The Dark Side of the Beauty Industry: Unethical Practices and Their Impact on Consumers | Tint School of makeup & cosmetology (2024)

FAQs

What are examples of unethical conduct in the beauty industry? ›

Exploitation of Workers

This includes underpaying workers, violating labor rights, and unsafe working conditions in factories or sweatshops. Consumers unknowingly support these unethical practices when purchasing products from companies that prioritize profit margins at the expense of worker welfare.

The beauty industry impacts our environment in several ways. Current practices can deplete natural resources, damage oceans, hurt wildlife, and produce harmful microplastics. But the biggest challenge the beauty world faces is packaging waste.

Asking for recognition for someone else's job, calling in sick to go to the hill station, sabotaging someone else's work, and, in sales, falsifying the product or service to fulfill the target are all examples of unethical behavior in the workplace.

The negative effects of beauty standards include body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, self-doubt, worthlessness, and increased risk of anxiety and depression.

It has been found that overall the beauty industry has a negative effect on a woman's self-esteem, body image, and perception of beauty. By using upward comparisons, women are constantly comparing themselves to standards of beauty that society shows to them.

According to the social justice platform TRVST, beauty packaging amounts to 120 billion units of trash each year, including plastic, paper, glass, and metals that are improperly recycled and ultimately end up in landfills.

Members are obliged to uphold the dignity of the profession and shall conduct themselves in conformity with good taste and professional decorum. Members agree to act honourably towards their clients and fellow practitioners. Members agree to maintain the confidentiality of their clients at all times.

What is the biggest ethical issue today? ›

Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace

Harassment and discrimination are arguably the largest ethical issues that impact business owners today. Should harassment or discrimination take place in the workplace, the result could be catastrophic for your organization both financially and reputationally.

Unfortunately, things like excessive packaging, plastic pollution, and unsustainable resource consumption are huge problems within the cosmetic industry that have devastating impacts on the environment.

Operating in a fast-paced environment like the cosmetics industry comes with its own specific challenges. Changing global cosmetics regulation for cosmetics manufacturers, innovation and cost-efficiency are some of the hurdles that make it difficult to succeed.

Health And Safety Risks. As workers are exposed constantly to toxic pesticides, poisonous dyes, and chemicals, it is evident that their health is at considerable risk. They typically have health issues such as headaches, vomiting consistently, memory problems, breathing diseases, seizures, and even death.

Employee Conduct

Use statements such as "employees will respect their coworkers' property," and "employees will treat all clients with dignity and respect." Include prohibitions against poaching clients from other stylists and bad-mouthing other stylists' work or abilities, says Hairdresser Career Development Systems.