Conscious Beauty: 10 things to ask yourself before you hit BUY NOW

Every week, hundreds of beauty products are introduced in the market.  They have trendy ingredients, packed in in the most aesthetic manner and promise immediate results.

And then they are advertised to us through every medium possible to drive their sales. But rarely have we been conscious about how these beauty products affect our skin, health and the entire planet.

In the fast-paced world of fashion and beauty, slow living and conscious consumerism will help navigate the way for a better future for all of us.

The 'buy less, choose well' philosophy can help you create a conscious beauty ritual that is thoughtful about not just your skin goals but also the resources utilised in making them.

So before you make any purchase, here are a few questions to ask yourself.

10 Questions To Help Decide Is The Product Is Worth Buying Or Not

Q1. Is it created for your skin type?

Rather than buying what product or ingredient is trending, the first thing you need to ask yourself is if the product is designed for your skin or hair type or concern. Read the label to understand what concerns the product helps target and will it suit your skin.

Q2. Is the complete ingredients list available?

 An ingredient list can tell you a lot about the product. Like whether it is truly a natural product or just marketed as one. So it's now wonder that several "greenwashing" brands are not fully transparent with their customers. They chose to reveal only a few key ingredients and hide the rest.

So always check the label carefully to see if the complete ingredient list is disclosed.

Q3. How is it packaged?

Plastic is a popular choice of packaging due to its convenience and low cost. But opt for products packaged in glass, paper or aluminium wherever possible as they are much more environmentally friendly as they can be recycled or composted. 

Q4. Are the ingredients "clean"?

To make sure the product doesn't pose harm to your skin, health or even the environment, skip products with ingredients that are known or suspected to be carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, allergens or linked to the fossil fuel industry. 

 These include sulfates, chemical sun filters, parabens, asbestos, phthalates, formaldehyde, talc and mineral oil to name a few. 

Q5. Does the brand test on animals?

By law, Indian companies are not allowed to test their products on animals. But there are several international brands available in the market that still test their products on animals. So check if the product has a cruelty-free tag or look for the PETA certified logo.

Q6. Do the ingredients have scientific backing?

Natural ingredients can be potent and deliver amazing results. But the benefits are often exaggerated to help sell it. So look up the ingredients online to see if there is research or evidence to support the claims made by the brand.

Q7. Does it have artificial colours or fragrance?

Brands often use synthetic dyes and fragrances to create bright hues and intoxicating aromas to appeal to your senses. But the ingredients used to create them are often synthetic and known for triggering allergic reactions or irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. 

Look for products that are free of such artificial additives or scented with just natural ingredients or essential oils.

Q8. Is it truly natural?

The terms 'natural', 'organic' and 'clean' are often misused these days to appeal to conscious consumers. So to check if a product is indeed true to its claims, look for certification from recognised authorities like EcoCert, USDA etc. on its label to prove it.

Q9. How is it preserved?

There is a lot of awareness about harmful effects of certain preservatives. However, preservatives still play an important role in preserving your water-based products through their shelf life. So don’t fall for the preservative-free claim and check if the product has been formulated well and has a preservative system to help avoid microbial growth.

Q10. Do you really need it?

We often tend to buy products because everyone else is using it or it is on sale. But such overconsumption is not only bad for your pocket but also leaves behind a huge carbon footprint. So before you add that product to your cart, finish the products you already have or ask yourself if you really need it.