When consumers hear the phrase “green cosmetics,” they assume that the company or product is eco-friendly, but this isn’t always the case. Too often, a list of ayurvedic plant names and healthy-sounding extracts or butter appear on packaging, but no mention of the packaging materials.
Due to advertising and lose associations, the word “green” has become synonymous with organic, healthy, or eco-friendly. However, the term green cosmetics still needs clarification. Something that is truly green is free of petroleum-derived emulsifiers or stabilizers, and chemical preservatives and comes in sustainable packaging.
A good philosophy toward manufacturing makeup should use environmentally-friendly formulations, production practices, and packaging methods. For instance, a local favorite in eco-conscientious products, Juicy Chemistry, states that “we think of the life cycle of a product—from sourcing to end-use.” Most of their products are packaged in glass bottles and tubes, and their deodorants and dry shampoos come in paper tubes that are entirely biodegradable, ETC.
This outlook towards manufacturing practices is good for the environment. Glass can be recycled endlessly, and it never loses quality and purity, after all, it’s sand. Best of all, it doesn’t leak toxic chemicals into the products that it houses.
Other sustainable packaging materials include:
Bamboo – This is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, it regenerates quickly after harvest. Unlike other plants, bamboo requires no fertilizer to grow. It grows without pesticides since bamboo is naturally resistant to pests and fungi. Bamboo decomposes in six months and is biodegradable.
Paper Tubes – Paperboard tubes are easy to recycle at recycling centers and have a high recycling rate.
Aluminum Containers – Aluminum is infinitely recyclable. Aluminum oxidizes at the bottom of the sea and turns into dust.
It’s not just packaging that makes a product green, it’s what goes into it. For example, Oils and alcohols that are produced from soybeans, corn, and other agricultural plants are a great alternative to petroleum derivatives. These plants are used to produce organic emulsifiers, surfactants, and biocatalysts. For instance, palm and coconut make fatty alcohols, these are a great choice for sustainable surfactants. Glycerin, a byproduct of palm oil, is another great alternative to petroleum-derived products.
Ingredients That Aren’t Sustainable
By using natural, oleochemicals, sustainable cosmetics avoid many toxic elements found in popular brands. These chemicals damage environmental and human health and consumers should never read them on a “green” label.
BHA and BHT – BHA and BHT are synthetic antioxidants used as preservatives and they are often found in lipsticks and moisturizing creams. The European Commission has shown that BHA and BHT disrupt the endocrine system.
Coal tar dyes – On labels, coal tar dyes are listed as p-phenylenediamine or as colors titled “CI” and followed by a five-digit number. These dyes are mixtures of petrochemicals and have been linked to cancer.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives – These preservatives are present in a wide range of cosmetics, as well as in cleaning products such as toilet bowl cleaners. As their name suggests, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives continuously release small amounts of formaldehyde, a carcinogen.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – Often found in nail products, DBP is a solvent for dyes. Considered toxic to human reproduction, DBP enhances the ability of other chemicals to cause genetic Birth defects. Canada has banned DBP from all children’s toys, but no action has yet been taken against its presence in cosmetics.