Green is the New Glow

In all of my years in the skin care profession, I have seen so much change over the recent couple of years, whether products, ingredients, equipment, or technology. That being said, the one I would have never expected is the industry talking about sustainability, ethical sourcing, going green, energy conservation, and so on. But here we are. Not only are we talking about it, but the industry as well as consumers have made dramatic moves to address, market, and preserve each of these initiatives. It is quite impressive.

Research shows that nine in 10 shoppers believe sustainability and other ethics-related considerations are important when buying beauty products. Nine in 10! We rarely get nine out of 10 of our clients to agree to anything! Clearly these beliefs are not only applicable to their skin care but, hopefully, to every aspect of their lives.  

A recent Forbes article stated that “although 90% of consumers considered sustainability and ethics to be important, 79% of beauty shoppers have doubts about sustainability claims.”  In another statement L.E.K Consulting, LLC addressed that “most consumers would pay 35% to 40% more for a sustainable version of their regular beauty and personal care (BPC) products.”

In response to the uptick in consumer demand, beauty and personal care businesses across the globe, but quite specifically in the United States, are focusing their sustainability efforts in three areas: packaging, ingredients, and energy.

Companies are dedicated to minimizing landfill buildup by using recycled packaging, sourcing ingredients that have minimal waste, acquiring electricity from wind power, and, above all, ensuring that fair and ethical standards are used in their workplace. It is crystal clear that brands that take the initiative on sustainability will have the advantage.