Principles of sustainability and eco-friendly production are becoming an ever-greater focus for some consumers and producers. Climate change and other impacts of human production and consumption are becoming clearer to many, and efforts are being made to mitigate these effects. The beauty industry is one that billions of consumers participate in by purchasing products from hundreds of thousands of brands worldwide. Ingredients such as parabens, formaldehyde, and phthalates can be found in many beauty products and may harm the environment or the users of the product (or both). Locally sourced, natural ingredients that do not require preservatives or use harmful chemicals are better alternatives for people and for the environment. Handmade soap and body lotions are some examples of healthy, safe alternatives to mass-produced items.
No (or fewer) harmful chemical ingredients
Handmade products are more likely to be made with naturally sourced products and have fewer chemical ingredients that can be harmful to people and the environment.
Parabens are a commonly used chemical preservative that extends the shelf-life of products like soaps, shampoos, and moisturizers (among others). There has been significant debate about whether parabens are safe to use in the long term, with some studies indicating that they can disrupt hormones. Today, it is possible to find handmade soapproducts and other beauty items that are labeled as “paraben-free.”
Phthalates arealso commonly found in beauty products and are used to soften and homogenize individual ingredients to combine into a single, smooth substance. Phthalates demonstrated to be endocrine disruptors, which are a group of chemicals that can interfere with the body’s natural hormonal processes. Phthalates are found in many beauty products, including detergents, hair sprays, and fragrances.
Fragrances in perfumes are some of the most widely advertised and consumed beauty products in the world. Fragrances are also used in many other cosmetic products, such as shampoos, moisturizers, and soaps. Many fragrances are derived from natural ingredients and named as such – for example, many perfumes or soaps might bear the names of the flowers or plants they smell like. However, sometimes the natural ingredients are blended with harmful synthetic chemicals or the natural scent has been chemically mimicked. Products that use essential oils for their fragrances tend to be safer for people to use.
Fewer total ingredients
Typically, handmade products will have fewer total ingredients than commercial or mass-produced products. This is because they are often produced on a smaller scale, catering to a more local customer base which means that their shelf-life need not be as long as products that are shipped long distances. Handmade products, by definition, are not made in large factories with access to laboratories and chemicals and their selling point is typically that they are safer, naturally composed products. Comparing the ingredients list of handmade olive oil soap, for example, to a mass-produced soap may surprise consumers. A handmade olive oil soap may contain as few as three ingredients, while a mass-produced soap typically contains many more additives that could be harmful to the environment or people. Fewer ingredients mean that there is less chance of skin irritation or allergic reactions from unknown sources.
Label transparency
Producers of handmade products with fewer natural ingredients than their mass and factory-produced counterparts are typically transparent with their ingredient lists. Often, these products are naturally derived and include ingredients easily recognizable as natural and safe by consumers: for example, a handmade olive oil soap may list olive oil, jasmine essential oil and coconut oil as its ingredients. Manufacturers of products containing many chemicals and synthetic ingredients might list harmful ingredients by their scientific or chemical names, which consumers are unlikely to recognize unless they research them.
Brand commitment Research brands committed to ethical and sustainable production if you are looking for beauty products that are the least likely to harm you, your family, and the environment. These could be artisan, handmade brands, or more large-scale producers. Brands that promote themselves as using 100% ethically sourced, natural, and cruelty-free ingredients are typically the safest options. It is always good to remember that supporting local businesses is better for the environment (and your local economy) as you are not paying for goods to be shipped across the world.
