New Essay: Taking Responsibility for Colonial Patterns in Our Supply Chain

Dear reader,

The festive atmosphere at the A12 climate blockade fell silent as Raki took the microphone. His words changed my view of our industry: while we celebrated our protest against fossil fuel subsidies, our colonial legacy lived on through everyday choices—including in cosmetics.

As a privileged, white woman in the cosmetics industry, I had to confront an uncomfortable truth: colonial patterns weren't just history—they were my present reality. It took time to see how deep these ran in my work.

Take bisabolol, a common skincare ingredient. When a supplier pitched their “new” version years ago, I saw only the environmental angle. Now, I see a perfect example of modern colonialism hiding in our formulations. The true cost? One ton of 12-year-old Brazilian rainforest trees for 7 kilograms of this “luxury” ingredient.

This revelation led me to develop new questions for every ingredient choice: Who profits? Who pays the real price? The answers revealed colonial patterns.

I've written a detailed essay exploring these patterns in our industry and how we can start changing them. It's not just about history—it's about today's choices.

Read the full essay here

If this resonates with you, please share it with others in our industry. Real change starts with acknowledging these patterns and refusing to accept “that’s just how it’s done.”

Determined,

Priscilla