Eco-Friendly Brand Spotlight | Yves Rocher Botanical Skincare

I don't know if I've ever shared this on the blog, but geography and the environment have always been fascinating topics to me, so much so that my major in university combined both! For as long as I can remember, I've had an appreciation for nature and organizations or companies that make an effort to better their carbon footprint. Funny enough, I was never taught about veganism in my formal education, and it wasn't until a few years ago that I decided to make the switch after doing my own research, and one of the major reasons I did so was that going plant-based and changing my consumption habits actually do make a huge impact on bettering our planet. I've been working in partnership with Yves Rocher* for nearly a year now, and while I was familiar with the brand before, I did not realize how environmentally-friendly they are, which of course made me want to learn more about what they do!

Yves Rocher is conscious about the ingredients that go into their products, which contain over 250 active botanicals that are sourced from around the world and that have been carefully selected by their research teams for their cosmeceutical properties. From chamomile cultivated at their 55 hectare farm in La Gacilly, France to working with local women in Morocco who produce certified organic argan oil and who also receive a fund as part of Yves Rocher's development program for fair treatment of workers, it is evident that the respect of nature and its employees are at the forefront of their mission. They do not use genetically modified ingredients, with preference given to certified organic ones. The brand has also been cruelty-free for nearly 30 years and their focus has been on reducing waste by using recyclable plastic in the packaging of many of their products as well as developing biodegradable formulas. They are constantly working on new innovative products and on bettering their existing line of products.

I want to share some of my top green picks from their line, including some new eco-friendly products that have just come out!

I mentioned the I Love My Planet Radiance Shampoo (C$5.95) in my recent empties video and I just love how soft and shiny it makes my hair look, and what is even better is that for each bottle that is sold, a tree is also planted! Enriched with lemon juice which is known to create a brightening effect as well as vitamin E and both a botanical cleansing base and detangling agent, this shampoo is made with a biodegradable formula that is suitable for all hair types. I'm also a big fan of their new Low Shampoo (C$5.95/US$6), which I reviewed in detail in this video. It's an all-in-one product that will save you both time and money while being good for both your hair health and the planet.

Recently added to their I Love My Planet line, the Concentrated Shower Gels (C$8) come in 100 mL bottles, which equals to about 40 shower uses - a more eco-friendly version of their 400 mL counterparts. Available in three scents: Mango Coriander (my favourite!), Olive Petitgrain and Bourbon Vanilla, the formula is preservative and paraben free and the packaging uses 50% less plastic and greenhouse gas emissions compared to their original full-size bottles. The concentrated botanical cleansing base allows for the tiniest amount to slightly mousse and easily spread when massaged into the skin. These would also be perfect to take on holiday or a weekend getaway to save on space!

Speaking of eco-friendly packaging, the Hydra Végétal Refreshing Cleansing Gel (C$16) comes in an eco-friendly tube that is made with 25% less plastic than its previous version. This refreshing face wash is made with maple sap which has been sourced from an eco-conscious supplier and the formula contains 93% natural ingredients. Free of mineral oil and paraben free, the product has a fresh scent and does not leave my face feeling tight or dry like other gel cleansers I have tried in the past. It lathers very lightly and I love using it in the morning to really wake me up and start the day with a clean face.

A product that I have also really been enjoying is their Scrub to Mix (C$18). It allows you to custom make your own exfoliating wash by mixing the powder into your gel cleansers. It is made with 100% natural ingredients and is basically a mix of pumice, green clay, apricot seed powder, Baikal powder, sugarcane, chamomile and cellulose. Just combine up to half a teaspoon of the mix into your cleanser and it will help slough off dead skin cells when massaged in circular motions and reveal a brighter complexion once rinsed off. I've been using it once a week and love how smooth it makes my skin feel and how gentle and non-abrasive it is too!

On days when I wear a full face of makeup and need something a little more heavy duty to wash everything off, I've been reaching for the White Botanical Exceptional Cleansing Oil (C$20). The application process is quite interesting since it is meant to be applied on dry skin. I squirt a bit onto my hand and then massage it onto my face until it starts foaming and dissolving my makeup. While it feels oily at first, once it is rinsed off it does not leave an oily residue. The active ingredients are white lupin extract and licorice powder which were discovered to be anti-aging and help maintain a youthful appearance. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this cleansing oil removes my makeup and have been reaching for it regularly.

And there you have it, some of my top green recommendations from Yves Rocher!

Are you familiar with this eco-conscious brand? Which of these products would you be interested in trying?

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*Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Yves Rocher. Some affiliate links are provided. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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Review, Skin Care