The beauty industry produces 120 billion packaging units annually. Half of them aren't recyclable. Meanwhile, microplastics from scrubs and sunscreens end up in our oceans. If you want to make your beauty routine more sustainable, the pharmacy is a surprisingly good place to start.
Why pharmacy brands are leading the way
While Instagram brands often use sustainability as a marketing tool, many pharmacy brands have been investing in concrete changes for years:
- Klorane works with botanical foundations and has planted over 100,000 date palms
- Weleda has been pioneering biodynamic farming since 1921
- Cattier is Ecocert-certified
- Avène has adapted their production to reuse 93% of their water
Packaging: where the biggest gains are
The reality is that cosmetics packaging often has more environmental impact than the product itself:
- Recyclable materials: Glass, aluminium, and certain plastics (PE, PP)
- Refill systems: Save up to 70% on packaging material
- Solid products: Shampoo bars, solid deodorant, solid facial cleansers - no plastic bottle needed, last longer, and are more compact to transport
Ingredients to watch for
Avoid:
- Microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene) in scrubs
- Oxybenzone and octinoxate in sunscreens - harmful to coral reefs
- Silicones (dimethicone, cyclomethicone) - not biodegradable
- Palm oil from unsustainable sources
Look for:
- Biodegradable formulas
- Organically farmed ingredients (Ecocert, COSMOS, Natrue certification)
- Locally produced products
Certifications you can trust
- COSMOS Organic/Natural: Strict European standard
- Ecocert: Controls natural ingredients and sustainable production
- Natrue: Independent seal with three levels
- Leaping Bunny: Guarantees no animal testing
- B Corp: Certifies the entire company on social and environmental impact
Be critical of vague terms like 'clean', 'green' or 'eco-friendly' without certification.
Practical steps
- Simplify your routine - fewer products = less impact
- Buy larger formats - proportionally less packaging
- Finish your products before buying new ones
- Choose multifunctional products
- Prefer European brands to reduce transport footprint
Our tip
Start with one thing. Replace your next shampoo with a shampoo bar. Or choose a moisturiser with a refill pack. Small steps, consistently maintained, make the difference.
At Belgian online pharmacies, you can easily filter for organic and natural products. Compare not just the price but also the ingredient list and packaging - that tells you more about a product's real sustainability than the label on the front.