Understanding the icons in Familiprix’s Beauté éthique section
In a world where cosmetic products can be found everywhere, distinguishing products that are truly respectful of your health, the environment and animals is becoming a real headache. Although many programs present the different aspects and criteria used to categorize products, it can be difficult to identify what is relevant to consider when making ethical choices. So let's explore the many criteria in our Beauté éthique section to help you make choices that will make you look your very best—all while protecting the planet.
Cruelty-free
When searching for personal care or cosmetic products that respect animal welfare, one of the key criteria is that they are cruelty-free. This means the product has never been tested on animals—it hasn't been ingested, inhaled, or applied to an animal's skin. There are several alternative methods to ensure a product's safety, such as testing on dissected human tissues or, better yet, using ingredients already known to be safe for humans. To help guide consumers toward responsible cosmetic choices, some brands go as far as obtaining the Leaping Bunny certification. This certification guarantees that neither the final product nor its ingredients have been tested on animals at any stage of the manufacturing process.
Vegan
Similar to the "Cruelty-free" certification, a vegan product contains no ingredients of animal origin. This means it is free from any components derived from an animal's body or animal by-products like eggs, milk, beeswax, honey, etc. Vegan cosmetics are also free from animal exploitation. However, it's important to note that a product can be "cruelty-free" without being vegan, so distinguishing between these icons is crucial when shopping. Like cruelty-free products, some brands pursue PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) certification, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting animal rights and dignity, which confirms that certified products contain no animal-derived materials.
Eco-friendly packaging
While the product itself must contain ingredients that meet ethical beauty standards, the packaging should also align with these values. Eco-friendly packaging refers to recyclable materials made from recycled content or available in refillable formats. To promote transparency, some companies opt for FSC-certified cardboard packaging. The FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label is a certification system for responsible forest management, ensuring that the wood used is legally sourced and comes from sustainably managed forests.
A committed company
A committed company integrates social, environmental, and ethical considerations into its business development. This could also involve the brand's commitment to a particular organization or achieving certifications like B Corp. To be recognized as committed, a company must publicly communicate its dedication, demonstrate it over time, and take concrete actions toward its chosen cause. Teaology, a B Corp certified company, is an excellent example from our Beauté éthique section. They have made significant commitments by launching a program to support the community of Balangoda in Sri Lanka and the female workers employed in the Wikiliya and New Hopewell tea factories.
Free from harmful ingredients
One of the most crucial criteria in selecting Beauté éthique products is the absence of harmful ingredients. At Familiprix, we've developed a list inspired by the harmful ingredients The David Suzuki Foundation and the organization Que Choisir identified. This helps us pinpoint substances to avoid when choosing products for our Beauté éthique section. Banned ingredients often include carcinogens, pesticides, toxins affecting the reproductive system, plasticizers, surfactants, degreasers, and endocrine disruptors. Some of the ingredients we've eliminated from our list are BHA and BHT (commonly found in moisturizers and makeup), sulfates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances, to name a few.
Local
Defining what truly a “local” product is can be challenging—does it mean within the province, the country, or even the continent? For our Beauté éthique section, a local product is formulated and manufactured in Québec or Canada. Some Quebec companies have even obtained the "Les Produits du Québec" certification, which attests that "at least 85% of the direct costs related to purchasing inputs (including raw materials), processing, and assembling the manufactured product are spent in Québec.”
Entrepreneurial diversity
Entrepreneurial diversity is our final but equally important selection criteria for products in the Beauté éthique section. This means the owner or founder is a woman or a person from a visible minority. Some brands embrace this commitment differently, such as having more than 50% of the company's shareholders from visible minorities. By purchasing products that meet this criteria, you're supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds in their entrepreneurial journeys.
Now, all that's left is to look for these various icons in the Beauté éthique section and take a step toward a future that respects your health, the environment, and animals!