In the vast landscape of the cosmetic industry, a crucial aspect that is gaining more and more resonance is the transition to sustainable ingredients. Among these, there seems to be no room for palm oil, which has sparked debates and environmental concerns in recent years.

But is there a more sustainable alternative to this ingredient? Let's find out together.

When is a Cosmetic Ingredient Sustainable?

Cosmetic ingredients can be considered sustainable when they are organic, natural, non-toxic, and thus pose no risk to the environment and to human health.

To this end, products derived from sustainably cultivated and wildcrafted plants should be preferred, as they have a lower impact compared to those containing parabens or phthalates. Additionally, it is advisable to choose products without palm oil, the production of which has a massive impact on rainforests.

Why are Palm Oil-Derived Oils Not Sustainable?

Palm oil is a vegetable oil obtained from pressing the fruits of the palm, called drupes. Palm oil (palm oil) is extracted from the pulp of these fruits, and palm kernel oil is extracted from the seeds.

Palm kernel oil is widely used in cosmetics, both in the form of oil and butter, as it possesses interesting texturizing, emollient, and moisturizing properties. It can also be used as a precursor to many raw materials used in organic cosmetics, primarily emulsifiers and surfactants.

To meet ever-growing market demands, vast hectares of rainforest have been ruthlessly deforested over the years to make way for lucrative palm plantations. To limit environmental damage, it has become increasingly urgent to reduce the consumption of this ingredient.

Is There a Sustainable Alternative to Palm Oil?

So, the question today is: are there truly sustainable global alternatives to palm oil?

One of the main characteristics of the oil palm is that it bears fruit throughout the year and provides 8 to 15 bunches of fruit every twelve months. Each bunch can weigh from 15 to 25 kilograms and contain more than 1000 drupes, reaching up to 1300. In short, among all oil plants, the palm is the most efficient crop in terms of yield per cultivated area.

For this reason, it is currently challenging to find a plant-based alternative that is equally efficient but less environmentally impactful. Even Greenpeace does not support boycotting products containing palm oil, stating that "the risk that palm oil is replaced by the intensive exploitation of other oilseed crops is high, and the environmental impacts could be even worse." It is essential for palm oil producers and the multinational companies that sell and use it to take responsibility and take concrete action to eliminate palm oil that destroys forests and violates human rights from the market.

What is proposed is sustainable palm oil, made in full respect of nature's timing and spaces, as well as the living conditions of workers.

To do this, responsible companies must source certified palm oil.

Sustainable Palm Oil: The RSPO Certification

To address the issues associated with palm oil, many companies are adopting a sustainable perspective through RSPO certification.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil works to promote the responsible production, sourcing, and use of palm oil, ensuring rigorous environmental and social standards.

This transition not only addresses growing environmental concerns but also demonstrates companies' commitment to sustainability.

RSPO Certification: Principles and Criteria

RSPO has defined a set of principles and criteria covering environmental, social, and economic aspects. These include promoting sustainable farming practices, biodiversity conservation, protecting the rights of local communities and workers, and responsible management of oil palm plantations.

This certification is verified by independent certification bodies that assess compliance with RSPO principles and criteria.

There are different types of RSPO certification, including:

• Identity Preserved (IP): Palm oil comes from a identifiable certified source.

• Segregated (SG): Certified palm oil is separated from non-certified oil throughout the supply chain.

• Mass Balance (MB): Allows the mixing of certified and non-certified oil, but the overall quantity of certified oil is traced.

The Role of RSPO Certification in Global Markets

RSPO certification has had a significant impact on global palm oil markets. Leading companies in sectors such as food and cosmetics have committed to using exclusively RSPO-certified palm oil in their products. This effort is often part of a broader corporate social responsibility strategy.

Despite its progress, RSPO has faced criticism for not being stringent enough in ensuring sustainability. The organization acknowledges these challenges and is committed to continuously improving its standards to address environmental and social concerns.

Palm-Free Cosmetics

In response to consumer demand for increasingly environmentally friendly products, many cosmetic companies are adopting an even more radical approach: palm-free. This trend involves the total elimination of palm oil and its derivatives from product formulations, seeking alternatives that offer the same benefits without negatively impacting the environment.

The "Palm Free" certification is not carried out by a certifying body but is a statement issued by the company itself, demonstrating to customers that the cosmetic product has been developed without the use of palm oil or any palm oil-derived ingredients.

For this reason, the "Palm Free" certification represents a true ethical commitment by the company to avoid ingredients associated with harmful environmental and social practices. This certification also promotes transparency and offers consumers the opportunity to make informed choices in line with their ethical concerns.

"Palm Free" Certification: The Cosmetic Industry's Great Challenge

The formulation of "Palm Free" products can present technical challenges, as palm oil is widely used for its functional properties in cosmetics production. Developers must find alternatives that meet the required quality standards without compromising the product's performance.

At Maycos, we are always at the forefront of researching new solutions that allow you to take care of your skin in a sustainable and natural way. That's why we are working on both solutions: RSPO-certified raw materials and Palm-Free.

You can discover them by visiting our website www.maycos.en Follow us to stay updated on sustainability innovations for cosmetic ingredients.