Searching for genuinely natural and sustainable skin care products in an industry dominated by deceptive marketing tactics designed to mislead and cover up egregious practices can be a lot like looking for a needle in a haystack. If you’re like me, you want authentically natural and effective skin care solutions that are ethically sourced with a focus on sustainability. To do otherwise seems both unhealthy and environmentally irresponsible. While many commercial skin care companies market their products as "natural" or "sustainable," not many come close to actually living up to those claims. Those shortcomings aren’t obvious from the product labels, themselves, and require more research than most people have time for to understand exactly where and how those claims fall short. 

Take, for instance, the case of Johnson & Johnson, a giant company that made itself a household name decades ago selling baby products to millions and millions of people around the world. For years that company marketed its “talcum baby powder” as both sustainable and healthy for children and adults. Years later, it was finally disclosed that the J&J Baby Powder contained asbestos, a known carcinogen, and that the company continued marketing it knowing those facts. That frightening revelation crushed consumer trust and confidence and cast a serious and legitimate cloud of doubt on that brand and its credibility. There are too many other examples to detail in this blog, but we’ve all come to know and appreciate that this is a “buyer beware” world where the onus is on us to find the products that actually deliver on their promises and not get ripped off.

Marketing companies have twisted the definition of words like "natural" and "sustainable" to the point that they are virtually meaningless. They know health and sustainability conscious consumers look for those words to inform their purchasing choices, but instead of conforming their practices to fit within the commonly understood definition of those terms, they changed the definitions, instead. Conscientious consumers are left with the daunting and often exhausting task of researching each of the ingredients on the label and the company’s opaque sourcing and production practices to determine if the product is truly “natural” or “sustainable.” The practice of misleading consumers in this fashion is so prevalent that it has evolved its own name: Greenwashing. Companies are very good at Greenwashing and spend millions on marketing and social engineering strategies to figure out how to create a sense of consumer trust even when they know their product is not really what you’re looking for.

There is hope. With the rise of social media and online forums, consumers now have more access to crowd sourced action and information than ever before. With those tools consumers can better scrutinize the practices and authenticity of claims that their products are “natural” and their practices “sustainable.” The good news is that there are a growing number of ethical skin care brands providing high quality all natural skin care using truly sustainable practices. As consumers become more discerning about the products they use on their skin, the demand for eco-friendly and ethically sourced skin care options is on the rise.

At BBA, we take pride in creating and defining truly natural and sustainable skin care, not just as a trend, but as a way of life. Companies like ours are emphasizing honesty, transparency and authenticity, not just glitzy marketing, to explain the effectiveness and quality of their products and their commitment to environmental stewardship. These brands typically prioritize ethical sourcing, work to minimize their environmental footprint and directly engage in meaningful dialogue with their customers. As consumers become more discerning and demand higher standards from the brands they support, the landscape of the skin care industry is gradually shifting. By educating ourselves, remaining vigilant, asking critical questions and supporting ethical brands, consumers have the power to accelerate positive change, drive meaningful progress and shape a more sustainable future.

In today’s blog, I’ll explain my journey at BBA to create all natural farm-to-face sustainable skin care, delving deep into the ethos of ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and holistic well-being. I’ll explain our process, where our hands feed, turn and tend the soil to plant, grow and carefully cultivate the plants and botanicals that we distill and formulate to provide highly effective, truly natural skin care products that not only nourish and nurture your skin, but also our collective consciousness and goal of doing good things for good people and our planet. Through the lens of regenerative farming practices, we celebrate sustainability and the vibrant biodiversity and effectiveness of botanicals known for centuries for their nourishing and healing properties. We strive to build trust while challenging conventional beauty standards, one mindful step at a time. We see ourselves as conductors of a farm to face symphony based on sustainability and authenticity.

Understanding Sustainable Practices For Skin care Companies

Sustainability in skin care is a multifaceted concept that encompasses environmental, social and economic considerations. It goes beyond just using organic ingredients—it's about adopting practices that minimize harm to the planet and support the well-being of communities. As a LEED Green Associate and Green Globes Professional, I have a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of sustainability. Beyond that, I have years of practical experience applying those principles, managing projects that led to green certifications for businesses with millions of square feet of operating space. I know how sustainability principles can be applied and misapplied by unscrupulous companies, including many in the skin care industry, as well as how those principles should properly be applied by any company with a sincere commitment to sustainable practices.

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the environmental impact of conventional skin care products. From the depletion of natural resources to the use of unhealthy laboratory chemicals to the unnecessary generation of huge amounts of plastic waste, the mainstream beauty industry has come under scrutiny for a variety of unsustainable and harmful practices. As consumers become more informed and concerned with their health and the environment, they are naturally seeking and rightly demanding alternatives that align with those values.

Cultivating Nature's Bounty With The Power of Botanicals

At BBA, we believe in harnessing the power of nature to create effective and sustainable skin care solutions that keep your skin healthy and happy at any age. That's why I obtained my Medicinal Plant Certification from Cornell University and why we built and maintain thriving botanical gardens on our own family farm, where we personally plant, nurture and cultivate the soil and a diverse range of medicinal plants, including calendula, chamomile, lavender and yarrow. Those plants serve as the foundation for our all-natural skin care concentrates, and we’ve developed a painstaking process to naturally distill the potent active ingredients contained in each and which have been proven through history to nourish and rejuvenate the skin.

Our botanical gardens are more than just a source of ingredients—they're a testament to our commitment to sustainability. By growing our own botanicals, we reduce our reliance on industrial agriculture and minimize the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Plus, we have full control over the growing process, ensuring that our plants are cultivated in harmony with the environment. In fact, we’ve adopted harvesting practices originated by Shaolin Monks, where we purposefully wait and harvest our flowers only when they are at their peak opening, ensuring their essential oils are at their most potent. It’s hard and hot work, but we think the extra effort makes a big difference that sets us apart.

Nurturing the Earth With Regenerative Farming Practices

As a former sustainability manager for a Fortune 500 company on the Las Vegas Strip, I gained firsthand experience about sophisticated regenerative farming practices designed to minimize negative environmental impacts. These practices, such as crop rotation, composting and natural pest control, are essential for preserving soil health, conserving water and promoting biodiversity.

At BBA, we apply these same principles at our family farm and in our botanical gardens, ensuring that our plants thrive in a regenerative and sustainable environment. By nurturing the soil and cultivating a diverse ecosystem, we not only minimize our environmental footprint but actively contribute to the health of our land.

Cultivating Community and Biodiversity With Our Sustainable Sourcing Ethos

 We strive to source any ingredients we don’t grow ourselves as close to home as possible. Over the years we’ve developed, cultivated and nourished a small yet reliable network of ethical suppliers who share our values. Prioritizing collaboration with local farmers and cooperatives, we champion small-scale producers and indigenous communities. By ethically sourcing our ingredients directly from these communities, we promote fair wages and empower local economies.

We deeply value biodiversity in skin care. Embracing the rich mosaic of plant species and botanical traditions, we pay homage to nature's diversity. By integrating only carefully researched and selected natural ingredients into our artisan skin care concentrates, we not only unlock their distinctive benefits but also contribute to conservation efforts.

Concentrates

Fundamentally, unlike most skin care products, we only make skin care concentrates. That means a little goes a long way, literally. Most companies use water in their products, primarily to create volume and the appearance that you are getting more for your money. But water is essentially free. And when you introduce water to any solution, you introduce the microbes in that water that create ideal conditions for microbial growth that can only be curbed and mitigated by introducing chemical preservatives, many of which are known endocrine disruptors. Most skin care companies, therefore, are selling you free water mixed with chemicals to disguise that fact. We don’t do that. Because our products are concentrates of natural oils and botanicals, they have a naturally long shelf life and do not require any chemical preservatives. The only thing you’ll see on our labels are the all natural ingredients that go into our products. No artificial colors, no synthetic fragrances or chemical preservatives. Best yet, our bottles are glass, not plastic. And while our bottles may be smaller than our competitors, the concentrated nature of our skin care treatments means you actually get substantially more for your money. We aren’t selling you free water, chemicals or plastic. Just apply a dot of our concentrates to your already damp skin at home and, voila, better skin care at a better price in a small, glass bottle with a significantly smaller environmental footprint than the larger plastic bottled chemical intensive products you buy off the shelf.

Innovative Packaging Solutions

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond the ingredients in our little glass bottles to every aspect of our operations, including packaging. We recognize that traditional packaging materials contribute to the global plastic pollution crisis, which is why we've invested in innovative solutions to minimize waste and reduce our environmental impact.

One of the ways we've tackled this issue is by using upcycled paper from other vendors to wrap our bottles. By repurposing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, we give new life to clean waste and minimize our reliance on and use of virgin resources. Additionally, our packaging peanuts are made from compostable materials, ensuring that they break down harmlessly in the environment. Toss them in the garden or feed them to your pigs, it’s all good.

But our efforts don't stop there. We're constantly exploring new ways to innovate and further reduce waste in our packaging. By prioritizing sustainability in every aspect of our packaging design, we're trying to set an example and pave the way for a greener future for the skin care industry.

Transparency and Integrity: The Foundation of Trust

In an industry rife with Greenwashing and false claims, transparency and integrity are essential for building trust with consumers. I sought and earned my medicinal plant certification from Cornell University because I want to hold myself to the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our customers can trust that every product with a BBA label is truly sustainable, with ingredients sourced ethically and practices rooted in environmental stewardship and time tested botanical wisdom.

But transparency isn't just about what goes into our products—it's also about how they're made. That's why we're committed to full supply chain transparency, from seed to shelf. We work closely with our suppliers to ensure fair labor practices and ethical sourcing at every level, so our customers can feel good about every purchase they make.

Empowering Consumers With Education and Awareness

At BBA, we believe that education is key to driving positive change in the skin care industry. That's why we're committed not only to providing a great skin care treatment regimen, but also to empowering consumers with education and knowledge about sustainable skin care practices and the importance of making informed choices.

Through our “Taking it Old School With Grandma Gwennie” Instagram series, website, blog and social media channels, we try to provide valuable resources and information to help consumers learn and navigate away from toxicity towards all natural and truly sustainable skin care. From ingredient spotlights to non-toxic cleaning recipes to tips for reducing waste, we are always trying to educate and inspire our community to make greener choices, not just for their skin, but for themselves, their families and the planet as a whole.

Our educational initiatives extend beyond just skin care tips—we also aim to raise awareness about broader environmental issues and the interconnectedness of our choices. By fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of consumer behavior on the planet, we are trying to empower our customers and build a community interested in being agents of change in their own lives and communities.

Nurturing Community With Partnerships and Collaboration

Sustainability is not just about what happens within the walls of our company—it's about collaborating with like-minded organizations and building a community of partners and clients to drive collective action. That's why we're proud to partner with local farmers, environmental nonprofits, and other businesses that share our commitment to sustainability.

Through these partnerships, we're able to amplify our impact and work toward common goals, whether it's promoting regenerative agriculture, advocating for policy change or supporting community-based initiatives. By coming together as a collective force for good, we can all contribute to a brighter and more sustainable future.

Continuous Improvement, Innovation and Adaptation

As a company dedicated to sustainability, we recognize that our journey is never complete. There's always more we can do to minimize our environmental footprint, improve our practices, and better serve our customers and the planet.

That's why we're committed to continuous improvement and innovation. Whether it's exploring new sustainable ingredients, refining our farming practices, or experimenting with innovative packaging solutions, we're always looking for ways to push the boundaries of what's possible in sustainable skin care.

But innovation doesn't just happen from within—it's also driven by feedback and collaboration with our customers and community. We listen to their needs, preferences and concerns, and use that input to inform our decisions and drive positive change. Unlike most skin care companies you’ll find that we stay engaged. You talk to us, we talk back. You have a great idea, we’re happy to hear it. Need to know more from us? We’re happy to share. Got a skin problem? We’ll try to solve it.

In addition to our efforts to minimize waste and reduce packaging, we're also committed to minimizing our carbon footprint through Green Logistics and Transportation. We are increasing our partnerships with eco-conscious logistics providers that prioritize sustainable transportation options, such as electric vehicles and carbon-neutral shipping. 

Spreading the Green Message: Advocacy and Leadership

As leaders in the sustainable skin care movement, we have a responsibility to use our platform to advocate for broader change. That's why we're committed to raising awareness about environmental issues, promoting sustainable practices and inspiring others to join us in our mission.

Through speaking engagements, thought leadership articles and participation in industry events, we're working to shift the conversation around skin care towards one that prioritizes all natural goodness over laboratory generated synthetics, embracing the skin you’re in regardless of age and building a truly sustainable business model while advocating and practicing responsible environmental stewardship. By sharing our knowledge, experiences and insights, we hope to inspire others to take similar action to make a positive impact in their own lives and communities.

Investing in Community With Corporate Social Responsibility

As a socially responsible company, we believe in giving back to the communities that support us. Through our corporate social responsibility initiatives, we invest in programs and projects that promote environmental conservation, education and social welfare.

Whether it's sponsoring tree-planting initiatives, supporting local schools, or donating skin care products to underserved communities, we're committed to making a positive impact beyond our bottom line. By investing in community development and environmental stewardship, we're able to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Sustainable skin care is not just a trend—it's a fundamental shift towards a more conscientious and responsible approach to natural beauty and true health. At Botanical Bee Apothecary, we're proud to be at the forefront of this movement, trying to lead by example and inspire others. With BBA, customers can trust that they're not just purchasing high quality all natural skin care products— but they're supporting a company that's truly dedicated to making a positive impact.

Join us. Together, we can create a greener, healthier and more beautiful world for generations to come.

Botanically Yours,

Dena S.
Founder, Botanical Bee Apothecary