Have you ever gone out without putting your face on? Whether it's a dash of foundation or a full application of lipstick¹, blusher or mascara, many would consider make-up essential before being seen. According to a survey by Fragrance² Direct, a leading UK beauty retailer³, the average UK woman uses twelve beauty products in their beauty regime daily – that's approximately £500 spent annually⁴. But behind the monetary⁵ cost lies another, and it's one that many consumers may not know about.

 

70% of cosmetics⁷ are manufactured using palm oil – a substance which is controversial, and, according to many, environmentally damaging. Between 1990 and 2008, oil palm tree plantations⁸ were responsible for the deforestation of around 8% of the world's forests, according to the BBC. This leads to a loss of biodiversity and habitat for wildlife – particularly those already under threat, such as the orangutan. And demand for the crop is increasing.

 

To further complicate⁹ things, we can't simply ban it or stop using it. It's the most widely used vegetable oil on the planet and responsible for an industry worth more than $40 billion. Stopping its production would ruin many people's livelihoods¹⁰ worldwide. Worse, alternative vegetable oils, such as rapeseed, coconut¹¹ or sunflower, would require up to ten times as much land to produce the same amount. This would only exacerbate¹² the issue.

 

There is hope, though, of sustainable palm oil based on a global standard set by the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) – a group of growers, retailers¹³, NGOs and manufacturers. To meet their standards, a company must not clear any primary forest, treat workers fairly, and create wildlife zones, among other things. However, many critics say that these rules are not strict enough. According to a report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there is limited evidence of effective conservation as a result.

 

That said, in 2016, 75% of the total palm oil imports to the UK were sustainable, according to the BBC. Many retailers and leading brands use it, but as a consumer, knowing which is which can be difficult. The RSPO has a logo, but it rarely gets printed on the cosmetic⁶ label. The best we can do for now is check the ingredients carefully and do some research.

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