There was a time when shoppers could only find natural beauty products at their local co-ops, and even people who were committed to buying organic foods wouldn’t have pledged their allegiance to pure personal care. In 2021, there’s a totally different story. Today, 68% of American females purchase natural and organic beauty products, up from 49% in 2008, and these numbers are expected to continue to grow exponentially in this already $16 billion industry.
Health reasons are the primary factor for choosing natural beauty products, cited by 73% of buyers. But safe cosmetics are about much more than toxins. Natural and organic personal care is being impacted by—and having an impact on—some of the most important issues facing consumers today. Sustainability, traceability and third-party verifications are all leading concerns for natural beauty buyers—they want products that are not only healthy for their bodies but also healthy for the planet and its communities. Additionally, loyalty is especially strong in natural beauty—research shows that one purchase can lead to a lifetime of buying.
The beauty industry has had its share of problems historically, but like just about every other industry, in 2020, natural beauty and personal care saw strong shifts in consumer shopping habits, a heightened awareness of sustainability and a demand for corporate transparency. Luckily, according to experts, natural beauty companies that have prioritized ethical supply chains for years are already ahead of this curve.
Daabon is one of these companies, connecting consumers with the values that are most important to them. A worldwide leader in sustainable palm, Daabon has a profound link with the future of natural beauty. Unbeknownst to most people, more than half of the packaged products Americans consume contain palm oil, including the most commonly used beauty products, such as lipsticks, shampoo and soap, making palm one of the most ubiquitous beauty ingredients. As the focus keeps shifting toward beauty done better, sustainable palm is in a powerful position to be part of this important transformation.
3 natural beauty products that benefit from palm oil
Shampoo
Used as a conditioner for hair, palm oil helps restore hair’s natural oils that are stripped away by other shampoo ingredients.
Lipstick
Palm oil is a perfect ingredient for lipstick because it holds color well, doesn’t melt at high temperatures, has a smooth application and is tasteless.
Soap
Palm oil is a great cleanser, removin dirt from skin while also moisturizing.
The new face of natural beauty
The new natural beauty shopper is savvy and expects clean products, as well as sustainability, responsibility and traceability. While these values have not always been present in the overall palm industry, Daabon leads the way by answering to these consumer needs, showing the world how sustainable palm, and in turn sustainable beauty, is done. Industry experts list the following factors as most vital to natural beauty’s future and Daabon proudly meets them:
Quality supply chains
Raw material supply chains in natural beauty are becoming increasingly scrutinized for environmental and social risks, and the more ingredient suppliers can provide traceability in their supply chains, the better. In creating its sustainable palm, Daabon prides itself on a vast program that includes a vertical integration business model (including ownership of the farms, extraction process, refinery and distribution), resulting in one of the most traceable palm oils around.
Third-party certifications
U.S. cosmetics and personal care products are notoriously overlooked when it comes to FDA regulation, but the majority of today’s shoppers are looking for third-party seals to ensure their beauty products are in line with their values. Daabon is the first palm oil company to receive an organic certification, the most stringent, government-regulated agricultural standard in the United States, and the Rainforest Alliance certification, which protects rainforest biodiversity and promote workers’ livelihood. It is also Fair Trade certified, ensuring products are made according to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards. These seals guarantee that every step in the supply chain is designed around a greater benefit, and they have been nothing short of a game changer in the world of palm oil
Trust and transparency
Going forward, sustainable beauty experts put one concept front and center: trust. Questions consumers will be asking are, “what is the history of the company? Has it been truthful in its dealings? Do they allow visitors to their facilities?” Daabon answers with a resounding yes! And next to focus on: transparency. Consumers want to know: “How is this ingredient derived, and how does the process affect our bodies and earth?” For Daabon, these concepts are inextricably entwined. The best way to foster trust is to be completely transparent and report progress along the way, and Daabon does both of these. Consumers want to really connect and be part of the sustainable palm story—together we have the power to transform!
