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Cosmetics

About this sector

The cosmetics industry develops, manufactures and sells a variety of products to enhance the appearance and/or smell of the human body, including makeup, fragrances, skin creams, toiletries and hair care products. While cosmetics have been used for thousands of years, the industry developed rapidly from the late 1800s due to industrialization, rising wealth, and changed perceptions about cosmetics.

Impacts

  • Over-exploitation of plant species with properties of interest to the cosmetics sector, e.g. aromatic, antiageing etc.
  • Potential impacts of cultivation of species of interest, such as habitat clearance and pollution of nearby areas and waterways.
  • Pollution and waste from manufacturing, use and disposal of products.

Opportunities/Risks

  • New Ingredients: The increasing trend for natural and organic cosmetics creates opportunities to benefit from biodiversity to create a new generation of natural-based products.
  • Branding and new markets: Responsible management of biodiversity through responsible sourcing and manufacture and packaging can allow branding of products, and access to new markets and revenue streams.

Case Studies


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African magic mixed with cutting edge green technology

African magic mixed with cutting edge green technology

Elizabeth Dlamini, herbalist and skincare adviser to a whole of local women, has skin that glows. She beams as she explains why. “Here in the Royal Kingdom of Swaziland we proud of our plants that we use in our traditional beauty regimes. Our grandmothers taught us how to prepare cosmetics from the oil of the Marula nut”. Now, Ubuntu Natural is bringing Swaziland’s best-kept beauty secret to the international cosmetics market.

Sharing the benefits arising from the use of biodiversity in cosmetics

Sharing the benefits arising from the use of biodiversity in cosmetics

Relying on the natural ingredients it sources in Brazil for its cosmetic product manufacturing and R&D, Natura has engaged in strong partnerships with local communities, who are not only compensated for the supply of raw ingredients, but also rewarded for their knowledge through benefit sharing.

Responsible sourcing of argan Oil

Responsible sourcing of argan Oil

L’Oréal is a world leading cosmetics company created in 1909 in Paris, France. It employs 67,500 people in 130 countries and operates 42 factories and 63 warehouses around the world. In 2008, the company invested approximately $763 million Canadian in Research and Development. The company’s prestigious brand portfolio of over 25 brands encompasses all aspects of beauty. L’Oréal Canada was founded in 1958 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L’Oréal Group. The company employs 1,200 people and in addition to its headquarters in Montreal, it operates a logistics center, a training center and an industrial facility which manufactures professional hair care products.


Tools and Mechanisms


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FairWild

FairWild

http://www.fairwild.org/

Fairwild endeavours to provide a worldwide framework for implementing a sustainable, fair, and value-added management and trading system for wild-collected natural ingredients and products thereof.
Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards

Organic and Sustainable Industry Standards

http://www.oasisseal.org/

The OASIS seal is an industry consensus standard certifying that the highest international Standard for the Health and Beauty industry have been met. To obtain the seal a product must contain 85% certified organic content.
NaTrue

NaTrue

http://www.natrue.org/

International Natural & Organic Cosmetics Association that offers certification of natural and organic cosmetics. They provide a set of criteria for compliance that relates to the ingredients, processing agents, and packaging of cosmetic products.
International Standards for the Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP)

International Standards for the Sustainable Wild Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (ISSC-MAP)

http://www.floraweb.de/map-pro/

The ISSC-MAP provides specific guidance on sustainable sourcing practices for medicinal and aromatic plants, as well as a set of principles and criteria addressing conservation, sustainable use, access and benefit sharing, and good environmental practices.

Enterprise Development for Natural Products Manual (ANSAB- Asia Network for Sustainable Bioresources, and EWW- EnterpriseWorks Worldwide)

http://www.rmportal.net/library/content/frame/natu...

This manual provides practical tools to explore and develop natural product enterprises. It promotes a strategy for natural product enterprise design that enhances a region's biodiversity and promotes social equity.  Checklists and charts are provided as guides to examine specific subjects and to gather information needed to complete business plans and manage the enterprise.

Also see "The Conservation Marketing Equation: a manual for conservation and development professionals" 

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Cosmetics

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