*“The most dangerous greenwashing isn't always the most obvious—it's the subtle deception that makes consumers believe they're making sustainable choices when they're not.”* Greenwashing tactics in cosmetics range from subtle misleading claims to outright deception. It is crucial for industry professionals and consumers to understand these practices and their consequences. ## Common Tactics - Misleading claims (highlighting irrelevant information or lying) - Selective publicity (presenting the least harmful option as environmentally positive) - Vague claims without evidence ('eco-friendly' without specifics) - False natural claims (e.g., marketing a product as '100% natural coconut oil' when it contains minimal natural content) - Misleading packaging symbols (self-created 'eco' logos) - Hidden trade-offs (emphasising one environmental benefit while hiding other impacts) ## Industry Examples - Marketing silicone-based products as 'natural' due to minimal plant extracts - Using 'recyclable' labels on multi-layer packaging that most facilities can't process - Claiming 'organic' status based on a single organic ingredient - Using nature-themed imagery to imply environmental benefits ## Consequences ### For Consumers - Misled purchases - Erosion of trust in eco-labels - Financial loss from premium pricing for false benefits - Confusion about authentic sustainable options ### For the Industry - Undermines legitimate sustainable initiatives - Creates unfair competition - Slows genuine innovation - Risks regulatory penalties under [[EU Greenwashing Ban]] ### For the Environment - Delays environmental progress - Perpetuates harmful practices - Undermines genuine conservation efforts - Misdirects consumer environmental action