Table of Contents
The concept of sustainability has now expanded into the beauty industry, giving rise to what is known as sustainable beauty.
This trend aligns with the growing awareness of sustainable lifestyles, where more consumers lean towards products with lower environmental impact.
According to databox, a catalogue to Katadata Insight Center (KIC) surveys, the health and cosmetics sector is among the most purchased eco-friendly product categories, accounting for 30.6% of purchases.
Additionally, 60.5% of respondents stated that their main reason for choosing environmentally friendly products was their commitment to preserving the planet.
Practicing sustainable beauty not only ensures the final results in the form of safe and effective beauty products, but also a more environmentally responsible production.
So, how can you incorporate sustainable beauty into your routine? What are its benefits? Read this article to find out!
What Is Sustainable Beauty?
Sustainable beauty is an eco-friendly approach to skincare and makeup. This concept ensures that beauty products are created in an environmentally friendly manner, covering everything from ingredient selection and production processes to distribution and waste management.
Manufacturers and consumers play crucial roles in ensuring sustainable beauty. Mindful purchases and usage help contribute to environmental conservation and save the planet.
How to Practice Sustainable Beauty
There are several ways to adopt sustainable beauty, from making the most of existing products to properly managing skincare waste. Here’s a complete guide to help you get started.
1. Use Existing Products
Living sustainably doesn’t mean tossing out your current skincare products to replace them with eco-friendly ones. That would be both wasteful and counterproductive.
Instead, finish the product you already have before switching to more sustainable options. This way, you minimize waste while gradually adopting a greener routine.
Read also: The Youth Must Care About the Environment
2. Research Environmentally Friendly Products
Before switching to more sustainable beauty products, take the time to do your research. Look for information from reliable sources to ensure the products you choose are genuinely eco-friendly.
Check the ingredients to ensure they are safe for your skin and environmentally friendly. Additionally, pay attention to the production process and the type of packaging.
Whenever possible, opt for products with recyclable or recycled packaging. Ensure they are not tested on animals and employ a responsible waste management system.
3. Switch to Refillable Products
Packaging waste is one of the biggest challenges in the beauty industry. To minimize waste, consider reusing cosmetic containers by opting for refillable products.
Many beauty brands in Indonesia now offer refill options, providing convenience and efficiency.
Some commonly available refillable products include liquid shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner. These refills are sourced directly from manufacturers, ensuring they remain sterile and safe when they reach consumers.
4. Avoid Disposable Beauty Tools
Living sustainably means being mindful of the beauty tools you use. A common example is disposable cotton pads, often used for makeup removal.
To embrace sustainable beauty, you can avoid single-use beauty tools. Instead, opt for reusable alternatives like eco pads for makeup removal or toner application.
Switching to reusable beauty tools helps minimize waste and make your beauty routine more eco-friendly.
5. Properly Managing Skincare Waste
Practicing sustainable beauty requires handling beauty product waste responsibly. One way to do this is by sending empty beauty product containers to environmental organizations or recycling communities that can repurpose them.
Used packaging is categorized as inorganic waste that can be reused. You can reuse used packaging as flower pots or storage containers at home. Finding new uses for these items helps reduce waste and promotes sustainability in everyday life.
Benefits of Sustainable Beauty
Sustainable beauty offers several advantages, from protecting the environment to promoting corporate social responsibility. Here’s a detailed explanation:
1. Preserving the Environment
Sustainable practices help reduce the beauty industry’s negative environmental impact, including water, land, and air pollution.
Using eco-friendly raw materials and adopting greener production methods can support biodiversity and help conserve natural resources.
2. Reducing Waste
Sustainable beauty prioritizes recyclable or easily decomposable packaging, which in turn, minimizes non-biodegradable waste. This effort significantly reduces the overall waste of beauty products.
3. Supporting Local Business
Sourcing natural ingredients from farmers who use environmentally friendly methods can support sustainable beauty efforts.
This approach not only helps maintain soil fertility and reduces the use of harmful chemicals but also strengthens the local economy by providing fair opportunities for farmers.
By adopting sustainable practices, the beauty industry can become more ethical, environmentally responsible, and socially fair.
Read also: What Is Circular Economy? Here’s How Circular Economy Actions Benefit Our Environment
4. Driving Innovation
Embracing sustainable beauty may push the beauty industry to develop eco-friendly technologies and production methods.
This includes innovations such as recyclable packaging and the use of safer, natural ingredients, ensuring that beauty products are both effective and environmentally friendly.
5. Increasing Corporate Social Responsibility
Sustainable beauty reflects a company’s commitment to the environment and society. Adopting this approach allows businesses to build a positive reputation and earn consumer trust.
Understanding sustainable beauty and its benefits helps you make more conscious choices in beauty products—ensuring they are not only good for your skin but also kind to the environment.
Beyond switching to sustainable products, you can contribute to environmental conservation by joining Indonesia Asri, an initiative by Chandra Asri Group that promotes eco-friendly living.
One of the initiatives is #CircleofBeauty, which encourages greater awareness of the beauty products you use daily—such as opting for products with recycled packaging or skincare made from natural ingredients.
Joining this movement allows you to contribute to a noble environmental cause while gaining valuable insights into sustainable beauty.
So, let’s switch to eco-friendly beauty choices and be a part of the effort to protect the planet! Register now and play a role in changing the world through a sustainable beauty industry.
