More Than Just Plastic Bottles
For years, the main environmental concern around personal care products was the plastic packaging they came in. With the beauty industry producing an estimated 120 billion units of packaging annually, much of which is not recyclable, the focus on plastic waste
was understandable. However, the conversation has expanded significantly. Regulators and environmental groups are now looking deeper, examining the entire lifecycle of these products and identifying multiple pressure points on the climate and environment. This includes the sourcing of raw materials, the chemical ingredients themselves, and the energy consumed during use. For example, ingredients like palm oil, found in roughly 70% of cosmetics, are major drivers of deforestation, which releases vast amounts of stored carbon into the atmosphere. Many other synthetic ingredients are derived from petroleum, directly linking them to the fossil fuel industry.
The Legislative Crackdown Begins
A wave of new bills and regulations across the globe illustrates this shift. In Europe and the US, lawmakers are increasingly targeting specific chemicals and practices. A prominent example is the push to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” from cosmetics. These chemicals are used for durability and water resistance in products like foundation and lipstick, but their extreme persistence in the environment and links to health issues have prompted action. France has banned PFAS in cosmetics starting from January 2026, with several US states like Maine and Vermont following suit with similar prohibitions effective the same year. Beyond specific ingredients, microbeads—tiny plastic particles used in exfoliants—have already been banned in many countries, including the US, Canada, and the UK, due to their role in water pollution. While India has technically prohibited microbeads since 2017, enforcement and broader regulatory frameworks are still evolving.
Connecting Cosmetics to Carbon
The link between personal care and climate change becomes clearer when examining the carbon footprint of the entire industry. The production of both packaging and chemical ingredients is energy-intensive, generating significant greenhouse gas emissions. According to some research, the plastics industry alone could release more greenhouse gases than coal plants by 2030. Furthermore, the consumer-use phase of many products carries a hidden climate cost. For rinse-off products like shampoo and body wash, heating the water can account for up to 90% of the product's total carbon footprint, a factor that companies and consumers are only beginning to address. This holistic view—from sourcing raw materials like palm oil and petroleum to the energy used in our showers—is what has firmly pushed these products into the climate conversation, moving beyond just waste management.
The Way Forward: Regulation and Responsibility
In India, the regulatory landscape is also adapting, albeit with a primary focus on packaging waste through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates. These rules make manufacturers, importers, and brand owners financially and logistically responsible for the end-of-life management of their packaging. This is forcing brands to innovate, with many exploring sustainable materials like glass, biodegradable paper, and refillable systems. While direct legislation on climate-harming ingredients is not as advanced as in the EU or US, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) does regulate raw materials and finished products. However, gaps in enforcement and a lack of proactive requirements for safety data mean there is still ground to cover. As global regulations tighten and consumer awareness grows, the Indian market is likely to see a continued shift, with both government and brands under increasing pressure to prove their climate credentials.
