We quite literally have the world at our fingertips.
With a keyboard and the internet available anytime, consumers have the power to research what is and isn’t good for them before buying new products.
Such power enables the everyday consumer to be aware of everything they need to know to make consciously driven choices.
From 2014 to 2019, the organic cosmetics and toiletries distributors industry grew by 16 per cent.¹ This increase was driven by the increasing popularity of ethical consumerism and growing demand for ‘chemically clean’ cosmetics and personal care products.¹ It’s also predicted that this trend will continue to grow over the next five years.2
“Clean beauty and skin care have definitely been on the rise in pharmacy, supermarket and retail,” pharmacy assistant Bradley Miller says.
“Lots of companies are either starting up or creating new business arms to answer the clean beauty side of the business. Popularity is increasing with more people becoming aware of what ingredients are being used in their products, but also what social media influencers are using and reviewing.”
Clean ingredients are key
For a product to be deemed as ‘clean’, toxic ingredients should be avoided and only ingredients considered safe for the skin and body used, Mr Miller says.
Key ingredients Mr Miller suggests are safe, include:
- Lecithin organogel – an organic medium that is a carrier for anti-ageing agents.3
- Vitamin E – a natural antioxidant that protects the skin from free radical damage. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.
- Hyaluronic acid – helps to enhance the appearance of dry and damaged skin by boosting the moisture content.
Best to avoid
On the flip side, Mr Miller suggests the ingredients that are best avoided, include:
- Aluminium
- Mineral oil
- Parabens.
“All these ingredients can cause hormone imbalances, disrupt healthy skin products and eliminate the skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, therefore increasing the likelihood of acne and other disorders,” he warns.
For more information, and to read the full article as it appears in the June issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants magazine, visit: rpassistants.com.au/retail-pharmacy-assistants-june-2020/
References:
1.IBISWorld, 2019. ‘Organic cosmetics and toiletries distributors in Australia industry trends’ (2014-2019). Accessed 18/5/20. ibisworld.com/au/industry/organic-cosmetics-toiletries-distributors/5475/
2.IBISWorld, 2019. ‘Organic cosmetics and toiletries distributors in Australia industry outlook’ (2019-2024). Accessed 18/5/20. ibisworld.com/au/industry/organic-cosmetics-toiletries-distributors/5475/
3.Raut S, et al. ‘Lecithin organogel: A unique micellar system for the delivery of bioactive agents in the treatment of skin ageing’. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 2012; 2 (1): 8-15. Accessed 18/5/20.
