Beyond the Label: What Makes Skincare Truly Sustainable?

July 29, 2025

In a world where “green,” “clean,” and “natural” are plastered across every shelf, it's getting harder to tell what’s truly sustainable—and what’s just marketing.

At Earth Tu Face, sustainability isn’t a buzzword. It’s a practice rooted in over a decade of small-batch craftsmanship, holistic formulation, and a deep reverence for the Earth. As herbalists and makers, we believe nature offers more than inspiration, it offers responsibility.

So let’s talk about the difference between green beauty and greenwashing, and how to spot the real thing.

What Real Sustainability Looks Like in Skincare

Genuine sustainability goes beyond eco-colored labels. It’s about every step in the lifecycle - from how ingredients are grown to how packaging is discarded.

Here’s how we define it:

• Biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable packaging: Every Earth Tu Face product is packaged with intention. Our Skin Stick is poured into 100% compostable paper tubes, and most of our products are housed in glass such as Face Wash, Face Oil Cleanser, and Resurfacing Jelly - infinitely recyclable, non-toxic, and beautiful to reuse.
• Plastic-free shipping: Your orders arrive free of plastic padding, wrapped in recycled materials that can be composted or recycled themselves - and our branded tissue paper is recyclable and compostable.
• Handmade, small-batch production: Mass production often leads to massive waste. We keep it slow and steady, formulating in small batches to reduce energy use and avoid excess.
• Local and regenerative sourcing: We use whole plant ingredients that are organically grown or wild-harvested when possible - supporting soil health, not stripping it.

What Greenwashing Looks Like

It’s easy to be misled by packaging and promises. Here's what to watch for:

• Vague terms like “clean” or “eco-friendly” without specific details on sourcing, packaging, or formulation.
• Plastic bottles covered in green leaves: No amount of design can offset non-recyclable, single-use plastic.
• Buzz ingredients with no real benefit: If a product promotes one “hero” extract but surrounds it with fillers and synthetics, it’s a red flag.
• No transparency on sourcing or labor: Ethical production should be clear and traceable - not a secret.

How We Walk the Talk

Earth Tu Face began over 13 years ago with a garden, a deep love of herbal medicine, and the belief that skincare should be safe enough to eat.

Today, we continue to hand-formulate every product with that same care, honoring the Earth and your skin equally.

A few of our proudest practices:

• Refill + reuse friendly packaging: Our  bottles are designed to be refilled or repurposed. Many customers love using them as mini water vases, DIY infusion vessels, or travel containers. Our best-selling sea shell balms are also a favorite to repurpose!
• Compostable labels: Even the labels on our Lip + Perfume Balms break down in soil or compost, no plastic residue left behind. They are made of Biostone and recyclable vellum- durable, eco friendly and sustainable.
• Minimal ingredients, maximum potency: By using whole plants, not isolated extracts, we create multifunctional formulas that serve skin on multiple levels. Fewer ingredients. Less waste. More effective

How You Can Shop More Consciously

Being a conscious consumer doesn’t mean doing it perfectly. It means asking questions, supporting brands with real values, and choosing better, bit by bit.

Look for:

• Ingredients you can recognize and trace and pronounce
• Packaging that’s recyclable, refillable, or compostable
• Brands that talk about process, not just product
• Multipurpose formulas (Like our Face Balm, which works as a moisturizer, overnight mask, and barrier balm.)

Most importantly - trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

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