In recent years, the beauty industry has concealed a monstrous secret—palm oil, the harbinger of deforestation, habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Urvija emerges as a warrior, standing firm as India’s first brand with CERTIFIED palm-free oil products, leading the charge for eco-friendly alternatives.

 So, what exactly is Palm Oil? 

First things first, palm oil is derived from the fruit of the oil palm tree and is commonly used to make food as it’s high in saturated fats but free of trans fats. Native to West Africa, the oil palm tree was imported into South East Asia in the mid 19th century as humid tropics tend to produce higher amounts of fruit that can then be made into oil.  

Palm fruit develops in super dense bunches which each contain more than a thousand individual sized fruits, similar to that of a plum. Palm oil is then extracted from the fleshy parts of the fruit. You’d actually be surprised at how many of your day-to-day products have palm oil in them, probably without you even realising it. A whopping 50% of products the average urban Indian uses daily contain palm oil.  

Palm oil is often used in the manufacturing of prepackaged foods, cosmetics, cleaning products, hair care, soap and other personal care items. Recently, palm oil’s ubiquity in beauty products has been under scrutiny due to its link to severe ecological damage– rainforest destruction, illegal sourcing, forced labor, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation in countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, the world’s largest producers of palm oil. 

Palm oil? That’s a no for us!  

The impact of palm oil on our planet is nothing short of apocalyptic. Picture a landscape engulfed in flames, where once lush rainforests stood tall. In 2023 alone, the world witnessed the production of a staggering 79,464 (1000 MT) of palm oil – a metric ton associated with the merciless clearance of 2.5 to 5 hectares of precious rainforest. 

To provide a comparison, the deforestation caused by 1000 MT of palm oil could be equivalent to clearing an area roughly the size of 1,000 to 2,000 football fields.  

 India, the leading importer of palm oil worldwide, imports most of its palm oil from Indonesia. India’s imports of palm oil from Indonesia are about five million metric tons annually, which amounts to approximately 43% of its total palm oil imports. 

 To provide a rough comparison, the environmental impact of 5 million metric tons of palm oil production could be equivalent to the deforestation of an area such as Belgium in Europe or the state of Massachusetts in the United States.  

 Due to the social, environmental and ethical implications caused by the palm oil industry, this ingredient is a no-go zone for us.  

 This large-scale destruction of rainforests is also releasing globally significant quantities of carbon pollution into the atmosphere, making palm oil a major global driver of human induced climate change. Hidden within your daily products lies the blood of innocent creatures. Orangutans, elephants, and tigers suffer silently as their habitats are obliterated. The destruction is relentless, and the consequences are unfathomable. 

 We don’t wanna be dramatic here or anything but buying certified palm oil free products pretty much says ‘I am responsible for the future of our planet and I’m making a decision that will lessen the impact of climate change‘. 

 Its low cost is why palm oil is used in so many ingredients, sometimes hidden by using ‘vegetable oil’. Manufacturers are starting to demand more access to sustainable palm oil and its derivatives, which means there will be more reason for harvesters to sell palm oil that is ethical and sustainable but for the time being, there is absolutely no guarantee that the palm oil produced is from a conflict-free and sustainable resource so we decided Urvija can live without it. 

What do we use instead?  

Luckily for us, we have an awesome team who specialise in vegan and plant-based formulation. Our experts worked tirelessly to innovate, experiment and come up with the alternatives like Madhuca and Kusum oil. It took years of research to standardise the product range without palm oil and palm oil derivatives, but for the sake of our environment and its future, we never gave up.  

Opting for alternatives of palm oil presents a multifaceted advantage for both the environment and ethical sourcing. Extracted from native Indian plants, Madhuca and Kusum oils contribute to the preservation of local biodiversity, mitigating the extensive deforestation linked to palm oil. The production process typically involves lower environmental impact and reduced carbon emissions, aligning with sustainable practices. Moreover, choosing these oils supports the local economy and community of Purulia (Banduan District), fostering economic development without the ethical concerns associated with the palm oil industry, such as forced labor and displacement of indigenous communities. In essence, the shift signifies a commitment to sustainable, transparent, and ethical choices in the beauty and skincare realm. 

Why is this so important for us?  

Being completely transparent with our ingredients (and where we source them from) is something we’re continuously working on, and while Urvija has been palm oil free since we started, being sustainable and responsible, has always been on the top of our priority list.  

 We think it’s  important for customers to always have as much knowledge as possible on pretty much everything to do with the product they’re buying so they can make an informed decision on whether or not they want to buy it. By exercising your right to choose what you buy, you can help shift demand and focus on sustainability.  

 We are all about providing ethical options for your everyday skin care products, down to our very core. By proudly labelling ourselves as palm oil free, we can help to raise awareness about alarming issues our environment is facing due to unsustainable palm oil production whilst at the same time promoting ethical alternatives.  

As consumers, choosing palm oil-free beauty products is a small but impactful step toward a more sustainable future. Urvija’s dedication to eco-friendly alternatives not only highlights the brand’s commitment to the environment but also encourages a broader conversation about the importance of responsible sourcing in the beauty industry. 

The power to alter our trajectory lies within our choices. Choosing palm oil-free beauty products isn’t just a preference; it’s a declaration of war against the impending catastrophe. The consequences of inaction are dire, and the choice is yours – make a stand or witness the fall of our planet into the abyss of irreversible destruction.  

In the face of impending doom, Urvija stands as a lone warrior, offering certified palm oil-free products. Yet, the question echoes – will you heed the warning? Will you join the fight against this environmental terror?