Natural Cosmetic Ingredients: Sustainability + Cost

Utilizing nature and the healing properties from plants have been a part of cultures from all over the world for a very long time… we know this. However, it has taken the beauty industry a little while to adopt these same principles. Using natural cosmetic ingredients as an approach to skincare and haircare is what we here at NourishUs Naturals consider to be our roots, not only as a manufacturer of natural and naturally derived hair and skincare, but as humans who occupy our little space in the universe on earth. What we use to nourish our body’s internal organs is extremely important, so why would we treat our largest organ (our skin) any differently? For a healthy diet, one looks to natural and fresh products, so using what nature has so graciously provided in cosmetics seems... well natural. However, as our population continues to grow, and demand for these amazing resources continues to climb, we find ourselves at an intersection of ingredient supply, demand, cost, and sustainability.

Natural & Naturally Derived Cosmetic Ingredients – Supply & Demand

As more of us research the ingredients in our hair and skincare products, we demand more ingredient transparency and specifically why some ingredients are included in the products we make. We hear this from many of our customers who own retail brands and whose customers are insisting they keep their products as natural as possible. Even now customers are insisting on natural ingredients and are specifically still demanding certain ingredients not be used at all. This concern over using possibly harmful ingredients has caused a sharp rise in demand for natural ingredients as well as has spread misinformation. Always consider reading peer reviewed reports/articles, to truly understand ingredients used in cosmetics. While most natural ingredients are amazing, they are subject to mother nature and all of her moods. This includes climate change, poor crop conditions, weather conditions and often more demand than can reasonably be supplied. The ever-increasing demand for natural ingredients leads to at least two important issues: Quality and cost of ingredients.

Natural & Naturally Derived Cosmetic Ingredients – Quality

“Quality is the number one consideration when it comes to purchasing any ingredients.” says Michelle Falls, Procurement Manager for NourishUs Naturals. “Cost is secondary, but quality is always the top priority when purchasing.” Proof of performance, technical information, quality documentation, and regulatory data are all ways in which vendors and suppliers can prove the quality and sustainability of their ingredients. And this documentation is becoming more important as new suppliers enter the market. This has caused many vendors and suppliers to invest in new systems, testing methodologies, facilities and technical services to meet the demand for proof of their ingredients'.

Natural & Naturally Derived Cosmetic Ingredients – Cost

With more demand for natural ingredients and the simple fact that supply is restricted by what is able to be grown and harvested, it’s no surprise that we see an increase in cost. Prices can also be driven up by the suppliers’ increased expense of equipment and scientific studies to prove the quality and purity of their ingredients. Costs of commodities are inflated by not only global warming, but the cost of employees, geo-political concerns, tariffs, and all that mother nature has to offer (floods, changes in soil, etc.). 

These factors may raise concerns for you all, but we are certainly trying to mitigate these issues. We too are buying in bulk to get an economy of scale and reduce overall costs, to maintain as best we can our prices for our customers. Some degree of scarcity of ingredients is almost inevitable as the natural skincare industry balloons, so it pays to plan ahead. While many agriculturalists are looking for better and more efficient water waste and more effective and targeted fertilizers to help mitigate the problems, NourishUs Naturals continues to care about sustainability as we care for the earth.

Natural & Naturally Derived Cosmetic Ingredients – Sustainability

You will notice many of our ingredients fit into the realm of Green Chemistry. Green Chemistry focuses on minimizing the use of hazardous substances, focusing on 12 key principles. Among these principles are: working on waste prevention, designing safer chemicals (remember, even water is a chemical) and using sustainable raw materials. For example, NourishUs Naturals does not use any salts mined from the Dead Sea. In 2024, the Dead Sea (actually a terminal lake) became half the size it was in 1976, with levels dropping close to 50 inches every year. If we sell something at NourishUs Naturals, we want to rest assured that it is a sustainable version, which might include our costs being a little higher.

Naturally derived products can fulfill the principles of Green Chemistry, thus being sustainable and NourishUs Naturals continues to source environmentally friendly, ethically sourced and responsibly grown ingredients.