Guest blog by Dana Cook of Balsamroot Writing
From testing on animals to excessive plastic use and the use of harmful chemicals, the
mainstream skin care industry can create quite a negative environmental impact.
However, two local entrepreneurs, Shawna Villavazo, founder of The Bubblery, and
Sarah Michels, founder of Infuse Organics, demonstrate how sustainability and beauty
can go hand in hand. From responsibly sourcing ingredients to reducing waste, their
businesses prove that sustainability is a viable and rewarding business model.
A Commitment to Sustainability from the Start
Since the beginning, sustainability has been at the heart of Shawna’s and Sarah’s
businesses. Shawna, who has been in business since 1996, started by sourcing natural
products when she found these were not available in the market. Her sustainable
practices continued when she upcycled furnishings for the store she opened in 2010.
Shawna and Sarah, who recently celebrated her business’s 10th anniversary, were
driven by personal experience with skin sensitivities and a desire to create products free
from toxic ingredients.
"I had eczema and severe skin irritation throughout my childhood. It wasn't until I started
making my own products using just oils and essential oils that my skin completely
healed," Sarah said. Inspired by her experience, she created her flagship product,
BalmBar, which became an instant hit. “My dad, who had tried everything for his
cracked, bleeding hands, used it and woke up the next morning healed. That’s when I
knew this was something special.”
Eco-Friendly Packaging and Refills
Both businesses offer refillable product options to reduce packaging waste. Customers
can bring back containers for lotions, sugar scrubs, and facial oils, significantly reducing
single-use plastics. Shawna said she has local customers who have refilled the same
containers for years.
Shawna and Sarah have worked tirelessly to eliminate plastic from their packaging,
utilizing compostable cardboard tubes and glass containers. “It has been a huge
barrier,” Sarah admitted, “but we finally found a supplier that offers completely
compostable packaging for our deodorant and sunscreen.”
Shawna extends her sustainable practices even when shipping her products. “We are
thoughtful about how our products are packaged. In 15 years, we’ve never bought
packing material. We ensure our shipping materials are recyclable or compostable,” she
said.
While some plastic components, like spray tops, are unavoidable, they’ve taken steps to
minimize their use. Shawna ensures that all of her pump bottles are glass or aluminum.
Sarah emphasizes making refilling as easy as possible for customers: “We send people
glass Mason jars in the mail, and for local customers, they can drop off their containers
to be refilled.”
Locally-Sourced and Ethically Produced Ingredients
Both businesses are committed to responsibly sourcing ingredients. Shawna keeps her
carbon footprint low by sourcing locally within the Northwest. Sarah grows many
ingredients on her family’s three-acre medicinal herb farm in Leavenworth. She also
works directly with farmers and fair-trade organizations. “Our Shea butter comes from
FairTale Ghana, a women-run cooperative that makes the Shea butter by hand, using
traditional techniques. The quality is unparalleled, and the women keep all the profits.”
Zero-Waste Manufacturing and Environmental Impact
Neither business allows synthetic or harmful chemicals in their production process,
meaning there is no toxic waste. Sarah's approach is unique: "The wastewater from our
soap-making process is completely natural, so we use it to fertilize our garden." Any
leftover product scraps are repurposed into new batches, ensuring that nothing goes to
waste.
Sarah’s business is Salmon Safe Certified, a rigorous certification that ensures
agricultural practices don’t contaminate local waterways. “It’s even more stringent about
chemical use than certified organic,” she explained. “We have a creek on our property,
and this certification ensures that nothing we use harms the watershed.”
Educating Customers on Sustainability
Both Shawna and Sarah are passionate about educating customers on sustainable
practices. Shawna regularly engages with customers about refilling their containers,
while Sarah leverages social media to raise awareness about greenwashing and
harmful chemicals in mainstream products. “I recently posted about how laundry
detergent pods contain Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), a harmful plastic that dissolves into our
water system. So many people had no idea,” she shared.
Sustainability as a Business Model
Shawna and Sarah prove that sustainable business practices aren’t just ethical—they’re
successful. By making intentional sourcing, packaging, and waste management
choices, they’ve built brands that benefit both their customers and the planet.
Supporting businesses like Shawna's and Sarah's is a great place to start for those
looking to make more eco-friendly choices in their beauty routines. Sustainability isn't just about the products we use—it's about the choices we make every day. And with
businesses like theirs leading the charge, the future of self-care looks brighter and
greener than ever.
Shawna's natural skin care products are available at her 220 9 th St. Suite K store in
Leavenworth. Call Sarah at 614-314-0148 to schedule a farm visit and shop for her
products. Her products are also available at The Brass Collective in Cashmere, Der
Sportsman, and Sage Mountain Natural Foods. You can also purchase Shawna’s and
Sarah’s products online at their websites.
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