The $500 billion beauty industry's "green" ambitions are a patchwork at best, with many consumers struggling to understand the sustainability credentials of products. A growing number of brands have set environmental goals, such as moving away from single-use and virgin plastics, providing recyclable, reusable, and refillable packaging, and offering more transparency around product ingredients.
However, these efforts often fall short, and inconsistencies in regulation and standardization can make it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The industry's plastic packaging is a particular challenge, with 95% of products thrown away after use and most not recycled.
Some brands are attempting to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, but the industry-wide adoption of PCR plastic remains slow due to high costs and limited supply. Governments and multinationals enforcing regulations and setting a baseline for sustainability claims could help drive change, but many experts believe that market leadership is key.
In the beauty marketplace, consumers and brands are taking initiative on their own, with some retailers launching "Clean + Planet Positive" initiatives and brands offering refillable and reusable packaging options. However, more work needs to be done to address the industry's climate shortcomings.
The lack of international standardization in the beauty industry is a major obstacle, with no clear guidelines for how much product ingredient information should be shared with customers or how to do so. This has led to "greenwashing," where sustainability claims are often touted but not substantiated.
Companies like Beautycounter and ILIA Beauty are working to educate consumers about the importance of natural ingredients and sustainable practices, while companies like FEKKAI are making efforts to increase PCR content in their packaging.
Ultimately, meaningful change will require continued collective advocacy and initiative from brands, customers, and governments. As Susanne Kaufmann, founder of her namesake beauty brand, notes, "Regulation can raise the floor a bit... But that's never going to be what the market can do. Market leadership is key."
The weight of retail lies with beauty retailers, who have control over stocking decisions and supply chains. However, many vary in their standards for brands they sell, leaving consumers without clear guidance on sustainable options.
Inconsistent recycling laws across countries also pose a challenge, as seen by Susanne Kaufmann's experience packaging her product in recyclable materials but facing difficulties sending it to the US due to inadequate waste management systems.
As Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact at beauty retailer Credo Beauty, notes, while government can set minimum requirements, "Regulation can raise the floor a bit... A person who doesn't know about any [sustainability issues] should still be able to walk into a bodega and get clean products."
The industry's climate shortcomings will require continued effort and initiative from all stakeholders. As the beauty marketplace continues to evolve, it is essential that sustainability practices are prioritized and made accessible to consumers.
However, these efforts often fall short, and inconsistencies in regulation and standardization can make it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions. The industry's plastic packaging is a particular challenge, with 95% of products thrown away after use and most not recycled.
Some brands are attempting to phase out harmful plastics from their operations and adopt post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, but the industry-wide adoption of PCR plastic remains slow due to high costs and limited supply. Governments and multinationals enforcing regulations and setting a baseline for sustainability claims could help drive change, but many experts believe that market leadership is key.
In the beauty marketplace, consumers and brands are taking initiative on their own, with some retailers launching "Clean + Planet Positive" initiatives and brands offering refillable and reusable packaging options. However, more work needs to be done to address the industry's climate shortcomings.
The lack of international standardization in the beauty industry is a major obstacle, with no clear guidelines for how much product ingredient information should be shared with customers or how to do so. This has led to "greenwashing," where sustainability claims are often touted but not substantiated.
Companies like Beautycounter and ILIA Beauty are working to educate consumers about the importance of natural ingredients and sustainable practices, while companies like FEKKAI are making efforts to increase PCR content in their packaging.
Ultimately, meaningful change will require continued collective advocacy and initiative from brands, customers, and governments. As Susanne Kaufmann, founder of her namesake beauty brand, notes, "Regulation can raise the floor a bit... But that's never going to be what the market can do. Market leadership is key."
The weight of retail lies with beauty retailers, who have control over stocking decisions and supply chains. However, many vary in their standards for brands they sell, leaving consumers without clear guidance on sustainable options.
Inconsistent recycling laws across countries also pose a challenge, as seen by Susanne Kaufmann's experience packaging her product in recyclable materials but facing difficulties sending it to the US due to inadequate waste management systems.
As Mia Davis, vice president of sustainability and impact at beauty retailer Credo Beauty, notes, while government can set minimum requirements, "Regulation can raise the floor a bit... A person who doesn't know about any [sustainability issues] should still be able to walk into a bodega and get clean products."
The industry's climate shortcomings will require continued effort and initiative from all stakeholders. As the beauty marketplace continues to evolve, it is essential that sustainability practices are prioritized and made accessible to consumers.
I mean, some brands are trying hard to make eco-friendly choices, but then again, what's the point of all these new regulations if people just gonna ignore 'em anyway? 
Like, don't get me wrong, it's awesome that companies like Beautycounter and ILIA Beauty are promoting natural ingredients and sustainable practices... BUT is it really enough? 
I guess some countries need to step up their recycling game, but others still can't even be bothered to recycle 
Some brands just wanna make a quick buck off of "green" claims without putting in the real work. 
The beauty industry's "green" ambitions seem really admirable, but I gotta say, it's kinda frustrating when you see brands making promises they can't keep 
. It's like, we get it, single-use plastics are bad news, but phasing them out isn't as easy as just saying it 
. It's hard to know what's really going on behind the scenes.
. We need to see concrete actions being taken, not just empty promises 
. And governments can definitely play a bigger role in setting regulations and standards 
. But at the end of the day, it's all about us consumers making informed choices and holding brands accountable for their sustainability claims 
.
. And I love how retailers are starting to take initiative with their own "Clean + Planet Positive" initiatives 
. We just need more of that, you know? 
we need some real change here.
like Beautycounter and ILIA Beauty making a conscious effort to use more sustainable ingredients and practices 
. consumers need to be more informed about what they're buying and where it comes from 
I think it's wild how much more transparent we need in the beauty industry about what's really going on with their products. Like, come on, if a company claims their packaging is eco-friendly but it's just made of recycled plastic, that's not exactly selling me on the idea 
Also, have you seen those refillable shampoo bottles that are supposed to be better for the planet? Are they even worth the extra cost? 
It's awesome to see brands trying to make a positive impact on the environment! 
. And it's cool to see beauty retailers like Credo Beauty prioritizing sustainability and making eco-friendly options accessible to consumers 
.
. And don't even get me started on the packaging - single-use plastics are so not cool 
.