A Review of Changing Product Design in Cosmetic Industry, a Step towards Water Conservation

Water is an important ingredient of the cosmetic and personal care products. These products contain anywhere from 70-80% water as their base ingredient. Water is also part of the manufacturing process in the cosmetic industry. Another dimension is at the consumer end in the industry, where the use o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chetana's Journal of Management Research 2020-09, Vol.12 (2), p.21-27
Main Authors: Qureshi, Athar, Bhakay, Jayashree
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Best practice
Climate change
Consumerism
Consumers
Consumption
Cosmetics
Economic summit conferences
Ingredients
Manufacturing
Natural resources
Personal grooming
Product design
Risk assessment
Social responsibility
Sustainable development
Water conservation
Water shortages
Water supply
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Summary:Water is an important ingredient of the cosmetic and personal care products. These products contain anywhere from 70-80% water as their base ingredient. Water is also part of the manufacturing process in the cosmetic industry. Another dimension is at the consumer end in the industry, where the use of personal care products leads to consumption of water. The world is edging towards an acute water crisis. Reports have suggested that we might face a 40% gap in water supply by the year 2030, if we do not improve the way we use and manage water. According to the World Water Council, the water crisis is about the management of water and not about having too little water to satisfy our requirements. The crisis is not just affecting people but it is impacting the environment globally, including businesses. The industry has started responding and addressing its share of responsibility in the mitigation of the global water crisis. One such initiative is the response from the cosmetic industry in particular. There have been efforts aimed at changing the product design, where by making the beauty and personal care products waterless. Research has been done on the use of various ingredients which can act as substitute for water. Innovation and use of technology are leveraged to ensure the quality of product remains uncompromised while addressing sustainable development. There have been efforts in the area of governance, where many of these companies have come forward, volunteered and have shared their data around water footprint. The businesses have engaged in water stewardship. These efforts have enabled the policy makers to design better strategies for sustainable development. By changing the product design, there is a slow but a considerable shift demonstrated by the cosmetic industry in addressing the water crisis. A step the industry has taken towards water conservation.
ISSN:0976-0628