Conscious Beauty
When you think of the term “be the change”, voting or volunteering in your community may be some of the first things to come to mind. However, one of the biggest ways we can make a difference in our world is by being cognizant of where we spend our money. As a consumer, it’s our duty to do our research and be conscious of the products we buy and who we buy from.
Conscious beauty is about choosing a brand or product that contains ingredients that are good for you while showing integrity and generosity with how they run their business. Check out some of these aspects to look for in a conscious beauty brand so you can start becoming an ethical consumer.
Aspects of Conscious Beauty Brands
Sustainability
Sustainability in a beauty brand is extremely important as it not only benefits you, but the environment. The best way to tell a brand is actually sustainable is by doing your research and looking for certain aspects like organic ingredients, ethical sourcing, thoughtful packaging, and robust waste and resource management.
Socially Conscious
Socially conscious beauty brands are aware of, support and make a difference regarding social issues. This means the company uses their position and resources for more than their own benefit. They operate on a business model that focuses on social change and raising awareness for a multitude of social issues that can include gender inequality, racial discrimination, poverty and more.
Cruelty-Free
Cruelty-free beauty means that a company doesn’t test any of their products on animals. Historically, the makeup and beauty industry used animals to test their products, which is a form of animal cruelty. Thankfully, consumers have started to boycott products that have been tested on animals, but some companies have tried to cut corners regarding this issue. Don’t be fooled by claims on a label that state that a product wasn’t tested on animals. You’ll want to look for beauty products that specifically state “cruelty-free” rather than just “not tested on animals.”
Vegan
Vegan beauty products are plant-based, meaning they don’t contain any animal ingredients. They are said to be gentler and safer than regular products because they leave out not only animal by-products, but harmful chemicals, metals and other adverse substances. This makes them great for those with sensitive skin or for those who suffer from certain diseases like celiac — as most vegan products don’t contain gluten in their ingredients.
Real beauty isn’t just about physical appearances — it’s about your character and morality. Since more consumers are becoming aware of unethical practices, the beauty industry has started to change for the better, but we still have a long way to go.
If you are interested in finding beauty brands that incorporate good-for-you ingredients while exhibiting integrity in their business operations, check out these B-Corp certified brands listed in the infographic below!