WRITTEN BY EDIDIDONG DANIEL

The long-standing beauty industry is among the top most profitable sectors, raking profits in the billions yearly. The rise in demand for more sustainability efforts has become much more apparent over the past several years, the beauty industry not excluded.

Sustainability and The Beauty Industry

Sustainability, as defined by the United Nations Brundtland Commission in 1987, means “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” 

Like every other industry, the beauty industry relies on raw materials from the environment to produce its products. Unfortunately, these materials are currently being extracted at an unsustainable rate and, if left unchecked, our future generations will struggle to meet their needs.

Unsustainable Beauty Industry Practices

Some unsustainable practices run by the beauty industry that harm people and the planet include:

• Palm oil use: Palm oil is one of the many ingredients in beauty products labeled under several sneaky names. It is used in shampoo, conditioner, foundation, lipstick, and other makeup products because of its nourishing, emollient, and protective properties. Palm oil production has been a leading cause of deforestation, threatening species and ecosystems.

• Plastics: Globally, 120 billion units of plastic packaging are produced by the cosmetic industry yearly, with only a few being recycled. Plastic pollution is a global problem, with severe environmental consequences.

• Fossil fuels: Not only are fossil fuels used in manufacturing plastics for packaging, but they also constitute major ingredients in beauty products. Ingredients like mineral oil, petroleum jelly, paraffin wax, toluene, and many more are all petrochemicals derived from crude oil. Oil exploration has devastating impacts on our planet, significantly contributing to our current climate crisis.

• Animal cruelty: As the Humane Society of the United States states, “beauty should be kind.” Unfortunately, this is not the case. Over 350,000 animals suffer and die worldwide every year in cosmetics tests. While non-animal methods exist, animals are still being used to test cosmetic ingredients globally.

• Water consumption: Water is a major ingredient in product formulation. Laboratory experts from Univar Solutions say “a cream formula contains from 60-85% of water, a lotion up to 90%, and shower gel or shampoos up to 95%.” With our water resources currently under threat, there is a global need to conserve water.

The Clean in Beauty

On the other side of sustainability is clean. Clean beauty, as defined by the Center for Environmental Health, means that “the products contain ingredients that have been evaluated for safety and the brands are transparent about the ingredients they are using.” The need for clean beauty products has been associated with the industry’s use of harmful, toxic chemicals and ingredients in product formulation and even in packaging. 

Scientific researchers have identified many of these toxicants as endocrine disruptors – affecting hormones and the endocrine system; carcinogens – cancer-causing; irritants and allergens – causing irritation and allergic reactions; and affecting the reproductive system, and have linked them to a number of health risks in humans. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) highlighted twelve chemicals and contaminants in cosmetics and their associated health effects. 

It is important to note that certain populations are even more exposed to these toxic ingredients in beauty products due to environmental injustices. Dr. Ami Zota and Dr. Bhavna Shamasunder highlighted in their research paper on The Environmental Injustice of Beauty: Framing Chemical Exposures from Beauty Products as a Health Disparities Concern that “compared to White women, women of color have higher levels of beauty product-related environmental chemicals in their bodies, independent of socioeconomic status.”

These toxic chemicals in beauty products not only affect human health but also harm the environment. Once released, they persist in the environment for a long time, polluting water and soil, and negatively impacting ecosystems and species’ health. For example, chemicals like oxybenzone in sunscreen threaten coral reefs and marine species.

Buying Clean and Sustainable Beauty Products

With this knowledge of unsustainable practices and the use of toxic ingredients by the beauty industry out in the open, environmentalists and consumers are more aware and have called for more clean and sustainable beauty products, to which several brands have answered. 

When buying beauty products, search for those from brands that are ethically sourced, plastic-free, sustainably manufactured and without child labor, cruelty-free, and non-toxic, among others. You can find the Environmental Working Group (EWG) certified beauty products on the EWG’s Skin Deep site. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics (CSC) also has a Non-Toxic Black Beauty Product Database where you can check products free from toxic chemicals as listed on their Red List. 

As consumers, we have the power to shape industry standards so let’s use it to protect our own health and the health of the planet.