The term sustainability has been burned into brains for the past couple of years as consumers look carefully at how their products impact the planet, and brands seek to adhere to their shoppers’ wants and needs.
It’s no different in the retail pharmacy industry, where makers and brands of beauty products have revamped their ingredient lists to ensure they meet the sustainable standards consumers have come to expect across the world.
While environmental consciousness has endured strongly over recent years, will it continue to last and be high on shoppers’ priorities? We look at some of the sustainable trends this year and what’s to be expected for 2023.
Trends from 2022
Retail Manager and Pharmacy Assistant of the Year National Winner for 2022, Terri Bakker of TerryWhite Chemmart Rosny Park in Hobart, says one of the strongest trends she’s noted in pharmacy regarding sustainability has been the decrease in use of plastic for packaging.
“The materials I’ve seen increase in popularity are cardboard and recycled by-products of manufacturing of other materials,” she said.
“Another trend I’ve seen in 2022 is the rise of waterless products. Products that contain water are bigger and heavier to ship, which creates a large carbon footprint. The idea of waterless products is to replace the water component with an oil, wax or butter.”
Ms Bakker says this trend involves products such as dry face masks, serums and cleansing bars.
“The most prominent trend that I’ve seen come to light in the last 12 months is the option for consumers to buy in bulk and refill [their products] in-store.”
Spotlight on sustainable brands
Ms Bakker points to some brands she has dealt with in the pharmacy that are consistently seen to be adopting sustainable practices.
“[Skin care brand] Moogoo chooses to make all their products in Australia and uses natural over synthetic ingredients,” she said.
“Another concept that makes this brand unique is that they make their products as edible as possible. This is to say that their formulas are safe for everyone, including newborns and during pregnancy.”
She also cites Ego Pharmaceuticals as a company that has continually developed sustainable innovations in skincare over the past few years.
“They [Ego] have recently released a new range, called Etch & Ethos,” Ms Bakker said.
“The packaging of this range is made with 50 per cent recycled milk bottles, which is helping divert around 200,000 used milk bottles from landfill. The actual products are made with 94 per cent naturally derived ingredients, and are available in 300g keep packs and 1kg refills.”
Looking to 2023
According to Ms Bakker, sustainable beauty is sure to become “a bigger range in pharmacy over the next few years”.
She points to Euromonitor’s 2021 ‘Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey’, which found that 61 per cent of Australians surveyed are “trying to have a positive impact on the environment through their daily actions”.
“I can only see this figure increasing as time goes on, with consumers becoming more environmentally conscious,” she said.
“I predict over the next few years that our larger companies will be hopping on the trend because to be sustainable and environmentally friendly is the future.”
Ms Bakker believes refilling options will also increase next year, along with more sustainable packaging options and stand-out sustainable ingredients.
Role of the PA
Ms Bakker highlights that pharmacy assistants are consistently educating themselves on a range of relevant health topics.
She advised: “In sustainable beauty specifically, do as much research as possible. Look at concepts, ingredients and products that are classified as sustainable.
“The best way to educate your customers about these ranges is to be an expert yourself. If you believe in it, your customers will believe in it too.
“Speak to the companies that make sustainable ranges and see if they can send samples, so you can get an understanding of and feel for the products, to educate yourself and customers even better.”
This feature was originally published in the Nov/Dec issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine.
