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collected in a manner that is damaging to them. It's also vital to remember that making natural cosmetics
necessitates following environmental protection measures. When purchasing a sustainable product, the
consumer expects the same quality and efficacy as a "non-sustainable" alternative (10). By-product extracts
(those obtained from the fruit and vegetable processing industries) offer a feasible "green" alternative to
plant-derived extracts in many applications. If the by-products are from organic farming, they are an even
more important source of safe extracts for cosmetics, as they do not include any pesticide residue or possibly
hazardous chemicals Aside from their known skin benefits, agro-food by-products have the added benefits
of being bio-sustainable and affordable (9).
The duration over which a product retains specified features while stored under expected or instructed
storage circumstances, or the period during which the producer has determined that a product is best suited
for usage, is defined as the shelf life of cosmetics. Storage temperature, humidity, package protection,
product composition, water activity, processing circumstances, and ingredient quality all affect quality over
time. Cosmetic products have a life of their own, and the larger the percentage of physiologically usable skin
care ingredients, the more life they have. When the items are packaged in jars, external factors must also be
taken into account. Finally, the shelf life of the products is determined by a combination of factors. However,
because consumers are unfamiliar with intricate labelling methods, a number of responsible cosmetic
producers are now voluntarily labelling their products with a shelf life of less than 30 months with the open
jar symbol. It's also worth noting that the date stated in conjunction with the open jar sign is not governed by
any rules. Thus, shelf life of the cosmetic product can be considered as one of the factors that influence
consumer decision-making in buying sustainable cosmetic products.
Customers' needs for ecological packaging, among other things, are growing in tandem with their
enthusiasm in shopping. While more natural raw materials are being utilised to make cosmetics containers
nowadays, saving energy, recycling them remains difficult due to the
commonly used material combinations. However, the packaging industry is not resting on its laurels, and
some businesses have issued recalls about the re-use of body care empty. There are a lot of case studies
available that show how cosmetic companies have improved their sustainability efforts by implementing
design improvements and conducting sustainability evaluations. LUSH cosmetics is one such brand that has
made the switch to reusable product packaging. Plastic boxes that are both attractive and long-lasting. These
can be repurposed by sending another gift in their place. They can be used to store jewellery or tiny goods, or
they can be used to organize them (11). Not just as cosmetic ingredients, but also as packaging materials,
sustainably produced raw materials are being brought into the cosmetics business. Indeed, cosmetics
marketing emphasises that using green, compostable or biodegradable packaging adds value to the product
because it reflects customers' and producers' environmental attitudes and concern (12).
Eco-labels are one source of information used to signal the existence or absence of specific traits, and they
have the potential to drastically alter purchase behaviour. Eco-label reduces the use of dangerous and
potentially damaging compounds to the environment. Thousands of products, including cosmetics,
electronics, food, textiles, electrical goods, and furniture, as well as services like hotels, receive eco-labels
around the world (7). The labelled indications are designed to provide for a clear identification of the
functioning and proper use of cosmetics, as well as to safeguard consumers from commercial factors and,
above all, from safety concerns. Furthermore, it should enable for easy tracing of product data as well as all
toxicologically relevant information (13). Ecolabels can be seen of as signals that provide customers with a
level of value, trust, and credibility; however, such trust and credibility are highly dependent on the
ecolabel's source (14). Ecolabels are instruments for aiding consumer decision-making when it comes to
environmentally relevant items (15).
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