Author: Madeline Miller
Overview of the Beauty Industry’s Impact on the Environment
The beauty industry generates annual revenue of over $500 billion dollars. Controversies have sky-rocketed over the industry’s negative impact on the environment. The whirlwind of climate change is no longer negligible. Significant faults include; high carbon emissions, overuse of valuable resources, unethical production, and animal abuse.
The global market value of clean beauty is expected to jump to $54 billion dollars by 2027. “Clean beauty” includes cruelty-free, vegan, carbon-neutral, ethical, and organic products that tend to have reusable or recyclable packaging. Over 70% of the industry’s carbon emissions will be reduced if every company produced refillable containers. Sustainable beauty is chic, trendy, and relevant.
Major brands are making headway to achieve complete sustainability, with A-list celebrities creating “eco-chic” products for their audiences. Gwenyth Paltrow, Miranda Kerr, Jessica Alba are justs a fraction of the celebs who have pioneered the development of sustainable cosmetics. “Clean beauty” is worth the endeavor and its rise in popularity will have a significant positive impact on the global environment.
Up to 40% of beauty products go to waste with 120 billion units produced yearly. We’ve all had a product that didn’t quite meet our standards, hiding in the back of the makeup drawer. The simple truth is that consumers also play a role in the negative impact on the climate. An estimated 55 billion tons of carbon dioxide are lingering in the atmosphere. Each year there is a new record high.
The majority of these “eco-chic” brands focus on eliminating harsh chemicals and microplastics from their ingredients to lessen harmful effects on ocean reefs and other precious ecosystems. The main intent is to mitigate any negative impacts this may have on customers and the environment.
The use of unethical ingredients arises from a consistent lack of regulation. Brands aren’t required to have transparency with customers.
A recent study by EWG revealed women apply roughly 150 harsh chemicals to their bodies daily. Picture what your skin goes through. Therefore, reviewing organic and certified clean products is of relative importance.
We have compiled a list of highly-praised clean beauty products that we have deemed “eco-chic” to aid you in making the seamless switch to sustainable beauty. Every product on this list is vegan and cruelty-free.
7 Eco-Chic Cosmetics You Have to Try
1) Vapour Beauty Lip Nectar ($28) and High Voltage Lipstick ($30)
Product Links: Lip Nectar High Voltage Lipstick
Vapour Beauty is devoted to preserving valuable resources and unleashing your inner fashionista. Each product is silicone-free, nourishing, hydrating, and soothing to the lips. The production process uses 100% renewable energy, is 97% waterless, and the packaging and containers are 100% recyclable. Shipping is carbon neutral.
Key Ingredients:
- Organic avocado and jojoba, conditions lips
- Organic shea butter, rich in essential fatty acids
2) Kora Organics Vitamin C Eye Cream ($54)
Product Link: Vitamin C Eye Cream
Kora Organics’ Vitamin C Eye Cream firms, brightens, and smoothes the skin, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The eye cream is toxin-free and refillable. The formula is energized with rose quartz, encouraging love and acceptance. Healing crystals channel the body’s energy to benefit the mind, body, and soul.
Key Ingredients:
*High levels of antioxidants and nutrients*
- Kangaroo Paw Flower
- Kakadu Plum
- Cloudberry
3) Youth to the People Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser ($36)
Product Link: Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
The product has the stamp of approval from numerous high-fashion models. This is “green juice” for your face. The combination of superfoods packs a punch, balancing the skin’s PH and preventing pore build-up. Youth to the People’s cleanser container is recyclable and refillable. The company makes active environmental and climate efforts.
Key Ingredients:
*Sources of antioxidants, Vitamin C + E*
- Kale, phytonutrients
- Spinach, moisturizes and cools
- Green Tea, anti-inflammatory with essential fatty acids
4) Thrive Causemetics Mascara ($22)
Product Link: Causemetics Mascara
The mascara beautifully accentuates the lashes. Goodbye to lash extensions. This is a personal favorite we could not live without. It comes highly praised in the beauty community. The product is paraben and sulfate-free with no synthetic fragrances.
Key Ingredients:
- Orchid Stem Cell Complex, promotes lash growth
- Castor Oil & Shea Butter, condition and strengthen lashes
5) Cocokind Ceramind Barrier Serum ($20)
Product Link: Barrier Serum
Cocokind’s serum restores the skin’s barrier and elasticity by enhancing natural ceramide production. THE website includes information on each product’s carbon emissions, completely carbon-neutral. The packaging and the containers are 100% recyclable. Production is ethical.
Key Ingredients:
- Ceramides, Lipids, Lactic Acid
6) Uni Hydrating Shampoo ($34) + Conditioner ($34)
Product Link: Shampoo and Conditioner
Uni’s hair products contain plant-derived ingredients that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. There are no sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, or silicones. It’s carbon-neutral and reef-safe with a spunky-looking refillable container. The shampoo and conditioner is color-safe, moisturizing, and nourishing.
Key Ingredients:
- Minerals, Amino Acids, Algae antioxidants
- Aloe Vera
7) Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer ($68)
Product Link: Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer
The moisturizer is free of silicones and fragrances. Aside from having a fabulous name, it reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and sun damage. Drunk Elephant donates a portion of the proceeds to elephant foundations.
Key Ingredients:
- 9 Signal Peptides
- Amino Acids, generate proteins on the skin
- Pygmy Water Lily Stem Cell Extract, contains antioxidants and nutrients
- Soybean Folic Acid Ferment Extract, source of Vitamin B