Radiant; Palm Oil Love.

It’s a personal cause, one from the heart, and here believe we all want to embrace it; yet is it just SO complicated. Being good to the environment is not difficult per se, but it can certainly be confusing. Every London borough, for example, has different rules on what we can and can’t recycle, and each week there seems to be something else we need to lose from our lives if we are to do our bit.

And we all want to do our bit. The saying is that it doesn’t take a few people being perfect at it but all of us doing something, and here at .Cent we felt we needed to help and respond. So, we looked at Palm Oil.

We all know by now that we need to be aware when shopping, but outside of looking for organic or fair trade, what is the newest and hottest topic we should be aware of? Palm Oil. The product has been an underlying topic of conversation for a while now, but what we really don’t understand or fully grasp is its context, and what the average citizen can do to help with this very misunderstood topic.

It is suggested that palm oil is contained in 50% of the products we buy every day. It is in our food, skincare and makeup (as an emulsifier). It is a key ingredient in the biofuel used to transport our goods and in livestock feed, fattening up our cattle and even our pets.

Palm oil comes from a species of palm tree that can reach a maximum height of 20 meters, producing big heavy bunches of reddish fruits as big as plums. Both the pulp and kernel of these fruits can give a highly nutritious oil rich in good fats and vitamin E. The huge market demand for this ingredient requires the cultivation of areas of rainforest, cutting down natural vegetation in order to plant more palm trees, which we know is nothing but bad news.

Palm plantations around the world cover a giant 27 million hectares of the planet’s surface. In order to create a plantation, industries clear virgin forests, disrupting the precious ecosystem and killing off its unique habitat and population. Herein lies the key problem: harvesting palm oil involves not just clearing rain forests, but in doing so destroying the vast natural habitat and the ecosystem diversity that comes with them.

Thanks to the fact that we are talking about palm oil production and have been doing so for a decade, hundreds of associations have been born around the world to raise awareness and educate people about the chain of production of palm oil and how it is affecting the environment.

So what is a simple way we all can be part of stopping the destruction of our planet’s most beautiful wild greeness? Well, the easiest thing is to start looking for products that use sustainable palm oil or no palm oil. It is not enough to just stop using palm oil as this would destroy the livelihoods that too many communities rely on. We instead need to be aware of the options to buy products with sustainable palm oil. Thus, the best way forward is to purchase products from companies that are RSPO certified.

Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is the international body that develops and implements global standards for sustainable palm oil. They work with companies who utilise sustainable palm oil standards.

“Replacing palm oil with other types of vegetable oil (such as sunflower, soybean or rapeseed oil) would mean that much larger amounts of land would need to be used since palm trees produce 4-10 times more oil than other crops per unit of cultivated land. This would result in serious environmental damage, with the risk that more forests would need to be converted into agricultural land”, RSPO states. “In producing countries, millions of farmers and their families work in the palm oil sector. Palm oil plays an important role in the reduction of poverty in these areas. In Indonesia and Malaysia, a total of 4.5 million people earn their living from palm oil production. Stopping the production of palm oil altogether would create significant problems for these people who support their families by working in this industry.”

The ‘boycott strategy’, ceasing to buy products containing palm oil, would damage those countries’ economies and possibly create different environmental issues caused by alternative mass cultivation. 

Do keep an eye out, then for products that are either palm oil free or that have a sustainable palm oil label. It should be noted, however, that palm oil can be labeled as many different things – so it is best to keep to goods with the correct labeling for sustainability. This is, in the end, the far better path towards the preservation of our beautiful planet and its wildlife.

In this article, we have shot for you a selection of beauty and skincare brands who either don’t use palm oil or palm oil that is sustainable. Then, when we put on our lipstick or face cream when we wash our hair, these things we do daily and weekly, we know that we have made a step in the right direction with the products we are using.

It gives us all at .Cent pleasure to be able to share with you products that are either palm oil free or only use sustainable palm oil to help you make the intelligent choices you may wish to. Its always good to have this information available. These certainly don’t include every brand that is either palm oil free or using sustainable palm oil, but this is a very good starting point in looking for brands you can rely on, knowing they are doing their bit along with you.

In some cases, this can be very difficult information to find out, but the more we all aks the questions, the easier it will be for us all to know!

Tata Harper Repairative Moisturiser: ultra-hydrating moisturiser for dry skin or cold weather.tataharperskincare.com

Tata Harper Illuminating Eye Crème with Diamond Dust: age-defying eye treatment with the highlighing effect of diamond dust. .tataharperskincare.com

Pestle and Mortar Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser: gentle moisturiser to soothe and soften skin.
pestleandmortar.com

Dr David Jack Good Morning! Antioxidant Super Serum: a morning skin treatment infused with the brightening effects of Vitamin C.
drdavidjack.com

Gallinée Hydrating Face Cream: moisturiser to help even and tone skin while preserving good bacteria.
gallinee.com

Gallinée Soothing Cleansing Cream: a treatment for all hair types, cleanses and soothes without foaming.
gallinee.com

 Susanne Kaufmann Calming Mask: facemask to soothe irritated and red skin.
susannekaufmann.com

Susanne Kaufmann Shampoo Repair: shampoo to repair damaged and dyed hair.
susannekaufmann.com

Chantecaille Rice and Geranium Foaming Cleanser: foaming and exfoliating cleanser that cleanses and moisturises.
chantecaille.com

Chantecaille Detox Clay Mask with Rosemary and Honey: black clay mask to reduce the look of pores and redness without drying. chantecaille.com

Body Shop Rich Replenishing Shampoo, Shea Butter: shampoo to strengthen dry hair prone to breakage.
.thebodyshop.com

Body Shop Vitamin E Moisturiser Cream: moisturiser for all-day hydration. thebodyshop.com

Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter: a hydrating cleanser to remove makeup.
thebodyshop.com

Buly Opiat Dentaire, Orange Ginger Clove: flouride-free toothpaste in a plastic free container.
buly1803.com

The Natural Barber Co. Zeus Pomade: a medium-hold pomade with a glossy finish. Perfect for slicked back looks.
naturalbarber.co

Previse DermApothecary HydroFoam Rejuvenating Hyaluronic Moisturiser: foaming moisturiser for intense hydration.
previsecare.com

Björk & Berries Forest Extract Moisturiser: lightweight and soothing moisturiser.
.bjorkandberries.com.

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Crème: cream to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. boots.com
.olehenriksen.com

IGK Bad & Bougie Amla Oil Deep Repair Shampoo: shampoo to strengthen, soften, and moisturise hair.
www.igkhair.com

IGK Bad & Bougie Amla Oil Deep Repair Conditioner: conditioner to strengthen, soften, and moisturise hair.
www.igkhair.com

Verdant Alchemy Breathe In, Bath Salts: Eucalyptus, Lemon, Thyme: therapeutic bath salts for a relaxing atmosphere.
verdantalchemy.co.uk

St. Tropez Self-Tan Purity Bronzing Water: Face Mist: tanning face mist with a lightweight application for a temporary tan.
sttropeztan.co.uk

LINA Ose Gidi handmade soap: exfoliating and deep cleansing black soap.
lihabeauty.com

LINA Ivory Shea Butter: moisturising butter for all skin types. Can also be used as a base for DIY beauty products.
lihabeauty.com

LINA Idan Oil: moisturising multi-use oil for skin, hair, and fragrance. lihabeauty.com

LINA Queen Idia Candle: Candle with low notes of geranium and frankincense, top notes of lavender and hibiscus.
lihabeauty.com

One Ocean Eye Revival Marine Cream: lightweight cream to reduce the look of puffiness and redness.
oneoceanbeauty.com
Le Couvent Botanics, Botanicum Dulcis: exfoliating body scrub with seven botanical oils..lecouventdesminimes.com

Innersense I Create Lift: Volumizing Foam: hair product to add texture, shape curls, and boost volume.
innersenseorganicbeauty.co.uk

Innersense Colour Radiance Daily Conditioner: moisturising conditioner to revitalize hair color.
innersenseorganicbeauty.co.uk

Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-in Conditioner: moisturising detangling spray.
/innersenseorganicbeauty.co.uk

NARS Bronzing Powder: Casino: powder for bronzing and contouring.
narscosmetics.co.uk/

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment: Starwoman: comfortable matte lip color for all-day wear.
.narscosmetics.co.uk

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer: Vanilla: medium-to-buildable coverage concealer to correct, highlight, and contour.
.narscosmetics.co.uk/

NARS Audacious Lipstick: Silvia: smooth application lipstick.
narscosmetics.co.uk/

NARS Blush: Sin: award-winning blush.
.narscosmetics

NARS Single Eyeshadow: Ishta: high-impact eyeshadow.
narscosmetics.co.uk

Body Shop Matte Lip Liquid, Sidney Amaryllis and Windsor Rose: vegetarian, cruelty-free matte lip shade. thebodyshop.com

The Body Shop Lash Sport Waterproof Mascara: long-lasting vegan waterproof mascara. thebodyshop.com

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder, Shade 01: powder bronzer to effectively shade even the lightest of skin tones. .thebodyshop.com

Marc Jacobs Fineliner Ultra-Skinny Gel Eye Crayon, Blacquer: waterproof gel eye crayon for smooth application.
marcjacobsbeauty.com

Marc Jacobs Accomplice Concealer and Touch-up Stick, Light 23: creamy, full-coverage concealer for on-the-go application.
.marcjacobsbeauty.com

Chantecaille Lipstick, Poppy, Sunset, Rosehip: vividly pigmented lipstick with smooth application.
chantecaille.com

Chantecaille Future Skin Foundation: lightweight, oil-free foundation for buildable coverage.
chantecaille.com

Chantecaille Luminescent Eye Shadow, Elephant: pearlescent, shimmer eye shadow.
chantecaille.com

Chantecaille Cheek Gelée, Happy: hydrating liquid blush with the lasting power of a stain.
chantecaille.com

Chantecaille Faux Cils Mascara, Black: long-lasting mascara with Vitamin E and Rose Oil.
chantecaille.com

Suqqu Shimmer Liquid Blush, Usumomokurumi, Mitsukouji: smooth liquid blush in bright shades. www.suqqu.com

Suqqu Waterproof Eyelash Mascara, Black, Navy Blue: shine, density, and lasting-curl mascara. www.suqqu.com

Suqqu Lip Defining Pencil, Hanasuou: sheer matte lip-defining pencil. www.suqqu.com

Suqqu Tone Touch Eyes, Koushi, Suzukinu, Touyou: single-color eyeshadows with three different kinds of lustres. www.suqqu.com

Suqqu Moisture Rich Lipstick, Kogareaka: dusky-toned, glittery lipstick. www.suqqu.com

Axiology Natural Lipstick, Bonafide: highly pigmented cream lipstick.
axiologybeauty.com

Bare Minerals BAREPRO Longwear Lipstick, Carnation: long-wear vegan lipstick.
bareminerals.co.uk

Chanel Rouge Allure Liquid Powder, Bois De Nuit: vibrate matte liquid lip color for a unique blurred effect on lips.
chanel.com

Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme, Rouge Obscur: long-wear matte lipstick.
.chanel.com

Chanel Le Volume Ultra-Noir De Chanel Mascara, Noir Intense: mascara to plump and emphasize lashes.
chanel.com

Chanel Les 4 Hombres, Splendeur et Audace: soft-textured eyeshadows with a variety of effects.
chanel.com

Dr. Hauschka Eyeshadow Palette Duo 1, limited edition: warm brown and shimmering beige colours.drhauschka.co.uk

Dr. Hauschka Volume Mascara, limited edition: lengthening mascara with green highlights. drhauschka.co.uk

Dr. Hauschka Coverstick, 01 Natural: a concealer that also reduces shine and soothes skin. drhauschka.co.uk

Dr. Hauschka Eye Definer, limited edition: eye definition pencil with an included smudger for a smoky look..drhauschka.co.uk

Dr. Hauschka Lipstick, limited edition 20: earth shade lipstick with medicinal plant extracts and a soft shimmer. .drhauschka.co.uk

Dr. Hauschka Blush Duo, limited edition 04: apricot and rosé blush duo for easy contouring. drhauschka.co.uk

Kat Von D Portrait Medium Coverage Foundation, Light 004: vegan foundation that helps to control shine. katvondbeauty.com

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, Ludwig: vegan matte lipstick for a comfortable long wear. .katvondbeauty.com

Kat Von D Go Big or Go Home Volumising Mascara: vegan mascara with a custom fluff applicator brush for the ultimate volume. .katvondbeauty.com

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, Trooper Black: vegan waterproof annd smudge-proof eyeliner for an all-day look katvondbeauty.com

anatomē Revitalising and Hydrating Facial Mist: aromatic and hydrating mist to refresh the skin and replenish natural oils. www.anatome.co

anatomē Anti-Aging Avocado Facial Serum: daily facial serum to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and damaged skin. www.anatome.co

Givenchy Le Rouge Night Noir: sheer and sparkling long-wear lipstick. .givenchybeauty.com

Christopher Robin hair oil with lavender pre shampooing treatment
Boucleme curls redefined scalp exfoliating shampoo
Code beauty exfoliating wash

Also just so you are aware none of Givenchy beauty products contain Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Oil or Elaeis Guineensis (Palm) Fruit Extract. These are just two of the many names that represent Palm Oil in beauty products.