Cosmetics are something that we need to use on a daily basis. Nevertheless, the beauty industry’s environmental impact spans several facets, from packaging waste to harmful ingredients and animal testing. Consumers can mitigate these impacts by making informed choices, prioritizing eco-friendly and cruelty-free products, and supporting brands that adopt sustainable practices.
Environmental Consequences of the Beauty Industry
The beauty industry, known for its role in enhancing appearance, plays a significant part in addressing climate change challenges. However, its evolution has led to various ecological repercussions:
- The Packaging Dilemma: Excessive non-essential packaging constitutes 70% of beauty industry waste, annually contributing to landfills with materials like plastics, paper, glass, and metals. Complex material compositions hinder recycling efforts.
- The Plight of Plastic Pollution: Cosmetic products are a substantial contributor to the eight million tons of plastic that enter oceans each year, causing harm to marine life, genetic mutations, and health issues for humans. Microbeads in beauty products exacerbate ocean pollution. Procter & Gamble (P&G) the parent company of brands like Pantene, Olay, and Gillette, has been criticized for its use of non-biodegradable microbeads in some personal care products.
- Unsustainable Resource Utilization: Even products labeled as “natural” can harm the environment due to unsustainable resource production, including deforestation for palm oil and depletion of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels and metals.
- Oceanic Chemical Contamination: Toxic chemicals from beauty products infiltrate oceans, disrupting ecosystems and posing risks to marine life and humans. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by beauty products contribute to carbon emissions. Johnson & Johnson has been criticized for using potentially harmful chemicals in its baby products and cosmetics.
- Concerns Surrounding Animal Testing: Ethical concerns arise from animal testing practices in the cosmetics industry, with questions about their effectiveness and regulatory insufficiencies, resulting in cruel tests on animals.
- Devastating Effects of Deforestation: Extensive deforestation, driven by the need for raw materials and packaging, exacerbates climate change, leading to biodiversity loss and wildlife population decline. L’Oréal, one of the world’s largest cosmetics companies, has faced criticism for its role in deforestation.
- Child Labor in Mica Mining: Mica mining, a vital cosmetic ingredient, is associated with child labor and health risks for children working in mines.
Positive Impact of Natural Cosmetics Brands on Climate Change:
Individuals can contribute to environmental preservation by choosing natural and eco-friendly beauty products, supporting sustainable beauty brands with ethical practices, and educating themselves about product ingredients and certifications.
Natural cosmetics brands like Weleda, Lavera, and Alverde contribute positively to climate change mitigation through various strategies:
- Sustainable Ingredient Sourcing: Prioritizing organic and sustainably grown ingredients reduces the carbon footprint associated with conventional farming practices.
- Reduced Chemical Footprint: Avoiding harmful chemicals and synthetic additives benefits consumer health and reduces the environmental impact of chemical production and disposal.
- Minimal Packaging: Eco-friendly, recyclable, and minimal packaging choices minimize waste and associated carbon emissions.
- Cruelty-Free and Ethical Practices: Adherence to cruelty-free practices and ethical sourcing reduces the carbon footprint linked to animal testing and supports environmentally conscious approaches.
- Awareness and Advocacy: Natural cosmetics brands actively raise awareness about ethical and sustainable choices, influencing consumer behavior and industry standards.
Natural cosmetics brands try to contribute positively to climate change mitigation by prioritizing sustainability in ingredient sourcing, reducing chemical usage, adopting minimal packaging, adhering to ethical practices, and advocating for environmentally friendly practices within the cosmetics industry.
https://www.trvst.world/sustainable-living/environmental-impact-of-cosmetics/
https://sustainable-earth.org/cosmetic-ingredients/
https://www.weleda.com/weleda/our-responsibility/sustainability
https://www.cosmoprof.com/en/media-room/news/beauty-and-sustainability-challenges-opportunities-and-new-projects-to-reduce-the-impact-of-the-cosmetics-industry-on-the-environment/
https://research-api.cbs.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/58438670/pia_voigt.pdf
