In a world where terms like ‘vegan’, ‘natural’, ‘organic’ ‘cruelty-free’, and ‘eco-friendly’ are used so loosely and interchangeably, it can be a daunting task to sift through all the products that claim they are good for you and Mother Nature. And really, what exactly does eco-friendly beauty mean? It doesn’t just cover sustainable ingredients (ethically sourced raw materials that can be grown and harvested without damaging the environment). It also involves phasing out non-biodegradables like silicone and plastic microbeads, reducing carbon footprint, using less packaging or recycled/recyclable packaging, getting customers in on the refill act, and using renewable energy from the wind and sun to power the brand’s daily operations and manufacturing processes. For instance, 90% of French medicine and dermo-cosmetics company Pierre Fabre’s (its brands include Avene, Klorane and Rene Furterer) manufacturing waste is used – 65% via recycling and 35% for energy production. Here, we present you the brands that are currently championing the eco-friendly beauty movement.