Creating 'green cosmetics' from coconuts

10/10/2022 1237 0
(KTSG) – Mỹ phẩm rất cần thiết trong việc trang điểm và bảo vệ sắc đẹp, nhưng sẽ phản tác dụng nếu dùng nhầm mỹ phẩm chứa hóa chất độc hại. Sản xuất các loại mỹ phẩm có nguồn gốc thiên nhiên, an toàn và chất lượng tốt cho người tiêu dùng là ý tưởng khi khởi nghiệp của ông Nguyễn Công Trí (người Bến Tre), Giám đốc công ty TNHH MTV Coconut Cosmetic(*).

Mr. Nguyen Cong Tri and "green cosmetics" from coconut.

Choosing natural ingredients from home

Telling the story of his late start in entrepreneurship, Mr. Nguyễn Công Trí expressed his frustration at seeing many people use cosmetics of unclear origin. Many cases lead to skin allergies, hair loss, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, and loss of taste or smell. According to him, some chemicals in cosmetics gradually absorb into the human body over time, causing serious diseases.

Mr. Trí shared that this frustration stayed with him until his retirement. Then, when Bến Tre province launched the "Đồng Khởi Entrepreneurship" movement and he realized his health was still good, he felt compelled to do something both for his enjoyment in old age and for the benefit of society.

Having experience and techniques in making soap bars from coconut materials during the subsidized economy period, Mr. Trí wanted to create cosmetic lines using coconut as the main ingredient, neutralizing organic origins without using chemicals. "Cosmetics have become very important in today's life. Many people use cosmetics, not just women but also men. However, if people choose products of unclear origin that contain harmful chemicals, they will suffer adverse effects on their skin," he said.

Through reference, research of documents, and exchanging experiences with friends in the cosmetics production industry in Ho Chi Minh City about producing cosmetics from vegetable oils, Mr. Trí finally chose coconut oil, which has many benefits such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory properties, hair smoothing, moisturizing, protecting the skin from UV rays, and preventing chapped skin in cold weather. Moreover, Bến Tre is known as the land of coconuts, abundant in raw materials, promising that the product's price can serve many people in society.

Mr. Nguyễn Công Trí presented "green cosmetics" at the "Workshop to Promote Trade and Investment Cooperation between Bến Tre Province and Thủ Đức City" held in Bến Tre on September 16, 2022. Photo: Provided by the individual.

Given this, Mr. Trí diligently researched various natural medicinal ingredients that could emulsify and neutralize coconut oil without using chemicals. With the support of his son, a postgraduate pharmacist, and a general practitioner, he gradually discovered the technology to produce cosmetics using ingredients from Bến Tre's renowned coconuts.

However, understanding and doing are two different things. During the manufacturing process, Mr. Trí often faced failures. Sometimes the product was too runny, other times it was too thick, and the extract from medicinal herbs occasionally couldn't emulsify or neutralize the coconut oil. Each failure cost money and effort, and the unsuccessful products had to be discarded. He adjusted and perfected his formulation through countless sleepless nights, often waking up to jot down ideas in his notebook.

Starting his business in 2019, Mr. Trí initially produced coconut oil lip balm, which was easier to make. It wasn't until two years later that he successfully produced a variety of cosmetics entirely from "natural coconut" ingredients, different from other similar products on the market.

"Green Cosmetics"

Driven by the intention to produce cosmetics that do not harm users' health and understanding the market trend towards natural products, Mr. Trí was committed to not using chemicals (even those permitted), genetically modified ingredients, or plants grown with chemicals. He chose clean, organic, and environmentally friendly ingredients, such as herbs and organic coconut oil. He used natural colors from gac fruit, dragon fruit, beetroot, or roses. Mr. Trí's cosmetics, free of harmful substances, are also known as "green cosmetics," being "green" inside and "green" in their packaging, which can be recycled and reused.

"Cosmetics are very important as they are widely used in daily life. However, if one chooses cosmetics of unclear origin containing harmful chemicals that are not permitted for use, it can negatively affect the skin."
Mr. Nguyễn Công Trí

Mr. Trí stated that Coconut Cosmetic's products extract emulsifying agents and neutralize coconut essential oil from herbs with a pH level of only 5-6.5 (non-toxic to users). In contrast, using chemicals to emulsify coconut essential oil results in a pH level of 9-10, which can cause side effects for users, especially in whitening, hair-smoothing, or lipstick products. One of Coconut Cosmetic's goals is to ensure no harm when applied to skin, hair, inhaled, or any other adverse effects.

According to Mr. Trí, because coconut oil solidifies at temperatures below 20°C, Coconut Cosmetic’s formulation adjusts natural ingredients to suit different climate regions, preventing clogged pores. Cosmetics used in the Mekong Delta differ from those in the Central Highlands or the Northwest.

Currently, Coconut Cosmetic has 12 types of cosmetics approved for production by the Ben Tre Provincial Department of Health, with seven products certified as 3-star OCOP products in 2022 by the Ben Tre Provincial People’s Committee. These include: natural coconut oil hair conditioner; colored coconut oil lip balm; coconut oil body wash; super-smooth hair shampoo; Coconut Cosmetic Cream Care; Care Skin creams; and coconut oil face wash.

Coconut Cosmetic products are available on many retail shelves and rest stops in Ben Tre and other provinces and cities such as Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Tien Giang, Tay Ninh, Dak Lak, Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, on Facebook fan pages, YouTube, SmartGap Vietnam agricultural trading floor, and e-commerce platforms like Viettel Post, Shopee, and Lazada.

The company's revenue for the first eight months of 2022 reached 600 million VND, mainly from the domestic market. Ms. Nguyễn Thị Thơ from Cư M’gar District, Dak Lak Province, said, “I’ve been using Coconut Cosmetic’s lip balm for over three years. The quality is good, no scent, always glossy, not dry...”

Mr. Phạm Hợp, owner of a massage facility in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, said his facility regularly uses Coconut Cosmetic's coconut oil whitening cream for customer care. He said, “This product doesn’t harm the skin; customers love it. We always purchase this type, each time in large quantities, and reorder as soon as we run low.”

From the producer’s perspective, Mr. Nguyễn Công Trí stated that the immediate goal for Coconut Cosmetic is to elevate the quality of the company’s existing “green cosmetics” to achieve 5-star OCOP quality. This aligns with the founder's initial aim of better serving consumers with natural, safe, and high-quality cosmetic products.

(*) Look up the product information of Coconut Cosmetic on the company's website: www.myphamdua.vn

Source: https://thesaigontimes.vn

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