With Earth Day right around the corner, we wanted to share with you 8 sustainable habits you can adopt for a healthier relationship with our planet. After all, it does so much for us! We even threw in our fave DIY hydrating face mask recipe that’s kind to your skin and the planet.
1. Become a plant parent!
Plants are a growing trend in skincare, and frankly, it’s a trend we can’t get enough of. In addition to the growing number of studies hyping up the plant-based skincare vibe, there’s also endless research supporting the wonders plants can do to our mental wellbeing. Talk about working from the inside out! If you cast your mind back to Year 1 Science, we often overlook the simple fact that plants release oxygen back into the air. Literal. Lifesavers.
Now, save that trip to Bunnings (and the petrol) and simply take a cutting from a friend's Monstera, or Aloe Vera plant, there’s no need to spend a dime. Mother Earth sure does provide! More the reason we give her some lovin’ every day, not just on Earth Day.
2. Micromanage microplastics out of your life.
Some claim that micro-beads are no longer used in skincare, but we’re a cynical bunch and suggest remaining vigilant when it comes to purchasing your next exfoliant or body wash with added ‘bursts of freshness’. To avoid micro-beads that wash off your body and into our waterways, give our Cleanser and Powder Exfoliant a go. Both are gentle enough to be used every day, all over the face and body. Winning!
And if you think it’s just micro-beads that are the problem, microplastics are still found in skincare, and they’re hardly hiding! These microscopic minis are causing more than their fair share of headaches and heartaches for all involved.
Take matters into your own hands and check out this list of ingredients proven to contain plastics.
Note: there are 571 ingredients listed here, so to save you (a lot) of time, just know that we avoid these more than you avoid your ex.
3. Nourish your body with fresh food.
While our skincare range is pretty great, it can’t work miracles. Be sure to nourish your body with fresh food, and see your skin glow up. Yup, you’ve heard it from the horse's mouth – glowing skin does come from within. * Mic drop. *
Aside from the personal benefits of getting fancy in the kitchen with some fresh produce, the Earth appreciates it too. Fast food is over-processed and overpackaged. The energy and resources it takes to process packet food and produce the packaging it goes into is astounding and well, majorly OTT. Walk on over to your local farmer's market and check out the beautiful array of fresh produce and delicious local cheeses. And who knows, you might clock yourself a cute farmer guy/girl.
While we could go on and on (and on, some more) about this hot tip, instead we’ll leave you with some (virtual) food for thought. Did you know our gut is considered our second brain? Uh-huh, this isn’t hippy hype. There’s a plethora of studies to back it up. So, we’re super serious (well, as serious as we’ll ever get) about nourishing your body with less meat and more veggies, fruits, nuts and legumes. It’s a win-win for the planet and you! A symbiotic relationship, if you must.
4. It’s detox time baby!
Step away from the skinny tea, I repeat step away from the skinny tea!
Ugh, juice, tea and anything in between a detox or cleanse make our skin crawl. They’re great if you want to poop your way to poor health, but offer little to no other benefits.
Instead, we recommend detoxing your environment from the things that no longer serve you. This may include learning about the ingredients and materials in your life that can impact your skin, body, mind and the planet. Don’t forget to dispose of everything mindfully, clothes should be donated (buh-bye fast fashion) and anything with toxins, be sure to toss out carefully. This includes skincare and household cleaning products, cause after all, they’re going to end up in our waterways or landfill.
This process will be such a great mental release for you, we swear by a home detox every 3 months when the seasons change. Not quite on board? Google the Marie Kondo method!
5. Become more mindful of waste.
We’d hate to be the bearer of bad news, but did you know not a single cosmetic pump in the world gets recycled? If that doesn’t get your heart racing this Earth Day, we don’t know what will. It’s not as easy as the red and yellow bins out on your driveway, recycling is complex and expensive. A simple hack to hack recycling is to break down all your waste into each component and take the time to learn which parts are eligible to be recycled. When it comes to our range, we give you the rundown on what goes where on our Sustainability Page.
Saying that we encourage you to take your efforts one step further & repurpose where you can! This word is majorly undervalued in the sustainability scene. Once you’ve finished your fave Cleanser (refill options coming soon), why not cut the top off, flip it upside down and have yourself an uber-cute and green (literally) plant pot!
Besides the waste from your bedroom and bathroom. Have you ever thought about composting? Divert all those food scraps and wastes from ending up in landfill and get some nourishing food for that plant in the cute green pot you made from your old Cleanser bottle. Look at you go! Don’t forget, small steps lead to big change.
6. Seek more sustainable solutions for everyday items.
Convenience is a way of life, but with a little organisation (take some inspiration from your Virgo friends here) you could make some small changes that will quite possibly put a tear in Greta Thunberg’s eye.
With Earth Day looming, you’ll see a lot of ‘plastic-free’ talk and endless buzzwords surrounding the topic. Our world is never going to be plastic-free, just like heartbreak, it’s inevitably going to be all around us, shaking its thang up in everyone's grill. Simply seek re-useable alternatives where you can. Starting mundane, with everyday items like water bottles, coffee cups and your pet's poo bags.
Here’s a fun one, wash out that empty peanut butter jar you have sitting in the recycling and have yourself an albeit, rustic ice (caramel, anyone with me?!) latte jar with a handy dandy lid to take to your next meeting! Get creative, keep it simple, and give yourself a pat on the back for doing your best.
7. Support local, support community.
It’s time to support local, support the community and let the planet reap the rewards.
As briefly mentioned back in sustainable step #3, take a trip to your local farmers market, support small businesses and make that new independent coffee shop your new local. These businesses purchase locally which cuts out the middleman - transportation and the carbon emissions that come with it. Yeah, Champagne from France is divine, but have you tried a sparkling wine from Mount Tambourine?
And circling back to your second brain, the gut, eating food in season provides a greater variety for your microbiome, and a healthy gut means a healthy body, mind and skin!
By doing this you’re even supporting the Australian economy. It’s a win all round! We’re proud to be a small Gold Coast-based and owned business that manufactures our products right here in Australia.
8. Get into some DIY plant-based skincare.
We’d argue that DIY skincare is better than homemade Margi's, but nothing beats DIY skincare with a homemade Margi! And it’s easier than you think.
If you’re feeling like a last-minute pamper sesh but don’t want to wait for the Postie to drop off your next order of A bit Hippy, it’s time to take matters into your own hands. Save some plastic and those dollars in your pocket! Here’s what you do:
DIY Hydrating Face Mask
- 1 Tbsp Aloe Vera flesh from your Aloe plant. Or, from the store, if you don’t have one handy.
- ½ a small cucumber. Juice it or add the whole thing in by grating it.
- 1 Tsp of natural Yoghurt. Any will do, vegan or not. Just be sure it’s natural and unsweetened.
- Mix all the ingredients.
- Apply liberally all over that cute face of yours.
- Prepare your next Margi or pamper beverage of choice
- Wash off your mask and follow with a Face Cream and Oil to lock in hydration.
Now you’re fully equipped to take some sustainable steps this Earth Day, what steps are you going to turn into long term changes?
