THE production of palm oil – widely used in the cosmetic industry – is a matter for environmental concern.
Large areas of tropical forests are felled every year to create palm plantations and there are allegations that palm oil companies use violent tactics to take land from indigenous people.
Deforestation is causing problems for both humans and animals - the habitat of orangutans, for instance, is shrinking as a result.
Palm plants are extremely productive and lucrative and there is a huge and rising demand for palm oil – for food, cosmetics and even as bio-fuel.
With this in mind, Lush, the UK handmade cosmetic company founded by Mark and Mo Constantine in the 1994, has been making palm oil-free soaps since 2007.
Palm oil is semi-solid at room temperatures and contains several saturated and unsaturated fats. If you want to know if your favourite cosmetic contains a palm oil derivative then look out on the label for palmitate. Ethical companies will reveal the source of their palm oil and whether or not it is fair trade.
If in doubt, there are plenty of brands like Lush who avoid palm oil altogether.
