Page 208 - Vogue - India (January 2020)

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The beauty of sustainability

With environmental issues becoming alarmingly visible, it is time for your

skincare to be gentle on the planet. By Sanjana Salunkhe

“There is still hope,” I think, despite my disappointment as I open a package to
fi nd a pocket-sized lip and cheek tint encased in a cardboard box, sprinkled with
paper confetti and a 10-page booklet that tells me how to use it. As much as I ap-
preciate a multi-use product, the packaging weakens its purpose. Several metric
tonnes of plastic enter the ocean every year, with a considerable amount coming
from the beauty industry. As a consumer, knowing where to start can help begin
reversing the damage. Here, we break down the nuances of sustainable beauty to
help you make the right choice.

DECODING THE DILEMMA
Consumers and businesses have a sub-
stantial role to play when it comes to a
better future. But fi rst, issues like
ocean-polluting packaging, excess en-
ergy consumption, irresponsible
waste management and carbon foot-
print need to be addressed. “The idea
is to create products that help mini-
mise environmental impact, and this DOWN TO THE LAST DETAIL
needs to be bolstered along the entire Just like sustainable dietary habits, it
value chain (from sourcing to produc- would be nice to get a defi ned sustain-
tion to use and disposal). Products able beauty routine, but the problem
need to be intelligently designed to re- arises when too many buzzwords are
duce resource use, should include re- carelessly used for effect. “We under-
newable materials, and be reusable, stand that sustainability is not a black
easily recyclable or compostable at the and white matter. It is extremely nu-
end of their life— a circular, closed anced and full of ethical quandaries.
loop,” explains Pamela Gill Alabaster. Consumers must remember that ani-
As a senior advisor at Carol Cone On mal testing isn’t the only practice
Purpose, a venture that helps compa- plaguing the beauty world; they need
nies strengthen their social responsi- to educate themselves to know what is
bilities, she has over 25 years of experi- best. For example, for labelling pur-
ence leading corporate sustainability poses, you may encounter an ‘all-natu-
and global communications for top ral and organic’ oil containing a raw SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; PEDRO FERREIRA. PRODUCTION: ANA CARACOL.
beauty brands. “Sustainability in ingredient that could cause an allergic
beauty isn’t solely restricted to pack- reaction, but you’d never know. You
aging. It extends to employee well-be- are at the mercy of the brand or manu-
ing and respect for everyone involved facturer to know what raw material
in the development of a product, be it a has been used, and hope for the best,”
factory worker, a retail sales associate says Siddharth Somaiya, founder of
or a waste hauler,” she says. Organic Riot.

206 VOGUE INDIA JANUARY www.vogue.in