Sustainable. adjective - conserving an ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources
Sustainability is hot right now. Not a day goes by without it cropping up in one way or another. But what is ‘sustainability’, and can it be applied to perfume?
There isn’t really a definition on what makes a fragrance ‘sustainable’, but there are plenty of niche perfume brands out there who are claiming a level of sustainability, be it via their processes, the ingredients they use or even their packaging. This notable shift towards more conscious production has resulted in some pretty special fragrances, but with a lower environmental footprint. So, if that sounds like a bit of you, read on to find out why you should be shopping sustainable fragrance
Sustainability is plastered across every beauty product you can think of, be it true or not, so it’s reasonable to say it can absolutely be applied to perfume. But one thing is clear when it comes to a sustainable perfume brand; it’s not just about the finished bottle. There are several aspects that make up what we like to call the ‘sustainability mix’, ensuring all angles are covered when it comes to keeping that environmental footprint low
So, what does it take to craft a sustainable fragrance? Of course, the ingredients are where it all begins. Responsibly sourced, non-toxic and ethically obtained are all key to upholding a genuine respect for the planet. The ways in which the ingredients are attained must also be considered. Recycling or reusing is a big yes, but also choosing local suppliers who follow the same ethos as your own brand. There are synthetic ingredients to think about too, but more on those later
Next up is the packaging. This is an important area to do your research on if you’re looking for a genuine sustainable fragrance brand. It’s all very well using a recyclable glass bottle and placing it in a recyclable cardboard box, but what about the bottle pump, or the plastic cellophane wrapped around it? You want a brand who has put serious consideration into the way their beautiful bottles of perfume are packaged. If they’re taking steps to minimise waste and make as much of their product recyclable or reusable as possible, then you’re on the right track
You also want to look for a positive impact from the brand on a social level. They should be showing they’re doing more than just creating perfume. They should be working with locally based suppliers who follow the same socially and eco-conscious ethos as themselves, to ensure their responsibility goes beyond their own brand and positively affects those it meets too
And what about those synthetic ingredients you mentioned earlier, we hear you ask? Well, there’s a fine line being walked by perfumers here, and a misconception that all synthetic ingredients are bad. What you need to consider is; do natural and synthetic ingredients both have the same ecological impact?
Sure, synthetic ingredients are a good alternative to natural ones, especially when the natural resources have been depleted or come from animal cruelty, but the production of synthetics might also be working against that all-important socially conscious ethos. On the flip side, there are natural ingredients out there with high levels of allergens and which might be toxic to the body. Synthetic versions of those can be created to offer the same olfactory experience, but with a higher level of safety. It’s a balance of worlds, but one which some fragrance brands are doing absolutely right. Ellis Brooklyn hit the nail on the head when they said; “we prefer naturals for their complexity and beauty, but we will use synthetics when they are the safer or more sustainable option.”
If you’ve made it this far, you’re now ready to begin your quest for a sustainable niche fragrance brand. And if we may make a couple of recommendations; start with Abel. Clean, all-natural and with a clear conscious endeavour to limit their impact on the earth without compromising on scent, they are one of the best sustainable brands out there right now. Also take a look at Ellis Brooklyn. Aside from their beautiful glass bottles and luxury scents, they put genuine effort into upholding their environmental ethos and they make use of synthetic ingredients to their advantage. Both brands can be found in our online shop, just ‘search by brand’
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