Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women worldwide. It is estimated that more than 600,000 men and women globally will die from it in 2018. But that number pales in comparison to other, far less talked-about causes of death like air pollution, which is responsible for more than 5.5 million deaths a year globally–or roughly 10 times as much as breast cancer.
As an avowed environmentalist, the disproportionate amount of funding and enthusiasm showered upon breast cancer research has been unsettling to observe. Furthermore, breast cancer awareness campaigns are themselves disproportionately focused on screening and treatment research; almost no attention is given to lifestyle choices to prevent and manage cancer. While surfing #breastcancerawareness, I saw Chik-fil-A pushing its chocolate chip cookies (“portion of sales to support cancer research”), conventional makeup line Avon touting lipsticks that contain endocrine disruptors, lots of pink conventional nail polishes, pink blended drinks in plastic cup and straw (cancer-causing *and* environmentally despicable), and more “pink washed” products that can be assumed to increase your risk of getting cancer.
Nevertheless, I’m motivated to share with you my picks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month that are actually good for you and good for the planet. As the world becomes an increasingly fraught place, I believe that more intersectionality is the key to making the world a safer, habitable place for all. All hands on deck, guys! Fortunately, these 5 brands are staunchly human-friendly *and* earth-friendly. Here are Breast Cancer Awareness picks that will make you feel good from inside out–and help protect women’s health, too.
Boxwalla x 5yina Guiying Décolletage Treatment Box, $65
If you have any lady in your life you want to pamper–or especially, yourself–this is what you must get ASAP. I’ve been using the 5yina Guiying Décolletage Treatment every night these past few weeks and have seen dramatic results. Namely, I had developed a few neck wrinkles–stuff that you don’t think will ever happen to *you*, oh but it will once you hit 30–and a few lines on my décolletage from an eczema episode. These had been there for almost a year before Guiying magically erased them away. It’s designed to nourish your delicate neck, chest, and breast with shea butter, cyperus rotundus and other traditional Chinese herbs, cupuacu butter, manuka, etc. What’s amazing about this limited edition Boxwalla box is that the full size Guiying is already $65 retail, and the box contains 2 packets of Bio-Cellulose Mask–these things make you look 5 years younger the next day. Finally, Boxwalla is giving 100% of the proceeds of this box to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Wow.
Sixchel Elizabeth Dress in Rose Vegan Leather, $202.50
A woman-owned, vegan and sustainable line Sixchel is having a 10% off sitewide for the month of October. If you buy either the Elizabeth Dress or the Katherine Crop Pants in Rose Vegan Leather (above), $25 will be donated to Stand Up To Cancer. I love the contemporary-romantic aesthetic and the fact that the brand rigorously sources the most eco-friendly textiles.
I have the dress in Plum Tencel with Rose Vegan Leather tie. The back is what makes this piece so special!
Aveda Limited Edition Hand Relief With Shampure Aroma, $26.50
I’ve been exclusively going to an Aveda salon in NYC for the past 5 years or so. The brand is cruelty-free and uses 100% recycled PET plastic in its packaging (when recycled PET is not available, it does mix bioplastic from sugar cane, and is clear about the fact that flexible tubes have limited recycling capabilities). From using wind power in its Minnesota HQ to campaigning for clean water to only using organic, renewable, botanical ingredients, this nontoxic and conscious brand fully gets my endorsement. I love their Foot Relief cream as a matter of fact–this Hand Relief is a lovely, pampering treat for the cold months ahead, formulated with 25 different plant and flower essences including lavender and ylang ylang.
Stella McCartney Stella Lace Bralette, $70
Stella McCartney is best known as a vegan advocate and sustainable fashion trailblazer, but she’s also an outspoken breast cancer awareness champion. Having lost her mother Linda to breast cancer, Stella McCartney often designs collections that benefit cancer research. This lace bralette is comfortable enough for you to lounge in, and sexy enough to boost your confidence. The brand also uses recycled nylon and other eco-friendly, vegan textiles.
Wink Lash & Brow Oil Breast Cancer Awareness Set, $64
Sooo a while back, both Mary and I tried a vegan lash growth serum by another brand and only saw limited results. I noticed lashes were thicker and fuller, especially on the bottom, but it wasn’t exciting enough for me to keep going, night after night. But I would be willing to give Wink a try–it was developed by an MIT student frustrated by the lack of lash growth serums that work, and it’s won a host of awards from Allure, etc. What’s more, each sale will send a serum to a cancer survivor to help her lashes and brows regrow. The formula is also ultra-clean, made of castor oil, jojoba, argan, raspberry seed oil, and Vitamin E, etc. The brand is also cruelty-free and vegan.
Which one of these are you looking forward to?
Related: These Minority-Owned Vegan Businesses Are Breaking The Glass Ceiling, And We’re Here For It
We Can’t Solve Environmental Issues Without Intersectionality, & Here’s Why
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Photo: Respective brands; Jose Ros Photo on Unsplash