All products have an impact on the environment, including beauty products. The cosmetics industry is currently worth $400 billion and is estimated to continue growing. Beauty packaging amounts to 120 billion units every year. Cosmetic products not only affect landfills; they also affect oceans, air quality, and ecosystems. Since the dawn of time, humans have found ways to achieve beauty. The ancient Egyptians wore black Kohl eyeliner and upper-class Egyptians, such as Cleopatra, wore lipstick. Natural materials were used; however, beauty products have become more processed as time went by. Here at Glass Planet, we wanted to find out the true effects of the cosmetics industry..this is what we found.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes materials applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance without affecting the body's structure or functions is cosmetics. Legally, cosmetics include makeup, skincare, hair products, deodorant, nail polish, and toothpaste.
The Effects:
1. Chemicals
Parabens, plasticizers, formaldehyde, BHA, pesticides, and coal tar are all used in cosmetic manufacturing. Sunscreens contain synthetic materials, resulting in disrupting coral reproduction and growth. These chemicals can cause the reef to become bleached. Some cosmetics also contain parabens that are responsible for bleaching coral reefs; this disrupts the lives of animals who depend on the reef.
2. Animal Testing
Over the years, fewer companies have relied on animal testing; however, it is still done. An example of animal testing is the skin and eye irritation test. The animal is shaved and has chemicals poured into its eyes and skin. Another test is the lethal dose test where an animal is injected with a lethal dosage of chemicals to single out fatally toxic chemicals. If an animal does not die from any of the testing measures, they are killed by asphyxiation, neck-breaking, or decapitation.
3. Sourcing
Mica is a natural mineral dust that is used to add shine to a makeup product, and it is commonly mined in India. There has been a lot of controversy around Mica due to child labor being used to mine the material. Mining is very dangerous and can lead to serious injuries or death. A 2016 research study estimated the number of children involved in mica mining in Jharkhand and Bihar to be 22,000. Palm Oil is another common material used in cosmetics and is only found in tropical environments. This increased demand is leading to deforestation.
4. Water Consumption
Most beauty products on the market contain water. Water is safe for the environment; however, by 2050 the United Nations has predicted that 52% of the world's population will live in water-stressed regions. Water is also heavier than most oils, resulting in heavier products; this means higher transportation costs.
5. Air Pollution
Volatile organic compounds are found in cleaning agents, printing inks, pesticides, and wood finishings. They are also present in perfumes, deodorants, and hair sprays. These compounds lead to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions. Materials derived from fossil fuels are commonly used in beauty products and packaging. When fossil fuels are burned, they emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere.
6. Plastic Pollution
About 8 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, and cosmetic containers contribute to this number. Plastic is not biodegradable which means it will not decompose over time. Plastics go through a process called photodegradation; a cycle occurring over 100-500 years where plastic breaks down into microscopic pieces. Some of the plastic in the ocean is visible; however, other pieces cannot be seen using the human eye. Animals end up consuming microplastics leading to genetic mutations or death. Plastic can cause an animal to choke or slowly kill them from the inside. Plastics do not only affect animals; humans are also at risk of ingesting plastic. People can ingest the equivalent to a credit card of plastic per week due to plastic pollution in water and from eating other animals that have consumed it.
7. Microbeads
Many beauty products contain microbeads, which are classified as tiny spheres of plastic. They are commonly found in body scrubs and other beauty products, such as exfoliants. When a consumer uses a product with microbeads in it, they wash the product off, sending the plastic into bodies of water. There, the toxins are ingested by fish. The United States and the UK have both banned the production of microbeads; however, they are still present in products that are made outside of those countries.
What you can do:
There are many beauty companies and a wide variety of options to choose from with new companies entering the business every day. Make sure to do research to find brands that use sustainable practices and non-toxic ingredients. Don’t take brands' word on if they’re green, make sure to find evidence that the brand is truly eco-friendly. Many brands will use a small number of recycled materials and label the items as green products. Consumers should care about their bodies and the planet at the same time.
Are you looking for more sustainable cosmetic companies? Click here to check out our favorite sustainable makeup brands.
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