Sustainability is on the order of the day, but what is sustainability? How can we, as consumers, be more sustainable in the consumption of cosmetics?
There is still no formal definition for sustainable cosmetics, but we know that sustainability encompasses several dimensions: environmental, social and economic. It cannot compromise the quality or performance of the final product, and without safety, there is no sustainability.
Throughout the life cycle of a cosmetic, at every stage, there is an impact on sustainability: from the selection of ingredients, to the production of the product, to packaging or distribution, to the disposal of waste. Fortunately, many brands are invested in developing sustainable products, but the major impact on the environment still depends on us, the consumers: 70% of cosmetics are thrown away without being finished! And in the life cycle of a shampoo, 94% of the carbon footprint occurs after we buy it.
Therefore, I share with you what we should value when we use cosmetics in order to do so in the most sustainable way possible.
Origin of ingredients: it is very important to know that a natural ingredient is not necessarily more sustainable than a synthetic one. Sustainable is not synonymous of natural.
Solid Cosmetics: Water is the most valuable resource we have, and in the future, it will be even more so due to its scarcity. Solid cosmetics, like soap for example, are more efficient in water consumption and also from an energetic point of view.
Packaging and its post-use destination: packaging is very important to protect cosmetics and, nowadays, almost all materials are recyclable: from plastic to glass to aluminum. The important thing is to dispose of it properly and remember that some packaging can have a second life: it can be used to store makeup brushes or as a jewelry box, for example. Whenever there is a refill option for our products, perfect! That's what we should privilege.
Multifunctionality: the same product can have more than one function. A shower gel can be a shampoo. A conditioner can be a mask. Some face oils can also be applied to the body or hair. A lipstick can be used as blush or even as eye shadow.
Avoid superfluous products: thinking before you buy is essential. Being sustainable is, above all, consuming with awareness, prioritizing our choices.
Reusable utensils: prefer non-wasteful alternatives to disposable ones, such as reusable cleaning swabs and pads or towels.
And I leave you some other complementary tips: spend less time in the shower, reduce the water temperature by 1 or 2°C, turn off the tap when washing; use the cold water that falls when you turn on the tap to water the plants or even the toilet, dose the right amount of product for the effect, dry your hair at a lower temperature or let it dry naturally without a hair dryer.
As a matter of consistency, cosmetics reflect our lifestyle and even our personality.
Two essential notions when we talk about sustainability in cosmetics: first, buy only the products we are going to use and use them until the end, and second, believe that small gestures make a difference and that each one of us is very important for a better planet.