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by Lisa Rogers Sykes, Eco-Friendly Specialist, Universal Companies
Proctor & Gamble is just one of several corporations that recently announced price increases, citing the cost of oil as the key factor (Bloomberg News). However, for many conglomerates, petroleum dependency goes beyond the obvious shipping and packaging expenditures. It lies within the depths of those elegant, user-friendly containers of creams, lotions, cleansers, and shampoos.
Over the years, technology and higher profit margins have encouraged the inclusion of petrochemicals into our personal care products. According to the Energy Information Administration, the definition of petrochemicals is "organic and inorganic compounds and mixtures that include but are not limited to organic chemicals, cyclic intermediates... organic dyes, organic pigments, detergents, surface active agents, carbon black, and ammonia." Although most clients aren't familiar with the term "petrochemicals", they are accustomed to the multisyllabic words that frequent ingredients lists on the packaging of their purchases. In fact, these compounds have become so ubiquitous that some question the effectiveness of products that don't contain them, leaving truly natural skincare brands with sparse ingredients lists answering consumer inquiries such as, "What else is in this?" and "Is this it?"
Industrial petrochemical production is a complex, energy-intensive process. It involves altering natural plant oils by the employment of high heat, petroleum-based reagents, and metal catalysts. What results are inexpensive alternatives to natural ingredients. However, those "inexpensive" alternatives are not as economical as they used to be since they are manufactured from petrochemical feedstocks, which are "principally for the manufacture of chemicals... [like detergents, surface active agents, emollients, and emulsifiers]" (Energy Information Administration). Since petrochemicals make up a sizeable portion of personal care product ingredients, the companies that use them must pass the expense on those who purchase their products, and since the cost of crude oil has more than doubled since 2005, from $35.16 per barrel to $137.11 per barrel†, consumers are literally paying the price.
Crude oil, like other commodities, is market driven. Perhaps if the price of oil remains high—and consequently the price of petroleum-based skincare products—consumers will no longer be comparing prices when they choose between natural and synthetic products because there won't be much of a price difference. Instead, they will begin evaluating ingredients lists and will become enthralled with natural, wholesome skincare. Of course, this sounds good in theory, but it should not be relied upon as the sole catalyst for conversion. It also takes the hard work of several non-profit organizations (like The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and The Toxic Free Legacy Coalition) plus media attention.
Although the rising cost of crude oil is distressing and generates a negative effect on our finances, it does push our society towards cleaner, greener alternatives. However, change takes time, and as the old adage affirms, nothing worth having is instantaneous. By way of necessity and various channels of information, consumers will become more knowledgeable about their purchases, and by doing so, they will also note what they are rubbing into their skin.
† January 2005 through July 2008. Source: Energy Information Administration.
Works Cited:
Bloomberg News.
Energy Information Administration.
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