If you love putting on makeup, you might wonder where your beauty products come from. Below are some of the many places where beauty products come from, so you can understand what goes into developing these products and how you can shop sustainably.
Chinese Overseas Production
In 2019, over $634 billion worth of trade of products and services occurred between the United States and China. Makeup is one of the many products produced in China and shipped to the United States. When looking at your beauty products, read the label to see which country produced it. Many companies make their products in China because of the low-cost labor.
Consider whether your product was made using fair labor practices. Unfortunately, not all beauty product manufacturers adhere to fair labor practices. In some cases, employees are required to work long hours for little pay in poor working conditions. If you’re concerned about the working conditions of those who made your beauty products, try to find transparent brands about their manufacturing process and only source from suppliers that treat their employees fairly.
Online Stores
Over 65% of clicks go to the first five results displayed in search engines on pages like Google and Bing. Many of these results are from highly optimized eCommerce stores, which could sell makeup and beauty products in bulk. Online shops can also sell raw materials to make makeup, like eyeshadow pigments, which can be produced in China and shipped worldwide.
If you’re purchasing beauty products online, you can still find information about where the products were made and whether they were produced using fair labor practices. Look for online stores that sell sustainable and ethical beauty products to be sure you’re getting what you expect.
Local Stores
Some people prefer to buy their beauty products from local stores, like Sephora, Ulta, or Target. These stores typically purchase products from wholesalers, who source products from manufacturers all over the world. While you might not be able to find exactly where your product was made, you can ask the store manager or an employee for more information about the products they sell.
Animal-Testing Centers
It’s important to know that animal testing is still used in the beauty industry, even though it’s inhumane. It’s best to buy from cruelty-free brands that don’t test on animals. You can find cruelty-free and vegan brands in any beauty store, which means they weren’t produced using inhuman animal testing.
Local Drugstores
Next time you’re running low on mascara, consider picking some up from your local drugstore instead of going online. Beauty products in market stores usually come from different places than online stores. Local drugstores typically receive products from national distributors, who source their inventory from different suppliers.
Cosmetics Wholesalers
Beauty product wholesalers are another place where your makeup might come from before it arrives on store shelves or in your mail. In the United States, there are over 3,000 beauty product wholesalers, who sell to both small businesses and large retailers. These wholesalers source their products from manufacturers, who produce the cosmetics in factories.
Natural Product Manufacturers
Manufacturers contribute over $2 trillion to the U.S. economy, and they play an important role in producing beauty products. In addition to working with wholesalers, some manufacturers also sell their products directly to retailers or online. You can often find natural beauty products from manufacturers on store shelves and online.
Local Artisans
Local artisans are another great source for beauty products. These artisans often make small batches of products by hand, using high-quality ingredients. You can find local artisans at farmer’s markets, craft fairs, and online. Many artisans value quality over quantity, so prices for their products can be higher than those from manufacturers. Nevertheless, they are worth the extra cost, as you can be sure you’re getting a well-made product.
When you’re shopping for beauty products, take the time to consider where your products come from. By understanding the different places where beauty products come from, you can make more informed choices about the products you buy.
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