In the world of cosmetics, the choice between vegan and non-vegan products goes far beyond lipstick shades or shimmering eyeshadows. Unfortunately, the environmental damage caused by cosmetics is often underestimated. I frequently hear statements like:
"It's not my fault, it's the system's...",
"What exactly are vegan products?",
"Who knows what's in these cosmetics...",
"Where's the environmental problem?",
"It's just makeup, it can't be that bad..."
These thoughts are too common, and while many choose to ignore the problem, entire ecosystems suffer the consequences. In reality, we could all help limit environmental damage by making simple adjustments to our habits.
In this article, we at Lebubè will guide you into the world of vegan cosmetics, explain why you should consider using vegan beauty products, highlight the differences with non-vegan ones, and, most importantly, explore the benefits we can bring to our planet through more sustainable makeup choices.
Quick Summary
Vegan cosmetics have a significantly lower environmental impact compared to non-vegan ones, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and land degradation by avoiding animal-derived ingredients.
The water footprint of vegan cosmetics is generally lower than non-vegan products, as producing animal-derived ingredients requires vast amounts of water and resources, contributing to global freshwater scarcity.
Choosing vegan and sustainable cosmetics, with plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, allows consumers to positively influence the cosmetics industry, pushing it towards more ethical and environmentally friendly practices.
Vegan vs. Non-Vegan Cosmetics: What Impact Do They Have on the Planet?
Especially after COVID, the concept of green beauty in the cosmetics sector has taken on an increasingly central role, as we have become more aware of how our choices affect the surrounding environment and the planet.
But what decisions can we make regarding our cosmetics to minimize their environmental impact?
Premise: It is not always easy to discern how truly "green" a product is. Too often, we find ourselves looking at a cosmetic label and feeling like we’re deciphering hieroglyphics, making it difficult to understand whether a product is ethical. Additionally, we often get confused by the "greenwashing" tactics used by many brands, hiding behind cheerful marketing while selling harmful substances for our health and the planet.
To help understand how we can make a difference by choosing vegan cosmetics over non-vegan ones, let's explore their main environmental impacts.
From the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, soil, and forests, the issues often associated with cosmetics containing animal-derived ingredients are becoming increasingly clear, and we aim to clarify these topics.
Let’s explore the main environmental impacts of vegan vs. non-vegan cosmetics:
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Impact
The cosmetics industry, according to a 2021 report by Quantis, contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a range between 0.5% and 1.5% of total global emissions.
The greenhouse gas impact of cosmetics varies significantly between vegan and non-vegan products, mainly due to differences in their ingredient composition and production methods. According to the FAO, as early as 2013, livestock farming was responsible for about 14.5% of global anthropogenic GHG emissions, with the production and processing of feed representing a significant portion of these emissions (FAO, 2013). This highlights the potentially high impact of non-vegan cosmetics that use animal-derived ingredients. In contrast, vegan products, which rely more on plant-based ingredients, tend to have a lower carbon footprint.
Livestock farming, needed to produce non-vegan ingredients, is a known contributor to GHG emissions. For example, beef production can emit up to 60 kg of CO2eq per kg of protein produced, significantly higher than plant protein sources. Legumes, like beans and lentils, are among the protein sources with the lowest GHG footprint, with emissions as low as 1 kg of CO2eq per kg of protein (BBC Future, 2022). While these figures aren't specific to the cosmetics sector, they illustrate the potential difference in GHG impact between vegan and non-vegan ingredients. However, it’s crucial to also consider other factors like sustainable production practices and energy efficiency, which can significantly influence the overall carbon footprint of a cosmetic product.
Water Usage Impact
Cosmetics, essential in many beauty routines, unfortunately have a significant impact on freshwater (i.e., unsalted water suitable for consumption if clean or treated) – an important natural resource that is becoming increasingly scarce (World Resource Institute). We discussed this in depth in this article.
The water footprint of vegan versus non-vegan cosmetic products varies significantly depending on the ingredients and production processes used. Non-vegan cosmetics tend to have a higher water footprint due to the animal-derived ingredients they contain. Producing these ingredients requires large amounts of water involving livestock, animal feed cultivation, and extraction processes. According to Vegan Australia, producing 1 kg of beef requires over 20 times more water than producing rice, grains, beans, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, producing one liter of cow's milk requires 800 liters of water, four times more than the 200 liters needed to produce one liter of soy milk.
These statistics highlight the significantly lower water footprint of vegan products, formulated with ingredients like plant oils and extracts, compared to non-plant alternatives. Vegan ingredients can often be used directly, with less processing and using less land, thereby minimizing water use and preserving water resources. Moreover, vegan cosmetic brands often consciously avoid harmful ingredients found in traditional cosmetics. They typically use biodegradable and less toxic vegan ingredients, reducing the risk of water pollution and harm to aquatic life.
Given that over 40% of the world’s population lives in water-scarce areas, choosing vegan cosmetic products is an important step in addressing this global issue.
It’s important to remember that the overall water footprint of a cosmetic product doesn’t just depend on the nature of the ingredients but also on factors like production efficiency and wastewater management. Even the packaging of cosmetic products contributes to the overall water footprint, considering the water used to produce materials like plastic, glass, and paper. Therefore, while vegan products may offer advantages in reducing the water footprint, it’s essential to consider the entire product life cycle for an accurate assessment of its water impact.
Land Use and Forest Impact
When comparing the environmental impact of vegan and non-vegan cosmetics, it’s essential to consider land use and forest impact, especially regarding animal-derived ingredients.
Non-vegan cosmetic products often include ingredients derived from livestock, such as lanolin (from sheep’s wool), gelatin (from animal collagen), and various other by-products. Livestock farming requires large areas of land not only for grazing but also for growing feed, significantly contributing to deforestation and land conversion. The WWF estimates that livestock farming is responsible for about 80% of deforestation in the Amazon, highlighting the significant environmental impact associated with animal-derived ingredients in cosmetic products.
On the other hand, vegan cosmetics avoid the use of animal-derived ingredients, thus directly reducing the land use and deforestation impacts associated with livestock farming. However, vegan products can also have an impact on land use, especially when they include ingredients like palm oil, whose unsustainable sourcing contributes to 2.3% of global deforestation (The European Commission). Therefore, choosing sustainable and certified vegan ingredients, such as RSPO-certified palm oil, is crucial to minimizing environmental impact.
Chemical Impact
The chemical impact of both vegan and non-vegan cosmetics is another important aspect to consider when evaluating their environmental sustainability. This impact is related to the presence of potentially harmful chemicals (such as parabens, formaldehyde, phthalates, BHA) that can be released into the environment during the production, use, and disposal of products. For example, chemical sunscreens are formulated with ingredients like octinoxate and oxybenzone, which pose a direct threat to coral reefs and cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems (as discussed in this article). According to the American Chemical Society, the world’s coral reefs are "one of the Earth’s most valuable ecosystems," yet they are subjected to about 14,000 tons of sunscreen each year.
Non-vegan cosmetics may contain animal-derived ingredients that undergo intensive chemical processing to be transformed into cosmetic ingredients. These processes can involve the use and release of chemicals that negatively impact the environment, such as solvents, preservatives, and additives.
Conversely, vegan cosmetics tend to emphasize the use of natural, plant-based ingredients, which may be perceived as "cleaner" or less chemically intensive. The choice of natural ingredients helps mitigate the chemical impact and reduce pollution from such substances. However, “vegan” doesn’t necessarily mean “natural” (if you don’t remember the differences, read here), and vegan cosmetics can still contain chemical or synthetic substances. Plant-based ingredients may also require extraction and preservation processes that involve chemical use. Lastly, the cultivation of certain plant ingredients may require the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which impact the environment. It’s worth noting that these same pesticides and chemical fertilizers are also used in growing feed for animals, meaning that indirectly, cosmetics containing animal-derived ingredients may also contribute to environmental impact.
In conclusion, the distinction between "vegan" and "non-vegan" is not always indicative of a product’s chemical impact. Cosmetic products in both categories can be formulated with attention to reducing chemical impact, for example, through the use of organic ingredients, adopting green production practices, and minimizing the use of harmful chemicals.
We Must Take Action
All traditional cosmetic companies can embrace sustainable beauty products, but it is only through consumer pressure for more ethical cosmetics that we can encourage them to make more significant and concrete changes toward sustainability.
Consumers' decisions shape the future of the cosmetics sector. The market follows our demand, so to send a strong message to companies, we must commit to choosing consciously by selecting vegan, cruelty-free beauty products with sustainable packaging. A small but significant choice to preserve the beauty of our planet and safeguard future generations.
FAQs
What is the difference between vegan and non-vegan cosmetics?
Vegan cosmetics don’t contain animal-derived ingredients, while non-vegan cosmetics may include substances like lanolin or collagen. Vegan products have a smaller environmental footprint.
Do vegan cosmetics really reduce greenhouse gas emissions?
Yes, vegan cosmetics help lower greenhouse gas emissions because they avoid the use of animal-based ingredients, which contribute significantly to emissions.
Why do non-vegan cosmetics use more water?
Non-vegan cosmetics require animal-derived ingredients, and raising animals consumes vast amounts of water, making their water footprint much higher than that of vegan products.
Are vegan cosmetics better for the environment?
Vegan cosmetics generally have a lower environmental impact, as they reduce resource use, including water and land, and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Can vegan cosmetics still harm the environment?
Yes, if they contain unsustainable ingredients like palm oil. However, many vegan brands use sustainable sourcing to reduce their environmental impact.
How do non-vegan cosmetics contribute to deforestation?
Non-vegan products often require livestock farming, which is a major cause of deforestation, especially in areas like the Amazon.
Does vegan skincare have chemicals?
Sometimes. Vegan cosmetics can still contain synthetic chemicals, though many focus on using natural ingredients that are less harmful to the environment.
Why should I choose vegan cosmetics?
Choosing vegan cosmetics helps reduce environmental harm, including water and land use, deforestation, and emissions.
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