What You Should Know About Palm Oil in Beauty Products Leave a comment

“I have successfully formulated palm-free formulas before,” she says. “It is extremely difficult and challenging to find ingredients that are completely palm free. Even the most common emollients, surfactants, fatty alcohols, and emulsifiers are all palm derived. Palm alternatives are also quite cost prohibitive and can be costly for a new brand to go palm-free.” 

So, while avoiding palm oil products is an option, d’Auriol says “avoiding palm oil together also comes with the consequence of depriving thousands of farmers of their income. As consumers, we need to demand brands become ethical, source responsibly, and are transparent about their production and sourcing. We need brands to commit to purchasing sustainable, ethical palm oil or sourcing alternative oils.” 

Clearly, it’s a complex issue and one that can’t be solved by avoiding a certain brand or product. Palm oil permeates the beauty industry. However, there are some brands that have committed to going palm-free. If this interests you in your quest for a more sustainable beauty routine, keep scrolling to see a selection.