Conscious Beauty
General Interest
Sophie Garth, a Bay of Plenty-based makeup artist and host of The New Zealand Makeup Podcast, held a workshop at Pacific Coast and Pacific Lakes Villages. Sophie highlighted the importance of conscious beauty choices and shared how her commitment to cruelty-free and sustainable beauty evolved into a broader passion for clean, eco-friendly cosmetics.
The average woman uses 9 to 16 cosmetic products daily, contributing to New Zealand’s $1.2 billion annual spend on cosmetics. Sophie’s presentation went beyond makeup, covering all cosmetics like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorants, shaving products, perfume, hair dye, sunscreens, and even kids’ face paints.
Hidden Harmful Ingredients in Cosmetics
A 2023 report by The Carbon Trust revealed that major cosmetics companies like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder are not committing to sustainable practices, with some even increasing pollution. About half of the cosmetic products actually contain harmful ingredients. Some products are tested to make sure they do not cause short-term problems, like skin irritation. However, they are not tested for long-term safety. The responsibility lies with the product manufacturers.
One harmful ingredient, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), has been linked to health issues and environmental damage, especially in marine life. Studies show that many cosmetics, including waterproof mascaras (82%), foundations (63%), and lipsticks (62%)—contain PFAS. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over time, potentially contributing to health risks, including hormone disruption and toxicity. The average woman absorbs around 2kg of lipstick in her lifetime, so it is worth considering what we are involuntarily "eating."
PFAS has been making headlines this year due to the New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority’s proposal to completely phase out PFAS in New Zealand from 2026. If successful, we could be the first country in the world to do so.
Change Starts with Awareness
While much of the conversation around cosmetics often centers on women, Sophie’s message applies to everyone, men included. Men use a wide range of personal care products daily, from shaving creams and deodorants to body washes and skin products that may contain harmful chemicals. Making safer, more conscious choices is vital for everyone’s health.
Shopping local could be the key to safer cosmetics. While New Zealand doesn’t have a known PFAS manufacturing industry, 90% of cosmetics are imported. Sophie encourages consumers to support local brands, which often offer products with fewer synthetic additives and more natural ingredients.
“It starts with all of us making that simple but powerful choice.”
She urges consumers to consider the $1.2 billion spent on cosmetics annually, much of which goes overseas.
During the workshop, one of the questions asked by village residents was about which safe brands are available here in New Zealand. For a curated list of trusted, sustainable options, explore Sophie’s mini-directory, featuring names like Trilogy, Aleph Beauty, Antipodes, and Essano. Click here to discover the full list.
This article is from the latest issue of Sustainable Retirement Living Magazine - click here to explore the magazine.
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