Ongoing concerns around greenwashing, rising supply chain costs and a growing need for transparency are the top issues facing the green beauty industry this year, according to an expert consultant.
Higher costs and lack of supplier alignment are the core issues slowing uptake of green materials, ingredients and processes amongst beauty and personal care manufacturers and brands, say specialist suppliers.
Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) or ‘future solvents’ from plants and microalgae could offer multifunctional promise for cosmetics because of their biocompatible nature, according to a research team from the University of Tours in France.
Microextraction techniques continue to advance fast, offering promise for faster and more selective cosmetics testing, but more importantly a greener process, finds a review.
Beauty major The Estée Lauder Companies has outlined a method it has developed to score ingredients, formulations and products on their green value, considering human health, ecosystem health and environmental endpoints throughout the supply chain.
Fragrance innovation continues to push boundaries as expectations rise around sustainability and functionality, and there’s fresh focus on mood-boosting and digital engagement within the category, according to one expert.
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Green chemistry takes industry from linear to circular thinking, representing the future of truly sustainable innovation, particularly when creating new blends for preservation, an expert says.
Online sustainable cosmetics educational platform Re-Sources wants to close the knowledge gap between beauty formulators, packaging technologists and marketing to streamline green product development.
The University of Manchester’s biotech spin-out Holiferm is ready to scale-up production of its biosurfactants made from virgin rapeseed oil and glucose – an alternative that holds huge potential in cosmetics and personal care, its MD says.
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Green chemistry is circular by design and therefore provides an important tool for the beauty industry as it looks to improve its environmental impact longer-term, an expert consultant says.
The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has fuelled a raft of sustainable beauty and personal care innovation, creating a wave of more value chain collaboration that will likely stick, say executives at chemicals major Solvay.
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Educating and empowering consumers to collectively close the loop on circular beauty will be crucial in mainstreaming efforts worldwide, says L’Oréal’s Garnier president.
Many beauty manufacturers, suppliers and retailers have made important sustainability pledges for this coming decade, but as efforts kickstart in shifting linear business models to circular ways of working, there remains a raft of challenges along the...
The number of beauty and personal care companies working to get products Cradle to Cradle (C2C) certified is soaring, set to double this year, and efforts are coming all types of businesses, according to an executive.
The global beauty industry is working hard to make circularity a mainstream reality, reinventing and reconsidering all aspects of complex supply chains. But what does the future truly hold as industry tries to close the loop?
As the beauty and personal care world explores how it can achieve circular beauty, consumers want to see zero waste and supply chain transparency made a reality in the burgeoning category they define as ‘clean’, say beauty experts.
International beauty major L’Oréal has kickstarted a company-wide project to transition to green sciences across its entire global portfolio and plans to ramp up communication efforts to ensure consumers fully understand the move.
A round-up of CosmeticsDesign-Europe’s most-read news from September 2020 shows significant interest in Watsons expanding into the Middle East and experts discussing cosmetic claims, natural beauty and green chemistry.
CosmeticsDesign is launching a Clean & Ethical Beauty online video series this week, compiling the latest trends, data and expert opinions on how and why the business opportunities are evolving in this growing space.
Japanese cosmetics firm Pola Orbis Holdings has partnered with Hitachi Zosen Corporation to jointly develop cosmetic ingredients and packaging materials with a 100% plant-based biopolymer.
Australian researchers have developed a new approach to purging water sources of the scourge of microplastics without harming the environment by using carbon-based coils.
Sustainable cosmetics is a complex and multifaceted issue, but future developments must focus more carefully on raw materials used in the formulation phase of a product’s life cycle, say researchers.
When the palette of ingredients respecting green chemistry principles expands there will be ‘exceptional’ green product development, according to Estée Lauder’s Dr Liliana George.
![As green beauty continues its insatiable rise, there are challenges ahead for consumers and industry alike [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/03/08/green-beauty-in-2023-challenges-are-greenwashing-rising-costs-and-transparency-says-the-green-chemist-consultancy/16234573-1-eng-GB/Green-beauty-in-2023-challenges-are-greenwashing-rising-costs-and-transparency-says-The-Green-Chemist-Consultancy.jpg)
![Many beauty manufacturers and brands have driven green transformations, but suppliers think cost and lack of harmonisation may be slowing wider uptake of ingredients and raw materials [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/14/green-beauty-suppliers-say-ingredient-uptake-slow-because-of-cost-and-lack-of-harmonisation/16024649-1-eng-GB/Green-beauty-suppliers-say-ingredient-uptake-slow-because-of-cost-and-lack-of-harmonisation.jpg)
![A team at the University of Tours researched natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) and the potential to use these in cosmetic creams and gels [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/12/08/university-of-tours-france-research-on-nades-extracts-from-microalgae-for-multifunctional-cosmetics-promise/16008434-1-eng-GB/University-of-Tours-France-research-on-NADES-extracts-from-microalgae-for-multifunctional-cosmetics-promise.jpg)
![There have been plenty of advances made in solvent-based and sorbent-based microextraction techniques, with green principles now an important focus [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/formulation-science/green-chemistry-in-microextraction-for-cosmetics-testing-promising-finds-review/15694644-1-eng-GB/Green-chemistry-in-microextraction-for-cosmetics-testing-promising-finds-review.jpg)
![The beauty major's tool considers eight metrics across human health, ecosystem health and environmental endpoints to provide a 'green score' on ingredients, formulas and end products [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/formulation-science/estee-lauder-companies-green-score-tool-for-beauty-outlined-in-study/15430447-1-eng-GB/Estee-Lauder-Companies-green-score-tool-for-beauty-outlined-in-study.jpg)
![Fragrance innovation in 2022 is sharply focused on sustainability, the digital world and finding a place beyond scent, according to one expert [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2022/04/14/fragrance-innovation-2022-focused-on-sustainability-digital-smart-tech-and-function-beyond-scent/15333738-1-eng-GB/Fragrance-innovation-2022-focused-on-sustainability-digital-smart-tech-and-function-beyond-scent.jpg)
![Applying green principles to beauty NPD, especially in the area of preservatives, will be key in driving forward circularity [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/10/08/green-chemistry-innovation-in-cosmetics-preservation-can-future-proof-industry-says-expert/12910215-1-eng-GB/Green-chemistry-innovation-in-cosmetics-preservation-can-future-proof-industry-says-expert.jpg)
![Re-Sources is an online educational platform aimed at driving knowledge and understanding on sustainable cosmetics at marketing level [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/07/15/sustainable-cosmetics-training-platform-re-sources-targets-marketing-education/12649742-1-eng-GB/Sustainable-cosmetics-training-platform-Re-Sources-targets-marketing-education.jpg)
![Holiferm has developed a high-foaming and low-foaming surfactant from virgin rapeseed oil and glucose - an alternative it now wants to scale-up to commercial levels [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/05/31/biosurfactant-production-startup-holiferm-opens-8m-fundraising-for-commercial-facility/12524610-1-eng-GB/Biosurfactant-production-startup-Holiferm-opens-8m-fundraising-for-commercial-facility.jpg)
![Working to reduce energy and waste when manufacturing cosmetics will be key to beauty's sustainable and circular future [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/news_teaser_medium/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2021/05/20/12-principles-of-green-chemistry-hold-circular-beauty-promise-says-expert-consultant/12498337-1-eng-GB/12-principles-of-green-chemistry-hold-circular-beauty-promise-says-expert-consultant.jpg)
![Brands and retailers can diversify imagery around the menopause - depicting more women of colour, different body types and queer and non-binary people, says a media expert [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/23/menopause-beauty-can-help-shift-media-stereotypes-and-create-more-inclusive-category-says-expert/16193494-1-eng-GB/Menopause-beauty-can-help-shift-media-stereotypes-and-create-more-inclusive-category-says-expert.jpg)
![From staff training to digital diagnosis and data-based research, scientists in all related disciplines should collaborate to make the most of what the metaverse can offer the cosmetic dermatology world [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/15/metaverse-offers-cosmetic-dermatology-promise-for-diagnosis-doctor-patient-engagement-and-research/16171697-2-eng-GB/Metaverse-offers-cosmetic-dermatology-promise-for-diagnosis-doctor-patient-engagement-and-research.jpg)
![Today, the International Collaboration on Cosmetics Safety (ICCS) is made up of 35 beauty companies, suppliers, trade associations and NGOs, though many more are in final stages of becoming members [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/13/international-collaboration-on-cosmetics-safety-iccs-talks-funding-research-gaps-and-global-collaboration/16164881-1-eng-GB/International-Collaboration-on-Cosmetics-Safety-ICCS-talks-funding-research-gaps-and-global-collaboration.jpg)
![In 2023, two revised Directives on urban waste water treatment and packaging would become critical to follow closely, among other updates [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/headlines/regulation-safety/cosmetics-europe-director-general-discusses-unprecedented-2023-regulatory-change-for-beauty-personal-care/16107284-1-eng-GB/Cosmetics-Europe-director-general-discusses-unprecedented-2023-regulatory-change-for-beauty-personal-care.jpg)
![Recent advances enabling better characterization of the skin microbiome has led to important findings [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/20/la-roche-posay-reviews-skin-microbiome-wound-healing-link-identifying-promise-in-new-therapies/16102649-1-eng-GB/La-Roche-Posay-reviews-skin-microbiome-wound-healing-link-identifying-promise-in-new-therapies.jpg)
![Currently available in 14 languages, more will be added to the COSMILE Europe database next year, widening access even further for European consumers [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/21/cosmetics-europe-launches-cosmile-europe-database-for-information-on-30-000-ingredients-in-14-languages/16186577-1-eng-GB/Cosmetics-Europe-launches-COSMILE-Europe-database-for-information-on-30-000-ingredients-in-14-languages.jpg)
![There are a raft of theories available and ongoing research happening to identify the precise process behind blue light-induced skin damage [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/24/blue-light-skin-damage-science-must-focus-on-mechanisms-of-action-say-researchers/16198408-1-eng-GB/Blue-light-skin-damage-science-must-focus-on-mechanisms-of-action-say-researchers.jpg)
![The open letter says the current microplastics ban proposal doesn't go far enough, with 'exceptionally long transition periods' for some categories, including leave-on nail products [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/20/beauty-industry-writes-open-letter-to-european-commission-calling-for-swifter-microplastics-ban-in-cosmetics/16184813-1-eng-GB/Beauty-industry-writes-open-letter-to-European-Commission-calling-for-swifter-microplastics-ban-in-cosmetics.jpg)
![Some medical tech innovations, like smart mirrors or watches, can ultimately and indirectly lead to beauty through routine or product recommendations [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/02/02/medical-tech-versus-beauty-tech-the-innovative-focus-at-ces-2023-says-robin-raskin/16139546-1-eng-GB/Medical-tech-versus-beauty-tech-the-innovative-focus-at-CES-2023-says-Robin-Raskin.jpg)
![Researchers should be careful not to over-emphasise Euro-centric data, remembering that Africa has the highest level of genetic diversity in the world [Getty Images]](/var/wrbm_gb_food_pharma/storage/images/_aliases/wrbm_tiny/publications/cosmetics/cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/article/2023/01/12/dermatology-professor-discusses-skin-pigmentation-research-hurdles-and-opportunities-at-ifscc-2022/16077320-1-eng-GB/Dermatology-professor-discusses-skin-pigmentation-research-hurdles-and-opportunities-at-IFSCC-2022.jpg)