The need for sustainable skincare is real!

The cost of a beauty product is much more than the price tag! 

What you see when you buy a product are simple printed numbers. However, there are a lot of hidden costs that come along with these products. It is paid by the environment, your skin, and other living beings. Today, we will explore the 4 aspects which are highly impacted during the manufacturing, packaging, usage & disposal of beauty products. 

This is the reason why we need to shift towards sustainable skincare. Beauty products include everything from your simple lotion to your expensive make-up cream. The soap, shampoo, gel, nail polish, perfume, deodorants, hair colours and other similar products you use are included in beauty products. 

Let’s take an in-depth look at the aspects that show us the real side of the so-called beauty industry - 

harmful chemicals

We all know that looks can be deceptive, right? 

Then, how can you decide which product to buy based on the attractive packaging? 

The luring beauty & cosmetic products that promise well-being is giving you the opposite. Here is what we want you to do!

Observe all the products in your bathroom, dressing table and wardrobe. All the beauty, cosmetics and grooming products will have a list of ingredients behind them. Check the list and see if they have any of these ingredients. 

Some of the most harmful ingredients found in beauty products include - 

• parabens, phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate(SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate(SLES), 

• mineral oil, formaldehyde, butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT), lead, 

• fragrance ingredients, polyethylene glycols, PEG compounds and many more. 

These are some of the main ingredients that ace the list of being present in our cosmetic products. 

If you can’t find these names, then try to see if a different name has been used to indicate their presence. The audit of your products will give you an idea of what you are giving your body. 

Chemicals or Care? 

These chemicals can irritate your skin or respiratory tract, and cause hormonal imbalance, some of them are carcinogens, some can cause cognitive & behavioural issues while some disrupt your endocrine system. Every chemical comes with its disadvantage that can damage your body. With sustainable skincare, you can save your skin from these harmful chemicals.   

putting lives at stake

Approximately 5,00,000 animals are being tested across the world each year for cosmetics. The tests differ based on the product and are done to determine the toxicity of the product. They are either applied to the skin of the animal or applied to the eyes. These tests sometimes last for months and animals go through a lot of pain during this period. 

Also, in some cases, these animals die or are impacted by severe injury after the testing. So the product that makes you beautiful, might have probably killed another animal. 

Feels a little guilty, right? 

The best alternative for this is switching to cruelty-free brands. These are the brands that make cosmetics without testing them on animals. These products contain organic ingredients and other elements that are already safe for human skin. In such a case, no testing is needed before launching the product.   

Other than being harmed through testing, animal products are also used in some beauty products. To make sure that you are not using a beauty product that has harmed any animal, always choose vegan. This will assure you of a cosmetic that is 100% natural & safe for your skin. 

You can now stop putting other lives at stake by switching to vegan & cruelty-free beauty products with awenest. Sustainable skincare understands compassion and value co-existence. 

microplastics 

According to the Plastic Soup Foundation’s research, 83 per cent of suncare products, 80 per cent of hand sanitisers, 71 per cent of shampoos, and 61 per cent of face creams contain microplastics. The skin products you happily apply intending to take care of yourself are harming your body.

These microplastics hold the possibility of entering your body. They also enter the water bodies through your sink and bathroom on being used. These microplastics then enter the bodies of microorganisms & harm marine life. Once they enter the body, microplastics cause damage to human and marine lives. 

Eco-friendly makeup and beauty products will make sure that your skin remains free from plastics. Also, these products will not generate waste that harms the water bodies. 

waste generation 

Most beauty products come in plastic packaging that cannot be used again. These are eventually thrown into the bin and add up to the landfill. The best substitute for this problem is to buy chemical-free products with paper or glass packaging. 

When a chemical-free product is stored in a glass container, it is safe for re-use. The paper can be composted and converted into a useful resource. It’s time to make conscious choices while shopping for beauty & self-care products. This way, no waste ends up in the landfill from your cosmetic products. Zero waste makeup is the future of the cosmetic industry. 

a step towards sustainable skincare

Awenest understands the need of the hour. To make beauty natural, organic, vegan, cruelty-free & safe for everybody, we have brought some mindful options for you. Whether you are looking for soap, shampoo, lotion, lip balm, deodorant or any other beauty product, we have a sustainable and eco-friendly swap. Browse your way to awenest and dive deep into our clean beauty collection that takes care of your skin & planet at the same time. 

Author-brinda shah is a freelance content writer. she is a ca turned into a writer who loves to read, write & meditate. you can connect with her on linkedin  and on instagram