Soap, while it may seem like a mundane item, can have a huge impact on our environment. This is why many people are now turning towards more environmentally friendly soaps as an alternative. In this article we will explore what makes for a truly “green” soap, the importance of choosing a good one, and how having one in your home can benefit you and the planet overall.
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps is a range of organic and natural products, ranging from soaps, shampoos and body washes. The company pride themselves on producing eco-friendly products that are free from synthetic ingredients and preservatives, while also being fair trade certified and responsibly sourced. All their packaging is made with recycled materials or biodegradable options like paperboard or PLA plastic (a corn-based bioplastic).
Pros:
- Made with organic & natural ingredients
- Fair Trade Certified + Responsibly Sourced
- Cruelty Free & Vegan Friendly
- Free From Synthetic Ingredients & Preservatives
- Eco friendly packaging
Cons:
- Products may be more expensive than traditional beauty brands
Method Foaming Hand Wash
Method Foaming Hand Wash is an eco-friendly hand wash that delivers a luxurious lather while providing a clean and gentle experience with every use. Made with naturally derived, plant-based ingredients, this soap-free formula offers superior cleaning power without harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. This product is also hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin types, making it suitable for the entire family to enjoy.
Pros:
- Formulated using naturally derived, plant-based ingredients instead of harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances.
- Hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested for sensitive skin types – suitable for all ages to use on their hands.
- Soap-free formula offers superior cleaning power without drying out your skin or leaving any residue behind on the surface of your hands after washing them off.
Cons:
- Contains palm oil which can contribute to deforestation when not sustainably sourced from producers who are committed to responsible farming practices in Indonesia and Malaysia (which may be difficult to guarantee given current global supply chains).
Clearly Natural Glycerine Bar Soap
Clearly Natural Glycerine Bar Soap is a natural, plant-based soap that contains glycerin and other natural vegetable oils to create an effective, skin-loving bar of soap. The product is free from harsh chemicals and detergents, making it gentle on the environment as well as your skin. It's also biodegradable so you can ensure your soap will not be polluting the waterways or landfills.
Pros:
- Plant base ingredient helps moisturise while still being gentle on delicate skin
- Paraben and sulfate free; no synthetic fragrances or artificial dyes used
- Not tested on animals, vegan friendly
- Biodegradable packing materials for easy disposal or reuse
Cons:
- Plastic wrapping may not be recyclable in some areas
Burt's Bees Natural Skin Care for Men
Burt’s Bees is a trusted, natural skin care line that offers a variety of solutions for maintaining healthy and beautiful skin. The company recently launched its Natural Skin Care for Men line which is specifically created to address the needs of men’s skin. This collection includes products formulated with natural ingredients that deeply nourish and hydrate the skin without using harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances and colors.
Pros:
- Contains natural ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, avocado oil, and jojoba oil to deeply moisturize the skin without irritating it.
- Packaged in recyclable containers made from post-consumer recycled materials that don't add to landfills when emptied.
- Products are free from parabens, phthalates, petrolatum and SLS so they won't irritate or damage your skin or pollute waterways when washed off after use.
- Cruelty free – none of their products are tested on animals!
Cons:
- Although the formula is eco friendly there may be transportation associated emissions due to shipping processes used by this brand if it ships overseas where most of their distribution centers are located (e.g.: China).
Eco-Me Naturally Derived Foaming Hand Soap
Eco-Me Naturally Derived Foaming Hand Soap is a natural hand soap designed to be both effective and eco friendly. The soap is made with plant based ingredients that are gentle on your skin while providing an antiseptic cleaning. It contains organic aloe vera, tea tree oil and lavender oil which helps keep your hands clean without the use of harsh chemicals or fragrances. The product also comes in a handy pump bottle that allows for easy dispensing and minimal waste.
Pros:
- Made from natural and plant based ingredients - no harsh chemicals or fragrances, safe for your skin
- Contains organic aloe vera, tea tree oil & lavender oil - offers antiseptic cleaning action
- Comes in convenient pump bottle - easy dispensing & minimal waste
Cons:
- Costlier than other commercially available soaps
What Makes A Soap "Environmentally Friendly"?
When we talk about an environmentally friendly soap or product in general there are quite a few factors to consider when looking at its environmental impacts. The first factor is whether or not the product contains any artificial colors or fragrances that could be potentially harmful to both humans and wildlife if they were released into nature after being used (especially through wash-off products such as shampoos). Finding out if any synthetic ingredients have been added to help extend shelf life should also be taken into consideration since these typically require energy intensive processes to produce them; likewise for preservatives which help keep bacteria from growing inside the container even after multiple uses of its contents. Lastly, it is important to note just how much packaging was used in order for the product to get from point A(the manufacturer) all the way over here with us! Many companies nowadays are using eco-friendly materials such as paper instead of single-use plastic containers – making sure that whatever packaging does end up being thrown away will most likely biodegrade without damaging habitats near landfills eventually becoming part of natural cycles again instead of staying there forever polluting ecosystems indefinitely!
The Benefits Of Choosing An Environmentally Friendly Soap
Making sure your bathroom items contain no harmful ingredients means fewer toxins entering into rivers or groundwater systems via wastewater treatment plants – ultimately keeping aquatic creatures safe from harm too! And because little bits left behind by regular household detergents often cause algae blooms in lakes – reducing this type of pollution helps preserve healthy aquatic populations free from disease caused due heavy metals contained within (or similar compounds found inside regular soaps). Homeowners concerned with their carbon footprints should take special interest here since eco-friendly solutions may contain less than half amount necessary energy/water resources required when compared against traditional ones as well – effectively lowering bills associated with running appliances at home during washing cycles etcetera… Finally some products designed specifically with sustainability goals mind feature refillable containers meaning reduced waste pileup problems generated by throwing away empty bottles every time something new needs replacing! This keeps landfill space clear making room things like food scraps compost etcetera…
Conclusion: Why Having An Environmentally Friendly Soap Is Beneficial Overall?
Having an environmentally friendly soap isn't just about reducing your own personal impact on nature but rather maintaining healthier lifestyles for everyone around too - including animals living nearby water sources contaminated by conventional detergents containing hazardous chemicals known carcinogens & other dangerous substances proven extremely toxic even long term exposures might cause serious health risks if ingested accidentally (e.g., fish caught local rivers poisoned due bleaches commonly present cleaning agents)! Furthermore buying green alternatives often times comes cheaper thanks sustainable manufacturing techniques utilized their production process resulting lower costs associated purchasing materials needed large batches made efficiently enough reduce prices significantly while still delivering high quality results expected premium priced goods. Therefore investing eco-friendly options every day becomes worthwhile investment both pocketbook planet alike - leaving happy customers knowing they're helping clean world future generations enjoy same opportunities currently exist right now today still intact tomorrow morning wake up anew :)
