Making Cosmetics Nature-Positive

Dear reader ,

During my daily walk with my dog through our green neighbourhood, I noticed the surrounding life — birds braving the weather, trees swaying in the wind, and plenty of puddles. These encounters with nature, even in less-than-ideal conditions, led me to reflect on our connection with biodiversity. For weeks, I've been considering the relationship between our feelings of disconnect with nature and biodiversity loss.

My recent research revealed fascinating and concerning facts. Did you know that peatlands can store twice as much CO2 as forests?¹ Yet these crucial ecosystems are being destroyed at an alarming rate, often cleared for palm oil plantations, contributing to massive deforestation. As a cosmetic professional, this affects me directly — especially knowing that 70% of all cosmetics contain palm derivatives.²

However, I see encouraging innovations in palm-free alternatives, giving me hope that we can reduce our industry's reliance on palm oil.

Here's my concern: In the past 50 years, we've seen an unprecedented decline in biodiversity ³. As cosmetic professionals, we're uniquely positioned to be part of the solution. One simple change we can make today is switching from conventional to organic ingredients in our formulations. Did you know that pesticides have caused a 42% biodiversity loss in Europe? ⁴ By choosing organic, we're not just avoiding these harmful pesticides — we're actively supporting farming practices that protect and nurture biodiversity.

Viewing ingredients solely as commodities or resources misses the bigger picture. We're part of an interconnected web of life. Every species, from the smallest microorganism to the tallest tree, plays a vital role in maintaining Earth's delicate balance. As formulators and industry professionals, our choices impact this web, affecting ecosystems far beyond our laboratories.

I'm excited about new sustainable sourcing initiatives in our industry. Some companies are working with regenerative farms in Uganda, Peru, and Guatemala, showing how we can create a positive impact through mindful ingredient sourcing. These projects demonstrate that our industry can protect biodiversity instead of destroying it.

I'm curious about your experiences with sustainable formulation. Have you experimented with organic alternatives in your work? What challenges or successes have you encountered in reducing palm oil dependence?

With hope and determination,
Priscilla

P.S. I'm compiling a resource guide on biodiversity-friendly formulation practices and sustainable sourcing alternatives. If you'd like to contribute or learn more, reply to this email. Together, we can transform our industry's impact on biodiversity.