Australia’s pioneering eco store Biome has just launched the world’s highest standard of cruelty-free cosmetics with the release of its palm oil free range, offering customers budget-friendly ‘eco’ makeup that doesn’t compromise on performance or animal welfare.
Biome founder, Tracey Bailey, believes products marketed as cruelty-free must also be palm oil free if it is to truly be free from animal cruelty.
“Many brands say they are cruelty-free, but I don’t feel this claim can be made if palm oil is included in their product formulations,” she said.
“Every hour, 300 football fields of forest is cleared in South East Asia for palm oil plantations leading to the deaths of over 6,000 orangutans every year.”
Palm oil is mainly harvested in Asia and South America; particularly in regions of Indonesia, the Amazon Rainforest and Malaysia where the climate is ideal for growing the plant. The oil is extracted from the reddish pulp of the fruit of oil palm trees.
Because it is the number one vegetable oil used in many consumer products from ice-cream and instant noodles right through to laundry detergent and cosmetics, the global demand for palm oil has led to staggering amounts of deforestation; with tropical rainforests being cleared to make way for palm oil plantations.
Related Post: Why You Should Eliminate Palm Oil From Your Diet
The destruction of forests has greatly impacted the orangutan species, who spend much of their lives in the trees of these forests. Given the widespread loss of habitat, the world’s leading conservation group, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), has classified the orangutan as critically endangered.
“Palm oil is used extensively in the personal care industry to make hundreds of ingredients that are used in 70 percent of personal care products like shampoo, cleansers, moisturisers, toothpaste and makeup,” Bailey said.
“Any creamy or sudsy item in your cupboard right now likely contains palm oil including natural brands fronted by celebrities. But you will usually not see it listed with the word palm, it will be under a name such as Glycerine or Caprylic Triglyceride.”
There are over 400 different names for palm oil, according to Orangutan Alliance. Since the ingredient can easily go undetected if an alternative name is used on packaging, it can be difficult for customers to discern whether a product contains palm oil simply by reading the label.
Which is why Biome’s palm oil free cosmetics range is welcome news for eco-conscious vegans and non-vegans alike. Free from palm oil derivatives, synthetic preservatives and fragrances, the affordable eco-friendly makeup range offers customers peace of mind knowing that their beauty purchase doesn’t come at the expense of an endangered species.
Related Post: Sustainable Palm Oil Can Be Achieved, The Problem is Corporate Greed
The new toxin free, vegan and palm oil free cosmetics line includes a range of lipsticks, glosses, foundation, illuminator, mineral powder, concealer, liquid eyeliner and mascara and comes in a variety of colours and shades to suit different complexions, tastes and preferences. Prices range from A$18 to $39.
Biome was founded in 2003 on a mission to empower customers to make a social and environmental difference with their dollars. The Australian business now employs 80 people nationwide across its online store and six brick-and-mortar stores.
Recommending reading:
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