Multiple outlets report on concerns raised about the environmental and ethical impacts of parts of the wellness industry. The articles say consumers in the UK spend an estimated £3.5 billion per year on dietary supplements, and they note that additional spending goes toward beauty products. They describe the growth of “wellness” and “beauty” markets as driving demand for a wide range of ingredients sold to consumers.
One example cited in the reporting includes collagen-related products and other supplement and beauty items marketed online, including materials derived from animals. The outlets also refer to products such as donkey-skin powder being sold via major e-commerce platforms, using it as an illustration of questions about sourcing and supply-chain practices.
While the articles focus on potential downsides—particularly around sustainability and sourcing—they do not present a single unified scientific conclusion across all products. Instead, they frame the issue as part of a broader debate over how ingredients are sourced and what wider impacts certain wellness trends may have.
