A report from international Christian charity, World Vision, has revealed the terrible price paid by some of the world’s most vulnerable children to put beauty products, often labelled as ‘cruelty-free’, on the shelves of retailers and bathrooms across the world.

In the report, titled ‘The High Price of Beauty’, World Vision examines the convoluted supply chains involved in delivering mined and agricultural products that make up around 30 per cent of the ingredients in cosmetics, with the demand for agricultural products rising due to the growth of the natural beauty industry.

World Vision said that this often involves the use of child labourers, either working to support their families, or the victims of trafficking.

“Research shows that there are six commonly used ingredients that are at risk of using child labour: palm oil, cocoa, vanilla, shea, mica, copper,” World Vision said.

“Instead of going to school, many children help grow, harvest, mine and transport these ingredients. They work in dangerous places at risk of injury, heatstroke, diseases and even death. And sometimes for as little as $2 a day.”

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