Ingredient — First Approach to Skincare: Placing Sustainability at the Forefront of our Daily Routine

Inculcating a larger culture of accountability with tangible aptitude to become an inflection point of environmental change

Any consumer who knows anything about sustainable skincare knows the truth: It’s what’s on the inside that counts.The chemical composition of a skincare product’s raw materials is where users can look to distinguish a clean product compared to those sold on the conventional market.Chemical composition is, however, only the first of many properties that one should be evaluating. In order to legitimize a clean and sustainable skincare manufacturing process, one must also consider an environmentally secure approach to the extraction process of raw materials. This works in tandem with efforts to reduce carbon through the use of renewable energy resources such as transitional farming.

Scientific advancements behind research continue to improve information about the impact of usage from, the supplier to the manufacturer, as well as to the consumer market and post-sale, inclusive of handling, on the environment.

Beauty products represent a small issue in the grand scheme of environmental concerns. However, the cosmetics industry is massive, worth nearly $532 billion, and is projected to increase to over $700 billion by 2025. The use of products and their respective packaging, over time, have a major impact on the environment. The need for transparency has placed a social and ethical responsibility on the consumer, as much as the beauty manufacturer to do the right thing in choosing very clear science in the selection of materials and ingredients across the supply chain, over greenwash marketing to cater to the immediate health of consumers. More than ever before, consumers in the beauty and skincare industry are taking an ingredient-first approach to prevent environmental externalities. Moreover, these consumers are focused on conserving water waste and avoiding contamination, pollution, and global warming while demanding transparency, steering clear of ingredients prone to causing cancer, disrupting hormones, irritating sensitivity to allergies and that are toxic to the human body and to the environment. Although the industry has made major strides in the past decade, growing public interest in preventing externalities has triggered increased attention and investment to integrate sustainability of product manufacturing and accelerate environmentally-friendly business practices.

The trusted national nonprofit organization Environmental Working Group has set a sustainable standard for brands, starting with a working list of ingredients or raw materials that should not be utilized in beauty products being advertised as ‘clean’.EWG is also a rigorous evaluator of personal care products, and only awards certification to products that meet meticulous ingredient and transparency requirements. “Its mission is to empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment” and is dedicated to protecting human health and the environment (EWG 2020). The toxic twelve ingredients available on EWG.org make up a great resource and reference point to begin your journey in identifying and avoiding harmful ingredients in your products.

The Toxic Twelve Ingredients to Avoid

The chemicals mentioned below have been banned by many governments, including nations within the European Union. In addition to this, many of these chemicals have been censured by the U.S and are in the process of being removed from store brands available at major U.S retailers including Target, Walgreens, Rite Aide, and CVS Health.[1]

· BHA and BHT

· Coal Tar Dyes (Aminophenol, Diaminobenzene, Phenylenediamine)

· Parabens

· Synthetic Fragrances

· Sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate)

· Triclosan

· Phthalates

· Oxybenzone

· PEGs (polyethylene glycols)

· Petrolatum

· DEA (diethanolamine)

· Formaldehyde-releasing preservativesÔ

Aside from top-tier companies in the industry, there are thousands of smaller excellent skincare and cosmetic brands with loyal fan-bases. These smaller companies have made strides and reached milestones in undertaking major sustainability initiatives, despite a history of inefficient practices, unsubstantiated product claims, toxic ingredients and unethical sourcing that have plagued the industry. Praised brands like Juice Beauty, Tata Harper Skincare and Follain have mastered the art of engineering products that are sustainable ambassadors of meaningful change. They have set the bar for other conventional brands on the market to do better in steering away from polluting agents as ingredients in their products. With years of experience producing natural and organic products, these brands have continued to build sustainability into their brand identities. Where detoxifying, deep cleansing, fortifying and hydrating are nothing new, brands are now not only healthier for our skin and wellbeing, but are now also sustainable for the long-term health of our environment too, inculcating a much larger culture of accountability towards our ecological footprint. Routinely using these skincare and cosmetic brands has tangible aptitude to be an inflection point of environmental change.

TATA HARPER

Nourishing Oil Cleanser and Clarifying Cleanser

The pressure of having to adjust our daily routines to counter potentially detrimental externalities like skin irritation with the mandate of daily wearing of a mask. Cleansing with the multi-vitamin cleansing treatment Nourishing Oil Cleanser first to remove make-up and debris ensures a thorough and deeper wash of your face before using Tata Harper’s Clarifying Cleanser for blemish-prone skin. This ensures that the products you use thereafter will be more effective.

JUICE BEAUTY

Bamboo Pore Refining Mask

Medically known as acne mechanica, Maskne or acne triggered due to wearing a mask has become a recent beauty hurdle. Bamboo Pore Refining Mask by Juice Beauty is formulated to detox and purify the skin with organic ingredients of Activated Bamboo Charcoal made from sustainable and eco-friendly bamboo. Furthermore, Bentonite and Kaolin Clay target acne created by the heat, friction, and a concealed environment our skin encounters when wearing a mask for long periods of time. The organic aloe component of the ingredients assists in calming, moisturizing, and hydrating the skin.

FOLLAIN

Replenish + Protect Moisturizer

EWG Verified, Brand Follain formulates its Replenish + Protect Moisturizer with Bakuchiol (a plant-derived, non-irritating alternative to Retinol) and Matrixyl™ synthe’6™ Peptide. Not only is this moisturizer fast-absorbing, but it has a fresh floral scent derived from Bulgarian Rosewater too. Serving as both an under-makeup primer as well as a daily moisturizer, Follain will help reduce the overall appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

In our sustainable impact series, we have curated our favorite conscientious beauty products to live a more fortifying and cleaner life. These products equip your skincare routine to find a balance regardless of climate, thus, enabling immediate and long-term sustainability due to the rigorous commitment by the brands in providing harmless, effective skincare practices and rituals.

Y. Dale Davis is a prominent energetic media maven, entrepreneur, and international style influencer whose artistic approach to everyday living has solidified her as an identifiable architect of sustainable design. Founder of method, Ingredient-First Approach to Skincare.

Read, shop, and get inspired at @YDaleDavis.

“Skincare and cosmetics that are an extension of your beauty routine where they fortify your wellbeing.”