Most industries are now focusing on going green. This is because green beauty is sustainable for mother earth and recommended for good health.
So, what does going green mean? Going green in the beauty industry means manufacturing products such as natural deodorant by AKT.
Green products are environmentally friendly while also being healthy for your skin. Thus, green beauty comprises products that are produced in a sustainable manner. It is best to pack and distribute green beauty products in a way that does not harm the planet.
Now that you know what green beauty is, how can you tell that a beauty product is really green?
Let’s find out.
1. Certifications
One of the effective ways of knowing if you’re getting a green product is to check for a certification seal.
Common certifications you should look out for include, the Environmental Working Group (EWG), B-Corp, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), 1% For The Planet, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, COSMOS, NSF, USDA Organic, Soil Association, and ECOCERT.
However, it’s important to note that some products may not be certified for a legitimate reason. In such a case, a good brand will be upfront about why they aren’t certified. For example, it is more sustainable to produce ingredients in the lab than by sourcing them from their natural environment.
Therefore, if you are looking into having your business go green, it is a smart idea to look into certifications.
2. Ingredients
When determining what ingredients to use in your products, if you want it to be green it is important to consider what it’s made of.
Look at the product’s label to know what the ingredients are. For instance, check for words such as:
- Plant or naturally derived –These are ingredients whose origin is from minerals, whole plants, or microbes. However, naturally derived may not mean that the product is made of 100% natural materials, as some of the ingredients may have been processed to give the product its final form.
- Non-GMO – Non-GMO means that the ingredients haven’t undergone genetic engineering
- Organic – This means that the ingredients are from products grown organically without toxic fertilizers and chemicals.
- Wild harvested – This refers to ingredients that have been harvested from their native habitat.
- Free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, SLS, talc, artificial perfumes or fragrance, and petrochemicals– When studying the ingredients, check if the product has parabens with prefixes such as butyl, methyl, propyl, isopropyl, and ethyl. Also, check for any SLS, MEA, TEA, DEA, PEG, PVP/VA Copolymer, Trixlosan abbreviations. Such prefixes and abbreviations may indicate the product has toxic substances.
If you’re unsure about an ingredient, you can always look it up on the EWG Skin Deep cosmetic database or this cosmetics terms database.
Additionally, be very keen on the terminologies used on the products. For instance, generic terms such as recyclable, organic, natural, and sustainable aren’t FDA regulated. So, a company can get away with saying their product is natural despite mixing only one natural ingredient with other synthetics.
However, a good company will specifically state the natural or organic ingredients. They will also clearly state the specific products that have been left out. A green beauty company should also explain how its products are sustainable.
3. Packaging and Shipping
It is good for companies that produce green beauty products to use eco-friendly, sustainable, and recyclable packaging.
Equally important is that the packaging should be free of plastic. This is because plastic is non-biodegradable and can also leach harmful chemicals to the product or your skin.
When it comes to shipping, green beauty companies should use fewer materials. The use of excessive packaging, bubble wrap, or styrofoam peanuts is unsustainable. The shipping boxes should also be recyclable and made of organic materials.
4. Mission Statement
A company’s values should align with its mission statement. The mission statement of a green beauty company should clearly explain how its operations are sustainable. This way, customers know the brand is a sustainable one.
5. Marketing
Marketing language can be misleading even to the savviest buyer. This is why it’s important to make it clear that your company’s products are green.
To Conclude
In closing, green beauty products are suitable for the environment and healthy for your body too. Hopefully, this guide will be a great help to you create your green company.
Additional articles you may be interested in:
- 5 Ways To Go Green In The Office
- 5 Ways To Green Up Your Business
- How To Empower Your Audience By Promoting Beauty Products
- 5 Resources For Beauty Industry Entrepreneurs
- Top 7 Instagram Niches To Help You Start An Account for Your Business
Katie Ault is a blogging intern at LadyBossBlogger. She has graduated from Bridgewater State University with a BA in English Literature and a minor in Sociology.
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