Clean & Ethical Beauty Video Series Episode 1: Why it matters

In the opening episode of our exclusive six-part Clean & Ethical Beauty video series, we dissect these driving factors and look at what today’s ‘why’ looks like for industry and consumers alike.

The ‘alluring’ clean & ethical business case ​

After 20+ years of sustainable design and development work with CPG brands, Sherwin believes the business case for clean and ethical is now stronger than ever and the environmental case urgent.

Speaking in the episode, he says the environmental and business ‘why’ behind the clean and ethical beauty category has “almost changed beyond recognition”​.

“…Historically, two decades ago, the business case for clean, green and ethical was a reputational and risk one (…) I think it evolved then into a cost and efficiency case where economy equals ecology and green could save you money; saving waste and being efficient. But I think in the last five years or so what we’ve seen is a really strong growth case come through. And I think that’s quite a new one and, of course, really alluring to brands,” ​Sherwin says.

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Clean & Ethical Beauty: The expert​

Chris Sherwin PhD, director, reboot innovation​

Chris is founder director of reboot innovation, a sustainable innovation and design consultancy on a mission to change what and how we innovate for the greater good. We partner with leading brands and innovators to get ideas and innovations that are fit-for-a-sustainable world.

Chris has worked at the cutting-edge of sustainability and innovation for 25 years, holding positions previously in creative consulting, with influential sustainability non-profit Forum for the Future, and with global corporates Philips Electronics and Electrolux.

He has helped design and development several world-first or worlds greenest products, including: the award-winning ethical smartphone, Fairphone 2; Winnow Vision – a revolutionary AI-based smart scales system professional kitchens slash waste food; and Dulux Evolve, a new mainstream recycled paint.

Chris has consulting experience with companies including: Unilever, ebay, sony ericsson, Mars, PepsiCo, Nestle, Sainsburys, BASF, Sony, Samsung, to name just a few. He is a recognised thought leader on sustainable design and innovation, regularly judging awards and competitions, and presenting on these issues at conferences. Chris holds a PhD in this area, titled ‘Innovative Ecodesign’, from Cranfield University.