Many consumers are now choosing to purchase eco-friendly beauty products. This is because they are concerned about how much waste the skincare industry produces.
One way to be more eco-friendly is to choose packaging made from natural materials, such as paper and cardboard. It is also possible to use biodegradable plastics.
Packaging
In addition to being better for you, eco-friendly cosmetic products often come in biodegradable, reusable, or recyclable packaging. This means you can plant your lipstick wrapper in your garden or use it as a wildflower seed starter instead of tossing it into the trash.
A growing number of beauty brands are shifting toward environmentally-friendly cosmetic packaging. They balance captivating product packaging designs with the imperative to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Choosing products from sustainable beauty brands like the manufacturing company of Larry Gaynor also helps to support the work of women-owned and led businesses in the industry.
In addition, many brands opt to utilize glass and metal containers to reduce the amount of plastic packaging used in their products. These materials are durable sturdy, and can protect the integrity of your cosmetics. They can also hold fragrances, oils, and other ingredients longer than some plastics.
Ingredients
The ingredients used in eco-friendly cosmetic products are natural or derived from plants and microorganisms instead of petroleum-based chemicals that have been linked to negative environmental impacts. This is especially important for sensitive skin because it limits skin exposure to harsh chemicals.
Companies are well known for their sustainability initiatives, including sourcing ethically produced palm oil. They also rely on natural and organic ingredients such as botanical oils, herbs, and beeswax in their products.
Other brands are embracing upcycling for their packaging by using materials such as old fishing nets or sugarcane bioplastic to replace traditional plastics that are harmful to the environment. This great trend supports a concept known as ‘circular beauty’ and helps reduce the amount of waste in landfills and oceans.
Many manufacturers are also sourcing carbon-neutral oleochemicals such as coconut or palm oil. These are sourced through less energy-intensive extraction methods such as enzymatic processes.
Safety
The main advantage of eco-friendly cosmetic products is their much smaller environmental footprint. For instance, natural and organic makeup reduces the amount of toxic pesticides and chemicals released into the soil, air, and water during production. It also reduces the need for plastic packaging, which significantly contributes to pollution.
Additionally, many manufacturers of eco-friendly cosmetics use sustainable packaging materials. This can be as simple as using reusable glass or aluminum tins, which are recyclable and have a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastic packaging.
Some companies go even further with sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly production processes into their beauty line. For example, Kjaer Weis uses reusable and refillable metal compacts. Their sample sachets are made from recycled paper and are compostable. Their mica is sourced from suppliers that are members of the Responsible Mica Initiative and is free of nano-sized titanium dioxide and microbeads. These small gestures make a huge difference.
Bottom Line
Using eco-friendly cosmetic products will help reduce harmful chemicals entering our bodies and the environment. The ingredients used in traditional beauty products can be toxic to our skin and the ecosystems they come into contact with, causing things like hormone disruption, damage to natural resources, and even death of coral reefs.
Sustainable beauty brands, such as ILIA Beauty, use environmentally friendly formulations and eco-conscious production practices to create their beauty products. They also offer recycled packaging made from aluminum and glass components and refillable jars. Additionally, they work hard to support biodiversity and ethical sourcing.
When you purchase green cosmetic products, the higher upfront costs are for good reason. They are healthier for your skin and the environment, look better, and last longer, so you won’t need to replace them as often. Plus, most green cosmetics companies have put significant thought into reducing packaging and waste.
