Slideshows

Brands That Tell a Sustainability Story

How brands are showing their eco-responsibility, from packaging materials to ingredients -- and ethics.

Dr. Hauschka

Dr. Hauschka products are natural, cruelty-free, and don’t contain synthetic fragrances, dyes, or preservatives. Pure plant extracts are hand-harvested and processed with care for the greatest potency. The brand says, “We consider all types of packaging materials. For product protection, aluminum is ideal. It is impermeable to light and oxygen and protects sensitive ingredients. Because of its malleable form, no dirt or microorganisms from the air are drawn in when the product is removed.”

Garnier

L’Oréal’s Garnier has the new signature tagline, “By Garnier, Naturally.” Garnier pledges to continue to introduce measures to reduce plastic usage by committing to 100% PCR waste for shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner bottles in its No. 1 selling hair care collection—Fructis Sleek & Shine—by the end of 2019. Presently, Garnier Fructis hair care products are produced in a zero-waste facility and the current packaging contains 50% post-consumer recycled waste.

Paul & Joe Beaute

Paul & Joe Beaute uses refillable packaging. Emma Lurye, marketing coordinator, says, “Packaging is a priority — it connects us to our fashion roots with seasonal designs — and selling refills supports eco-friendly beauty.” Lurye continues, “One case can stay with you for years as you rotate out product. The products are also sized and weighed to be easily transported, making them your go-to when you’re on-the-go.”

Kevin Murphy

The Kevin Murphy brand is reworking its packaging — the company says it will be the first-ever beauty brand to use bottles made exclusively from 100% recycled ocean plastics. This is projected to save the planet over 360 tons of new plastic each year. The recycled bottles will begin debuting globally in salons in mid-2019. Founder, Kevin Murphy, says, “This change is for the future of our environment and for us to be truly sustainable… for the sake of our planet and for future generations.”

Naturally Serious

Naturally Serious sports the ‘Clean at Sephora’ logo. The ethically-developed, clinically-tested skincare brand, exclusive to the retailer, has a new campaign — #ItGetsGreener. The packaging is now all reusable, recyclable or compostable. The new locally-sourced components will be added to the brand’s current range of eco-friendly cartons, created with wind power in a carbon-neutral facility and approved by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Clove + Hallow

Clove + Hallow’s ‘clean’ cosmetics are award-winning, cruelty-free, and vegan. Hydratint Blush Serum, shown, is in a glass bottle — chosen because it is more eco-friendly than plastic. It comes with a cap with a dip-style brush so there is one less step for the consumer during application.

Kao's Guhl

Kao’s GUHL’s shampoo bottles are now 50% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), and its conditioner bottles are 100% PP and recyclable. Using 50% rPET saves more than 770 metric tons of CO2 annually. Guhl is Kao's first brand in Europe to implement its renewed global sustainability strategy. Daniel Nebe, team leader, packaging development at the Kao European Research Laboratory says, "We wanted to use the highest possible percentage of rPET, without the common color distortions.”

By Jamie Matusow, Editor-in-Chief 05.30.19

With green packaging a growing topic of conversation in the beauty industry (and of course, nearly everywhere), here’s a look at brands that are making strides.

See the slideshow above.

Photo 1, in the slider above: Dr Hauschka is offering customers the option online to build a custiomized kit, which includes a free cosmetic bag. The brand is sharing social posts featuring custom kits that are tagged #mygardengems.

Read More

For a detailed report on Sustainable Packaging and Practices in the Beauty Industry—and a rundown on additional brands’ advances — see the feature, Sustainable Packaging: Why Green Is On Everyone's Lips

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