What Is Sustainable Skincare?
Makeup and skincare are prevailing as, in recent years, the world has witnessed a surge in consumer demand for this industry. However, as much as the demand has increased, the amount of cosmetic waste has also increased in recent years. From ingredients and packaging to energy consumption in production, all have contributed to damaging the environment.
The current practices of the beauty industry, like plastic packaging, animal testing, and chemical ingredients, are negatively impacting our environment. Such practices are depleting natural resources, damaging seas, hurting animals, and producing toxic microplastics.
Under these circumstances, it has become necessary for people to adopt sustainable skincare. Let us tell you what sustainable skincare is and why you should practice it.
Sustainable Skincare - An Overview
With sustainable skincare, you might be thinking about using "natural" products, but it is more than that. This type of skincare is a completely revamped approach to how we take care of our skin while minimizing harm to the environment and people.
This means what brands or products we use and how we use them must have nearly zero environmental impact. There are certain levels of watching sustainability in your skincare routine.
The Levels Of Sustainable Skincare - What To Look For?
Knowing about these levels is necessary for you to understand how sustainable skincare works and how you can implement it in your routine. There you have it!
The Ingredients:
At this level, you see if your skincare brand is using sustainable ingredients in the product. Sustainable ingredients are eco-friendly ingredients sourced from natural origin and biodegradable raw materials. These ingredients are sourced and transported responsibly without damaging the environment.
- These products are natural and organic, as most sustainable brands prefer naturally sourced ingredients grown without harmful chemicals or pesticides. This protects ecosystems and ensures ingredients are gentle on your skin.
- These ingredients come from renewable and ethical origins. They favor renewable resources like plant oils, algae, and minerals over petrochemicals or unsustainable harvesting practices. Ethical sourcing considers fair labor and community impact.
- Most people prefer it because they are non-toxic for skin health. You'll find fewer or no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and other potentially harmful chemicals that can pollute and irritate skin.
The Packaging:
When looking for sustainable skincare products, consider the packaging they are using. Around 80-90% of skincare products come in plastic packaging, which eventually goes into landfills or in the sea. But isn't this because we, as consumers, demand fancy packaging? So, if you want brands to shift to sustainable packages, shift your demands. For this, you have to:
- These products are natural and organic, as most sustainable brands prefer naturally sourced ingredients grown without harmful chemicals or pesticides. This protects ecosystems and ensures ingredients are gentle on your skin.
- These ingredients come from renewable and ethical origins. They favor renewable resources like plant oils, algae, and minerals over petrochemicals or unsustainable harvesting practices. Ethical sourcing considers fair labor and community impact.
- Most people prefer it because they are non-toxic for skin health. You'll find fewer or no parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and other potentially harmful chemicals that can pollute and irritate skin.
The Production Practices
Sustainable skincare also involves how the product was made. For example, the brand hurt animals while making the product, or the brand has a huge carbon footprint. You can gauge these by looking at these factors:
- Look for the brand's stance on energy-efficient manufacturing. Sustainable skincare brands use practices that reduce their carbon footprint, like using renewable energy sources and minimizing water usage.
- Is the brand cruelty-free and vegan? Many sustainable brands avoid animal testing and use vegan ingredients to align with ethical and environmental considerations.
- The brand’s transparency and certifications are evident on its website. Look for brands committed to transparency, disclosing their ingredient sourcing, manufacturing practices, and certifications like Leaping Bunny and PETA Certified.
Conclusion
Adopting a lifestyle that calls for sustainability is the best thing you can give back to this planet. You can adopt an environmentally friendly lifestyle without actually compromising on anything. You just have to make sure you are choosing the right products and supporting the right cause.