Getting under the skin of sustainable beauty
Sustainable beauty is an umbrella term that is used to describe clean, ethical and vegan beauty, although this probably still doesn’t answer the question of what it is or why it is important!
So let me start with some definitions of the key terms in the sustainable beauty space:
Clean beauty
Refers to cosmetics that are non-toxic and manufactured without any harmful chemicals. The term clean beauty is often used interchangeably with organic, green or natural beauty, as these products are made with natural ingredients and do not contain parabens, sulphates or synthetic fragrances.
Ethical beauty
Includes products that are made from responsibly sourced ingredients and manufactured under fair conditions. Ethical beauty considers the social aspects of cosmetic production, taking into consideration working conditions and pay to reduce social inequalities.
Vegan/ cruelty-free beauty
Products labelled as vegan contain no traces of animal or animal derived ingredients, including beeswax, honey and collagen. Vegan beauty is sometimes confused for cruelty-free beauty, which can be defined as cosmetics that have not, at any stage of their manufacture, been tested on animals.
However, just because a product contains no animal ingredients does not mean it has not been tested on animals, so be sure to check the labels of your products if you want to ensure you are buying vegan and cruelty-free.
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly aware of the harmful impacts of the beauty industry on people, planet and animals, due to a rise in social media and news coverage of these issues. Supporting sustainable beauty brands increases the demand for these products and encourages brands to consider the environmental and social implications of their products.
The obvious benefit of using clean beauty products is that they help to reduce pollution and ensure the environment is protected from harmful chemicals, which can pollute soil and water supplies.
The use of organic and natural ingredients can also have positive impacts on your skin compared to the chemicals used in traditional beauty products, therefore you will be glowing from the inside out knowing you are contributing to a more sustainable future and having the glazed skin to match.
Vegan and cruelty-free beauty products benefit animals by ensuring they are not killed or tested upon for the products you are buying. Ingredients used in vegan and cruelty-free products are also safer for your skin, as they have been proven to have no harmful or negative effects.
I have found that switching to sustainable beauty products has made me feel more in touch with the environment, taking a moment each day as I do my skincare and makeup to appreciate the natural products our world is capable of producing. Why not make one switch to a clean, vegan or cruelty-free beauty product and see how it makes you feel?
Protecting our environment and animals from harm is vitally important if we want to contribute to a more sustainable future. I hope this post has educated you on the importance of or inspired you to consider swapping to sustainable beauty alternatives.
