A journey through our product lifecycle
Considering the plethora of information readily available today on the internet, anyone can readily make a soap. The tricky part here is looking for suitable plant based, earth friendly replacements for conventionally toxic ingredients. Creating high quality products begins with using the right ingredients.
Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals. One of the easiest tell tale signs is the burning sensation/dryness that one often experiences when these products are touched. Sometimes, they also release harmful fumes, which affect the user.
As these harsh chemicals make their way down through plumbing pipes and finally into waterways, significantly cause environmental harm. In Bangalore, for instance, chemical surfactants and pollutants turn pristine waters into lakes that spew fire on account of excessive frothing. Varthur and Bellandur lakes have witnessed these concerning scenes.
Social and digital media are big platforms that are being used to communicate with consumers about the environmental problems we are facing, while also using it to share how they can be a part of the solution. With huge populations of individuals consuming this news, we are seeing a greater shift towards earth friendly cleaners. From this merges an eco-conscious population that wants to align itself to certain causes by virtue of their consumption choices.
What’s also interesting is that even the populations that perhaps were comfortable using mass manufactured home care products have switched over to using plant based soaps and detergents.
Upon using these alternatives to conventional toxin formulated products, customers are able to notice a visible difference in their skin and their dishes/clothes/floors! For starters, their skin does not dry out when using plant based soaps. Moreover, it lathers just as much, providing a smooth and efficient cleaning experience for the users too.
When we first began, many were sceptical about the effectiveness of sustainable products and ingredients. Over time, we have seen a drastic change in consumer attitudes. By communicating through a learning first rhetoric, we are seeing a significant surge in the popularity of plant based cleaning solutions. In our case for example, our powder-to-liquid home care range, was sold out in 2 weeks of its launch and has been one of our bestsellers since. This goes to show that there is a shift in consumer preferences, owing to a demand for plant based innovations. Moreover, we have received rave reviews from our customers, who have been continuously using our products, with multiple repeat purchases too!
Traditional wisdom often guides our ingredient selection. Reetha, Shikakai, green gram flour, citrus peel powders, among others, are so versatile that they can be used to whip up home cleaners and shampoos that are gentle on your skin and the environment. You can even create bio enzymes from citrus peels and jaggery. And the best part is that you are using ingredients from your kitchen and reducing waste!
Using high quality ingredients, all of which you will recognise, we have created a Terracotta and an Espresso: Coffee Body Scrub, which give you the most luxurious exfoliating experience. We use high quality, local ingredients native to India. For instance, our spa bars highlight native ingredients such as Turmeric, Annatto and Coffee.
As a consumer, start by looking at the cleaning agents in the product. Declaring ‘plant-based’ or ‘plant-derived’ ingredients is an easy way to understand the nature of the product. Avoid products that have synthetic fragrances. While ‘natural’ does not always mean ‘plant-based’, it is a good starting point. Reading the list of ingredients gives detailed information about the product’s composition. Look for terms like ‘essential oils’ or ‘naturally derived fragrance’ for a plant based alternative.
Terms like ‘locally sourced’ or ‘organic’ are loosely thrown around without proper certification. As a couple that prioritises this, it is then important to go the extra mile to check if the claims are genuine or not.
Several independent and esteemed organisations certify plant based and eco-friendly products. Seals from ECOCERT/USDA/B CORP/PETA are a great way to immediately gauge the genuineness of the product and brand. We for instance, have mandated certifications from most of our suppliers for all the products produced and sold. We do work with smaller traders and vendors, who do not have the money muscle or the resources to undertake a certification process.
Nevertheless, we seek to partner with smaller suppliers, whom we make regular visits to, to check their own personal commitment to sustainability. For our commitment to sustainable practices and transparency in all aspects of our business, we achieved the esteemed B Corporation Certification. We are the first FMCG Company in India to receive this prestigious certification. As a B Corp Company, we are among businesses that are leading a global movement for an inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy.
At the same time, it is important here to mention that certifications and their licences are expensive and not every brand can afford to arrange for it. In cases like these, research the brand, its founders and their ingredients used. This information speaks volumes about the intent and their alignment with what they are striving to achieve.
Creating high quality, effective products with no negative impact on the environment is not just a possibility but a reality that we breathe in and out everyday at Bare Necessities. Every aspect of our process is designed to minimise environmental impact and support a sustainable future. Join in making mindful choices and embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle!