Beauty and the conscious consumer
Conscious consumerism is about making positive, responsible and ethical purchasing decisions. It’s part of a push towards mindful consumption among consumers across every sector, from beauty to everyday essentials. Conscious consumerism aims to consider the
Beauty and the conscious consumer
Conscious consumerism is about making positive, responsible and ethical purchasing decisions. It’s part of a push towards mindful consumption among consumers across every sector, from beauty to everyday essentials. Conscious consumerism aims to consider the impact of what people buy, and from Fairtrade chocolate to pre-worn clothing, we can see conscious choices almost everywhere.
‘Conscious Beauty’ describes the way people choose their beauty products, according to their personal values. Generally, this means choosing organic products, products that contain fewer chemicals and pesticides, and those that are eco-friendly, and cruelty-free.
Why do our cosmetics choices matter?
Modern-day consumers are well-informed – we now know that “no sugar added” doesn’t necessarily mean healthy, and “all-natural” products can still contain potentially harmful ingredients. The more we know about what we’re putting onto our skin, the more we’re able to make smarter choices while purchasing.
Just like almost any product, skincare and cosmetics can have an impact on the environment, from deforestation caused by palm oil production (an ingredient found in many personal care products) to the toxic chemicals found in many beauty products, and the waste caused by single-use plastics and packaging.
A big part of Conscious Beauty is avoiding products that are tested on animals, so that our purchasing choices fit with our personal values. Conscious skincare and beauty brands do not test their finished products or ingredients on animals, and they won’t opt for third-party testing either – which is asking another company to perform animal tests on their behalf. Many cruelty-free products are also vegan – find out more about Vegan Beauty here.
Conscious Beauty is organic
Conscious consumers have high standards when it comes to health and the environment. As organic ingredients are grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, growth hormones, antibiotics, or pesticides, Conscious Beauty products are often organic.
Conscious Beauty is safe for the environment
Conscious Beauty aims to decrease the negative impact on the environment by cutting down on plastic waste and excessive packaging, as well as implementing environmentally friendly formulations and production practices. That’s why opting for conscious beauty products means choosing natural ingredients from sustainable sources.
Conscious Beauty means making healthy choices
Conscious Beauty products tend to contain fewer chemicals and pesticides than conventional beauty products. They are generally free from sulphates, parabens, silicones, pesticides, petroleum derivatives, synthetic fragrances, and artificial colouring. They don’t contain ingredients that are reported to have harmful health effects such as hormone disruption or skin irritation.
Here are our top conscious beauty product picks: