Sustainable Beauty: Caring for the planet and your health

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By Melina Gjoka

If we want to live on a healthy planet, sustainability must become a part of our lives. The last few years, beauty industries try to include natural ingredients to their products in order to be considered as eco-friendly. It is important to know what we buy, as they affect not only the environment but also our health.

Sustainable beauty products are those produced with respect for the environment and incorporating practices that protect nature. Some of the beauty brands that try to keep sustainable products are:

Image by Melina Gjoka

1. Natural Soaps and Cosmetics (e.g., Lush)
   • Reason: The need to reduce the use of chemicals and plastic packaging. Companies use natural ingredients, organic farming, and recyclable or reusable packaging materials.
2. Biodegradable Cosmetics (e.g., ILIA Beauty)
   • Reason: Awareness of the impact of chemical cosmetics on the environment and health. These products often include non-toxic, natural ingredients and are designed to be biodegradable.
3. Vegan Ingredient Cosmetics (e.g., Tarte, Too Faced)
   • Reason: These products prefer plant-based and synthetic ingredients and avoid animal derivatives.
4. Recyclable Packaging (e.g., Kiehl’s)
   • Reason: The need to reduce pollution and waste. Many beauty companies have switched to recyclable or refillable packaging, such as glass bottles or reusable containers.
5. Organic Cosmetics (e.g., Tata Harper)
   • Reason: The need for products that do not contain synthetic chemicals. Organic products are produced with respect for nature and do not harm the environment or human health.
6. Zero-Waste Approach Cosmetics (e.g., Lush)
   • Reason: The focus on reducing waste and the need to create products that leave no traces in the consumption chain, such as solid soaps and shampoos.

Students from London Metropolitan University answered some questions based on sustainability in beauty industry:

Astha Raval, 22, who studies international business management answered:

Iqra Wasim, 21, who studies phycology answered:

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The market for sustainable beauty products has a significant impact on both the environment and society. Here are some reasons why it is extremely important to choose sustainable beauty products:

1. Environmental Protection
   • Pollution Reduction: Many traditional cosmetics contain chemicals that pollute water and soil when disposed of. In contrast, sustainable products use natural ingredients and biodegradable packaging, reducing their ecological impact.
   • Reduction in Plastic Usage: The beauty industry generates an amount of plastic packaging. Sustainable products often come in reusable or recyclable packaging, thereby reducing plastic pollution.
2. Health and Well-being
   • Natural Ingredients: Sustainable cosmetics typically avoid harmful chemicals like parabens, or other synthetic ingredients, which can irritate the skin or have negative health effects. Instead, they contain natural or organic ingredients that are more skin- and body-friendly.
3. Long-term Benefits for the Consumer
   • Effectiveness: Due to their natural ingredients, sustainable products often perform better and have long-term benefits for the skin. For example, organic oils and creams are more nourishing and less irritating than conventional products.
4. Social Responsibility
   • Empowering Awareness and Responsibility: By choosing sustainable products, consumers strengthen their voice for responsible consumption and actively participate in ecological and social change.
5. Impact on Industries and Markets
   • Industry Disruption: With the growing demand for sustainable products, companies are being forced to change their practices and adopt more responsible production strategies, positively influencing the entire beauty industry.
   • Support for Local Producers: Many sustainable brands collaborate with local producers and small businesses, supporting local economies and reducing the long-distance transportation that may have a high environmental cost.

Overall, choosing sustainable beauty products is an act that contributes to a healthier planet and a fairer society. It is a continuous and empowering change in the way we consume and we affect the world around us. By selecting sustainable products, we have the opportunity to contribute for a better future.

“I am grateful that sustainability has become a major focus for consumer products recently,” says Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact at Credo Beauty, in Vogue. “Sustainability in beauty means that the work we do now–the resources we extract, the stuff we make–will not compromise people’s ability to do the same in the future.”