Page 118 - South Mississippi Living - March, 2023

HEALTHY LIVING
It’s not just a planet-friendly trend – green, no-waste, sustainable beauty is here to stay and it’s quickly refreshing the global world of creams, cosmetics, and personal hygiene products.
As climate and atmosphere challenges continue to mount, eco-consciousness has exploded with concerned consumers searching for ways to protect the planet and dramatically shifting their spending habits to products that are friendly to the environment.
And the beauty industry is not just batting its eyelashes. Businesses and corporations are taking notice and making substantial changes to products and packaging. They understand shoppers are no longer impressed with quick fixes, and bright colors, and are well aware that all that glistens isn’t gold.
These changes are not limited to makeup.
Cosmetics as well as conventional products such as shampoos, toothpaste, creams, lotions, powders, deodorants, and gels can all contain harsh chemical and toxic substances which are absorbed by the skin, which is the largest organ in the human body.
Since the 1920s, beauty and hygiene products have contained preservatives for increased shelf life, including Parabens. Scientific research now shows parabens can make the body stop producing estrogen and is a leading cause of cancer, fragile immune systems, and allergies.
So what exactly is green beauty?
It refers to products that are sourced, produced, and packaged ethically, sustainably, and gentle on the planet. The movement evolved from a growing awareness of the harmful effects conventional skincare and cosmetic products may have on our skin, our bodies, and our environment.
It’s projected to globally rake in about $22 billion by the end of 2024 as more and more detail-savvy women and men are paying attention to ingredients and packaging, wanting to make sure their purchases are good for the planet as well as their skin.
Unfortunately, greenwashing has thrived as a result of the green beauty movement. Greenwashing is when a company
– any company– claims to be environmentally conscious for marketing purposes but actually isn’t making any notable sustainability efforts. It’s a deceitful marketing gimmick intended to mislead consumers who prefer to buy goods and services from environmentally conscious brands. Luckily, there are now plenty of resources, like social media, apps, and blogs, to help make better-informed beauty product decisions.
So why choose green beauty products?
The heels of a global health crisis, such as COVID-19, is the perfect time to question old habits and look at labels with a more critical eye and be concerned about the products
you are using every day. Even if your mother or best friend recommended them or it’s sold by a luxury designer brand— be sure to do your own research. Not all beauty and personal hygiene items are created equal, and research is especially key when it comes to green beauty skincare.
After all, there’s no doubt green beauty benefits everyone, most importantly, our beautiful Mother Earth. And there’s no longer a reason to sacrifice our precious health or environment to look and feel beautiful.
118 | March 2023
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
story by
Cherie Ward