Now more than ever, people are serious about what they put into their bodies—but what about the stuff we put on our bodies? As the conversation around harmful food ingredients and chemicals found in...
Beauty
Easy steps to make your beauty routine more sustainable
Choosing to thrift, upcycle, swap, or shop sustainable brands is an easy way to gradually align our wardrobes with our sustainability ideals. But what about our beauty cupboards? As fast disposable...
7 Sustainable sunscreens for your summer beach bag
The heat of the summer is here, and we need to get our sun protection on. Sunscreen is a skincare necessity for protecting against sun-related damage. With the depletion of the ozone layer, our skin...
Why rural women in Ghana’s shea industry need to be valued more
Ghana’s shea industry has a rich history. Shea – nkuto, karite, galam in some west African languages – is deeply embedded in the culture and tradition of the country’s northern regions. It is often...
4 Shampoo bars that will leave your hair and the planet squeaky clean
The wellness and beauty industries bombard us with products that promise to transform us into our "best selves". As a result, our bathroom cabinets have become hotspots for packaging waste and...
Toxic chemicals in cosmetics remain in our bodies and environments
Cosmetics and personal care products enhance the way we look and feel. During the pandemic, I started a self-care facial routine. It helped me cope with lockdown orders, while simultaneously...
What is a paraben and why are so many products advertised as ‘paraben-free’?
You might have noticed many skin and haircare products are advertised as “paraben-free”, or come across online influencers warning parabens are terrible for your health. But what is a paraben? And...
Ash & Mill creates skincare inspired by ancient practices and local botanicals
Combining his knowledge of chemistry with his passion for sustainability, Dr. Brian Watson created Ash & Mill to honour South Africa’s rich biodiversity. The name ‘Ash & Mill’ is inspired by...
10 South African products for a sustainable skincare routine
Founder of Plaiin and graduate in organic skincare formulation, Megan Cozens sums up skincare well: “Ultimately, you want a product with as few ingredients as possible. Simple, yet effective.” She...
6 Ingredients in your care routine that could be polluting oceans
Picture this: it’s Sunday evening, you play smooth jazz and unwind with a bubble bath and clay mask. Sounds euphoric, doesn’t it? Self-care routines have become popular since the pandemic....
Q&A: Afari creates clean skincare with an indigenous ‘hero’ ingredient
In South Africa, we live in landscapes rich with indigenous plants that have wide-ranging benefits from medicinal to skincare. Afari is a clean skincare brand embracing just this. Margaux Knuppe...
Top 5 sustainable perfumeries in South Africa
From rituals and ceremonies across cultures, to self-expression, perfume has been a powerful sensory companion for thousands of years. In the 19th century, synthetically-derived scents began to take...
9 Local Black-Owned Haircare Brands for Natural Hair
For Black women across the African diaspora, the choice of how one wears their hair is at times more than simply a personal choice. Often, it comes with social and political implications that can...
Tiny plastics hiding in your skincare could be damaging the ocean
It is no secret that our production and over-reliance on plastic is responsible for many of the environmental issues we face. In fact, a new study found that the production and release of plastics,...
First came fast fashion, now we have fast beauty
Looking through my vanity, I find two or three lipsticks in similar shades, and two almost identical nude eyeshadow palettes – all barely used. Why do I have all this makeup? By now, we’re all too...