Men’s grooming. Sounds harmless enough, right? Sadly, in most cases, wrong.
The cosmetics we buy and the grooming regime we follow each morning can have detrimental effects on the environment if we don’t choose them thoughtfully. It’s important to opt for eco-friendly grooming products to avoid seriously damaging the planet when following your morning and evening grooming ritual.
Guys, here’s your guide to sustainable grooming. Your skin and the planet will thank you for it.
Why use sustainable grooming products?
Think about it. There are over 25 million people living in Australia. Imagine if every one of those people owns a toothbrush, which will inevitably end up in a landfill.
Next think about all the bottles of shampoo, moisturiser, eye drops, hair wax, hand sanitiser and more. That’s a lot of plastic and nasty chemicals if the cosmetics being used aren’t made from natural ingredients.
It might appear like everything’s getting neatly recycled and everything is under control. It isn’t. Much of what we think is being recycled is either ending up in landfill, incineration or in the sea – cue greenhouse gases. Besides, the majority of plastics can’t even be recycled more than once.
And that’s just the packaging. There are countless cosmetic ingredients that are bad for the environment (and your skin for that matter), which are best to be totally avoided. These include (but are not limited to) BHA and BHT, triclosan, silicones and synthetic fragrances. Nasty!
How to make your grooming routine more eco-friendly
So how do we avoid damaging the environment in the quest of looking good each day? Here are some simple but effective ways to turn your grooming regime green.
Be mindful of packaging
When shopping for grooming products, the goal should be finding cosmetics that come in plastic-free packaging. This is no easy task, so when you do have to succumb to purchasing plastic packaging, try to find ways to reuse it and remember to buy in bulk. Keep an eye out for grooming products without any packaging at all such as ‘naked’ shampoo and shower gel bars – brands that package in this way are likely to create more eco-friendly products.
Bypass disposable products
Whenever you can, choose more eco-friendly, reusable grooming products over disposable ones. Steel razors look much better than their plastic counterparts and are a whole lot better for the environment. An electric toothbrush might seem like a good idea, but you’ll still need to replace the head every few months, meaning you’ll be wasting more plastic. Seek out biodegradable alternatives, such as toothbrushes made from bamboo!
Buy from eco-conscious brands
More and more cosmetics brands are opting for a more environmentally-friendly approach, not only to their products – but the way they manufacture those products. This includes using renewable energy sources through wind-powered factories. Do your research before purchasing a product from any brand and committing to using their grooming products. You want to be sure you’re aligning yourself with a brand you believe in.
Check the label
Just the way you’d analyse a food label, it’s important to read the label of your grooming products thoroughly to ensure there’s no nasty surprises. What you’re looking for are environmentally-friendly and alcohol-free ingredients that will have the most positive environmental impact (while also being good for your skin).
Avoid microbeads
Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that go from the body wash you use into the ocean. These nasty little beads pollute waters and contaminate the food chain with toxins. Following the Microbead-Free Waters Act that was passed in 2015 in the US, which banned microbeads from being used in any formula, Australia is finally starting to phase microbeads out of beauty products, too.
If you do see them on sale now, refuse to buy them – we need them to become a thing of the past for the sake of our shores.
Use eco-friendly products
Finally, it’s essential to keep sustainability top of mind when shopping for men’s grooming products. In your search for natural and organic products, look out for cosmetics that are pesticide-free and avoid toxic ingredients like parabens or petroleum. It’s also essential to keep an eye out for that ingredient you’ll find in so many cosmetics – palm oil.
Extracted from the pulp of the fruit from the oil palm tree, palm oil is an edible oil used in many types of food. Palm kernel oil is extracted from the seed of the fruit and is often used in the manufacturing of cosmetics.
Palm oil plantations are the main driver for deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia. These two regions account for 85% of the global production of palm oil. In short, say no to palm oil!
So there you have it, guys. With a little bit of research and thoughtfulness, your grooming regime can be much more sustainable. It's worth putting in the effort.
You may also like
Guide
How to Support your Skin and Body through your Period
For many people, the menstrual cycle comes and goes with minimal impact. But, for those who experience cramps, fluid retention, lack of energy, headaches and irritability, that time of the month can be a time they dread. And while feeling awful on the inside, let's not forget the external impact of hormonal changes on the skin. Before, during and after your period, it's common to experience skin dryness, irritation, excess oil, breakouts, acne and redness. These monthly changes can start as early as the teenage years and respond to hormonal fluctuations throughout adulthood, pregnancy and menopause. For many, hormonal skin is a life-long condition. You can identify a hormonal breakout as spots most commonly occur around the jawline, neck and chest area. Pimples are usually sore and nodular, cyst-like and pustular. While we've become conditioned to applying harsh topical treatments and heavy makeup to try and cover up hormonal breakouts, we encourage our community to embrace this time of the month and love the skin they're in. But, if hormonal breakouts are getting you down, as with most skin concerns, a holistic approach to hormonal skincare can help lessen the symptoms and make 'that time of the month' more bearable. We've teamed up with our friends at Biologi to share tips for supporting the body through your period. Skin sequencing with active ingredients Get to know your cycle and adjust your regime to include phyto-actives that target redness and inflammation to soothe and calm the skin as you need them. While there's no such thing as a topical 'cure' for hormonal acne and breakouts, Biologi recommends to apply their Bd Luminosity Serum directly to hormonal breakouts as it's rich in tartaric acid, gallic acid and quercetin that work in synergy to reduce redness and inflammation and help calm inflamed skin. The tartaric acid in Davidson plum also works as a fully active, natural enzyme that breaks down dead skin cells and regulates oil flow to reduce blockages in the cells and minimise the appearance of breakouts. The week before your period is due, introduce Bg Defence Anti-Pollution Serum containing salicylic acid that can penetrate the pores and effectively keep them clear of oil that leads to breakouts. Working in synergy with niacinamide and vitamin C, the active ingredients can also help reduce redness and irritation. Get into a good sleeping pattern Sleep is one of the best medicines for irritated skin as this is the time when the skin respires, repairs and rejuvenates. Aim for six or more hours of unbroken sleep a night with light covers to avoid overheating. Our Boody sleepwear crafted in organically-grown bamboo is specifically designed to improve your sleep, including its ability to regulate your body temperature. Bamboo is thermoregulating- meaning you’ll feel cool in summer and warm in winter. Don't squeeze spots We completely understand the temptation for 'just a little pick', but it's not just a myth that you shouldn't squeeze pimples! Not only can touching spots transfer bacteria to the healthy cells, but scarring can also occur making the problem longer-term than once a month. Pay attention to nutrition A healthy gut and a balanced endocrine system often go hand in hand. An imbalance in one may lead to an imbalance in the other. If you experience symptoms as a result of a bacterial imbalance caused by food intolerance or vitamin or mineral deficiency such as zinc, this can affect the production of essential hormones that can impact the skin. Consult with a dietician or naturopath to rule out any nutritional imbalances and advise on supplements to support the skin. Avoid sugar and alcohol While the body might be craving the sweet stuff at this time of the month, too much sugar or toxins can cause an inflammatory response that can leave the skin red, dull and irritated and directly lead to breakouts. Focus on consuming whole foods packed with nutrients and your skin will usually thank you for it. Support the skin barrier A healthy skin barrier can help reduce the impact of hormonal changes. Avoid over-exfoliating and keep the skin barrier hydrated and strong by applying antioxidants. Avoid hot showers and harsh products that can strip the skin's natural oils leaving the skin dry and tight. Reduce stress and #DoLess Too much stress increases cortisol release which can lead to breakouts. While there's often no way to avoid stress in our modern world, identify some stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing or just a relaxing bath. Feeling confident at 'that time of the month' can also help reduce stress, so take a look at the products you use to support yourself during your period. Here at Boody, we have proudly launched our Period and Leak-proof underwear campaign, #DoLess. For too long, we’ve seen an unrealistic portrait of people who menstruate and leak. Sometimes, especially when we’re in pain or feeling fragile, it’s okay to just be. Learn more about our campaign here. Check out our range of period and leak-proof underwear, everyday underwear and sleepwear are the best for creating comfort in everyday life and at that time of your cycle. Introduce regular LED to help minimise the breakout Blue LED treatments can help kill the bacteria that gather in the pores leading to breakouts. The LED can also reduce the activity in the sebaceous glands reducing oil production that can become blocked in the pores leading to breakouts. Hormonal skin is unavoidable for most people at some point in their life. As with all skin concerns, understanding specific triggers combined with applying active ingredients can help reduce the impact of hormonal acne and increase confidence during your period. To support hormonal skin with active ingredients, visit and learn more at Biologi today. For comfortable period and leak-proof underwear and bamboo sleepwear and bamboo loungewear, shop Boody now. shaun@boody.com Trustpilot
Guide
We're Turning Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
For the month of October, we're releasing a limited range of McGrath pink underwear styles, with 100 percent of the profits from each item going directly to the Mcgrath Foundation. Shop our McGrath pink collection. 100% of profits go to the McGrath Foundation. Padded Shaper Crop Bra > Classic Bikini > Original Boxers > Giving back is a core value for us. Being an underwear brand, we have a natural affinity with the McGrath Foundation but our connection also runs deeper - many reviews on our website are from people sharing their love for the natural softness, breathability and comfort of its bamboo bras following breast cancer-related surgeries. In fact, bamboo is one of the most soothing fabrics to wear while recovering from surgery or having chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Bamboo is naturally antibacterial so it can be worn against the skin without risking infection, it wicks moisture away from the skin and absorbs excess perspiration (a side effect of cancer-related hormone treatments) and it is super soft and kind to even the most sensitive skin. We're proud to support the McGrath Foundation, the Australian organisation funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses who provide every type of support from emotional to physical for individuals and their families experiencing breast cancer. 100% of profits go to the McGrath Foundation. SHOP NOW Note: This exclusive collection is available on our AU and NZ website's only.
Guide
The History of International Women’s Day
When is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated around the world on the 8th of March. What is International Women’s Day? International Women’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world. It is a day when all women are recognised for their achievements. International Women’s Day was first born out of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early days, International Women’s Day has grown in prominence and reach, touching women in every corner of the world. The growing international women’s movement has helped make International Women’s Day a central point for action including building support for women’s rights and their full participation in the economy, politics, community and in everyday life. History of International Women’s Day In 1910, Clara Zetkin, the leader of the Women’s Office for the Social Democratic Party in Germany tabled the idea of an International Women’s Day at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen. The proposal received unanimous support from over one hundred women representing 17 countries. The very first International Women’s Day was held the following year on March 19th. Meetings and protests were held across Europe, with the largest street demonstration attracting 30,000 women. In 1913, IWD was moved to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since. International Women’s Day in Australia Australia’s first International Women’s Day was held in 1928 in Sydney. Organised by the Militant Women’s Movement, women called for equal pay for equal work, an 8-hour working day for shop girls and paid leave. The next year the event spread to Brisbane. In 1931, annual marches were launched in both Sydney and Melbourne and both marches continue to be held today. International Women’s Day today International Women’s Day has become a time to reflect on progress, to call for change and to celebrate the courage and determination of the women who changed history, and those who will advance gender equality into the future. International Women’s Day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change. Did you know? In 1913, IWD was moved to March 8th and has been held on this day ever since. Russian women demanded — and gained — the right to vote in 1917 as a direct consequence of the March protests and after more than 40,000 women and men again took to the streets demanding universal suffrage. Suffragettes in the U.K. and their counterparts in the U.S. both looked to Russia as an example and held what they saw as the country’s progress and liberation of women up as a mirror to their own governments, warning that they were lagging behind. The earliest purported Women's Day observance, called "National Woman's Day", was held on February 28, 1909, in New York City IWD initially had no set date, though it was generally celebrated in late February or early March. Americans continued to observe "National Women's Day" on the last Sunday in February, while Russia observed International Women's Day for the first time in 1913, on the last Saturday in February The United Nations began celebrating International Women's Day in 1975, which had been proclaimed the International Women's Year. In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly invited member states to proclaim March 8 as an official UN holiday for women's rights and world peace. It has since been commemorated annually by the UN and much of the world, with each year's observance centred on a particular theme or issue within women's rights. Shop Women's Clothing.
