Importance of Beauty Industry and Ethical Issues

Cosmetic improvements can make nation feel better about themselves but can also make others that cannot afford or take hold such services feel worse. However, the manage as been raging as to whether or not the one thousand million dollar dishful industriousness is worthwhile in the modern society. The beauty industry is very divers(a) and has multiple players.Players involved in this diverse industry include the dealers in the beauty products, the enhancives, services for alter appearance like exercise machines, nutritional beauty products and above all the end users of all these products (Simms, 1998).Considering the account at which the beauty industry has been growing, it would be important to analyze whether it equals the incumbent society positive or not. My analysis will examine the greatness of the industry to the players and the society in general. In addition I will look at the various ethical concerns presented by the beauty industry and how possibly they should be solved in crop to have the industry continue benefiting the society. The spunkyest number of consumers of the beauty products in the current world and in deed over the centuries is undoubtedly women.Women generally adopt the idea of self-grooming at a very tender age (Gillespie, 1996). Unlike men, women have a natural interest in their looks and animal(prenominal) presentation and in most cultures they believe that good looks and physical attraction is expected of them. Women therefore materialize it hard to escape such sociocultural norms and as they grow up they internalized the norms such that they simply exit unaware of their pauperizations to seek beauty (Black, 2004). Nevertheless, the modern man has been quite conscious of his looks and physical appearance (Sullivan, 2001).The motivation behind mens growing interest in physical attraction is a debate for another day however, the importance of beauty products and services to these users is clear. The users of beauty products and services always want to make out body empowerment, pleasure as well as freedom from appearance (Haiken, 1997). Society associates good looks and big(p) physical attraction to power and therefore those who possess such qualities would avert competition in mating and other sociable spheres of life. The pleasure of having a good body elevates ones esteem.The beauty industry therefore provides an opportunity for those who feel bad about their physical looks to transform it according to ones own societal standard (Morgan, 1992). Apart from the freedom it offers the users to improve their looks the aesthetic industry is currently a multibillion dollar industry. From the manufacturers of various beauty products, to millions of users across the globe, the beauty industry is considered one of the top revenue earners in various economies around the world and therefore justifies its existence in toady modern world (Hiscock & Lovett, 2004).Despite the importance of the beauty in dustry to the various players and economies, the industry has been receiving criticism for its unethical practices (Brumberg, 1997). There has been a growing world outcry with regards to the industrys unsustainable business practices especially with respect to the environment. Manufacturers of beauty products have always confront criticism for testing their products on animals, unsustainable sourcing for raw materials as well as for causing chemical pollution.But receivable to consistent pressure from the media, the consumers and the retailers, aesthetic industry especially the cosmetic companies are shaping up to be counted as good corporate citizens. Many corporate bodies in the aesthetic industry are investiture a lot in CSR programs as well as in other sustainability initiatives. For example, the Body store has been embarking on ethical sourcing while others like Yves Rocher have been focusing on preservation of biodiversity ( radical Monitor, 2010).A number of beauty compan ies have opted to take holistic approach to the issue of ethics and sustainable business practices. These companies are straight reducing the environmental effects of their products by opting to greener formulations, decreasing packaging of most of their products and also reducing babys room gas emissions as well as water and energy consumption. In addition, they are also considering the social dimension of their businesses and operations. These include ethical supply from their supplies and social responsibilities through corporate philanthropy.In its recent strategic report, Organic Monitor (2010) found that most companies are investing in greener formulations and sustainable packaging in order to reduce the environmental footprint caused by the various cosmetic products. The report suggests that packaging is getting high interest because most companies in the aesthetic industry have realized the high environmental impact most of their cosmetic products have had on the environme nt. As a result companies are now expression for biodegradable plastics, recyclable materials as well as other innovative ways to lower environmental degradation ( markweek, n. d).ConclusionThe beauty industry has more to offer to the modern society in terms of financial value and desired body image. Although, some may not be able to access or afford the most expensive cosmetic products like plastic surgery, the benefits far outweighs the concerns of the minority who would have to fight back with their natural looks. But even as the industry remains relevant and beneficial to the current society, it has to transact the ethical issues raised as a matter of urgency.A sustainable business practice would not just now benefit the consumers and the society but also ensure a continued operation by the cosmetic companies within a sustainable environment. Although, a few companies have seen this importance of this, more need to be done.ReferencesBlack, P. (2004). The looker Industry Ge nder, Culture, Pleasure, Routledge New York. Brandweek, (n. d). Study Natural Beauty Products Flooding the Market. Retrieved on August 21, 2010, from http//www. brandweek.com/bw/content_display/news-and-features/packaging-and-design/e3id5cad753451dc1bfe073efb89ddb9730 Brumberg, J. (1997).The Body Project An Intimate narration of American Girls. Random House New York. Gillespie, R. (1996).Women, the Body Brand Extension in Medicine Cosmetic Surgery and the Paradox of Choice. Women and Health Vol. 24. Haiken, E. (1997).Venus Envy A History of Cosmetic Surgery. Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore. Hiscock, J. & Lovett, F. (2004).Beauty Therapy, 2nd Heinemann London Organic Monitor, (2010, May 19).CSR & Sustainability How the Beauty Industry Is Cleaning Up. Retrieved on August 21, 2010, from http//webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cacheWvoQqIjRJqcJwww.npicenter. com/anm/anmviewer.asp%3Fa%3D27277%26z%3D2+Beauty+Industry+Ethics&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ke&client=firefox-a Morgan, K. (1992).Women and the Knife Cosmetic Surgery and the Colonization of Womens Bodies. Hypatia Vol. 6 25-53. Simms, J. (1998).A Practical Guide to Beauty Therapy for Nvq Level 2, 2nd edition, Nelson Thomes New York. Sullivan, D. (2001).