We Were Massively Outspent, But Had Broader Support
Five out-of-state plastic bag makers spent more than $6 million on the campaign to repeal the ban. Whereas as the campaign to ban plastic bags had a meagre budget of $1.9 million.
"Rarely in California history do local organizations running a shoestring campaign beat out-of-state deep pockets," said Dan Jacobson, with Environment California, who spent weeks in the run-up to the election driving around the state with an enormous inflatable turtle, aiming to draw voters' attention to the risks plastic bags pose to wildlife.
Save the Plastic Bag Ban Campaign brought their inflated Turtle mascot on UC Berkeley campus to raise awareness about Prop 67 and the ban of single use plastic bags in California.Khaled Sayed
The bag-makers' campaign had just four contributors. The campaign to ban plastic bags was backed by more than 500 organizations, from environmental groups to business organizations and dozens of cities and counties. More than 70 percent of the campaign's funding came from contributions from the environmental community. More than 40 newspapers endorsed the campaign.
"For me personally, as a movement-leader, I was deeply impressed by the energy and organization of this diverse coalition," said Shana DeClercq from The Story of Stuff Project. "Cities, mayors, non-profits large and small, individual advocates all pulled together in a cohesive way."
The Save the Plastic Bag Ban Campaign began at the grassroots level long before the election, said Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, founder and director of Azul, an organization seeking to raise up Latino voices on marine conservation issues.
"Legislators told us Latinos were either 'too poor to care' or didn't support legislation to ban plastic bags at all," Gutiérrez-Graudiņš said. "We actually knew better and this is where the bag campaign really took off."
Azul enlisted the help of civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, who penned a couple of op-eds on the issue, as well as Jose Hernandez, a very well-known former astronaut who signed an op-ed of his own, stressing the science behind bag bans.
Azul helped to organize a poll, which reached only people of color throughout the state, and showed an overwhelming support of Latinos and African Americans for a plastic bag ban. They ran in-language focus groups in Los Angeles and San Jose to refine messaging.
"We flipped the script, so to speak, where now Latino staff, elected and community leaders saw themselves as trend setters versus followers," Gutiérrez-Graudiņš said.
"I believe it is extremely important to highlight the enthusiastic support from the Latino community for Prop 67," she said.
California Had a Huge Problem on Our Hands
"When Californians become fed up with a problem, we fix it," said Ryan Kallabis, a spokesman for Save Our Shores. "Nothing that is used for less than five minutes should pollute our environment for centuries."
And yet, plastic pollution was posing a huge problem for the world's sixth-largest economy. California Sec. of State Alex Padilla, who introduced SB-270, the legislation that led to the statewide ban, said that three years ago, California retailers were distributing 19 billion single-use plastic shopping bags every year.
"In 2017," he said, "that number will be zero."
In the weeks since the ban passed, an estimated 25 million plastic bags each day will have been eliminated from the waste stream.
We Started Local and It Worked
Plastic bags kill wildlife and pollute our environment. The evidence is overwhelming that banning plastic bags in local jurisdictions save wildlife and reduce pollution. At the time of the election, more than 40 percent of California communities were already living without plastic shopping bags through local ordinance. Those communities didn't want to roll back.
Ironically, the same bag makers behind trying to overturn our statewide ban have been working with the American Legislative Exchange Council to pass statewide bans on local bag bans. They say states should have the right to decide on bans as a whole, but local bans pave the way for state bans like in California, and are crucially important.
These 6 States Want to Ban Plastic Bag Bans (Yes, You Read That Right) https://t.co/pqWMelYDYB @PlasticPollutes https://t.co/fqEtS06qJl— EcoWatch (@EcoWatch)1459349531.0
We Got Creative and Worked With Our Allies to Spread the Word
"We knew that because we were working with a small budget, the Yes on Prop 67 campaign would be won or lost on the outreach and free media components," said Wendy James, CEO of Better World Group, which chaired the statewide campaign. "We had to rely on our NGO partners. And we had to build a broad coalition. We never turned down a request for a speaking engagement or debate, an opportunity for a letter to the editor or op-ed, and we used our broad base of supporters in a statewide media tour the final month, doing close to 20 news conferences in every media market in the state."
Clean Water Action and our allies at Save The Bay led a loose coalition of Northern California environmental groups in brainstorming creative ways to get out the liberal Bay Area vote. The groups worked closely with Save The Bay and took thousands of plastic bags back to the headquarters of Novolex, the world's biggest plastic bag manufacturer, based in South Carolina, broadcasting the action in partnership with Courage Campaign on Facebook Live.
We worked with a local dance studio to stage a Thriller-themed plastic flash mob, taking over a downtown street in Oakland on the eve of Halloween.
More than 50,000 Californians signed a petition to the CEO of Novolex, Stan Bikulege, following a mass email organized in partnership with the Daily Kos. The Story of Stuff used its extensive global network to pump out our message to plastic pollution activists all over the world, and garner added support.
"The Story of Stuff global community was passionately interested in the outcome here," DeClerq said. "We heard voices all over the world encouraging Californians to stand up against Big Plastic. From Ireland to Buenos Aires to Botswana, people cheered us on."
Celebrities also got involved, said Dianna Cohen with the Plastic Pollution Coalition. Her organization's video of movie star Jeff Bridges was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, drawing precious attention to the issue.
California Took the Lead
Statewide bans are now in the offing in Oregon and New Hampshire, and a state representative in North Carolina said he is planning to introduce legislation modeled on California proposition.
At Clean Water Action, we're keen to serve as guides for people considering similar laws around the country. We're also trying to stop waste at its source, by working with businesses and institutions to redesign the way they use single-use disposable packaging with our ReThink Disposable program.
If you'd like to learn more, please get in touch.
Matt Davis is the California communications director for Clean Water Action. He can be reached at [email protected].
Our Picks for the Top Natural Face Cleansers
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer. Learn more about our review methodology here. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn a commission.
- Best Overall: Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
- Best for Sensitive Skin: True Botanicals Renew Nourishing Cleanser
- Best Cleansing Oil: One Love Beauty Vitamin B Cleansing Oil
- Best for Acne-Prone Skin: OSEA Ocean Cleanser
- Best Plastic-Free Face Wash: Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Vegan Bar Soap
- Best Makeup Remover: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
- Best Budget Cleanser: Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser
Why Switch to Natural Face Wash?
Natural face wash isn't just beneficial to those with sensitive skin. Anyone can benefit from the fact that they don't contain toxic ingredients like sulfates and parabens that have been found in traditional skincare products. These synthetic materials are harsher on the skin and have been linked to triggering breakouts and irritations.
Even though additives such as artificial fragrances and color dyes make traditional face washes more palatable, they can create the possibility of worsening your skin over time and aren't necessary for a successful product. While some may think simple and natural skin care products don't work as well compared to harsher ones, natural face cleansers cut out possibly harmful ingredients and still maintain an effective formula that will keep your skin glowing and healthy.
7 Best Natural Face Washes
When choosing our top recommended natural face cleansers, we looked at factors including:
- Ingredients: Harsh sulfates, parabens and unnecessary fragrances aren't needed in your cleansing routine. Natural ingredients such as lemon and jasmine oil are just as effective without the possible irritation.
- Certifications: We've made sure the products listed below are honest in their missions and credible in their formulas, looking for certifications from the Environmental Working Group, MADE SAFE®, Credo and other certifying bodies.
- Sustainability: The skincare companies listed below use recyclable packaging, non-toxic ingredients and continue to explore eco-friendly options in order to better their products and customers.
- Customer reviews: We consider what verified customers have to say about the effectiveness of the skincare products and how they can help benefit you.
Best Overall: Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash
www.ursamajorvt.com
We named Ursa Major's Fantastic Face Wash as our best overall product because of its simple yet effective ingredients, great smell and sustainability. This natural face wash is perfect for cleansing normal, oily and combination skin types. Verified customers have even mentioned how well it works on their sensitive and acne-prone skin.
This cleanser's ingredients include lemon for exfoliation, aloe vera for hydration, sugar maple for brightening your skin and white tea for natural antioxidation. The gel foaming cleanser is also infused with cedar, spearmint and other essential oils to create a rustic aroma. And its AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) exfoliating factor allows for a non-drying yet clean and healthy look every time you wash your face.
Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 1,000 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: Ursa Major is a B Corporation that's Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free and plastic-negative, which means it offsets more plastic than the company produces. The Fantastic Face Wash is vegan and made in the U.S.
Best for Sensitive Skin: True Botanicals Renew Nourishing Cleanser
truebotanicals.com
This gentle cleanser is perfect for normal to dry sensitive skin. True Botanicals' cleanser formula includes white and green tea to wash away dirt and grime without stripping away protective outer layers of the skin, as well as organic ingredients such as soothing aloe vera and glycerin for everyday skin hydration.
Grapefruit and citrus additives provide a mildly acidic factor to thoroughly cleanse your pores without causing inflammation. The nourishing cleanser also contains lavender and jasmine flower oils that tighten and leave a luxurious natural scent on the skin.
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 25 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: Certified non-toxic by MADE SAFE and cruelty-free to Leaping Bunny standards, this sustainably-made product works best for dry, cracked and sensitive skin. Whether you're looking for an everyday cleanser or an anti-aging product to tighten fine lines and wrinkles, it is a solid choice.
Best Cleansing Oil: One Love Beauty Vitamin B Cleansing Oil
shop.oneloveorganics.com
With the One Love Beauty Vitamin B Cleansing Oil, you can remove your makeup and cleanse your face in a single step. Designed with sensitive, dry skin in mind, the cleansing oil is non-stripping and is a perfect alternative to traditional makeup removers that can dry out your skin. The vitamin B effortlessly lifts away impurities and tones while fruit enzymes derived from papaya work to provide a light exfoliation.
The cleansing oil can be used alone or combined with other products in your daily routine. To use, pump the oil one to two times and massage in your hands until it becomes milky, then apply in a circular motion. If you want a deeper cleanse, apply the cleanser and then place a warm washcloth on top of the area for a few seconds. This will open up your pores and let the natural oils seep into your skin for a beautiful glow.
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 50 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: This organic face wash is Amazon's Choice for makeup cleansing oils, and it meets the Credo Clean Standard and PETA's Global Beauty Without Bunnies certification. Each ingredient is organically farmed and designed with dehydrated skin in mind but is concentrated enough to be applied to all skin types.
Best for Acne-Prone Skin: OSEA Ocean Cleanser
oseamalibu.com
This natural face cleanser creates an oceanic experience with ingredients like algae and seaweed. Seaweed has amazing natural minerals that smooth and soften the skin, while algae is famously known for its hydration and toning properties. Acne is commonly caused by excess oils and dirt build-up in pores. The OSEA Ocean Cleanser's pH-balanced formula is able to target these impurities and gently clarify your skin for a clean and clear complexion.
The gel face wash works best for normal, combination and acne-prone skin, but it also is known to work well as a shaving product, allowing for a close and silky shave without the fuss of razor bumps or irritation. Be sure to wash your face with this cleanser in the morning as well as at night and follow with a moisturizer for the best results.
Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars with over 35 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: OSEA is Climate Neutral Certified, vegan, Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free and uses recycled glass packaging. The company is devoted to producing clean and efficient products powered by the sea.
Best Plastic-Free Face Wash: Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Vegan Bar Soap
www.kissmyface.com
Keep your skin healthy and naturally revitalized with this sustainable and simple product. The Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Vegan Bar Soap is made of just three ingredients: olive oil, sea salt and water. The olive oil soap is blended, crafted and cold-pressed in Greece using traditional methods. The best-selling natural soap bar is composed of 86% olive oil and is loaded with nourishing antioxidants which leave the skin feeling soft, revived and well-hydrated.
You can purchase the fragrance-free face bars individually or in a set of either three, six or 12. This organic soap has been used by customers as a face wash, body wash or even a natural shampoo for the most sensitive skin.
Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars with over 3,300 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: Vegan, cruelty-free, Non-GMO Project certified and completely plastic-free, not only does this natural face wash come at a more affordable price and lower environmental footprint, but bar soap also is known to last much longer than liquid soaps.
Best Makeup Remover: Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm
www.farmacybeauty.com
This cleansing balm works to remove makeup and keep your complexion glowing without irritating or over-drying your skin. The Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm is formulated with only natural ingredients, like sunflower seed and ginger root oils, to properly remove even the toughest of makeup and leave a silky smooth look.
Apply the balm by taking a small scoop and massaging it in circular motions on the skin. Focus on areas with heavier makeup, such as the eyes, before rinsing with a damp washcloth. Once the makeup is melted away, papaya-derived fruit enzymes naturally exfoliate while moringa extract helps cleanse the skin. The organic facial cleanser will pull away all of the impurities and prepare your complexion for a new day.
Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 3,500 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: Not only are Farmacy products naturally free of sulfates and parabens, but they're also devoted to a sustainable future. The company is Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free, uses recycled materials and soy-based inks, and is committed to being waste-free by 2022.
Best Budget Cleanser: Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser
www.honest.com
The Honest Beauty Gentle Gel Cleanser uses a dermatologist-tested, gentle formula that removes makeup and leaves your skin feeling soft and refreshed. This gel foaming cleanser works to remove excess oil and sweat in the mornings and makeup impurities during your nightly routine.
Chamomile and calendula extract act as powerful antioxidants, creating a calming effect on the skin when you use this product. Radish root extract cleans clogged pores while yucca root, an ingredient high in vitamin C, brightens your complexion. This cleanser is free of synthetic fragrances and can be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars with over 2,700 Amazon ratings
Why Buy: Honest Beauty's cleanser is EWG Verified, PETA-certified cruelty-free and uses packaging made from recycled materials as well as tree-free paper.
Frequently Asked Questions: Natural Face Wash
How should I clean my face naturally?
When looking for natural skincare, it's best to avoid ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances and dyes. If you wear makeup, it's important to include a makeup remover such as Farmacy's Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm as the first step of your routine if your face wash isn't designed to break down cosmetics.
After using a natural face cleanser, make sure to always rinse with warm water and a non-abrasive cloth (we like reusable cotton rounds) unless directed otherwise by a product's label or a dermatologist. Following with a natural moisturizer like coconut oil and a reef-safe sunscreen will complete your routine.
Which is the best natural face wash?
There are many high-quality natural face washes on the market, but we recommend the Ursa Major Fantastic Face Wash because of its premium natural ingredients and its effectiveness for all skin types. When it comes to skincare, every person's skin reacts differently, so stick to an ingredient list you can trust and try different natural products until you find whatever works best for you.
Which is the best face wash without chemicals?
Natural skincare can be just as effective as traditional beauty products but without the risk of damaging your skin long-term. Face washes such as Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Vegan Bar Soap contain only plant-based oils and sea salt to clarify your skin without the worry of harsh chemicals.