Organic Monitor press release

The range of green cosmetic ingredients continues to expand, however adoption issues persist. Organic Monitor finds traceability, supply fluctuations, and price volatility are preventing higher adoption rates.
As will be shown at the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, a shift is taking place whereby new green materials are focusing on environmental impacts, as well as consumer impacts. Initially, green ingredients were introduced to replace materials with associated health risks, such as synthetic preservatives, surfactants and emulsifiers. New green materials are addressing environmental issues, and not just consumer concerns about safety.

One example is the growing number of squalane materials replacing squalene (shark liver oil). With many shark species becoming endangered, NGOs are putting pressure on cosmetic companies to use squalane from sustainable sources. However, such squalane is usually priced higher and supply can be an issue for agricultural-based materials. There are also concerns that some shark-based squalane is marketed as sustainable squalane.

Regulations are also encouraging companies to use green chemicals. In the US, the New Jersey, Wisconsin and Illinois states are introducing legislation to prohibit the manufacture and sale of personal care products with microplastic exfoliants because of their impact on marine ecosystems. L’Oreal and Unilever are …