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Tania Cibulskis

model glowing skin

Exfoliation: The Key to Achieving Smooth, Radiant Skin

Our skin is a remarkable organ, often taken for granted despite its incredible capabilities. From protecting us against external threats to serving as a canvas for our expressions, our skin stands as a steadfast companion, accompanying us through every triumph and tribulation. 

A natural marvel of our skin is that every 28 days the skin’s natural renewal process occurs bringing forth fresh, healthy, glowing skin cells. However, as we age, this process slows down, resulting in a buildup of dead skin cells that can make the skin appear dull, rough, and dry.

We can assist our skin in removing the build-up of dead skin cells with regular exfoliation. Exfoliation is the process of removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, typically through the use of a scrub or chemical exfoliant. Exfoliating is an important part of a good skincare routine, and it offers a wide range of benefits for the skin. By removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, and promoting cell regeneration, exfoliation helps to reveal smoother, brighter, and healthier-looking skin.

The Benefits of Exfoliating Your Skin

1. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells

The outer layer of our skin is composed of dead skin cells that have accumulated over time. These cells can make our skin look dull, dry, and flaky. Exfoliating helps to remove these dead skin cells, leaving our skin looking smooth, soft, and refreshed. By getting rid of the dead cells, you can also help other skincare products penetrate better, giving you better results from your skincare routine.

2. Exfoliating unclogs pores

Our pores can become clogged with oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, leading to acne, blackheads, and other skin issues. Exfoliating can help to unclog pores, allowing the skin to breathe and preventing the formation of blemishes. Regular exfoliation can also help to reduce the appearance of pores, making your skin look smoother and more even.

3. Exfoliation promotes cell regeneration

Exfoliating stimulates cell regeneration, helping to promote the growth of new, healthy skin cells. This can help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging, as well as improving the texture and tone of your skin. By promoting cell turnover, exfoliation can also help to improve the appearance of scars and sun damage, giving your skin a more youthful and radiant glow.

4. Exfoliators improve skin texture, tone, and radiance

By removing dead skin cells and promoting cell regeneration, exfoliation can help to reduce the appearance of rough, dry, or uneven skin. This can be especially beneficial for people with dry or mature skin, as it can help to improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture and prevent the signs of aging.

5. Exfoliating enhances product absorption

Exfoliating can help to enhance the absorption of other skincare products, such as serums, moisturisers, and masks. By removing the dead skin cells that can block the pores, exfoliation can help to improve the penetration of active ingredients, allowing them to work more effectively. This can help you get better results from your skincare routine, and make your skin look healthier and more radiant.

6. Exfoliating boosts circulation

Exfoliating can help to boost circulation, which can improve the overall health and appearance of your skin. By increasing blood flow to the skin, exfoliation can help to deliver vital nutrients and oxygen to the cells, helping them to function better and stay healthy. This can help to reduce the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and other signs of fatigue, giving your skin a brighter, more refreshed look.

7. Exfoliating improves makeup application

Exfoliating removes flaky patches, resulting in smoother skin that enhances the application of makeup. This helps prevent foundation from appearing splotchy, cakey, or settling into fine lines, leading to a more flawless makeup finish.

How Often Should I Exfoliate?

The frequency of exfoliation really depends on your skin type and the type of exfoliant you’re using. For most people, it’s recommended to exfoliate once or twice a week, but those with sensitive skin should stick to once a week or even less frequently. If you’re using a physical exfoliant, such as a scrub or brush, be gentle and avoid over-exfoliating, as this can damage the skin. If you’re using a chemical exfoliant, such as an acid or enzyme, follow the instructions and start with a lower concentration, gradually increasing as your skin becomes accustomed to it. It’s also important to listen to your skin and adjust your exfoliation frequency as needed.

It’s also important to note that exfoliating can be drying to the skin so always follow with a moisturiser immediately afterwards to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. Also, never exfoliate if you have open cuts or wounds, or if your skin is sunburned.

In conclusion, exfoliating is an important part of any skincare routine offering a wide range of benefits for the skin. By removing dead skin cells, unclogging pores, promoting cell regeneration, improving skin texture and tone, enhancing product absorption, and boosting circulation, exfoliation can help you achieve your skincare goals and make your skin look healthier, more radiant, and more youthful. Whether you prefer physical exfoliants, such as scrubs and clay masks, or chemical exfoliants, such as acids and enzymes, incorporating exfoliation into your skincare routine can help you achieve your best skin ever.

Scenturie Natural Skincare Exfoliating Solutions

Our Scenturie Natural Skincare range offers a natural solution for gentle, effective exfoliation. Select from our award-winning Expresso Facial Scrub, Men’s Charcoal Coffee Scrub, or Clay Face Mask, and enjoy smoother, healthier, and more radiant healthy skin today.

  • Espresso Facial Scrub

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parabens

The Dangers of Parabens in Skincare: What You Need to Know

What Are Parabens?

Parabens are synthetic chemicals used as preservatives in many beauty and household products worldwide. They appear on ingredient lists with names such as: isobutylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben, methylparaben, ethylparaben, and propylparabens. Added to many formulas to prevent the growth of mould and bacteria, parabens are what help prolong the shelf-life of cosmetics. Parabens have been around since the 1920’s, but unfortunately, in more recent years, science has linked parabens to a host of serious health and environmental issues.

Why Should You Avoid Them?

Contact Dermatitis

Parabens are known to be potential allergens, and repeated exposure to them can lead to contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals. Contact dermatitis is characterized by redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blistering of the skin. It can occur shortly after exposure to products containing parabens or develop gradually over time with continued use.

Disruption of the Skin Barrier

Parabens can disrupt the skin’s natural barrier function, which serves to protect against external irritants and pathogens. This disruption can lead to increased skin permeability and susceptibility to irritation from other ingredients in skincare products or environmental factors.

Hormone disruption

Research has shown that parabens can penetrate our skin barrier, enter our bloodstream, and cause disruption of our endocrine system by mimicking hormones like oestrogen. This disruption of our body’s natural hormone signals can cause chemical imbalances within our body that can affect fertility leading to reproductive and developmental issues. Studies have also suggested that parabens could play a role in the development of human breast, ovary, and testicular cancer, with parabens having been detected in breast tumours, which has led to concerns about their potential role in the development of breast cancer. For these reasons, many countries have banned the use of some parabens in personal care products.

Environmental impact

Parabens can enter water bodies through various routes, including wastewater discharges from sewage treatment plants, runoff from land applications of personal care products, and direct disposal of unused products down drains. Once in water, parabens can accumulate and spread through aquatic environments, potentially affecting ecosystems downstream.

Parabens have the potential to bioaccumulate in living organisms, particularly in aquatic ecosystems. Studies have shown that parabens can have toxic effects on aquatic organisms, including fish, algae, and invertebrates, even at low concentrations. These effects can include reproductive abnormalities, developmental defects, and disruptions to hormone function, which can ultimately impact ecosystem health and biodiversity.

Accumulation in the body

While limited quantities of parabens are considered harmless and are not regulated by the FDA, the problem lies in repeated exposure with daily use of certain formulas. Studies have shown that parabens can accumulate in the body over time and may have a cumulative effect. This means that even small amounts of exposure over a long period could potentially be harmful. Parabens are easily absorbed into the skin, being introduced into the system even after just one application. This is a cause for concern considering they are very often used in products that come into direct contact with the skin such body lotions and deodorants. One 2018 study found teenage girls who regularly wore makeup tested positive for 20x the normal amount of propylparaben compared to those who did not or rarely wore makeup.

Why are parabens still used?

You may ask: “Why do companies continue to use parabens if they are so bad for us and the environment?”. One major reason is because they are cheap to manufacture, which ultimately means bigger profits!

Given the damage that can be caused to the endocrine system, reproductive system, and the environment, long-chain parabens (methyl-, isobutyl-, butyl-, isopropyl- and propylparaben) should not be used in personal care or cosmetic products.

Are preservatives needed in skincare products?

While ‘preservative-free’ may sound appealing, the reality is that it can actually be quite problematic. If a product is oil-based, then it may not require preservatives as oils typically do not provide the conditions necessary for bacteria, yeast, and fungus to grow. However, if a product is water-based, then it is highly unlikely that it can be preserved without the use of some kind of preservative. If a brand claims that their water-based product is 100% preservative-free, it may be a sign that they are not being entirely truthful, or that they lack knowledge about preservatives. Without a preservative, a cream can quickly become a breeding ground for mould, bacteria, and other forms of microbial growth, which can be harmful to the skin and your health. This is especially true for natural products, as they can be particularly attractive to bacteria. In fact, an unpreserved cream can be even more dangerous than a cream that contains the worst preservatives.

Overall, preservatives are needed in skincare products to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that can cause skin infections and other health issues. Without preservatives, skincare products would have a very short shelf life and could become contaminated quickly. However, it is important to choose preservatives that are safe and effective and to use them in the appropriate concentrations to ensure that they do not cause skin irritation or other adverse reactions.

What can be used instead of parabens?

There are several natural ingredients with preservative properties that are commonly used in skincare formulations and are effective in preventing the growth of bacteria and fungi in skincare products. 

Two such ingredients we use in several of our Scenturie Natural Skincare products are benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid. These two ingredients are often used in natural and organic skincare products to provide broad-spectrum preservative protection against bacteria and other microorganisms. Benzyl alcohol is a natural ingredient derived from various plant sources, including jasmine, ylang-ylang, and cinnamon. Dehydroacetic acid is permitted by Ecocert as a synthetic preservative in ecological and organic certified cosmetics. Benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid are safe for use in cosmetics and skincare products and approved for use by regulatory bodies such as the FDA, EU, Ecocert, Cosmos, and Bio-Gro worldwide. Benzyl alcohol and dehydroacetic acid have antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms in skincare products, which helps to extend the shelf life of natural and organic skincare products. They are effective at preserving skincare products while also providing additional benefits for the skin.

It’s important to remember that everything we put onto our skin is either absorbed by our bodies or washed down the drain back into the environment, so it makes good sense to buy products that don’t cause harm to either. Always patch-test new products, especially if you have sensitive skin, and consult with a dermatologist if you have any concerns about specific ingredients.

The Dangers of Parabens in Skincare: What You Need to Know Read More »

should i use a face toner

Should I Be Using a Face Toner?

Firstly, What is a Face Toner?

In the past, a toner was a liquid that was supposed to remove anything left on your skin after cleansing, and restore the skins pH levels. Many toners were astringent (alcohol) based and stripped the natural oils from skin leaving it feeling squeaky clean, but also dry and often irritated. Thank goodness times have changed and nowadays toners are much more sophisticated. Every formula is different and may contain hydrating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or exfoliating ingredients. Many are also alcohol-free, so have less of a drying effect on the skin. 

The Benefits of Using a Face Toner

A facial toner can significantly improve your skin health and texture, making it a very valuable addition to your skincare regime. Facial toners can help to remove excess oil, impurities, and makeup left behind after cleansing, as well as balancing skin pH levels. The benefits of face toners go beyond just cleansing though. 

A quality facial toner can also help to:

  • Reduce the appearance of pores.

  • Tighten and firm the skin.

  • Hydrate the skin to help prevent dryness and premature aging.

  • Balance oil production.

  • Restore hydration levels.

  • Calm and soothe the skin.

  • Assist with skin repair and cellular regeneration.

  • Prep the skin for maximum absorption of serums and moisturisers.

Choosing a natural face toner over one with synthetic ingredients can have additional skin health benefits. Natural face toners are often made using entirely plant-derived ingredients, free from harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. Such chemicals are often present in commercial toners and can irritate and damage your skin. When you use a natural product, you can avoid these harmful ingredients and enjoy the benefits of natural ingredients instead.

Ingredients To Avoid in a Face Toner

When choosing a face toner, it’s important to be mindful of certain ingredients that may not be suitable for your skin type or could potentially cause irritation or adverse reactions. Here are some ingredients to avoid:

Alcohol: Toners containing high concentrations of alcohol, such as denatured alcohol or SD alcohol, can be drying and irritating to the skin, especially for those with dry or sensitive skin. Look for alcohol-free formulations to avoid stripping your skin’s natural oils.

Harsh acids: Harsh acids such as salicylic acid or glycolic acid, should be avoided if you have dry or sensitive skin, as these acids can cause redness, irritation, and peeling.

Fragrance: Fragrances, whether synthetic or natural, can be sensitising and irritating to the skin, particularly for those with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or rosacea. Opt for fragrance-free or naturally scented toners to minimize the risk of irritation.

Harsh astringents: Some toners contain harsh astringents like witch hazel or menthol, which can be overly drying and irritating, especially for sensitive or dry skin types. Instead, choose gentle toners with soothing and hydrating ingredients to maintain skin balance.

Artificial colors: Artificial colours or dyes can be unnecessary additives that may cause irritation or allergic reactions, particularly for those with sensitive skin. Look for toners that are free of artificial colours and rely on natural ingredients for their hue.

Sulfates: Sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are surfactants commonly found in cleansers and toners to create foaming action. However, they can strip the skin of its natural oils and disrupt the skin barrier, leading to dryness and irritation. Opt for sulfate-free toners for a gentler cleansing experience.

Parabens: Parabens are preservatives used in skincare products to prevent bacterial growth and extend shelf life. However, they have been associated with potential health risks and concerns about endocrine disruption. Look for paraben-free toners or products preserved with alternative, safer natural preservatives.

Mineral oil: Mineral oil is a common ingredient in skincare products due to its inexpensive nature and emollient properties. However, it can clog pores and prevent the skin from breathing, leading to breakouts and congestion, particularly for acne-prone or oily skin types. Choose toners formulated with lightweight, non-comedogenic oils or oil-free alternatives.

High concentrations of essential oils: While essential oils can offer various benefits for the skin, they can also be potent and cause irritation or allergic reactions, especially when used in high concentrations. If you have sensitive skin, choose toners with minimal essential oil content or opt for essential oil-free formulations.

By avoiding these ingredients in your face toner, you can minimise the risk of irritation, allergic reactions, and other adverse effects, ensuring that your skincare routine promotes healthy, balanced, and radiant skin.

Ultimately, using a natural face toner with quality, non-irritating ingredients can help to improve the overall health and appearance of your skin, leaving it looking radiant, refreshed, and revitalised.

Scenturie Replenishing Natural Toner

Replenshing Natural Toner

Our award-winning Replenishing Natural Toner is the second important step in your natural skincare routine and will leave your skin feeling beautifully hydrated, revitalised and refreshed. It helps to remove the last traces of makeup, excess oil, and impurities after cleansing, and it prepares your skin for effective absorption of subsequent products, such as serums or moisturisers, maximising their effectiveness and ensuring they penetrate deeply into the skin.

Our unique synergistic blend of pure plant ingredients instantly hydrates, balances, and calms the skin restoring the natural balance of moisture.

Key Ingredients

Neroli flower water, produced through the steam distillation of fragrant neroli blossoms from the bitter orange tree, helps to promote a radiant complexion, diminish the appearance of scars and wrinkles, and calm irritated skin. Its exquisite captivating scent is cherished in aromatherapy for its mood-enhancing and stress-relieving properties.

Hyaluronic acid greatly improves skin hydration, stimulates collagen synthesis, and helps with skin cell repair and regeneration. It can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water making it a powerful humectant, keeping your skin moisturised throughout the day.

Palm-free glycerine locks in essential moisture and provides an instant hydration boost for plumper, smoother skin.

Aloe vera leaf juice is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and enzymes and its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties allow it to soothe and moisturise the skin. It calms irritated or inflamed skin, reducing redness and discomfort, and balancing oil production.

NZ Pohutukawa bark extract provides powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Fig fruit extract provides collagen-stabilising, skin-hydrating and skin-toning effects.

NZ Kānuka oil, with its enchanting, fresh, herbaceous scent synonymous with the NZ native bush, will help calm your senses and connect you with nature.

How To Use

Apply 2-3 sprays to a cotton pad & wipe gently across face, neck, & décolletage. Apply immediately after cleansing with our Natural Creamy Cleanser, or anytime your skin needs a hydration boost. Follow with Scenturie Nourishing Natural Day Cream and SPF, or Scenturie Ultra-Rich Natural Night Cream. Suitable for all skin types including sensitive, ageing, combination, and acne-prone skin.

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how to use a facial cleanser

Discover the Skin Benefits of Using a Cream Facial Cleanser

As we all know, cleansing is an essential step in our daily skincare routine and using a face cleanser is important for maintaining healthy and clear skin. Our face is exposed to different environmental pollutants, dirt, and bacteria throughout the day which, along with makeup, can clog our pores and cause breakouts. Cleansers work to remove these impurities and excess oil from our skin, leaving it feeling fresh and clean. Additionally, using a face cleanser can help to improve the effectiveness of other skincare products that you may be using, such as moisturisers and serums. It’s important to choose a cleanser that is suitable for your skin type and to use it consistently as part of your daily skincare routine. 

What to Avoid in a Face Cleanser

Everyone’s skin is unique, which is why it’s crucial to choose a face cleanser that is tailored to your specific needs. However, it’s equally important to know what to avoid in a face cleanser to ensure that it does not damage your skin. Using a cleanser with harsh synthetic ingredients, a high pH balance, and a high lather will instantly strip the natural oils from your skin and cause dehydration. When this happens, every product you use afterwards (including your serum and moisturiser) has to do major repair work to put moisture back into the skin. Here are some ingredients and types of cleansers that I recommend avoiding:

1. Harsh detergents: If you have dry or sensitive skin like me, steer clear of cleansers that contain harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS). These ingredients can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even acne.

2. Alcohol-based cleansers: If you have oily skin, you may be tempted to use alcohol-based cleansers to control oil production. However, these types of cleansers can be extremely drying and irritating to the skin.

3. Synthetic fragrances and artificial colors: If you have sensitive skin, avoid using cleansers that contain synthetic fragrances and artificial colors. These ingredients can cause allergic reactions and irritation, leading to dryness and discomfort.

4. Exfoliating cleansers: While exfoliating cleansers can be effective in removing dead skin cells, be cautious when using them, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin. They can be too abrasive and cause further irritation and breakouts.

5. Hot water: Washing your face with hot water, can damage your skin’s natural moisture barrier leading to dryness and irritation. Instead, use lukewarm water to cleanse your face.

The Benefits of Cream Facial Cleansers

Whilst there are many different types of cleansers available on the market, cream facial cleansers have gained popularity in recent years due to the numerous benefits they provide to the skin.

One of the most significant benefits of using a cream cleanser is its ability to moisturise the skin. Unlike other types of cleansers that can strip the skin of its natural oils, cream cleansers work to hydrate and nourish the skin while cleansing it. This makes them an excellent choice for people with dry, sensitive, or mature skin, as they help to prevent dryness and maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier.

Another advantage of using a cream cleanser is that it is gentle on the skin. Cream cleansers are typically formulated with mild ingredients that are less likely to irritate or inflame the skin. This makes them a great option for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin, as they can help to soothe and calm irritated skin without causing further damage.

Creamy cleansers also offer a luxurious and pampering experience. Their creamy texture feels soft and rich on the skin, making them perfect for a relaxing and indulgent cleansing routine. They often contain natural ingredients that help to calm and soothe the skin while providing a refreshing and rejuvenating cleanse.

In addition to these benefits, cream facial cleansers are also effective at removing makeup and other impurities from the skin. Their creamy texture allows them to dissolve makeup and dirt quickly and easily without leaving any residue behind. This makes them a convenient and effective option for people who wear makeup regularly.

Overall, cream facial cleansers offer a range of benefits for the skin and are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a gentle, moisturising, and effective way to cleanse their skin. Whether you have dry, sensitive, or mature skin, a cream face cleanser can help keep your skin looking and feeling its best.

Natural Creamy Cleanser

Our award-winning Natural Creamy Cleanser is the first important step in your daily skincare routine. It gently and effectively removes all traces of makeup, impurities, and excess oil from the skin preserving the skin’s natural moisture barrier without stripping it of moisture. It balances oil production while calming and hydrating the skin and leaves skin feeling clean, soft, nourished, and refreshed.

Our 100% natural formulation contains a selection of premium plant-derived ingredients, including NZ avocado oil, sweet almond oil, grape seed oil, and apricot kernel oil, renowned for their regenerating, rejuvenating, hydrating, and moisturising qualities. Pohutukawa bark and green tea leaf extracts have been selected for their powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Natural Creamy Cleanser Benefits

cleanser benefits

How To Use

Every morning and night apply one pump of Natural Creamy Cleanser to damp face and neck and massage gently into the skin. Rinse off with warm water using a clean face cloth. Follow with Scenturie Replenishing Natural TonerRevitalising Face Oil or Super Boost Bakuchiol Serum, and our Nourishing Natural Day Cream or Ultra-Rich Natural Night Cream.

Suitable for all skin types including sensitive, dry, ageing, combination, and acne-prone skin.

To purchase our Natural Creamy Cleanser click HERE.

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Palm oil

Palm Oil: The Ugly Truth

The truth is that most people have no clue what goes into the products that they use daily. The ugly truth is that if they knew, they would probably never want to use them again. In the beauty and skincare industry, one such pariah is Palm Oil. The devastation caused by this one ingredient to people, wildlife, and the planet, is so complicated and far-reaching that it deserves our immediate attention.

What is Palm Oil?

Palm Oil is a type of vegetable oil that is derived from oil palms. Oil palms are an ancient staple crop in West Africa and the tree bears giant bunches of red fruit beneath its fronds. For millennia, humans have harvested the fruit, boiled, and pounded it to extract cooking oil, burned the kernel shells for heat, and used woven palm fronds to make rooves and baskets.

Palm Oil fruit (Elaeis guineensis).

Why is Palm Oil so Popular?

Owing to its versatility and the efficiency with which it can be produced (requiring only half as much land as other crops, such as soybeans, to generate a given amount of oil), the use of Palm Oil within the past few decades has skyrocketed. In fact, palm oil is the most efficient oilseed crop in the world. A hectare of palm oil plantation can produce almost ten times the amount of oil than the next closest type of oilseed such as rapeseed.

Palm Oil has been successfully transplanted to other tropical regions and it is now mainly supplied by Indonesia and Malaysia. It is now the most popular vegetable oil in the world, accounting for one-third of global consumption, and it is almost unavoidable, being found in many consumer and industrial products, such as food and beverages, personal care and beauty products, bioenergy and fuel, animal feed, pharmaceuticals, industrial activities, and the food service industry. Biscuits, spreads, chocolate, bread, personal care products, detergents, soap, lipstick… these are just a few of the multitude of items containing Palm Oil that you are more than likely to have in your home right now.

Palm oil is used extensively in the cosmetic and food industries and the global demand for it continues to rise with consumption exceeding 70 million metric tonnes annually.

With its use in so many everyday applications, it begs the question, how can this ‘tree of plenty’ be so bad? What is the real issue with palm oil?

The Dark Side of Palm Oil

The real issue with Palm Oil is its unsustainable production rather than the product itself. There is little regulation in the destruction of rainforest areas, and it is currently very difficult to trace whether the palm oil in products was really produced sustainably.

Unsustainable palm oil has a devastating effect on the environment. Palm oil has been, and continues to be, a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, causing mass destruction to the habitats of already endangered species, and contributing to climate change by releasing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The aggressive burning and clearing of forests in Indonesia alone contribute to 12% of all global carbon emissions.

Aerial drone view of rainforest being burnt and cleared to make way for palm plantations in Indonesia.

The haze from Indonesian forest fires, many deliberately set to clear land for oil palms, caused at least 12,000 premature deaths in 2015 alone.

According to Greenpeace, land equivalent to the size of a football field is lost every 25 seconds in Indonesia alone. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates that worldwide, around 300 football fields of forest are cleared every hour to make way for palm oil plantations.

Landcover, forest clearance and plantation development in PT Megakarya Jaya Raya (PT MJR) palm oil concession. Source: Greenpeace.

In Borneo, the island shared by Malaysia and Indonesia, since 1973, almost 42,000 square kilometers of rain forest has been burned and bulldozed to create space for oil palms. Since 2000, oil palms have accounted for 47% of the world’s total deforestation. All this deforestation has wreaked havoc on local wildlife. Nearly 150,000 endangered Bornean orangutans have perished from 1999-2015. According to a report from the World Wildlife Fund, elephants, Sumatran tigers, and rhinos are also on the brink of extinction.

Orangutans in Borneo where rainforest has been cleared for palm oil plantations. ULET IFANSASTI/GETTY IMAGES

Human rights abuses in and around these plantations run rampant. On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, palm oil companies have bulldozed entire villages of indigenous peoples, leaving their residents homeless and reliant on government aid.

In 2020, the Associated Press conducted a comprehensive investigation that focused on the brutal treatment of women employed on these plantations. The report highlighted the hidden scourge of sexual abuse (with many reporting repeatedly being raped by their employers), threats and verbal harassment along with human trafficking, child labour (as young as 5 years old), and what can only be considered as modern-day slavery. Women are burdened with some of the most dangerous jobs in the industry, forced to spend hours carrying such heavy loads that can cause their wombs to collapse. Chemically contaminated water can add to the burden by causing terrible sickness. Most workers are hired as subcontractors, without any benefits, and sometimes making only $2 per day.

Female worker carrying a heavy load at a palm oil plantation in Sumatra, Indonesia. (AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara).

It seems painfully ironic that palm oil, harvested in such ugly and inhumane ways, is used in products to make one ‘beautiful’.

Palm Oil and the Beauty Industry

The derivatives of palm oil (glycerol, fatty acids, or fatty alcohols) are used in many products because of their emollient or foaming properties.

The two main types of oil from the oil palm are palm oil and palm kernel oil. To make palm oil, the fruit is pressed to extract crude palm oil [CPO] which is refined to become edible. The CPO is then processed to become refined, bleached, and deodorized (RBD) palm oil. Alternatively, the oil can be extracted straight from the kernel as palm kernel oil. Palm kernel oil is what is used in the manufacture of foods and cosmetics because it can maintain its structure under high temperatures, it is creamy and smooth in texture, and it is odourless.

Although the beauty industry reportedly only accounts for 2% of global palm oil production, it can be found in as many as 70% of all beauty products. The fact that it is cheap and versatile makes it an attractive addition. In lipsticks, the addition of palm oil allows them to remain tasteless, prevents them from melting, and allows their colours to last much longer.

The problem with palm oil is ultimately one of production greed. Efficiency and low-cost equals good profit for companies that use palm oil in their products. This relentless drive for short term profit and growth always comes at the expense of something or someone. Sadly, this case is no different.

What has been done so far to manage sustainable Palm Oil?

In response to the urgent and pressing global call for sustainably produced palm oil, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was formed in 2004 with the objective of promoting the growth and use of sustainable oil palm products through credible global standards and engagement of stakeholders. RSPO-certified palm growers are audited by an independent, accredited certification body that supposedly ensures that strict social and environmental guidelines are followed during production.

Although this represents progress, unfortunately the certifications are far from perfect and there are many loopholes. According to two separate reports from campaigning groups WWF and Rainforest Action Network, some of the world’s biggest brands are failing in their commitments to banish deforestation from their supply chains through their use of palm oil, despite making public claims to environmental sustainability.

Landcover, forest clearance and plantation development in PT Megakarya Jaya Raya (PT MJR) palm oil concession. Source: Greenpeace.

Is Palm Oil sustainable at present?

In the short term, NO. In the long term – truly sustainable palm oil, YES.

In September 2018, a comprehensive investigation by Greenpeace exposed how the world’s biggest brands are still linked to rainforest destruction in Indonesia. Palm oil suppliers to the world’s largest brands, including Unilever, Nestlé, Colgate-Palmolive and Mondelez, have destroyed an area of rainforest almost twice the size of Singapore in less than three years, according to the report.

The report highlighted how some of the largest members of the RSPO, who supposedly produce and sell ‘sustainable’ palm oil, routinely flout the laws and rules which they are supposed to abide by. The outcome of the report was that large companies who claim to only use sustainable palm oil in their products are in fact selling the public a lie and that production of sustainable palm oil under the RSPO is fiction.

There is now a realisation that RSPO-certification is currently “inadequate” as a guarantee that the palm oil in use is not leading to deforestation. In other words, just because a company or product is RSPO-certified there is NO guarantee that the palm oil they have used has not caused deforestation.

As a result of these collective failures, brands and traders who still source palm oil from non-sustainable producer groups are not just complicit in rainforest destruction and exploitation, but – through their palm oil purchases – actively funding those responsible for it. These factors represent the greatest known threats to Indonesia’s rainforests and local communities.

Read the Palm Oil Investigation by Greenpeace here

What can you do to support the sustainable production of palm oil?

It has been proven that palm oil production is NOT sustainable at present, and that deforestation, and devastation to human life, wildlife, and the environment continues because of it.

Palm oil’s reach is not going away anytime soon. It is found in just about everything — from cookies, chips, and bread, to wide a range of personal care products. Palm oil is part of our lives, but rainforest destruction and the cascading human health effects from the burning and clearing of forests shouldn’t be. Nor should the welfare of workers and neighboring communities who are violated at the cost of producing this vegetable oil.

In our opinion, and many others, the best option to support the sustainable production of palm oil is to AVOID purchasing beauty products (or any products) containing non-RSPO certified palm oil.

The best way to do this is by reading and understanding ingredient labels! DO NOT buy products with palm oil, palm kernel oil, or palm oil derivatives in the ingredient list unless the company states their palm oil ingredients are RSPO certified. It is important to note that when reading labels, ‘Palm Oil’ may not be listed, but one of its 200+ derivatives may be. Orangutan Alliance have compiled a list of alternative names for palm oil which you can read at the end of this article. Familiarizing yourself with some of them may seem a big task but a helpful tip is to avoid ingredients with the root word being ‘palm’ or that have ‘palm’ in it (for e.g., palmitic acid, hydrated palm glycerides, palm kernel, palm kernel oil, palm fruit oil, palmate, palmitic acid, palm stearine, palmitoyle, etc) or other common ‘palm’ derivatives with the words ‘stear’ and ‘laur’ (for e.g., stearate, stearic acid, and sodium lauryl sulfate). In New Zealand it is not a requirement to label a specific oil, ‘vegetable oil’ is acceptable. If an ingredient label states ‘vegetable oil’ then it is more than likely palm oil.

By avoiding products made with palm oil, and supporting companies who choose not to use palm oil, or palm oil derivatives, unless they are RSPO certified, we are being ‘conscious consumers‘. Conscious consumerism is a vital part of sustainability. It is the awareness of how every purchase that we make has an impact on the environment. By being a ‘conscious consumer’, we can all contribute to a more sustainable world that respects basic human rights, protects the environment and the planet so it will be here for future generations to enjoy. We are also sending a strong message that we won’t accept unsustainable and unethical products, giving the rain forests a bit of respite and a chance to survive.

Palm oil sustainability is a very complex issue with many consequences, but we can make a difference by choosing to buy palm oil free products wherever possible. The more we talk about this issue, share information with each other, and make a collective stand against it, the sooner truly sustainable palm oil will be available without the catastrophic effects linked to it now.

Final Thoughts…

The devastation to human life, wildlife, and the environment is simply too high a price to pay when it comes to buying beauty and skincare products that contain palm oil. We should all do what we can to support basic human rights, protect critically endangered species, and preserve our planet. There are companies out there trying to play their part by avoiding the use of non-RSPO certified palm oil in their products and we should do our bit by supporting them.

Natural skincare

Scenturie is a natural skincare brand based in New Zealand that lives by the ethos “Respect for our planet, its resources, and each other. Our products are cruelty-free, 100% vegan, ethically sourced, and free from harmful chemicals. We have chosen to avoid using palm oil and palm oil derivatives in our formulations, wherever possible. We use ‘Brassica alcohols’ as one of our chosen emulsifiers, which are naturally derived from waxes found in plants from the Cabbage (Brassica) family. They are a palm oil-free natural alternative for fatty alcohols used in skincare products. The other natural emulsifiers we use are cetearyl olivate and sorbitan olivate. These ingredients are developed from natural olive derivatives, however, the manufacturing process involves combining them with the ingredient cetearyl alcohol which is a RSPO-certified palm oil derivative. We are always on the lookout for an effective 100% palm oil-free emulsifier but to date we have not found one. This is the closest we can currently get to achieving palm oil-free status. We use NO parabens, sulfates, phthalates, glycols, silicones, phenoxyethanol, or mineral oils in our products. Our packaging is all recyclable, reusable, and compostable, and as part of our committment to ongoing sustainability we offer a returnable product packaging service. 

 

Alternative Names for Palm Oil Derivatives

Below are some examples of how palm oil may be referred to on packaging. This doesn’t mean that all these ingredients are definitely palm oil, (for instance E471 may be palm oil, coconut oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil or canola oil), but they could be. This list is from The Orangutan Alliance.

Acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol (472a/E472a)
Acetylated Monoglycerides
Alkylamidopropyl betaine
Alkyl alcohol
Alkyl betaine
Alkyl ether sulfate
Alkyl Polyglucoside
Aluminum Myristates/Palmitates
Aluminium stearate
Aluminium, calcium, sodium, magnesium salts of fatty acids (470/E470a; E470b)
Amidopropyl betaine
Ammonium laureth sulphate
Ammonium lauryl sulphate
Amphoteric surfactant
Anionic surfactant
APG
Arachamide mea
Ascorbyl palmitate (304)
Ascorbyl stearate
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate (vitamin C)
Azelaic acid
Beta Carotene
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
BTMS
Butyl Myristate
Butyl stearate
Calcium lactylate
Calcium Myristate
Calcium oleyl lactylate
Calcium stearate
Calcium stearoyl lactylate
CAPB
Capric triglyceride
Caprylic acid
Caprylic / Capric Glycerides
Caprylic triglyceride
Caprylic/capric triglyceride
Caprylic/capric/stearic triglyceride
Capryloyl glycine
Caprylyl glycol
Carboxylic acid soap
Carotene (Sometimes made from palm)
Castile soap (often from palm)
Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate
Ceteareth (2-100)
Ceteareth mbsfl laurethulanate
Ceteareth mbhe laurethulanate
Cetearyl alcohol
Cetearyl ethylhexanote
Cetearyl glucoside
Cetearyl isononanoate
Cetearyl and Sorbitan Olivate
Ceteth-20
Ceteth-24
Cetostearyl Alcohol
Cetrimonium Bromide
Cetremonium Chloride
Cetyl acetate
Cetyl alcohol
Cetyl chloride
Cetyl ethylhexanoate
Cetyl hydroxyethylcellulose
Cetyl lactate
Cetyl Myristate
Cetyl octanoate
Cetyl palmitate
Cetylpyridinium chloride
Cetyl ricinoleate
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide
Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride
Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol
Cocoa butter equivalent (CBE)
Cocoa butter substitute (CBS)
Cocamide DEA
Cocamide MEA
Cocamidopropyl betaine
Coco-Caprylate
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
Coco Polyglucose
Cocoyl Sarcosine
Conditioning emulsifier
Decyl Glucoside
Decyl Myristate
Decyl oleate
Diacetyltartaric acid esters of monoglycerides
Diacetyltartaric and fatty acid esters of glycerol
Dicaprylyl ether
Dicocoylethyl Hydroxyethylmonium Methosulfate
Dihydroxystearic acid
Diisostearyl Malate
Dilinoleic acid
Dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate
Di-ppg-2 myreth-10 adipate?
Disodium laureth sulfosuccinate
Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate
Distilled Monoglyceride Palm
Dodecanol
Elaeis guineensis
Emulsifiers: E304, E422, E430, E431, E432, E433, E434, E435, E436, E470, E470a, E470b, E471, E472, E472a, E472b, E472c, E472e, E472f, E473, E474, E475, E476, E477, E478, E479, E480, E481, E482, E483, E493, E494, E495
Emulsifying wax
Epoxidized palm oil (uv cured coatings)
Esterquats
Esters of Myristic Acid
Ethoxylated Lauryl Alcohol
Ethoxylated Monoglycerides
Ethoxylated SMS
Ethoxylated SMO
Ethoxylated STS
Ethyl lauroyl arginate (243)
Ethyl myristate
Ethyl palmitate
Ethylene glycol diesters
Ethylene glycol monoesters
Ethylene glycol monostearate
Ethyl hexyl Esters-2
Ethylhexylglycerin
Ethylhexyl hydroxystearate
Ethylhexyl Isononanoate
Ethylhexyl Myristate
Ethylhexyl Palminate
Ethylhexyl palmitate
Ethylhexyl stearate
Ethylhexylglycerin
Etyl Palmitate
Fatty acids
Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME)
Fatty alcohol alkoxylate
Fatty alcohol sulphates
Fatty amines
Fatty isethionate
FP(K)O – Fractionated Palm Oil
Fractionated Palm Oil
Glycerin
Glycerin or glycerol (442)
Glycerol esters
Glyceryl cocoate
Glyceryl dioleate
Glyceryl Dimyristate
Glyceryl distearate
Glyceryl laurate
Glyceryl Linoleate
Glyceryl monostearate
Glyceryl myristate
Glyceryl oleate
Glyceryl polymethacrylate
Glyceryl Rosinate
Glyceryl stearate
Glyceryl stearate SE
Glycol distearate
Glycol stearate
Guineesis (palm)
Hexadecanoic acid
Hexadecylic
Hexyl laurate
Hexyldecanol
Humectant 422
Humectant glycerol
Hydrated palm glycerides
Hydrogenated palm glycerides
Hydroxy Stearic Linolenic
Isoamyl Laurate
Isobutyl Myristate
Isocetyl alcohol
Isocetyl Myristate
Isocetyl stearate
Isodecyl Myristate
Isodecyl oleate
Isononyl Isononanoate
Isopropyl esters
Isopropyl isostearate
Isopropyl Myristate
Isopropyl palmitate
Isopropyl titanium triisostearate
Isostearamide DEA
Isostearate DEA
Isostearic acid
Isostearyl alcohol
Isostearyl Hydroxystearate
Isostearyl isostearate
Isostearyl Myristate
Isostearyl neopentanoate
Isotridecyl Myristate
Lactic and fatty acid easters of glycerol
Lactylated Monoglycerides
Lauramide DEA
Lauramide MEA
Lauramine oxide
Laureth (Laureth-1, Laureth-2, Laureth-3, Laureth-5, Laureth-6, Laureth-7, Laureth-8, Laureth-9, Laureth-10, Laureth-11, Laureth-12, Laureth-13, Laureth-14, Laureth-15, Laureth-16, Laureth-20, Laureth-21, Laureth-25, Laureth-30, Laureth-38, Laureth-40, Laureth-50)
Lauric acid
Lauroyl Lactylate
Lauroyl Lysine
Lauroyl sarcosine
Lauryl Alcohol
Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylates
Lauryl betaine
Lauryl dimonium hydrolysed collagen
Lauryl lactate
Lauryl glucoside (from palm)
Lauryl Myristate
Lauryl pyrrolidone
Lauryl Sarcosine
Lecithin
Lecithin Isopropyl Palm Oil
Levulinic Acid
Linoleic acid
Magnesium myristate
Magnesium stearate
Metallic salts of lactylic esters of fatty acids
Methyl Myristate
Mixed tartaric, acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol
Mono and di-glycerides of fatty acids
Mono glycerides of fatty acids
Monoglyceride citrate
Monopalmitate
Myreth 3 Myrisrate
Myristate
Myristic acid
Myristic Cetrimonium Chloride Acid
Myristoyl
Myristyl myristate
Myristoyl Sarcosine
Myristoyl Sarcosinate
Myristyl alcohol
Myristyl myristate
N-Butyl Esters
Nonionic surfactant
Octadecanoic acid
Octyl palmitate
Octyl stearate
Octyldodecanol
Octyldodecyl myristate
Octydodecyl stearate
Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate
Oleamide MIPA
Oleic acid
Oleyl betaine
Oleyl Myristate
Oleoyl Sarcosine
Olivem 1000
Oliv-emulse
Oliv-wax LQC
OPKO – Organic Palm Kernel Oil
Palmester
Palm fruit oil
Palmitoleic acid
Palm kernel amidopropyl amine oixde
Palm kernel amidopropyl betaine?
Palm kernel cake
Palm Kernel Diethanolamide
Palm kernel oil
Palm Kernel Olein
Palm Kernel Stearin
Palm oil
Palm olein oil
Palm stearine
Palmate
Palmitate
Palmitamidopropyl betaine
Palmitamidopropyltrimonium chloride
Palmitic acid
Palmitoyl acid
Palmitoyl alcohol
Palmitoyl myristyl serinate
Palm oleic acid
Palmitoyl oligopeptide
Palmitoyl oxostearamide
Palmitoyl tetrapeptide
Palmitoleic acid
Palm Methyl Ester
PBS Base
Palmolein
Palmfonate
Palmosalt
Partially hydrogenated Palm Oil
PEG-150 Distearate
Pentaerythritol tetra caprai caprylate
Pentaerythrityl tetracaprylate/tetracaprate
Pentaerythrityl tetraisostearate
Peptide complex
PG dicaprylate/caprate
PHPKO – Partially hydrogenated Palm Oil
PKO – Palm Kernel Oil
PKO fractionations: Palm Kernel Stearin (PKs); Palm Kernel Olein
PK oleic acid
Planta cleanse
Polyaminopropyl biguanide stearate
Polyethylene (40) stearate (431)
Polyglycerate-60
Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids
Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid
Polyglycerol-2 oleyl ether
Polyglyceryl-3 dilisostearate
Polyglyceryl-3 Palmitate?
Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate
Polyglyceryl-4 laurate
Polyglyceryl-4 oleyl ether
Polyglyceryl-10 heptahydroxystearate
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Polysorbate 60 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate
Polysorbate 65 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate
Polysorbate 80 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monoolate
Polysorbate-20
Polysorbate-40
Polysorbate-60
Polysorbate-65
Polysorbate-80
Polysorbate-85
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
Potassium Myristate
Potassium stearate
Propanediol dicaprylate
Propylene Glycol Alginate
Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids
Propylene glycol laurate
Propylene glycol monoester
Propylene Glycol Myristate
Propylene glycol stearate
Retinyl palmitate
Saponified elaeis guineensis
Saturated Fatty acid
Sleareth
SLES
SLS
sodium alkyl sulfate
Sodium cetearyl sulphate
Sodium cocoyl glutamate
sodium cocoyl glycinate
Sodium cocoyl isethionate
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate
Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS or NaDS)
Sodium Isostearoyl Lactylaye
Sodium lactylate; sodium oleyl lactylate; sodium stearoyl lactylate
Sodium laurate
Sodium laurel
Sodium laureth sulfate
Sodium laureth sulphate
Sodium laureth – 1 sulphate
Sodium laureth – 2 sulphate
Sodium laureth – 3 sulphate
Sodium laureth-13 carboxylate
Sodium lauroamphoacetate
Sodium lauroyl lactylate
Sodium lauryl
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate
Sodium lauryl glucose carboxylate
Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate
Sodium lauryl sulphate
Sodium lauroyl sarcosinate
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
Sodium Myristate
Sodium palm kernelate
Sodium palm kerneloyl isethionate
Sodium palmate
Sodium palmitate
Sodium polyarylsulfonate
Sodium stearate
Sodium stearoyl Fumarate
Sodium stearoyl glutamate
Sodium stearoyl lactylate
Sodium Trideceth sulphate
Solubiliser PS20
Sorbitan Caprylate
Sorbitan Cocoate
Sorbitan Diisostearate
Sorbitan Distearate
Sorbitan ester
Sorbitan isotearate
Sorbitan laurate
Sorbitan monoglyceride
Sorbitan monolaurate
Sorbitan monopalmitate
Sorbitan monostearate (491)
Sorbitan oleate
Sorbitan olivate
Sorbitan palmitate
Sorbitan sesquioleate
Sorbitan trioleate
Sorbitan tristearate
Sorbitan tristearate (492)
Sorbitan triglyceride
Stearalkonium bentonite
Stearalkonium chloride
Stearalkonium hectorite
Stearamide MEA
Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine
Steareth-2
Steareth-7
Steareth-10
Steareth-20
Steareth-21
Stearic acid
Stearic acid or fatty acid (570)
Stearoyl sarcosine
Stearyl alcohol
Stearyl dimethicone
Stearyl heptanoate
Stearyl Stearoyl Stearate
Stearyl tartarate
Stearyltrimethylammonium Chloride
Stearoyl lactic acid
Stearoyl Sarcosine
Steartrimonium chloride
Succinylated monoglycerides
Sucrose esters of fatty acids
Sucrose stearate
Sucroseesters of fatty acids
Sulphonated Methyl Esters
Surfactant CCG
Taxanomic
TEA-lauryl sulphate
TEA-stearate
Tetradecyloctadecyl Myristate
TMP esters
Tocotrienols (Vitamin E)
Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Tocopheryl linoleate
Triacetin
Triacetin (1518)
Tribehenin
Tricaprylin
Tricaprylyl Citrate
Tridecyl Myristate
Trifluoroacetyl Tripeptide-2
Triisostearoyl polyglyceryl-3 dimer dilinoleate
Tristearin
Veg-emulse
Vegetable emulsifier
Vegetable glycerin
Vegetable Oil
Vitamin A palmitate
Vitamin C Ester
Yeast with 491
Zinc Myristate
Zinc stearat

Palm Oil: The Ugly Truth Read More »

sustainable living

Sustainable Living – What on EARTH does it all mean and why does it matter?

Sustainable living is a term we hear lots of lately, but what does it really mean, how does it work, it is really that important, and what (if anything) should we be doing about it?

Sustainable living - what does it mean?

Wikipedia’s definition of sustainability is ‘avoiding the depletion of natural resources to maintain ecological balance allowing the Earth’s biosphere (worldwide sum of all ecosystems) and human civilization to co-exist’. Simply put… Sustainability is making sure we look after our planet if we want to survive! 

How does it work?

The concept of sustainability consists of three pillars: economics, environment, and society, represented below in the Venn diagram. All three parts are connected by their sub-circles and in the centre of it all is true sustainability. Changing one part of the system has a direct effect on all other parts of the system. The three pillars depend on each other and cannot exist without each other.

sustainable-living-venn-diagram
Image Credit Penn State University

Is sustainability really that important?

ABSOLUTELY YES! Sustainability is arguably one of the most important things in the world right now that everyone needs to know about, and act on.

If you have not already watched the incredible Sir David Attenborough’s 2020 documentary ‘A Life on our Planet’ you must watch it. You can view the trailer in the link here: https://www.netflix.com/nz/title/80216393.

As Sir David Attenborough explains, the human race is facing extinction if we do not act and make changes to the way we live now. What we all do now, collectively and as individuals, will determine the future of the generations we leave behind, and the future of our planet.

Living more sustainably starts with ONE person making small changes…That person is YOU. The time is NOW.

What should we be doing to live more sustainably?

There are lots of different strategies, actions and lifestyle tweaks that together make up a much more sustainable way of living.  

Here are some practical ways to live a more sustainable life & do your bit to help save the planet:

SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Ways to live a more sustainable life

1. Minimise waste – reduce, reuse, recycle 

When we buy a product, we also buy any waste associated with the product. We are all responsible for waste, it starts with us and ends with us. New Zealanders throw away more rubbish per person than in most other developed countries. About 93% of the raw materials used by humans get thrown away during manufacture and then 80% of the stuff we buy is thrown away after one use.

The first step in minimising waste is only buying the products you need. Avoid excessive packaging and recycle everything that you can. Consider what you buy…paper, glass and aluminium are best. If plastic is the only option, choose types 1, 2 and 4 as they are the most common and cost effective to recycle and represent 84% of all plastics that are recycled in New Zealand.

Separate your household rubbish into things that can be reused before you throw anything out to be collected. A lot of your kitchen waste can be used in your vegetable garden and many household items, furniture, electrical appliances, or old clothes can be rebuilt, reused, or recycled. If you do not need something that is still useful donate it to a local charity.

Here are some other ways you can minimise waste:

  • Refuse junk mail and advertising circulars at the mailbox by placing a small sticker that says: ‘No unaddressed mail/No junk mail’. These can be purchased from hardware stores or make your own.
  • Take reusable bags to shops, and resealable clean food containers to the supermarket for things like meat, chicken, and fish.
  • Buy items in bulk.
  • Identify new uses for packaging that you get regularly (see below) or recycle it if its unavoidable.
  • Buy a battery charger and use rechargeable batteries (NiMh preferred to NiCad)
  • Use washable nappies not disposables, if there is a baby at home.
Here is a great way to reuse plastic milk bottles: plant a herb garden.
Use recycled bottles to make bird feeders.

2. Make informed choices and buy sustainable products whenever you can

Make a change to your purchasing practices by choosing sustainable goods and services, and supporting brands that promote sustainability and, most importantly, back it up. Question how a brand can be sustainable if their products are contained in plastic.  If a company sends products to you in plastic wrapping or plastic courier packs and claims to be a sustainable brand is this okay? There are plenty of sustainable, environmentally friendly options available, it all comes down to cost, and whether that company values profit over sustainability. 

Scenturie Natural Skincare Range
Choose sustainable skincare products packaged in glass or aluminium, not plastic.

3. Grow fruit and vegetables in your own garden

You can help reduce your carbon footprint and reduce negative environmental impacts by growing your own food in your backyard. Planting vegetables in your garden has many benefits. You can grow your own produce without using any chemicals or pesticides, compost your kitchen waste to use as fertilizer, enjoy freshly grown vegetables from your own backyard, and teach your children or grandchildren how to live a more sustainable, healthy life.

4. Eat less meat

The livestock sector consumes a significant amount of natural resources and contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. Trees play an important role in keeping CO2 emissions under control. Millions of square kilometers of forests have been cleared worldwide for grazing pastures, removing the “natural carbon sinks”. CO2 levels inevitably rise and climate change worsens. From a health perspective, research clearly shows that a high dietary intake of red meat and processed meat increases the risk of obesity, cancer and heart disease.

You can reduce your impact on the planet, as well as improving your health, simply by consuming fewer meat products.  Try giving up one meal a week, it all makes a difference! 

5. Avoid products with palm oil

Palm oil is used extensively in the cosmetic and food industries and the global demand for it continues to rise with consumption exceeding 70 million metric tons annually. Palm oil has been, and continues to be, a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, causing mass destruction to the habitats of already endangered species, and contributing to climate change by releasing millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The haze from Indonesian forest fires, many deliberately set to clear land for oil palms, caused at least 12,000 premature deaths in 2015 alone. Human rights abuses, such as child labour and forced evictions, have been well documented. On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, palm oil companies have sometimes bulldozed entire indigenous villages, leaving their residents homeless and reliant on government handouts.

Orangutans in Borneo where rainforest has been cleared for palm oil plantations. ULET IFANSASTI/GETTY IMAGES

Ironically palm is the most efficient oil on the planet to produce. Only 25% of the land and water are required to produce 1L of palm oil, versus 1L of coconut oil. Sustainable palm production is the best way forward, but it is a complex challenge. It is currently impossible to separate sustainable from unsustainable palm and the existing standards don’t ban deforestation or the immensely problematic development of palm plantations. In 2019, The Times reported that major suppliers of “sustainable” palm oil to Britain’s biggest supermarkets and food brands were linked to devastating rainforest fires.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is working to unite those operating in the industry by developing criteria for companies who want to be considered as sustainable palm users with a certification to prove it. This is a process with a long way to go before it can be proven to be sustainable. Unfortunately, in the meantime, the industry is still destroying the lives of people, animals and the environment. 

Many ingredients listed on product labels (see below) are palm oil in disguise. Become familiar with these ingredients and try to avoid buying products that contain them. If your favourite products do contain these ingredients check with the company producing them that the palm oil they use is RSPO certified. If not, then find another brand that has made the effort to ensure that it is.

INGREDIENTS: Vegetable Oil, Vegetable Fat, Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmolein, Glyceryl, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Elaeis Guineensis, Palmitic Acid, Palm Stearine, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Kernelate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate, Hyrated Palm Glycerides, Etyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Palmityl Alcohol

= CONTAINS: Palm oil

6. Purchase energy efficient appliances

Replace all your old home appliances with energy efficient ones, they will pay for themselves in the long run. Check the star rating and buy items with the highest star rating you can afford. Energy efficient appliances are better insulated and save energy, such as new water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioning, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.

7. Conserve energy

Conserving energy helps reduce your power bill as well as promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. Insulating your house, installing double glazing, replacing old or faulty appliances and fittings, switching to LED light bulbs, and installing solar panels are all great ways to help conserve energy. Small things like remembering to turn off lights and air-conditioning when you leave the room, unplugging your appliances while not in use, and closing windows when heat or air conditioning is on, make a big difference long-term in saving energy, reducing environmental footprints, and reducing power bills.

Other ideas to reduce your power bill and conserve energy include:

  • Keep lids on pots and pans when cooking.
  • On hot summer days draw curtains or blinds to shade and cool the room instead of turning on a fan or air-conditioning.
  • Dry clothes outside on a clothesline or rack instead of in a dryer.
  • Close curtains at dusk in winter to keep the warmth in.
  • Ventilate bathroom and kitchen fans to outside the house.

8. Conserve water

Although water covers 71% of the earth’s surface, less than 3.5% of water is fresh and salt-free with much of this being frozen in glaciers. This leaves only 1% of potential drinking water from streams, lakes, and underground reserves. Most of this ‘fresh’ water is inaccessible to people or has become too polluted for use without treatment. Very few NZ homes collect and store rainwater – more could do so.

Did you know that we only drink around 5% of the water we use? The other 95% goes down the drain from showers, taps, laundries and toilets, as well as use in gardens (BRANZ Auckland water use study, 2008).

There are many ways you can reduce your household water use and reduce pollution going into waterways:

  • Wash windows and car using a bucket and sponge, not a hose. Reduce stream pollution from detergents and debris, by washing your car on a lawn or gravel area, not on the road seal. Road drains are intended only for rain, not detergent, oils, paints, or other household waste.
  • Use half-flush button when flushing the toilet & ‘if its yellow, let it mellow’.
  • Wear your clothes until they are dirty, so you reduce your clothes washing.
  • Use cold water to wash your laundry instead of hot.
  • Turn off the tap when you clean your teeth.
  • Reduce your shower time to under 4 minutes.
  • Use a hand-held watering can to water garden beds instead of sprinklers, and let lawns stop growing in mid-summer – it is unnatural for grass to be bright green through the hottest months.
  • Use mulch on your garden to reduce the frequency of watering

9. Choose alternative transport modes

Carpooling, cycling, walking, and/or using public transport more often will reduce your transportation costs as well as reducing carbon emissions from your car. If we all took an alternative transport option every now and then instead of driving our cars, it would have a positive impact on the air quality of our cities.

10. Plant a tree

Planting more trees and plants has many environmental, economic, and social benefits. Trees improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, as well as giving us food and shade. Trees also combat greenhouse effects, reduce the pressure on heating and cooling therefore saving energy.

11. Support organisations dedicated to sustainability

Find non-profit organizations in your area that promote sustainability and join these groups. There are also many organizations promoting sustainability and environmental awareness on the internet. You can easily get involved and help these organizations promote sustainability. Joining and helping a few sustainable organizations can go a long way in making a big difference in our local communities, society, and environment.

12. Shop local

Support your local economy by buying from small local businesses rather than buying from large commercial stores. By buying locally you are helping hard working people like yourself to make a living and support their families, as well as casting a vote against a world practically choking on shipping emissions. If you buy online, make sure you support ethical, sustainable online stores.

13. Have your say

Use your voice, either directly through raising awareness and standing up for change or indirectly through making sure what you spend your money on really counts.

The most important thing you can do is to vote for those challenging the status quo, making positive environmental and social change; demand better from our leaders in power and vote with your dollar by supporting those that are making a difference.

Whatever, or however, you choose to embrace sustainable living, you are making a difference. Keep learning about it and talking about it. Keep thinking of ways that you and your family can tackle this global crisis and make a difference. Big changes start with small steps…Keep walking the path towards more sustainable living, you can do it! We must do it…

Kia tū Ngātahi – let us stand together. 

This is our chance to make a difference!

The future of our planet really does depend 

on what each of us do TODAY.

 

Sustainable Living – What on EARTH does it all mean and why does it matter? Read More »

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