Why Cruelty-Free Isn’t Enough: The Hidden Ethical Costs of Natural Ingredients

In the beauty and self-care industry, the term cruelty-free has become a badge of honor. It signals to consumers that no animals were harmed in the making of a product, aligning with the values of compassion and sustainability. While this is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, cruelty-free alone doesn’t always tell the full ethical story.

Behind the glossy labels and natural claims, there’s often a hidden cost—one that impacts vulnerable communities and ecosystems. At Spooks & Spanks, we believe that ethical beauty goes beyond cruelty-free. It’s about making conscious choices at every step, from sourcing ingredients to crafting the final product.

Let’s explore why cruelty-free isn’t enough and how we can all strive for a more ethical approach to beauty.

The Dark Side of (Some) Natural Ingredients

Natural ingredients are often marketed as the gold standard in beauty, promising purity and eco-friendliness. But what many don’t realize is that these ingredients can at times come with significant ethical concerns.

Take mica, for example. This shimmering mineral is commonly used in cosmetics to create that sought-after glow and hue. While mica is a natural ingredient, much of it is harvested in regions where child labor is rampant, and workers are subjected to unsafe conditions for meager pay. The supply chain is often opaque, making it difficult for companies and consumers to trace the origins of their mica.

Similarly, ingredients like shea butter or cocoa butter, often praised for their nourishing properties, can be sourced from regions where farmers are underpaid, and labor practices are far from fair trade standards. These issues highlight the importance of looking beyond the label to understand the true cost of “natural” beauty.

Ethical Sourcing: A Non-Negotiable

At Spooks & Spanks, we’ve made it our mission to prioritize ethical sourcing. For instance, we use synthetic, lab-made mica instead of natural mica. Why? Because synthetic mica is lab-created, ensuring no child labor or unsafe working conditions are involved. It delivers the same beautiful shimmer without the ethical compromise. It also doesn't contain heavy metals that can be a potential health risk, such as lead.

We also do our best to source ethical ingredients across the board. For example, our honey is obtained through our sponsorship of Totem Miel Artisanal in Sainte-Sophie. We know their team personally and trust their procedures, which ensure the bees are never harmed. Totem provides the best environment for their bees, protecting their habitats and allowing them to thrive. This not only ensures the bees can do their best work and “bee” their happiest, but it also helps sustain the vital role bees play in pollinating plants and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Beyond honey, we are constantly on the lookout for the best quality, healthy, and fair-trade ingredients to ensure that every product we create aligns with our values. This includes vetting suppliers to ensure that ingredients like oils and butters are sourced from fair trade operations. This not only supports the livelihoods of farmers but also helps build sustainable communities.

The Bigger Picture: Conscious Consumerism

As consumers, we have the power to drive change. While cruelty-free certifications are a great starting point, they shouldn’t be the end of our ethical journey. Here are a few ways to dig deeper:

1. Research Ingredient Origins
   Look for brands that are transparent about where and how their ingredients are sourced. Certifications like Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance can provide some guidance, though they’re not the only markers of ethical practices.

2. Support Brands with Ethical Commitments
   Choose companies that go beyond cruelty-free to address issues like labor rights, environmental impact, and ingredient traceability.

3. Ask Questions
   Don’t hesitate to reach out to brands and ask about their sourcing practices. Companies committed to ethics will be more than willing to share their efforts.

A New Standard for Beauty

The beauty industry has made incredible strides in recent years, but there’s still work to be done. Cruelty-free is a vital piece of the puzzle, but it’s not the whole picture. By addressing the ethical implications of ingredient sourcing, we can create a more compassionate and sustainable industry—one that respects not just animals but also the people and communities behind the products we love.

At Spooks & Spanks, we’re proud to be part of this movement. With every product we craft, we aim to set a higher standard for beauty—one that’s kind, conscious, and truly ethical.

Let’s demand more from the brands we support. Together, we can redefine what it means to be beautiful, inside and out.

Picture from our sustainable palm oil provider