Consumers Look Towards Sustainable Products from Beauty Companies
Sustainable beauty products that cater to the environment and healthier skin. (Photo courtesy Eco Warrior Princess)
In the beauty industry, consumers are not interested in the product as much as they are in the creation of the products. Studies have shown that consumers are focused on sustainability and are turning towards “green beauty”. Green beauty products are a hit trend with most consumers, with studies showing the toxicity of conventional cosmetics.
Cosmetic manufacturers are seeing customers seek more green and environmentally-friendly ingredients for their products. According to the National Retail Federation study done by IBM, nearly 70% of consumers in the U.S. and Canada believe that a brand must be sustainable or eco-friendly.
Natural ingredients don't require a rigorous testing procedure, including animal testing. According to the FDA, most products claim to be cruelty-free and usually contain a synthetic component. Although they may not test on animals, the origins of the synthetic may be.
The owner of a natural cosmetic line called Kokanni Cosmetics, Karen Iyere, said she believes all cosmetics should forcibly be eco-friendly.
"Your skin is a barrier, and cosmetic formulations are designed to penetrate that barrier," Iyere said. "The benefit of using natural products on your skin is that you reduce the likelihood of absorbing harmful chemicals into your bloodstream. Natural skincare products are less likely to contain chemicals that cause cancer and negatively affect wildlife and the environment."
Consumers are not just turning towards green beauty for the benefits of their skin but also the environment. Oxybenzone and octinoxate are chemicals commonly found in sunscreen products. These two chemicals damage coral reefs, increasing their vulnerability to bleaching and preventing growth.
Microbeads are another particle that is harmful to the environment. They are made of plastic, and when rinsed in the sink, it pollutes the water, which is detrimental to marine life and humans. Microbeads are in various beauty products, including blush, foundation, sunscreen and facial scrubs. Microbeads were banned in the U.S. in 2015 and Canada in 2018, and are also banned in the U.K. More companies are using the cost-saving virtues of synthetic testing methods. A lot of green products use jojoba and coffee beans as alternatives for microbeads.
All organic, natural products aren't for everyone. Iyere warns that just because a product is organic or natural doesn't mean it meets someone's skin's needs. She suggests that people read products' labels. She also advises looking for organic products with the certified USDA stamp of approval.
"People should be cautious of cosmetic products that claim to be organic. The USDA has strict guidelines for labeling organic products," she said. "I tell people that Kokanni is a natural line with organic ingredients because of the cosmetic grade preservative used to preserve the product and prevent harmful bacteria from growing. Once the preservative is added, the USDA no longer deems that the product is organic."
What's the future of the beauty industry? Iyere believes that the industry makes up a significant portion of waste.
"If those of us who are significantly contributing to the beauty industry can abide by government regulations for a greener, a healthier planet, I think that would allow this industry to be more sustainable," she said.
Learn more about Kokanni Cosmetics by clicking here.