And why it’s great for sustainability
If there’s a phrase that you’ve seen plenty of its: biotech. For the past few years, beauty companies have begun to produce lab-grown products as a way to become more transparent and eco-friendly.
Consumers, who strive to become more sustainable, are now navigating toward these cosmetics to do their part in saving our planet while supporting a changing beauty industry—which is definitely a win-win.
So, what exactly are the benefits of this unexpected relationship?
1. Beauty Products are Bioengineered
Technology has been on everyone’s radar for quite some time. Across every industry, companies are relying on science to become environmentally conscious. The beauty industry isn’t a stranger to this—and some companies now rely on bioengineered products to prove that they are, indeed, eco-friendly.
Experts say, this process uses the same compounds found in natural resources. Yet, the ingredients don’t extract anything from the environment and are thus deemed, synthetic.
Labs, alongside their beauty expert counterparts, are able to create products ranging from retinal, eye creams, and moisturizers.
2. Cosmetics are Safer
Bioengineered beauty products are considered safer to make and use due to their extensive testing and less harmful ingredients. This is a positive shift in the beauty industry because it lessens the likelihood of product recalls.
In fact, Johnson & Johnson’s aerosol SPF recall in 2021, which was due to found traces of benzene in five sunscreens, sparked concern among many consumers. By manufacturing synthetic products in a controlled lab, scientists are able to produce cosmetics without relying on damaging ingredients.
A great example of this would be the skincare company DEINDE—which prides itself on producing products containing 90% bioengineered ingredients while decreasing the use of silicones derived from fossil fuels.
3. Products are Sustainable
If there’s a phrase you’ve seen plenty of it’s: eco-friendly. Consumers are becoming more mindful about their ecological footprint by researching and ultimately buying products that align with their environmental values. Similarly, companies are relying on sustainable practices to cater to this changing shift in purchasing trends.
So, where does biotech come in and how does creating similar yet synthetic products in a lab join the movement toward saving our planet?
According to beauty expert Jasmina Aganovic, it would take 200,000 rose petals to produce approximately a few millimeters of rose oil. Not only is this detrimental to the environment, but it would deplete some of Earth’s natural resources which would have negative impacts on our climate. By bioengineering similar products, it helps meet market needs without harming the planet.
Biotech Beauty and You
Whether you’re just beginning the journey toward a more sustainable lifestyle—or you’re a pro—bioengineered beauty and its benefits should definitely be on your radar. Not sure which brands are making the shift toward biotech beauty? Check out this list of innovative brands that are making the switch to biotech cosmetics and skincare.