May 26, 2008

Cosmetics firms heed calls for organicsBy Susan Chaityn LebovitsBoston.com

Consumers who are vigilant about what they put into their bodies have proved they also care about what they put on them, making naturals and organics the fastest-growing segment of the cosmetics industry.

According to Organic Monitor, a London consulting company, sales of natural and organic cosmetics are soaring, with revenues projected to approach $7 billion this year in the United States, up $1 billion from last year.

Players like Target and Wal-mart launching their own natural and organic lines, but even small local companies are reaping the rewards.

For example, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics Ltd., of Great Barrington, (janeiredale.com) was begun in 1994, selling products made without fillers and binders (such as talc and mineral oil) and without chemical dyes or preservatives. The company started with 10 products and now offers 345.

Retail sales have climbed from $51.6 million in 2004 to $88.6 million in 2006. Projected retail sales for 2008 are $120 million. Iredale has expanded into more than 35 countries.

Interest in natural and organic products can be attributed in part to social responsibility – preserving the environment using sustainable ingredients and biodegradable packaging. But concerns about carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, and neurotoxins have consumers searching for more than the season’s newest colors.

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