The origins of makeup date back to at least 3000 BC, when the Chinese found ways to use egg whites, gelatin and bees wax to create varnishes for their nails. Since then, manufacturing processes have been optimised, marketing budgets have been blown and any insecurity a woman can have can be taken care of by a number of products and lotions. The cosmetics industry may not be the most environmentally damaging sector in the market, but many manufacturers are focused on shouting their eco-friendliness from the rooftops since the beginning of the ethical consumerism movement. From animal testing to recyclable packaging, liveeco takes a look at some of the eco-friendly products available in the market.
What companies are selling
Lush is a company in the United Kingdom that sells handmade cosmetics, lotions, bath bombs, hair products, soaps and face washes. Lush uses essential oils, vegetables, fruits and synthetic ingredients in all products produced. The handmade products are made in small batches based on orders from individual branches (the company now has over 600 stores in 43 countries) to ensure the products are fresh.
Korres is another company that is committed to eco-friendly makeup. The Greek cosmetic company, which was established out of Greece’s oldest homeopathic pharmacy, has over 400 eco-products in their range of organic makeup and they avoid the use of chemical substances such as silicones, parabens and mineral oils amongst others. Eye shadows from Korres are made with evening primrose oil and sunflower and lip balm is made from rice wax and shea butter.
The Organic Wear range for Physicians Formula is the first ECOCERT® Certified Organic Line of Makeup in the U.S. Their paper compacts use 93% less plastic than traditional compacts and they are formulated for sensitive skin, so they don’t contain any fragrances or any of the over 100 known skin irritants found in a lot of makeup on the market (available exclusively at Dis-Chem).
What makes cosmetics eco-friendly?
The definition of “eco-friendly makeup” is wide and varied among companies. Lush, for example, tests their makeup on volunteers (they’re against animal testing) and they don’t use animal fats in their products. They sell products in small bags or wrapped in paper, but they encourage customers to bring their own bags to the store when buying their products or go “naked” (to not use packaging).
Over 70% of Lush’s products contain no packaging at all and the packaging they do use is 100% recyclable. What makes Lush sustainable is their ethos, which is carried out through the entire supply chain (that they don’t buy from companies that carry out, fund or commission any animal testing) and they are phasing out the use of sodium palm kernelate, which is derived from trees in the natural habitat of orang-utans.
Korres, on the other hand, only uses biodegradable petrochemical-free ingredients. They are also focused on minimising their electricity consumption – the heat used during their product’s manufacturing process comes from a power-saving steam generator. The company also removes and destroys any harmful byproducts from the soil during the manufacturing process. The containers used for Korres products are 100% recyclable.
Decléor takes sustainability a step further. This company uses plant extracts from Madagascar for all their products. To contribute to sustainability, biodiversity and living conditions in the region, Decléor uses local producers to source their ingredients. In 2008, the company launched a reforestation programme in the Masindray valley (6000 Ravintsara trees planted in 2008) to protect natural water sources and local flora. They have also launched a solar electricity programme for schools and their laboratories are undertaking studies to identify new local active ingredients in the area.
One of the environmentally-friendly cosmetic ranges that show true eco-activism is the “Burt’s Bees” brand. The company started in 1984 when a bee-keeper, Burt, teamed up with an entrepreneur to start selling beeswax candles from leftover beeswax (Burt sold honey out of his truck in Maine, US). Since then, their product range has evolved to body lotion and lip balm. Although his company is hugely successful (showing a turnover of US$250-million a year), Burt lives in a reconditioned turkey coop with one light bulb and a radio for company in the woods of Maine.
Click here for some more locally made eco beauty labels
The liveeco team
