Natural Isn’t Always Eco-Friendly: Cosmico’s Founder on Minimalist Self-Care

Natural Isn’t Always Eco-Friendly: Cosmico’s Founder on Minimalist Self-Care

More and more companies are taking ecology seriously and making real strides in this direction. The Cosmico eco-salon network and A1 company are among them. This weekend, at the Vulitsa Ezha festival, they are organizing a lecture on cosmetic safety. Meanwhile, with the support of A1, we talked to Cosmico’s director, Evgeny Shatokhin, about minimalism in self-care.

Why is Minimalism in Self-Care Necessary?

Let me give you an example. In 2019, I was at a conference in Shanghai. When I arrived in the city, the scene outside the window resembled a disaster movie: it was a gray, almost black, overcast day, it seemed like rain was about to start, and only neon signs were gloomily lit. But my smartwatch insisted that it was clear and sunny. Later, I realized the reason: the city was covered in smog. That’s when I fully realized how important it is to care for the ecology.

Every living being leaves behind a water and carbon footprint. The water footprint refers to how we affect water quality, and the carbon footprint refers to how we alter air quality. These are not issues of the distant future. For many inhabitants of the planet, this impact is already tangible, and for others, it will become a reality quite soon. Our colleagues from Taiwan, during their visit to Belarus, long and delightfully gazed at the sky. The ordinary blue sky with clouds is no longer accessible to them! Moreover, ten to fifteen years ago, they did not have this problem.

Cosmetics contribute to the state of the ecology. The amount and quality of cosmetics we use determine the footprint we leave behind. Furthermore, by caring for the ecology, we care for ourselves. The quality of air and water affects our health, skin, and hair condition. And care products with many harmful substances, in the long run, harm not only the ecology but also us.

Minimalism: More Than Just Reducing Cosmetic Consumption

When we use a cosmetic product, we must remember several things. First, what remains in the atmosphere during its production. Second, how much waste in the form of packaging remains after its use. Third, what ingredients the cosmetics consist of.

Many shampoos contain a large number of harmful chemicals that are detrimental to both health and ecology. Many of these substances are so small that filters in treatment facilities do not capture them. As a result, they easily end up in water bodies, soil, and even in the water we drink.

We use and sell ecological shampoos in our salons. If you pour such a shampoo into a water body, there will be no trace of it after 28 days. This means it does not affect the water condition and does not harm fish and other living organisms. It contains no chemicals, yet the consumer properties are preserved: the shampoo cleans well. It has no thickeners, so it requires 30% less water to rinse. That is, it is not only safe but also saves water.

Moreover, it is important to pay attention to what not only the cosmetics but also the packaging is made of. We all love beautiful jars, but most of them are made of plastic, which will then lie in landfills for hundreds of years and pollute the environment.

There are manufacturers who have taken this seriously and use packaging made from recycled plastic. It is less harmful to the ecology. And there is also biodegradable packaging. For example, one of the shampoo manufacturers we use has acacia seeds in the bottom of the packaging, and flower seeds in the paper packaging. That is, you just need to use the shampoo, bury the packaging in the ground, and after some time, the packaging will decompose, and a tree or flower will grow in its place.

Minimalism includes both the minimum waste left behind and the minimum water pollution, the minimum carbon footprint during production. Only then can we talk about eco-friendliness.

Harmful Substances in Shampoo and Shower Gel

I would recommend following this rule: “Always think about what you put on yourself.” And refuse products that can harm both you and the ecology.

For example, sulfates help cleanse the skin and hair of impurities but also penetrate cells and weaken them. Chemical thickeners make the shampoo viscous but also cling to the skin, rinse poorly, penetrate inside, accumulate, causing chronic intoxication.

If a cosmetic product has a strong aroma, it is worth thinking about: most often, this means that it contains many fragrances that manufacturers try to use to mask some chemical odor. Many cosmetic products also add hormones and preservatives that harm the endocrine system, dyes that cause allergies, and much more.

Natural Isn’t Always Eco-Friendly

It is essential to remember that natural does not always mean eco-friendly, useful, and safe. It is impossible to oppose professional and natural cosmetics.

Take an example: there is a field where grasses grow. It is fertilized, and there is a busy highway and a factory nearby. These grasses cannot be used for food and teas, but extracts are collected from them and added to cosmetics. Are the grasses natural? Yes. But can we talk about the eco-friendliness of such cosmetics? No. And about the benefits? No.

And the second point. You can grow chamomile yourself and water your hair with its decoction to make them softer. Or wash your hair with kefir, as they did in villages before. If you live in the forest, far from civilization, and wash with spring water, there may be benefits.

But modern people live in different conditions. Ordinary herbs will not wash off all the dirt and dust that settles on your skin and hair in the form of car exhaust fumes, factories, and other sources. Here, professional cosmetics are needed. Modern technologies are moving forward, and there are substances that help the skin and hair stay healthy longer and people look better. It is no coincidence that many modern women and men look younger than their age.

Unnecessary Steps in Hair Care

There is no definitive answer. Self-care depends on the need, the person, even the time of year. One care story is a man with short hair. Another story is a girl with dyed, long hair who uses a hairdryer and straighteners daily. You can’t straighten them.

In summer, you need to use UV protections; in winter, additionally moisturize your hair. And situations vary: you got sunburned, lightened or dyed unsuccessfully. These stories require different measures, different procedures, different cosmetics. And I would not advise neglecting them if you want to keep your hair and look good.

Essential Steps in Hair Care

Shampoo, conditioner, leave-in product, comb—these are the essential steps in hair care. Everything else is optional and depends on the specific situation and the condition of your hair.

For more information on eco-friendly cosmetics, visit the Environmental Working Group website.