
From Trend to Truth: How South African Earth-Friendly Products Are Leading the Way This Earth Day
Cayla MandeanIf you're like me, every January, you may find yourself deep-diving into the new, browsing through articles, jotting thoughts in your notebook, maybe even pausing with a cup of tea in hand, thinking about what's coming next in beauty and wellness.
It's a familiar rhythm-the quiet excitement of fresh beginnings and new possibilities.
But spotting a trend is just the start. The real magic happens when you decide what to do with it. When a trend resonates with you, it's not just about staying current, it's about finding new ways to align your daily routine with your values. Maybe it means choosing cleaner ingredients, supporting a local brand, or finally trying that DIY body butter recipe you bookmarked last year.
Trends tell us something powerful: they show where collective focus is heading.
In 2022 and 2023, we witnessed the rise of circular beauty and zero-waste ideals. By 2024, transparency took the spotlight. And 2025? Sustainability and the truth behind greenwashing are front and centre.
But here's the thing: trends come and go. Sustainability shouldn't.
Think about it… by definition, a trend is "a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving." But protecting our planet isn't a seasonal shift. It's a mindset. It's a lens through which we can choose to see the world differently. Greener. Kinder. More intentional.
Reframing Sustainability: From Buzzword to Daily Lens
Let's be honest with each other, at some point, we all followed a trend because it looked good, sounded good, or felt like the "right thing to do." And that's okay. Trends can be powerful entry points. They spark curiosity. They push industries to evolve. However, sustainability should never be reduced to a fleeting Instagram aesthetic or a clever label.
It should be a lens, a new way of perceiving and interacting with the world.
And there's no better time to shift that lens than on Earth Day 2025. This year's theme, Our Power, Our Planet, is a genuine call to action, to educate, advocate, and most importantly, act.
Despite this, the big conversations around climate change, especially green energy for this year, can feel overwhelming, like they're too large for one person to make a difference.
But what if the first step isn't massive at all?
What if it starts with something simple, like buying local?
When you support local producers, whether it's skincare ingredients, herbs, or essential oils, you're doing more than shopping:
- You're reducing the emissions caused by global shipping.
- You're strengthening local economies.
- You're supporting farmers and small businesses who often work in harmony with the land, not against it.
Additionally, in countries like South Africa, which is rich in biodiversity and traditional plant knowledge, buying local is also about honouring the connection between people and place.
Honestly, I believe action can happen with one person. It can begin right where you are, with small, intentional choices. When one becomes many, those seemingly small actions multiply into something powerful. That's how real impact is made, collectively.
We can start at home. With the brands we support. With the ingredients we have come to trust.