Surprising facts about the beauty industry that you never knew

1. The beauty industry has its roots in ancient Egypt

The use of cosmetics and beauty products can be traced back thousands of years. And although the cosmetic industry as we know it today began in the early 20th century, in fact, the activities of the cleaning industry can be traced back to ancient Egypt. In the past, ancient emperors and queens like Cleopatra were symbols of luxury and glamor.

Appearance and cleanliness were among the basic standards for the ancient Egyptians. Men and women from all walks of life Ancient Egypt used cosmetics and makeup such as eyeliner, eyeshadow, sunscreen, toothpaste, lipstick, and ointment. Furthermore, the Egyptians’ understanding of the science behind skin care proved to be extremely advanced, and there were even manicurists and wigmakers.

According to research by experts, the Egyptians believed that wearing makeup would help them be protected and protected by the gods Horus and Ra. They even believe that makeup helps prevent disease, even heal some diseases.

Therefore, both Egyptian men and women have a variety of cosmetics used for makeup. Most of their cosmetics have ingredients that are mainly powdered from malachite and galena.

2. The average woman uses hundreds of chemicals into her body every day

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), women use about 12 products containing 168 ingredients on their bodies daily. Meanwhile, research done by Bionsen, a company that makes natural deodorants, puts the number much higher, at around 512 synthetic chemicals per day.

While many of these chemicals are harmless, others are problematic. According to information given by Skin Deep, 89% of product ingredients were not evaluated for safety. Furthermore, one out of every hundred personal care products on the market contains a known or probable carcinogen. Adolescents may be at particular risk due to the presence of hormone-altering substances. Another EWG study examined the blood and urine of 20 teenagers and found that they absorbed 16 hormone-altering chemicals, including parabens and phthalates.

3. Fish scales are a key ingredient in some lipstick brands

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan then you’ll probably want to double-check your lipstick. However, don’t expect to see the word “fish scales” listed anywhere in a lipstick’s ingredients. Instead, the ingredient you’re looking for is “guanine,” a substance made by layering fish scales on top of each other. But of course, guanine isn’t just used in lipstick. It is also used in many other makeup products and certain types of jewelry to create a “shimmer” effect.

4. The beauty industry contributes significantly to environmental pollution

One of the most unfortunate facts about the beauty industry is its negative effect on our environment. Cosmetic packaging alone has caused enormous damage. Indeed, according to a report from Zero Waste Week, around 120 billion units of beauty packaging are generated each year, the majority of which ends up in landfills. Part of the problem is that much of this packaging puts glitz and glamor above practicality. Brands go to great lengths to compete with designs, resulting in the use of mixed and unnecessary materials that are difficult to recycle in the production of their packaging.

An equally dilemma is the products themselves. Many contain ingredients that are harmful to the environment. For example, oxybenzone, a standard product in sunscreens, is a huge culprit in coral reef destruction. Likewise, the microplastics in body scrubs, once cursed, travel to bodies of water, where they are eaten by fish and, ultimately, humans. Then there is the prevalence of unsustainable sourcing of raw materials. For example, the high demand for palm oil has led to the destruction of several acres of forest.

5. This industry is even worth more than you think

One of the most amazing facts about the beauty industry is its size. Indeed, it is currently worth around $500 billion. Furthermore, it shows no signs of slowing down, with estimates suggesting its value will surpass $700 billion by the middle of the decade. This contributed mainly to the increase in purchasing power in developing countries.