Whether it’s donating a percentage of profits to charity, supporting local businesses or prioritising the environment, there is an impressive collection of beauty brands that give back to Australian communities — and beauty buyers are paying close attention.
While product efficacy will always be important, beauty insiders are now also taking note of how their products are made, where they are made and what they are made of. Thanks to a new wave of industry transparency, we’re able to know more about our products than ever before, and whether or not they’re included in the lineup of beauty brands that give back.
Looking for a beauty brand that donates, gives back to community and cares about how it impacts the environment? Here, our favourite beauty brands that give back.
1. Herbal Essences
One of the most prominent beauty brands that give back is haircare brand Herbal Essences. With almost a 50-year history of making amazing haircare, Herbal Essences has partnered with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of the world’s leading botanical institutions with 260 years of expertise in plant science. Herbal Essences bio:renew Potent Aloe has key botanicals endorsed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is PETA cruelty-free, full of antioxidant-rich botanicals (Aloe vera, eucalyptus and bamboo) and free from any nasties (they’re gluten free, colourant free, sulfate free and paraben free).
Following Australia’s devastating bushfire season this year, the brand announced it was partnering with Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank to help save 20 native threatened plants from extinction in 2020. Raising awareness and helping to protect plant biodiversity through plant beauty, its #Save20in2020 project is the perfect example of a beauty brand that gives back to community.
The Herbal Essences bio:renew Potent Aloe collection is colour-safe and includes three sulfate free shampoos and conditioners with a potent dose of Aloe, all with bio:renew antioxidants, which help protect hair from additional damage and breakage, and key botanicals endorsed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. In addition, the lineup contains responsibly sourced, naturally derived aloe vera from Mexico that is rich in vitamins, polysaccharides and essential moisture (i.e. the good stuff). Hydrate hair and restore damaged hair with a Herbal Essences BioRenew duo, made with plant extracts.
Herbal Essences Bio:Renew Potent Aloe Collection, $19.99 each at Priceline
2. Go-To Skincare
An Australian beauty brand that loves to give back and donate to charity is skincare favourite Go-To. Founded by beauty authority Zoë Foster Blake, Go-To supports Reforest Now, a non-profit environmental NGO that protects, conserves, and regenerates forests.
Through reforestation and forest regeneration, Reforest Now helps to protect and rebuild Australian rainforests. For every online order made on its website, Go-To donates $1 to the organisation. The brand’s goal is to plant more than 40,000 trees, across 150 species, in the biodiverse region of Northern NSW by the end of 2021.
Go-To offers uncomplicated, all-natural skincare solutions with deeply nourishing results. Our pick: the Face Hero face oil instantly hydrates and leaves the complexion glowing.
Face Hero, $45
3. The Body Shop
Known for its delicious smelling body butters and incredibly affordable prices, The Body Shop has a rich history of campaigning for the rights and empowerment of women and disadvantaged communities. This year, the beauty brand launched its ‘Isolated Not Alone’ campaign to target the rise in domestic violence during COVID-19.
Becoming a certified B Corp in 2019, The Body shop is a business that meets the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Through its Community Fair Trade programme, The Body Shop has sourced its ingredients from expert producers and artisans, so you can lather on your favourite mango body butter knowing you’re supporting a worthy cause.
Mango body butter, $25
4. Eco Tan
With summer just around the corner, consider updating your self-tanner to one that prioritises the environment and the ethical sourcing of ingredients.
Since its beginnings in 2010, Eco Tan has been an Australian beauty brand that gives back, committed to developing products that are kind to skin and the environment. Driven by its founder’s philanthropic spirit, the brand supports more than 20 charities and has just launched its own not-for-profit foundation, The Miracle Made Foundation, which aims to create jobs and opportunities for struggling communities.
Invisible Tan, $34.95
5. Alpha H
With more than 20 years of research behind its products, Alpha H has become a cult brand favourite. Known for containing high concentrations of actives, Alpha H products target all skin concerns from acne and anti-ageing to sun damage and pigmentation.
While it’s gained much international beauty buzz, Alpha H remains dedicated to supporting local producers and suppliers, and formulates its products from local ingredients: avocado oil and aloe vera from local Queensland suppliers; coffee extract from beans grown in the Byron Bay Hinterland; and its patented Lime Pearls are native to Queensland’s tropical East Coast rainforests (and harvested sustainably) — a beauty brand that gives back to community.
Liquid Gold with 5% Glycolic Acid, $59.95
Brought to you by Herbal Essences
