For the environment: Sustainable cosmetics – what's really behind them?

Environmentally conscious actions and thoughtful shopping: both are increasingly coming to the fore - and that includes the beauty industry. Are you also looking for sustainable cosmetics? Then we want to give you tips here on what exactly is behind it and what you should pay particular attention to. Read more here!

Sustainability in Cosmetics – what exactly is behind it?

Did you know that there is no fixed definition for sustainability in cosmetics? Instead, there are many factors behind it, some of which are more, some less in focus. The environmental aspect is the most important. Our environment should be protected by, for example, consuming only a few resources and, if possible, these should be biologically (easily) degradable. By doing so, we ensure the continued existence of our planet and its individual ecosystems. This way, we can maintain or even improve our living conditions. But not only the raw materials used are in focus; economic and social aspects are also crucial. Thus, it contradicts the principle of sustainability if child labor is used in production or if cosmetic manufacturers do not pay fair wages. Likewise, investments in questionable companies and cooperation with them are taboo. But what does that mean for sustainable cosmetics? Unfortunately, this is not a protected term. So you cannot assume that all aspects are always met when you buy a product with this designation. To nevertheless find out what is behind it and whether it is a good product - in terms of sustainability - we want to give you some help below.

Recognizing sustainable cosmetics – which seals are important?

Even if "sustainable cosmetics" itself is not a protected term, various seals attempt to uniformly identify such products. These are usually independent testing bodies that examine the products and determine whether they meet the criteria of the respective certifications. We briefly introduce the most important ones here:

Seal	Issuer	Information & Criteria
Leaping Bunny	Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC)	first international seal for cruelty-free cosmetics no animal testing (in all phases of product development) annual independent audits
NaTrue	Non-Profit The International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association	only natural, near-natural, and nature-identical ingredients no artificial ingredients (e.g., silicones, parabens, microplastics, etc.) additional level for organic cosmetics (95% of ingredients must come from certified organic farming)
Rabbit with protective hand	International Manufacturers Association for Animal Welfare Tested Natural Cosmetics, Cosmetics and Natural Products e. V.	no raw materials from dead animals raw materials from live animals (e.g., honey or milk) must come from certified organic farming no animal cruelty, no animal testing no cooperation with companies that do not meet the criteria no import to countries that conduct animal testing (including China)
Vegan Society	Vegan Society	purely vegan products no animal raw materials sub- or parent companies also must not use animal raw materials
BDIH	Bundesverband der Industrie- und Handelsunternehmen für Arzneimittel, Reformwaren, Nahrungsergänzungsmittel und kosmetische Mittel e.V	no artificial colors/fragrances no petroleum products (e.g., silicones and paraffins) many plant-based raw materials must come from certified organic cultivation (e.g., shea butter, olives, sesame, coconut oil, etc.) no raw materials from dead vertebrates no genetically modified organisms no animal testing or raw materials tested on animals environmentally and resource-friendly production recyclable packaging materials
EWG Verified	Environmental Working Group	no chemicals of concern for health and environment (e.g., arsenic, pesticides, etc.) regular review of manufacturing processes

But beware! While all this may sound nice and good, the seals are still not the be-all and end-all when it comes to sustainable cosmetics. This is because manufacturers often have to pay for the testing - and not insignificantly. This means, conversely, that there are certainly many products on the market that are not marked with such a label but still meet the criteria.

Ingredients – what belongs (and doesn't belong) in sustainable cosmetics?

As you probably already gathered from the list, the ingredients are primarily crucial for a product to truly be called sustainable cosmetics. While this can also generally include the packaging, we want to focus here primarily on the substances contained in the care products themselves. After all, these enter our bodies, and through use and in the form of residues, they also enter nature.

Fragrances – what does aroma have to do with allergies?

Perfume is an integral part of the cosmetics industry. But for a long time now, it's not just the filled bottles that smell wonderful, but almost every other beauty product too. However, that's not necessarily a good thing. Many of these aromas contain allergens. This doesn't mean you'll immediately get pustules and rashes. Rather, these substances accumulate in your body and the environment because they are difficult to break down. In total, the European Union has now identified 26 fragrances that can be classified as allergens. These include some that can actually lead to health problems, as well as those that are considered carcinogenic and/or genotoxic. We have listed the most important substances that you should avoid if possible:

Highly potent allergens	Evernia Prunastri Extract (Oakmoss extract) Evernia Furfuracea Extract (Treemoss extract) Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde (Lyral) Isoeugenol (Ylang-Ylang, Nutmeg oil)
Potent allergens	Cinnamal (Cinnamaldehyde) Cinnamyl Alcohol (Cinnamyl alcohol) Citral (Lemon oil, Lemongrass) Farnesol Hydroxycitronellal
Less potent allergens	Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone Amyl Cinnamal Amylcinnamyl Alcohol Anise Alcohol Benzyl Alcohol Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Cinnamate Benzyl Salicylate Butylphenyl Methylpropional Citronellol Coumarin, Eugenol Geraniol Hexyl Cinnamal Limonene Linalool Methyl 2-Octynoate

Microplastics – why are plastics bad for the skin?

In principle, plastics have long been discredited for harming the environment. After all, plastic cannot be broken down at all or only very poorly - and that over several thousand years. During this time, it floats through the oceans, releases toxins into the earth and thus pollutes our ecosystems. But did you know that this resource is not only used for packaging in many cosmetic articles? Many manufacturers use microplastics (e.g. as polyethylene, nylon-6 or polyacrylate in the ingredient list) in skin and hair care products. In exfoliants, for example, they act as abrasives, while in creams they act as binders. However, as soon as you wash off these cosmetics, the particles enter the wastewater. Even sewage treatment plants can hardly filter out the tiny particles, so they are discharged directly into our groundwater. Sustainable cosmetics, on the other hand, should completely avoid such ingredients. For example, you are on the safe side with the BDIH, EWG Verified or NaTrue seals. Alternatively, you can also take a look at the composition yourself. Warning lights should especially go on if you read polymer, acrylate or nylon.

Other Ingredients – what has no place in sustainable cosmetics?

In addition to microplastics and some dangerous fragrances, many other ingredients are used in care products that are harmful to health and/or the environment. So that you can really choose sustainable cosmetics and recognize them quickly, we have summarized some of the most important substances that you should avoid:

• Aluminum Chlorides: inhibit perspiration and are therefore mainly used in deodorants, but are suspected of being carcinogenic and skin irritating in larger quantities, recognizable as Aluminum Silicates or Aluminum Chlorohydrate
• Paraffins: repel water and promote skin gloss, often contained in lipsticks, are obtained from petroleum, can be carcinogenic, recognizable especially as Paraffin Oil/Paraffinum Liquidum or Vaseline/Petrolatum
• Surfactants: dissolve fat and dirt particles, mainly found in shampoos and bath additives, with excessive dosing the skin loses its protective function and more pollutants enter the body, e.g. found as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and PEG derivatives

Of course, these are not all ingredients that have no place in sustainable cosmetics. However, they are probably the most thoroughly researched to date. And after all, you can't pay attention to everything at once. Instead, the seals mentioned above should help you.

Packaging and Co. – what else makes up sustainability in cosmetics?

In addition to the production of creams, make-up, and the like, other factors are also crucial for truly speaking of sustainable cosmetics. The packaging materials are at the forefront here. Many products do not necessarily have to be wrapped in plastic. Instead, you can ensure that paper, cardboard, or no packaging at all is used. Other cosmetics, such as (viscous) liquid shampoos and creams, however, must be hermetically sealed. To a certain extent, you can switch to glass or cardboard packaging as well as solid alternatives, but this will not be fully successful (yet). Instead, you can make sure that manufacturers use recyclable materials and keep the designs relatively simple. Because printing in mass is also an enormous expenditure of energy and resources. In addition to these criteria, the social factor should also be at the forefront of sustainable cosmetics. This means specifically: fair working conditions for all employees. For good companies, this also includes the extraction and preparation of the respective resources. You can determine this, for example, by the Fair Trade certificates or the BDIH label.

Korean Cosmetics – are they sustainable?

Now that we have shed light on the various facets of cosmetics and sustainability, let's draw a connection to Korean products. In many respects, these are indeed a prime example of environmentally and health-conscious practices. After all, for years, reputable manufacturers from Asia have focused not on marketing, but on the effectiveness of their skincare products. For example, all products from the country are cruelty-free, which is even regulated by law. Furthermore, the ingredients must be clearly listed. The motto "less is more" is central here – selected, high-quality substances thus deliver impressive results. On the other hand, artificial fragrances are almost entirely avoided. But that's not all: advertising is at the bottom of the agenda; instead, manufacturers let the products speak for themselves and rely on word-of-mouth. You won't find elaborate designs and a lot of frills here.

Learn more about Korean cosmetics in our blog!

Are you still looking for sustainable cosmetics? Then with products from Korea, you're definitely taking a step in the right direction. In addition to the general requirements, more and more brands are also getting certified with the BDIH and EWG Verified seals. This way, you can be on the safe side. And if you're looking for something specific, why not check out our LoveMyCosmetic online shop – we offer both vegan and natural cosmetics! You are now well-informed about the facets of sustainable cosmetics and their positive effects on the environment and skin care – from seals to ingredients. Use your knowledge to make more conscious decisions and explore our range to start your sustainable beauty routine! Further Links www.nachhaltigkeit.info/.../definitionen_1382.htm www.leapingbunny.org/ www.natrue.org utopia.de/.../hase-mit-schuetzender-hand-kaninchen-unter-schuetzender-hand/ www.vegansociety.com/.../vegan-trademark-standards www.utopia.de/.../bdih-kontrollierte-naturkosmetik/ www.ewg.org www.my-green-choice.de/.../nachhaltige-kosmetik/ www.daab.de/.../duftstoffe/ www.geo.de/.../16724-rtkl-raetselraten-beim-kleingedruckten-versteckte-inhaltsstoffe-kosmetik-und www.livingathome.de/.../2063-rtkl-nachhaltigkeit-der-kosmetik