The Hidden Costs of Beauty Products
Have you ever stopped to calculate how much you actually spend on beauty products every year?
I did this myself a few years ago and was genuinely shocked. I didn't consider myself THAT much of a beauty product buyer. I have always favored a pretty natural look, not a ton of makeup, and I like a minimalist approach to skin care with clean products.
But when I started adding it all up, I realized I had bought cleansers, moisturizers, serums, masks, eye creams, toners, and a lot of other "natural" products I apparently thought I needed. It turns out I was spending well over $1,500 a year. (And that wasn't even including makeup or salon services!)
But here's the thing – the cost to my wallet was only part of the equation.
The beauty industry has another set of costs that we rarely talk about – the cost to our planet.
Consider this:
🍃 The global cosmetics industry produces over 120 billion units of packaging annually, most of which is not recyclable
🍃 Many beauty products contain microplastics that end up in our oceans and waterways (and our bodies)
🍃 The palm oil commonly found in beauty products is a major driver of deforestation
🍃 Chemical ingredients in many products can disrupt local ecosystems when they wash down our drains
🍃 The carbon footprint of manufacturing, shipping, and marketing these products is enormous
And what do we get in return for all this environmental impact? Often, it's products that make big promises but deliver modest (or sometimes nonexistent) results.
I started thinking about this more deeply when my first grandchild was born.
Me and Willa…talk about beautiful!
Looking at her perfect little face made me think a lot more about what kind of world we're going to leave for her generation. And I realize now that every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.
This realization was yet another thing that drew me to face yoga and other natural beauty practices. Not only are they more effective than many of the products I'd been buying, but they also aligned with my values around environmental stewardship.
Face yoga requires no packaging, produces no waste, and has zero negative impact on the planet. The only resources it uses are time and attention – renewable resources that benefit us as much as they benefit our amazing faces!
I know what you might be thinking: "I can't just stop using ALL beauty products!"
And I completely agree. I still have my favorites! The difference is that now I'm much more intentional about what I buy and why.
Instead of having 7 different serums, all half-full, I have one that I absolutely love (and that actually delivers results). Instead of constantly chasing the newest "miracle" ingredient, I focus on practices that support my skin's natural functions.
And I've discovered that many effective beauty treatments can be made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. (I'll be sharing some of my favorites in future emails!)
The beauty of this approach is that it's better for:
Your wallet (fewer products = less money spent)
Your skin (fewer ingredients = less potential for irritation)
Your peace of mind (less clutter = more clarity)
Our beautiful Earth (less waste = healthier planet)
It's a win all around.
So before you pull out your wallet to buy another beauty product, take a moment to consider how much it might really be costing. Is the cost really worth it?
Here's to more conscious beauty investments!