Do natural ingredients pose a threat to sustainability ?

The winning essay for the Coschem cosmetic science course in 2020 was written by our very own Michelle Nott. The prize is sponsored by Pharmaceutical & Cosmetic Review. Her essay discusses the trend of natural ingredients in the cosmetic and personal care industries, its effect on sustainability, and adopting good practice.

The term “sustainability” has become a buzz word in the cosmetics industry and more recently has become conflated with the term “sustainable development”. According to the report entitled “Our Common Future” sustainable development is defined as development that is able to meet the current needs of the population without compromising future generations to meet their own needs (1). The key principles of sustainable development include the integration of environmental, social and economic concerns in all decision making for development to be truly sustainable (2). As a result, the commercialisation of natural resources, also known as non-timber forest products, has gained increased popularity to meet environmental, social and economic challenges (3). Examples of natural resources that are commonly used in the cosmetics industry include: plant-based extracts (Ceratonia siliiqua leaf extract is used as a skin brightening agent), vegetable oils (Marula oil is commonly used for its skin moisturizing benefits), essential oils (Neroli oil is a popular cosmetic ingredient for its floral scent), butters (Shea butter is used for its anti-inflammatory properties), clays (Kaolin clay is used as a natural exfoliator), and gums (Xanthan gum is often used as a thickening agent), just to mention a few.

The core idea surrounding the concept of biodiversity-based commercialisation is that they are renewable resources and can be utilized in such a way that can enhance rural livelihoods economically, socially and physically, while fostering environmental conservation (5). The recognition and admiration around natural resource commercialisation is derived from the numerous plant and animal products that are incorporated into the livelihoods of many rural poor, which allows such individuals to be better off than they were before (4).  Thus, it is believed that because natural resource commercialisation allows communities to gain economically, this incentive would encourage them to preserve the resource base (6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Most developing countries are poor with a large portion of the population living in poverty, making biodiversity-based commercialisation a viable income opportunity. Therefore, it is seen as a poverty alleviation tool which can aid in development that is sustainable by simultaneously achieving economic growth, social responsibility and environmental protection. Given the increasing demand for natural cosmetic ingredients, natural resource commercialisation has played an important role in the cosmetic industry. According to ISO 1612 (Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products), natural ingredients are cosmetic ingredients obtained from plants (including fungi and algae), animals, micro-organisms or minerals.

The growing commercialisation of natural resources has resulted in the increased harvest of wild populations which has raised concerns regarding overexploitation (11 & 12).  Palm oil, a vegetable oil collected from the seeds of oil palm trees, is a natural cosmetic ingredient which has not met the goals of environmental conservation intended by the trade of natural resources. The commercialisation of palm oil was seen as a poverty reduction scheme which has grown exponentially over the past five decades (13).  From 1995 to 2015, annual production quadrupled from 15.2 million tonnes to 62.6 million tonnes. It is expected that by 2050, annual production will quadruple again, reaching 240 million tonnes.  Although palm oil is not only used in cosmetics, it gained popularity in this industry because it blends well with other oils and provides as a good foaming agent in shampoo, liquid soap and detergents. Cosmetic manufacturers prefer it to animal tallow because of its natural origin, ease of application and low price (13). In cosmetic products, palm oil was preached as a natural and “sustainable” alternative to synthetic ingredients (14). However, as the palm oil industry expanded, conservationists and environmentalists started to raise concerns about its devastating effects on carbon emissions and wildlife habitat. Hectares of tropical rainforests were cleared for the plantation of oil palm trees, threatening endangered animal species such as orangutans.  As the value of natural ingredients increases, the competition for resources increases which can lead to damaging environmental consequences (15). Similarly, beeswax, an animal derived product, is another natural cosmetic ingredient where sustainability issues have been a concern based on how the bees are kept and treated. Beeswax is often used as an emollient and humectant in body creams and a thickener in lipsticks and lip balms.  Therefore, a natural ingredient can only be deemed sustainable if it has been grown, harvested and treated in the appropriate manner (14).

There is a strong public perception that natural ingredients are safer for human health and the environment and therefore suitable substitutes to synthetic products. A synthetic substance is a compound which is made artificially through chemical reactions.  Synthetic products have largely been portrayed as bad amongst consumers, while nature-based ingredients are good. This is clearly not true as synthetics have been used when concerns regarding sustainability have been raised with regards to the supply of natural ingredients. For example, in Asia, the roots of the sassafras tree were highly valued for its hay-like aroma. This resulted in the mass removal of sassafras trees to extract the pleasant aroma from its roots for use in soaps and perfumes. To save the sassafras tree population, the International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. developed a molecule that mimicked the fragrance of the sassafras tree roots, saving 110 000 trees from being destroyed per year (14). Therefore, the plant part that is harvested to produce the natural ingredient will largely determine whether continuous offtake can be economically, socially and environmentally viable. It has been found that harvesting the fruits, seed and short-lived leaves has a high potential for sustainable harvest compared to harvesting the whole plant, roots, bark and bulbs (10, 31). Therefore, synthetic ingredients can play a vital role in the sustainability of natural raw materials. Consumers should be educated on the use of alternatives when natural options pose a threat to wild populations.

The word “natural”, however, is unregulated in the beauty industry and therefore companies are free to define “natural” as they wish and market products as natural if they fit their definition (17). Many consumers view natural ingredients as being derived from plants, flowers and mineral origins found in nature, which are not genetically modified, contain no parabens, sulfates or other harmful substances and have never been tested on animals. However, in some parts of the world, genetically modified plants are considered natural. This has raised further concerns amongst consumers. Due to the fact that the term is unregulated, there is now an increasing demand for natural ingredients that are certified organic (18). The term “organic” refers to how an ingredient was grown – it must be prepared and grown without pesticides, chemical fertilisers, growth hormones or antibiotics. According to ISO 1612 (Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products), organic ingredients are natural ingredients originating from organic farming methods or from wild harvesting in compliance with national legislation or equivalent international standards. For an ingredient to claim that it is “certified organic”, it must meet a number of strict specifications that go beyond the “organic” requirements. The ingredients must still be grown and prepared under the same rigid conditions, but the concentration percentage of organic ingredients in the final product must be higher. Therefore, the term “organically certified” should only be used if the product has been certified by an accredited certification body.

There are a number of certification bodies established internationally who have developed regulatory standards for natural and organic cosmetics. Ecocert, for example, supports and guides over 1000 companies internationally through their certification processes for natural and organic cosmetics (20). There are three main principles which underpin Ecocert’s standards. These include: 1) the use of ingredients derived from renewable resources that have been manufactured using environmentally friendly processes, 2) a minimum threshold of natural ingredients from organic farming needs to be reached in order to obtain certification and 3) an on site audit is performed annually by an Ecocert auditor (20). Under Ecocert standards, in order for a cosmetic product to be classified as organic, a minimum of 95% of the ingredients must be derived from natural sources and 95% of vegetable ingredients should be produced from organic farming practices (14).  At least 10% of the entire product’s contents should be sourced from organic production.

Given that there are regulatory standards which govern organic products, the market for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients is on the rise. Market research predicts that the global market for organic cosmetics will grow by 8-10% annually from 2016 to 2022 (21). By the end of 2024 and 2028, the global market value for natural and organic personal care products is expected to be valued at approximately US$ 22 billion and US$ 30 billion respectively. Particularly in Europe and North America, the interest for organic and natural products has increased exponentially (22). Therefore, as the market for natural and organic cosmetics grows, particularly in developed countries, companies look to source natural ingredients from regions where natural ingredients are grown abundantly and in a sustainable manner. The abundance of natural resources, however, is not evenly distributed across the globe, with developing countries taking the lead in terms of plant species diversity and supply. South Africa in particular is the 3^rd most biodiverse country in the world, making it an attractive country to source natural ingredients to meet increasing consumer demands (23).

Botanica Natural Products is an example of a natural cosmetic ingredient producer that offers a plant-based extract which is Nagoya compliant. This extract is derived from the organic cultivation of the indigenous South Africa plant, Bulbine frutescens. The gel found in the leaves of this plant is used widely in the cosmetics industry due to its soothing, moisturising and natural anti-bacterial properties. Botanica is based in a remote, rural part of Limpopo Province and as a social enterprise, the company focuses equally on social development, environmental sustainability and financial viability. This is supported by academics in the field who have highlighted that organic farms are considered one of the most environmentally, socially and economically sustainable methods of production (32). To achieve this, Botanica offers sustainable employment to 25 employees who live in the surrounding villages and are the sole providers for their families. These employees ensure that cultivation is sustainable and that all waste plant material is recycled into organic compost which is used for agricultural production. Botanica also aims to offer this cosmetic ingredient as a carbon-neutral product. To achieve this, the company has established a plantation of 250 000 Spekboom (Portulacaria afra) trees to offset its carbon emissions and reduce soil erosion. Spekboom is an indigenous South African tree species that captures carbon dioxide and converts it to oxygen 24 hours a day. The selection of natural raw materials for cosmetic applications are now being chosen on the basis that the environment is respected, energy and water consumption is reduced and emissions to water and air are minimized (14). Botanica Natural Products is an example of one of the many natural cosmetic ingredient producers who have incorporated the social, environmental and economic aspects of sustainability into their business model. This is becoming more apparent as new cosmetic ingredients derived from agricultural-based raw materials enter the market (14).  Therefore, to ensure sustainable practices are maintained, natural cosmetic ingredient producers are moving away from wild harvesting and investing in organic cultivation to meet increasing demands.

In conclusion, with the international demand for natural ingredients reaching an all-time high, natural resource commercialisation has become an integral part of the cosmetics industry. As consumers become more conscious of sustainable environmental, social and economic development, ethical natural ingredient sourcing has become paramount. Global regulatory frameworks and certification standards have been introduced to ensure sustainability is achieved. Previously, the environmental impact of natural ingredient commercialisation was the key focus of sustainability, but today, the social and economic components have been incorporated into the definition. Therefore, companies across the globe have adopted a holistic view which embodies the multiple dimensions of sustainable development.  To this end, even though there are examples of natural cosmetic ingredient commercialisation being unsustainable in the past, today consumers are demanding transparency throughout the value chain to ensure environmental, social and economic responsibility.

The cultivation of biodiversity-based ingredients is proving to be a viable approach to ensuring the long-term conservation and sustainability of the species being harvested. In this way, environmental integrity is maintained, and economic and social upliftment can be achieved as the supply of raw material is guaranteed through agricultural production. This is increasingly adopted within the cosmetics industry to ensure that natural cosmetic ingredient supply is sustainable. Wild harvesting can also be sustainable given that the population of the species harvested is monitored and maintained. In such cases, caution should be exercised regarding the seasonal timing of harvest, timing of harvest in the plant life cycle, frequency of harvest, size of individuals harvested, intensity of harvest, method or tools used when harvesting and part of the plant harvested. Therefore, natural cosmetic ingredients do not pose a threat to sustainability if they adhere to the requirements and regulations described. With consumers demanding verification of economic, social and environmental sustainability, natural cosmetic ingredient producers are required to follow the necessary protocols to meet these conditions. Thus, safeguarding the sustainability and transparency of natural ingredients supplied to the cosmetics industry.