Vegan Skincare & Impact on Agriculture

Hey, I’m Ambika, and welcome to the 2nd edition of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer)! 🌱

We’re exploring the interesting connection between vegan beauty and sustainable agriculture in today's edition. The vegan skincare movement is more than a trend—it’s transforming beauty routines while opening up incredible opportunities for farmers, especially in India.

From lab-grown collagen to agroforestry innovations, we’ll uncover how leading beauty brands partner with local farmers to champion sustainability and ethical practices. You’ll read about Forest Essentials’ Himalayan-sourced ingredients, Estée Lauder’s investment in Indian agriculture, and the booming global market for vegan cosmetics. Plus, we’ll dive into how these trends empower farmers through crop diversification, eco-friendly practices, and fair compensation.

As a bonus, I’ve also curated a selection of insightful books on leveraging military veteran leadership to transform organizations.

Let’s get started!

Vegan Beauty: Transforming the Beauty Industry and Empowering Agriculture

“Vegan beauty” is no longer just a niche—it’s a global phenomenon. The vegan skincare movement is revolutionizing beauty routines while simultaneously creating remarkable opportunities for farmers, particularly in India. Traditional ingredients like collagen, which were once harvested from animals, are now being produced in advanced biotech labs. This shift not only reduces animal involvement but also paves the way for sustainable, plant-based alternatives. With a focus on agroforestry, companies are sourcing active ingredients directly from nature, fueling a thriving collaboration between the beauty industry and agriculture.

Leading Brands Embracing the Vegan Shift

Forest Essentials: Forest Essentials, a luxury Ayurvedic skincare brand, exemplifies this movement by using fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from plants, trees, and herbs grown in the pristine Himalayan forests. By collaborating with local farmers, the brand ensures the authenticity and purity of its products. This partnership not only preserves traditional farming practices but also supports rural livelihoods, promoting sustainable agriculture and providing farmers with stable incomes.

Estée Lauder: Global beauty giant Estée Lauder has recognized the potential of sustainable sourcing by acquiring a stake in Forest Essentials. This strategic investment underscores the increasing importance of ethical and sustainable ingredients in the global beauty market. The company’s efforts highlight how agriculture, particularly in regions like India, can be a cornerstone for the future of vegan beauty.

L’Oréal: L’Oréal, another major player in the cosmetics industry, has introduced its “Green Sciences” initiative. The company aims to source 95% of its ingredients from renewable plant-based materials by 2030. Their investments in agricultural innovation, such as promoting regenerative farming practices, empower farmers while ensuring that their products meet the growing consumer demand for cruelty-free and eco-friendly formulations.

The Body Shop: As a pioneer in ethical beauty, The Body Shop continues to lead the way by sourcing ingredients like tea tree oil and shea butter through community trade programs. These initiatives provide fair compensation to farmers and promote sustainable farming techniques. By supporting local agricultural communities, the brand strengthens the bond between beauty and ethical sourcing. More on Body Shop’s commitment to Vegan beauty here.

Global Market Trends Driving the Movement

The vegan cosmetics market is witnessing exponential growth, reflecting a broader shift towards ethical consumerism. In 2024, the market was valued at approximately USD 19.21 billion and is projected to reach USD 32.56 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.85%. This growth is fueled by an increasing consumer preference for cruelty-free and plant-based products. Consequently, the demand for agricultural produce used in these formulations is skyrocketing.

How Vegan Beauty is Helping Agriculture?

The rise of vegan beauty has created a symbiotic relationship between the beauty industry and agriculture. Farmers play a pivotal role in this transformation by cultivating the plant-based ingredients that are essential for vegan formulations.

1. Diversification of Crops:
Farmers are now growing a wide variety of crops such as aloe vera, turmeric, neem, and hibiscus. These plants are not only staples in traditional medicine but also key ingredients in vegan skincare. This diversification is enabling farmers to move beyond traditional staples like wheat and rice and embrace high-value crops and increase their income around the year.

2. Sustainable Farming Practices:
Investors today are more focused on growing brands that focus more on sustainability. Beauty brands often require their ingredients to be sourced through organic and sustainable farming methods. This encourages farmers to adopt eco-friendly practices, such as using natural fertilizers and reducing water usage, which benefit both the environment and crop quality.

3. Agroforestry and Regenerative Agriculture:
Agroforestry, where trees and crops are grown together, is becoming a cornerstone for sourcing ingredients like sandalwood and moringa. This practice enhances biodiversity, improves soil health, and reduces carbon footprints. Brands like Forest Essentials and L’Oréal are actively promoting agroforestry to ensure a sustainable supply chain.

4. Economic Empowerment:
Direct partnerships between skincare brands and farmers eliminate the need for intermediaries, ensuring that farmers receive fair compensation. This model not only uplifts rural economies but also inculcates long-term relationships that benefit both parties. For example, companies like The Body Shop and Kiehl’s have built robust community trade networks, providing consistent income to farming communities.

5. Technology Integration:
With the rise of vegan beauty, farmers are also benefiting from technological advancements. Brands are investing in blockchain technology to ensure transparency in sourcing, allowing consumers to trace the origins of ingredients back to the farms. This integration boosts trust and highlights the importance of ethical farming practices.

A Win-Win for Beauty and Agriculture

The vegan skincare movement is not just about creating cruelty-free products; it’s about redefining how the beauty industry collaborates with agriculture. As consumer demand for ethical and sustainable products continues to grow, farmers, especially in regions like India, are experiencing a wave of opportunities. From crop diversification to fair trade practices, the synergy between these two industries is driving a more sustainable and inclusive future.

By embracing plant-based ingredients and empowering farmers, leading beauty brands are setting an inspiring example for how industries can evolve responsibly while fostering economic growth and environmental stewardship.

Battle-Tested Reads: Leadership, Resilience, and Triumph from the Frontlines to the Boardroom

Coming to the second section of today’s newsletter, I have some lesser-known books on utilizing Military Veteran leadership in your organizations. I hope you will enjoy reading them.

Success From Being Mad : Inspiring real life stories of ten mad veterans of the Indian armed forces who successfully carried their madness to the entrepreneur world by Veteran Col. R S Sidhu - This book celebrates the fearless journey of ten Indian armed forces veterans who turned their unique madness and sixth sense into entrepreneurial triumphs, defying all odds.

The Debrief Imperative: Fighter Pilots and The Secret Tool That Is Transforming Businesses The World over by William M.Duke and James D.Murphy - This book unveils the fighter pilot's secret to continuous improvement, teaching businesses how disciplined debriefing can uncover root causes, strengthen teams, and accelerate success in any market.

Vietnam, No Regrets: One Soldier's Tour of Duty by J Richard.Watkins - Through raw and unfiltered storytelling, Vietnam, No Regrets offers a gripping first-hand account of a soldier’s harrowing year, giving voice to the untold stories of countless Vietnam veterans.

Hiring Veterans: How To Leverage Military Talent for Organizational Growth by Matthew J.Louis, Mark Elliott and Anthony R.Garcia - Unlock organizational growth with Hiring Veterans, the ultimate guide to recruiting, retaining, and empowering military talent to maximize leadership, teamwork, and productivity

That’s it for this week’s edition of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan! From the transformative power of vegan beauty in agriculture to the curated book recommendations on veteran leadership, today’s insights highlight the potential of collaboration, innovation, and grit in building a better future.

I’d love to hear your thoughts—what inspired you the most? Hit reply or share your favorite takeaway!

Looking forward to connecting with you all again next Thursday. Until then, keep championing sustainability and resilience in all that you do. 🌟