“Green is the new black,” commented a speaker at LuxePack Monaco, and judging by global market researcher Mintel’s forecast for 2008, new beauty products will be even earthier in the year ahead. Not only will companies continue their evolution toward eco-friendly offerings, but Mintel says there’s an increasing move (though small, initially) toward ensuring that ingredients are obtained ethically. Fair trade practices are growing and fair trade-certified products, many of which are provided by European countries, are appearing in the U.S., Latin America and Asia. According to Mintel, 258 fair trade cosmetic and personal care products launched globally in 2007, including 31 in the U.S., with the majority in skin care. The International Fairtrade Certification Mark is an independent label, owned and protected by FLO International, which ensures that farmers earn a living wage when marketing their crops, such as coffee, cocoa, fruits, flowers and honey.

In addition to certification marks, Mintel notes that in 2008, non-food packaging will also bear labels with fewer difficult-to-understand or controversial ingredients, as well as better explanations of what unfamiliar ingredients actually do. Companies are expected to provide consumers with more information than ever before, and manufacturers will increase transparency about where ingredients come from and how they’re manufactured and packaged. This follows the trend toward more local sourcing of ingredients and a greater interest in a product’s origin. And with pressure from both consumers and government agencies to become more environmentally conscious and to reduce pollution, manufacturers are expected to make significant changes to their carbon footprint in the coming year. Many are expected to utilize corporate websites to elaborate on company-wide environmental initiatives. Another environmentally conscious trend to
watch this year, according to Mintel, is mineral makeup. Once a niche market, many major cosmetic companies are now rolling out mineral lines that are increasingly popular and more affordable due to mass-market acceptance. Mineral makeup is touted as more than just a new beauty trend—it claims to have health benefits for skin as well.