Now more than ever, people are serious about what they put into their bodies—but what about the stuff we put on our bodies? As the conversation around harmful food ingredients and chemicals found in certain fabrics grows louder, one sector flies relatively under the radar: the beauty industry.

One of TikTok’s most popular video categories is beauty, but you would be hard-pressed to find a get-ready-with-me video where the creator discusses the ingredients of the products they’re applying to their faces—aside from their aesthetic effects.

What you need to know

Studies have found that a significant amount of our toiletries contain potentially harmful chemicals, from parabens that harm the reproductive system and kidney-damaging mercury to formaldehyde, which needs no introduction. While not all pose a serious health risk, many do. And although companies are required to list the ingredients they use, the responsibility of understanding their effects falls on us as consumers.

No category of consumer products is subject to less government oversight than cosmetics and other personal care products

Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Environmental Working Group (EWG) says, “No category of consumer products is subject to less government oversight than cosmetics and other personal care products.”

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict safety requirements for food and pesticides in the US. However, the country, which is the biggest producer of cosmetics in the world, does not have the same requirements for cosmetics. In fact, while the European Union bans over 1,300 cosmetic ingredients, there are only around 11 banned in the US.

Building a safe beauty cupboard

Building a chemical-free wardrobe often means investing in clothes made with natural fibres that are dyed without harmful chemicals. Removing harmful ingredients from your diet can lead to pricey organic shopping. Creating a safer beauty routine, however, is perhaps more accessible. In an ideal world, we would all buy 100% natural and plastic-free makeup, but this is not realistic, with product quality and cost playing major factors. While researching brands without alarming labels like ‘forever chemicals,’ I was pleasantly surprised to find that one of the most affordable and high-quality options on South African shelves—Essence—is, while not perfect, a great choice.

The product: Essence

Most (85%) of the German brand’s products are made in Europe under strict EU regulations. Many are vegan, and none are tested on animals, earning them a PETA certification. Since 2023, all new products have been developed to contain no microplastic particles. Their vegan Hello Good Stuff range contains 90% natural ingredients, yet is still budget-friendly, priced between R79.95 and R119.95.

EWG Skin Deep® is a database of over 123,000 products, rated based on potential health risks, including allergies and cancer. It’s a useful resource to refer to while browsing the beauty aisle. On its scale—where a completely harm-free product scores a one—38% of Essence’s products score a two, while 45% fall between three and four.

I’ve gradually replaced my entire makeup routine with Essence products, including their primer, concealer, mascara, brow gel, bronzer, highlighter, setting spray, and nail polishes. Their colour products have strong pigments, while the brow gel and mascara don’t clump or irritate my eyes. Most compelling, though, is the price—none of the items in my makeup bag cost more than R200.

Most of the products I use are rated a two on the EWG Skin Deep® scale, including the best-selling Lash Princess Mascara, which costs R89.99. For comparison, one formulation of Clinique’s best-selling High Impact Mascara scores nine for its ingredients that are linked to damage to the nervous and immune systems and retails for around R495.

A step in the right direction

If you’re mindful about the choices you make for your body, why not extend that awareness to your beauty routine? For South Africans looking to live more sustainably and consciously, it’s crucial we are provided with alternatives to harmful brands or products that are also affordable. While Essence isn’t a fully ‘clean’ brand and far from plastic-free, it’s a step in the right direction, making it easier to make better choices for our bodies without compromising on cost or quality.

Key points

• Not animal tested
• 90% natural ingredients
• All new products have been developed to contain no microplastic particles
• Priced between R79.95 and R119.95

• Feature image by Kirsten du Preez
• Read The Bathroom Guide for tips on keeping your beauty routine clean and low-impact