Switching to sustainable beauty can be a daunting task, but it's something that more and more people are doing to save the planet. Many brands these days boast that their products are eco-friendly and sustainable, but what does that truly mean? Understanding what makes a beauty product sustainable can help you to choose better beauty options the next time you run out of your favorite product.

Sustainably Sourced

Understanding where the ingredients in your beauty product come from is a great way to not only get some more information on what's in the product, but also how the brand sourced their ingredients. Opting for brands that sustainably source their ingredients means that the company is aware of how the extraction of its ingredients will affect the environment and the workers who are sourcing these ingredients.

Natural ingredients are found in all beauty products and sustainably sourcing ingredients doesn't change the quality of the product, so it's easy to switch to a sustainable lip balm or sustainable shampoo. To find sustainably-sourced products, you can look for a certification label on the product or research the brand before you buy.

Organic Ingredients

Certified organic products are not only better for you, but better than the environment. In the beauty industry, certified organic usually means there are no harsh chemicals, preservatives or artificial colors. You can look for the USDA Organic Seal or another certified organic label. These certifications are regulated, so you can ensure if something has a "100% organic" USDA seal, all ingredients are organic. When a product says organic but does not say it is 100%, at least 95% of ingredients are organic. If it says "made with organic ingredients" without the USDA Organic Seal, at least 70% of ingredients are organic.

However, many small start-up brands may not have the means to get their products certified, but still use organic products. As a rule of thumb, knowing the ingredients in your beauty products and being able to pronounce them is a good sign that these are better for you. Be aware of common ingredients that are listed by their chemical name, though. If this seems too hard or time-consuming, there are also apps that you can use to quickly identify if a product has harsh chemicals.

Cruelty-Free

Testing on animals has been a hot button issue for years. In the sustainable beauty world, it's especially important for products to be cruelty-free.

The world of animal testing is tricky, as a product can claim it is cruelty-free if the product itself was not tested on animals. However, most animal testing occurs on the ingredients rather than the product, making it all too easy for companies to claim they are cruelty-free.

While there are apps and websites that can quickly tell you if a product is cruelty-free, you can also look for the Leaping Bunny. This seal certifies that the product as well as the ingredients were not tested on animals along with other regulations.

Packaging

The plastic packaging most beauty products come in can be extremely harmful to the environment, especially because beauty products are mass-produced. There are certain hygiene products that can be refilled, such as toothpaste, shampoo or conditioner, but that's not always a convenient or easy option. There are still eco-friendly and sustainable ways to reduce your impact on the planet.

Finding packaging that is recyclable goes a long way. Many sustainable beauty brands partner with waste management companies like TerraCycle to recycle their products. The free system only requires you to collect your empty products, print out a shipping label and ship it. There are also local recycling solutions you can find depending on the recycling symbol on your product. Brands that encourage recycling of their products usually also provide directions on how to recycle the product on their website.

Switching to a sustainable beauty routine doesn't happen overnight. By looking out for how your favorite beauty brand contributes to the planet and its inhabitants, you can start to make your beauty routine a little bit better for the environment.