1. Can you please briefly the term microplastics in the skincare industry
A: Microplastic is a liquid polymer or synthetic polymer that is widely used for viscosity and increased shelf life purposes. It is inexpensive and readily available.
A few examples of microplastics are Phthalates, Parabens, Cadmium, Triclosan, Sulfates, Toluene, Talc, PEG, Formaldehyde, and Diethanolamine. Microplastic leaves equal negative impact on skin and health as on the environment.
2. As the skincare industry is really very vast what’s the one change you would like to implement?
A: Stop the use of microplastics! Not because we have a brand La Pink but because
of the severe health impacts it is leaving behind directly or indirectly.
Researchers at the New York University School of Medicine used mass spectrometry to measure the concentrations of PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
and PC (polycarbonate) in feces samples from six infants and 10 adults, as well as three samples of newborn babies’ first stool and in all samples, microplastic fibres were found. PC levels were about the same in adults and babies but the PET levels were about 14 times higher in babies. We are already on our mission to spread awareness about microplastics with our ongoing campaign #SayNoToMicroplastics and will be taking the help of our honorable Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi to accomplish this and make India 100% Microplastic Free.
3. Can you share your journey and how you started La Pink
A: “If it wasn’t for my father’s ambitious vision, I wouldn’t have taken a step to find the gap in the beauty industry and introduce a 100% microplastic-free formulated range of products!” That’s true! I was engaged with the functioning of the Marvel group when my father Mr. R.C. Jain came up with the idea of launching a skincare brand. He proposed to bring a revolutionary shift in the market or else it would be yet another skincare brand. After two years of multiple formulations and research, we found a perfect combination of nature and science: 100% Microplastic-free natural products. One of the initial formulators said, “Microplastic is not a revolutionary concept and it will be lost in the market within 6 months of its launch!” This statement did develop a few questions among us but thanking my Europe trip in 2018 that supported our collective vision of bringing 100% microplastic-free formulated products to the Indian market where everything is marketed based on the ingredients. I was inspired by the European consumers as they were educated and had taken steps to boycott the use of microplastics. Today, even Indian consumers are smart and make informed decisions, but they will also be researching about particular things when they know about them. And that was it, we knew what we had to do and brought a whole range of 100% Microplastic Free Formulations that no one is doing in India.
4. What has inspired you throughout this journey?
A: My consumers, the positive response from different marketplaces, and my employees who I call my work family. What once started as a dream project has now become a collective vision of people at La Pink.
5. What are your future plans for the brand?
A: We are going to expand our range of products and make them more accessible by entering quick commerce, same-day delivery, and experience stores in India. We are also planning to expand ourselves globally and we shall share the news soon!