Many consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact that their favorite personal care products demand on the environment. Today’s generation of customers have made it a point to do their part to reduce the environmental impact of their beauty consumption and to patronize reputable beauty brands. For many, it is now like second nature to research and find out what product ingredients are harmful to both their skin and the environment. Customers are also more critical of each product’s ingredients list and truly take their time to review each one before purchasing it.
With this kind of awareness taking root among consumers, it’s definitely time to step up as a brand, to partner with a reliable ingredient manufacturer like Natura Aeropack for products like coconut oil, and to explore sustainable ingredients for your product lines. Find out what your customers want from their beauty products on top of excellent quality and commit to offering more value to them. From natural ingredients like coconut oil to transparent and accountable manufacturing approaches, here’s what your current beauty customers may be looking for:
Why Do Customers Favor Natural Skin-Loving Ingredients?
Plenty of consumers have turned to natural ingredients due to their many skin benefits. Coconut oil is just one example. It’s derived from coconuts and has lauric acid, which has antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria on the skin as well as reduce inflammation. Coconut oil also possesses linoleic acid, which is an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid used as an emollient and skin soother.
As a beauty product ingredient, coconut oil can be a wonderful natural moisturizer. It’s rich in Vitamin E, which is naturally nourishing. It can also be used to promote anti-aging properties as it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and it keeps connective tissues on the skin strong and supple. As such, many consumers tend to look for coconut oil as an ingredient in topical products like lotions, creams, and moisturizers.
Why Are Customers in the Market for Eco-Friendly Ingredients?
Many beauty customers now express a preference for environmental-friendly ingredients over synthetic ones. The main reason is that the former aren’t harmful to animals and plants when the latter come into contact with the ingredients. Synthetic ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are ultra-violet filters commonly found in sunscreens, have negative effects on coral reefs. Both can contribute to coral bleaching and are factors in coral reef destruction.
Some synthetic ingredients can be harmful both to humans and the environment, like parabens. Mainly used as a preservative in different cosmetic products, parabens have been discovered to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals and are linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity. They’re also linked to ecological harm due to coral reef destruction and potentially causing reproductive issues among animals that come in contact with them. When they come across this knowledge, beauty buyers will think twice about which products to buy and actively seek out eco-friendly alternatives.
Why Do Responsibly-Sourced Ingredients Matter to Customers?
Aside from the skin health benefits and environmental effects of a product ingredient, consumers are also critical of how the ingredient is sourced. This includes where the ingredient is from, the process of obtaining it, and its distribution. Ideally, the ingredient should be sourced using ethical practices and an environmentally-conscious approach.
Although cosmetics manufacturers are looking into new solutions to lessen the environmental impact of their production methods, some widely-used ingredients are cause for special concern. One of these ingredients is mica, which is a very popular shimmery mineral used in eye creams and moisturizers as well as in lipsticks and eyeshadows. It’s typically used to provide a brightening and glowing effect and to give the products some sparkle. While the ingredient isn’t harmful to the environment per se, it’s usually the way it’s sourced that’s considered unethical. More than half of the world’s mica is mined in impoverished regions in India, where child labor is predominant. Many children also work in illegal mica mines run by cartels that make huge profits while the workers are underpaid.
Why Do Customers Choose Brands That Offer Recyclable Packaging?
Another factor beauty customers look for in a product is if the packaging is recyclable or reusable. More people are becoming aware of the amount of waste the beauty industry produces. In plastic packaging alone, the industry accounts for 120 billion units a year. These take up space in landfills and can potentially be released into the ocean. With this in mind, brands are slowly introducing reusable packaging materials and packaging that’s made from recyclable materials.
If you want to cater to your growing number of eco-conscious customers, consider making your product packaging less taxing on the environment. Start by using more recycled materials and reducing the use of virgin materials for packaging. You can also use fewer mixed materials like padded envelopes that are more difficult to recycle. If you must use plastic in any part of your product packaging, opt for materials that are biodegradable or compostable. This will reduce the amount of plastic waste that winds up in landfills.
Why Do Reusable Products Appeal to Customers?
Apart from recyclable packaging, consumers have shown an interest in reusable and refillable products. They follow a more sustainable ethos, and they may help reduce the customers’ expenses on beauty and personal care products in the long run.
For example, a refillable eyeshadow palette tends to be more sustainable than a recyclable single-use container. They won’t undergo the recycling process, but instead can be refilled and used over and again. They also require customers to only repurchase refills, which is generally more affordable than those in single-use packaging.
When it comes to the products you make for your customers, factoring in what they look for is very important. Consider that more of them want sustainable beauty products and those made with ethical methods. With a manufacturing partner like Natura Aeropack, craft high-quality, eco-friendly, and sustainable offerings for them.
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