to doing everything possible to better the state of our planet and our world. Not only does the brand ensure that all of its products contain only natural ingredients collected from sustainable and renewable sources, but it has also committed to using 100% Ocean Waste Plastic packaging for all its products. KEVIN.MURPHY OWP packaging is manufactured from reclaimed ocean plastics, which are processed and re-formed into recyclable containers. Learn more about KEVIN.MURPHY’s partnerships with green beauty initiatives and its commitment to reducing single-use plastics and protecting the environment here

Vegan Beauty: Redken 

Vegan beauty—not to be confused with cruelty-free beauty—is not just a trend; it’s a lifestyle. Luckily, for those looking for beauty products that not only fit in with their choices but also actually produce fantastic results, there’s Redken’s Nature + Science line. The line’s vegan, color-friendly shampoos and conditioners are all sulfate-free, paraben-free, and silicone-free and all are made from naturally sourced, high-performance ingredients, so there’s no compromise when it comes to performance. Plus, all of the packaging for the Nature + Science line is made from recycled plastics. 

Pure Beauty: Keune 

For those who want to make choices that are better for the environment and their bodies, there’s Keune’s So Pure hair care line. The collection features a range of products—from shampoos and conditioners to professional hair color to styling products—that focus on wellness and celebrating nature. All of Keune’s So Pure products are completely sulfate-free, ammonia-free, and vegan.