Why Does The Beauty Industry Need To Focus On Sustainable Beauty Products?



Why Does The Beauty Industry Need To Focus On Sustainable Beauty Products?

Sustainability is not just a concept anymore, instead, it is a method that can save the environment and combat climate change to build a better future.

With the beauty industry being another major cause of environmental degradation, through beauty products that are tested on animals, skincare and hair care products that cause air and water pollution and non-biodegradable plastic containers, sustainable beauty is a much-needed step in today's world.  Sustainable beauty has been creating a lot of buzz these days. With the awakening of people's consciousness towards nature, they are opting for green beauty.

What Is Sustainable Beauty?

Sustainable beauty is a process that involves using natural products that are produced, processed, packaged, delivered and disposed of without any harm to the environment or ecology.


What are the characteristics of a sustainable beauty product?

  • Environment-friendly: Any beauty or makeup company can claim to be green if the whole process from manufacturing to the packaging is biodegradable creating minimum carbon emission.
  • Clean, natural or organic: These beauty products are chemical-free and made of naturally derived raw materials is another feature that sustainable beauty products must-have. The whole process of manufacturing and packaging is safe for the workers as no chemicals are being worked with.
  • Recyclable or reusable: Eco-friendly or sustainable beauty brands generally package their products in reusable or recyclable containers and jars.
  • Organic and Natural: The haircare or skincare products will have no artificial preservatives, chemicals or pesticide-based natural ingredients. They do not harm the skin or hair when applied.
  • Cruelty-Free: Sustainable Companies do not test their products on animals and are hence termed as cruelty-free.

Why is there a need for sustainable beauty?            

There is a need for sustainable beauty as the beauty industry is responsible for negatively impacting the environment. According to the Independent Premium, the Zero Waste Week in 2018 revealed that the beauty industry alone produces 142 billion units of the packaging of which the maximum is disposed into the ocean or filled as landfill.

Another article mentions that many countries have not banned the testing of beauty products on animals because of which more than 500,000 animals are tortured and killed every year. The depletion and extinction of coral reefs are expected to take place until 2050 with sunscreen washes and plastic dump being the most responsible element for the same.

 
Why was there a cry for sustainable beauty products?

The use of beauty products and cosmetics can be traced back to 4,000 BC and the ancient Egyptians who used kohl and nail paints to beautify themselves. However, during earlier days beauty product ingredients were derived from nature like berries, charcoal, bugs, pulses, etc.
As the demand for these products increased, exploitation and degradation became a common practice of the beauty industry. Even though done in utmost secrecy, yet these nefarious and deteriorating practices could not be hidden from the public for long. 

  • 20th Century
The first outcry against these practices rose in the early 20th century when animal lovers found out about the Draize Test. The Draize Test represented cruelty on animals for testing of beauty products.
Devised by Draize and Jacob M Spine, this would be tested on animals mostly rabbits to test the eye irritation levels of cosmetic and beauty products. Rabbits were kept restrained and conscious during experiments ultimately putting many to cruel and unbearable deaths or blindness forever.         

  • 21st Century
The early 21st century witnessed an uprise of conscious citizens who realized that various industries including beauty were responsible for environmental disasters. Increasing carbon footprint in production, an excessive amount of water usage, non-biodegradable wastage, and animal cruelty are an easy blend in the everyday beauty industry. 
Hence, green beauty or sustainable beauty products entered the market to satiate the need for conscious buyers.

Sustainable Beauty And Its Market Share

The global organic and natural personal care market was evaluated at USD 11,500 million in 2018 which is expected to grow to USD 23,600 million by 2025, with a  CAGR of 9.4% per annum.
A growing market for these products are seen leveling in the continents of North America, Europe, and The Asia Pacific.



Skincare and hair care sustainable beauty products have gained maximum popularity amongst the buyers followed by Oral care and cosmetics.

Popular Brands Of Sustainable Beauty Products In The Global Market

  • Burt's Bees: This brand has been building a market presence since 1984, it sources its products responsibly and claims to be 100% natural and chemical-free. With a recyclable packaging, Burt's Bee has a range of products to offer from Skincare Products to oral health and care.
  • 100% Pure: This brand strives on its Fruit Pigmented makeup. It offers a range of skincare products, hair care, and body care products too. Started by three founders it commits itself to produce pure and healthy beauty products.
  • The Body Shop: Founded in 1976 by Anita Roddick, The Body Shop has over 3,000 stores and creates employment for over  22,000 people across the globe. It is not just a natural, ethical and trustworthy beauty product brand but it also fulfills its social responsibility. According to a news by I Knockfashion.com, The Body Shop dedicated its 2019 Christmas to skill girls across Brazil, Indonesia, and India. https://www.iknockfashion.com/christmas-is-special-at-the-body-shop-this-year/

Other Upcoming Sustainable Beauty Brands


What is the difference between clean, natural, organic, cruelty-free and sustainable beauty?

Buyers often get confused between beauty products that claim to be clean, organic, natural, cruelty-free or sustainable. Below is the difference between clean, organic, natural and sustainable beauty products
  • Clean:  Clean beauty products will contain non-toxic ingredients or will be free of chemical ingredients considered harmful by the governing authorities.
  • Natural: Natural Beauty products will contain ingredients sourced from nature but it is not essentially made from organic produce.
  • Organic: Organic beauty products will have a very high percentage of natural products that are sourced from organically grown farmlands and are free from pesticides.
  • Cruelty-Free: Cruelty-free means that the products are not tested on animals.
  • Sustainable Beauty: The beauty brands that claim to be sustainable undergo a strict process and guidelines. From sourcing to packaging and disposal they create minimal environmental harm. The products used are organic and the process is ethical.

What is sustainable and ethical beauty?

Another common term associated with sustainability is ethical beauty. It is often misunderstood or confused with organic beauty. A brand can be sustainable and ethical if both its ingredients and business practices are fair and just. 
Ingredients: The composition or ingredients of the beauty products should be-
  • Cruelty-Free
  • Vegan 
  • Organic and Natural
  • Free of palm oil 
Business Practices: The business practices must keep a fair and just approach at all levels such as- 

  • Recyclable and reusable packaging
  • Fair wages paid while sourcing
  • Zero waste management strategy
  • CSR- Corporate Social Responsibility

What is Zero Wastage?

       In literal terms, Zero Wastage means creating no trash. Nothing goes into the garbage, landfill or water. Everything, every ingredient is recyclable, reusable or can be decomposed to form compost. Many hair care products, skin care products, and cosmetics make zero wastage products, thanks to brands like Ethique, Dirty Hippie Cosmetics, and Empire Squid Organics.


Celebrities Who Own Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Beauty Brands

Many celebrities have built beauty products that are sustainable and eco-friendly.
  •  Katie Holmes- Alterna Haircare - The American actress became the brand ambassador and co-owner at Alterna Haircare in 2013. The hair care products are free of harsh chemicals, contain organic ingredients and are sourced at a global level often sustainably.
  • Gwyneth Paltrow- Juice Beauty- A singer, author, businesswoman and actress, Gwyneth Paltrow's Juice Beauty is an award-winning organic and plant-derived brand. She invested in the brand in 2015 and introduced a new eco-friendly line of skincare products in 2016.
  • Miranda Kerr- Kora Organics- A former Victoria Secret Model, Miranda Kerr started Kora Organics in 2009. It is a clean, organic and natural beauty brand that is put under strict surveillance throughout the process of manufacturing to packaging.
  • Jessica Alba-Honest Company-  She began her career at the age of 13 through movie appearances and television shows. A lead actress of the television series and a Golden Globe Nominee, Jessica Alba re-launched Honest  Beauty in 2018 with a clearer vision of  45 products of which 10 were of skincare.

Sustainable Beauty Tips

  • Use multi-purpose beauty products: A brow pencil or kohl pencil can also act as a liner, try and use products that can be put to use for many purposes. Another classic example of the same is lipstick. It can enhance your lips, act as a blush on and also highlight your eyes.
  • Choose organic and natural products over chemically ladened products: Read the composition and label carefully, try and inculcate natural, clean and organic products in your daily routine. Go for a coffee and vanilla body wash by Earth Essence http://www.earthessence.co/ instead of chemical-based products.
  • Buy less- Buy bigger bottles instead of smaller ones, as that, minimize your purchasing frequency ultimately putting out lesser dump.
  • Reuse or recycle the already bought beauty bottles: Keep the already consumed cosmetic or skincare and haircare bottles and jars. Reuse them to keep smaller portions of beauty products.
  • Make your beauty products at home: It is not as difficult as it seems in an interview with Aashmeen Munjal the celebrity makeup artist, I Knock Fashion asked her about a DIY that helps to rejuvenate her skin. She blends cucumber, potato, and tomato and freezes the same to put on her face every morning as a face pack. Check it out here - https://www.iknockfashion.com/in-conversation-with-aashmeen-munjaal-celebrity-mua-bollywood-makeup-artist-episode-2/    
  • Avoid using animal tested products- Go cruelty-free, say a no-no to products that do not claim to be cruelty-free.
  • Purchase beauty tools that are recyclable or made of natural products like Bamboo Brushes.
  • Try purchasing beauty products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
The changing climate, growing needs of the population, increased production of beauty products and thick competition amongst beauty brands have alarmed the environment leading to constant activities that deplete the resources and harm nature. Hence, sustainable beauty and hacks that have been in practice since ancient times need to revive and readjust itself in the modern world to create a harmonious environment.
Location: India

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