When you think of the beauty industry, chances are sustainability isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. However, as an esthetician or if you’re considering esthetician school, sustainability is an important factor to consider when it comes to the products you use for the care of your clients.
Here’s a look at why sustainability matters in the beauty industry and what you can do to make more sustainable choices when it comes to your own beauty routine.
The Environmental Impact of the Beauty Industry
The beauty industry has a significant environmental impact. From packaging to production and everything in between, the beauty industry creates a lot of waste. And much of that waste ends up in landfills or polluting our waterways.
The First Step Is Awareness
The first step to making more sustainable choices in your beauty routine is becoming aware of the products you’re using and the impact they have on the environment. Many beauty products contain harmful chemicals that can leach into the soil and water, causing long-term damage to ecosystems.
And while some companies are beginning to use more sustainable practices, much of the beauty industry still relies on harmful ingredients and packaging.
Re-Think Microplastics
In addition to the packaging produced by the beauty industry, there is also the issue of microplastics. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that end up in our waterways because of wastewater from cosmetic products like facial scrubs and toothpaste. Once they’re in the water, microplastics can be ingested by marine life and end up back on our plates. Not only is this harmful to animals, but it’s also harmful to us.
The good news is that there are steps we can all take to make more sustainable choices when it comes to our beauty routines.
How You Can Make More Sustainable Choices in Your Beauty Routine
Here are some tips for making more sustainable choices when it comes to your beauty routine:
- Choose products with minimal packaging or packaging that can be easily recycled.
- If you’re not sure whether a product’s packaging is sustainable, look for labels like “biodegradable,” “recyclable,” or “compostable.”
- Avoid products with microbeads or other microplastics.
- Look for products with natural ingredients that are eco-friendly and biodegradable.
- Support brands that are committed to sustainability.
- Educate yourself about sustainable beauty options and make an effort to incorporate them into your routine.
- Encourage others to do the same
Sustainability is an important issue to consider in all aspects of our lives—including our beauty routines. By being mindful of the environmental impact of the products we use, we can help make a difference for future generations. What steps will you take to make your own beauty routine more sustainable?
For information about esthetician programs in the Salt Lake City, UT, area, contact Skin Science Institute.
