Astonishingly, TikTok’s #sustainablebeauty has garnered a formidable 420.5 million views, reflecting a consumer shift that is validated by a recent NIQ survey wherein 69% of respondents noted an elevated importance of sustainability in their purchasing choices over the past two years. As consumers, the vibrant, promising ingredients and packaging of sustainable beauty products appeals to our environmental and ethical consciousness. But are we looking deeply enough?

Peeling back the layers of lush, eco-friendly promises, there is a starkly contrasting story to be told about the labor behind the beauty products. The labor aspect in the beauty industry, particularly in the production of seemingly sustainable products, has often been overshadowed by the glittering appeal of the end products and their green credentials.

Consider this: the sparkly mica in makeup, often linked to child and forced labor in India, is widely used by beauty brands, despite ethical concerns. Essential ingredients like shea nuts and wax, common in mascara, often come from smallholder farmers where labor abuse risk is high. Furthermore, many false eyelashes are suspected to be produced in North Korea, known for its questionable labor practices.

We’re called to expand our understanding and definition of sustainability to encompass not only the earth-friendly aspects of the products but also the human-friendly aspects of production. Ethical labor practices – ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and adherence to workers’ rights – must be central to our conversations and demands for sustainability in beauty.

A true sustainable beauty ethos should emanate fairness and respect from production to packaging. It should be as just and ethical to the people as it is to the planet. While consumers dance to the tune of #sustainablebeauty, it’s vital to ensure that the hands crafting our beloved products are not being silenced by the loud applause for environmental strides. Sustainability and ethical labor are intertwined, and it’s imperative our support for one doesn’t overshadow the crucial need for the other.

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