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10 Beauty Brands Committed to Sustainable Packaging

From carbon-neutral to recyclable packaging, these brands have made huge strides.

10 Beauty Brands Committed to Sustainable Packaging

Olive Natural Skincare Announces Zero Carbon Certification

Olive Natural Skincare, ‘Certified Natural’ skincare from New Zealand, has reached Zero Carbon by the independent agency Ekos in that country. The Ekos Zero Carbon certification ensures that the operation has measured and offset 100% of its CO2 emissions. The brand also celebrates its water neutral manufacturing practices and recyclable packaging. All of the Olive Natural Skincare boxes, bottles, tubes and jars are recyclable. They are also ‘making progress’ in sourcing recycled (PCR) plastic packaging, and say, ‘we look forward to when such packaging is readily available and economic.’ Olive’s CEO Mark Green stated: “Going Zero Carbon has certainly not come without a cost for Olive, financially, as well as in terms of management time and opportunity costs. Still, it’s an important initiative. We’d like to call on our fellow skincare brands, in fact all businesses, to join the sustainability movement.”

The Handmade Soap Company Achieves Compostable Refills

The Handmade Soap Company’s heat and electricity are generated by a hydro-turbine. The founder went from two pots and pans in his kitchen to purchasing and upcycling a 200-year old linen mill fitted with repurposed stills. The brand’s Anam collection has ‘the world’s first compostable refill for liquid washes and lotions.’ All inbound packaging is shredded to become their outbound packaging. They avoid single-use plastic. All bottles are 100% post-consumer recycled & recyclable.

Beautycounter’s Path to a 100% Goal of 4Rs and Compostability

Beautycounter says two recent product launches take a giant step toward its goal of 100% Recycled, Recyclable, Refillable, Reused or Compostable Packaging by 2025. The mirrored compact for Cheeky Clean Cream Blush is refillable with any shade, and an estimated 100% of the plastic is also composed of PCR resin. Purchasing a refill reduces the estimated energy use. For the brand’s Think Big All-In-One Mascara, 31% of the plastic in the package is composed of PCR resin.

Caliray Opts for PCR Materials and a Mailback Program

Caliray is Wende Zomnir’s (founder of UD, now part of L’Oréal) new ‘clean’ beauty, skincare, and wellness brand with Jenna Dover, developed with sustainability in mind. The Surf Proof Easy Glider Eyeliner is touted as ‘the first clean stay-in-place pencil in a sugarcane plastic barrel for perfect lines and waterproof wear.’ Products, which are formulated according to the latest CLEAN AT SEPHORA standards, include a prepaid mailing label to send empties to a recycling facility geared toward small parts.

Anomaly: Sustainably Packaged Hair Care for the Mass Market

Maesa launched Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ haircare line, Anomaly, ‘which has sustainability front and center.’ The Anomaly bottle for shampoo and conditioner is light weighted, minimizing the gram weight of plastic—and is made from 100% rPET—or 100% ‘plastic trash,’ as the brand likes to say. The front and back label are ‘wash off’ that exceeds APR Critical Guidance, and the label liner is 90% PCR PET. “For a high-performance haircare line with an accessible $5.99 retail price point, this is a notable achievement,” says Glenn Tatem, vice president of package development at Maesa Beauty.

Biolage Bottles Are Made of 100% Recycled Paper and Plastic

Celebrating Earth Day, these limited-edition bottles for Biolage are made of 100% recycled paper and plastic (excluding the pump) and 40% less plastic overall (versus the traditional 13.5-fluid ounce Color Last bottle). The brand also sponsored a SalonCycle program for stylists to recycle salon waste where they shop.

CHANEL’s Line Uses ‘Eco-Design’ Packaging

The luxe brand recently launched N°1 de CHANEL, a line of skincare, makeup and a fragrance mist, in ‘eco-design’ packaging. Patent-pending renewable formulas are said to contain ‘up to 97% ingredients of natural origin.’ The full range of packaging for the N° 1 de CHANEL line includes lids from Sulapac, that contain bio-based materials. According to CHANEL, “The new-generation lid of the N° 1 de CHANEL Cream is made of 90% bio‑based materials from renewable resources: FSC certified wood chips that are by-products of industrial side-streams combined with camellia seed shells.

USTAWI’s Packaging Honors Its African Origins

USTAWI’s entire range features at least 93.8% of naturally derived, ethically sourced ingredients in every formula. The brand’s packaging components are rooted in their African origins, with the color reminiscent of the earth in Africa. All of the raw materials (tube, bottle, pump, cap) adhere to European regulations and are recyclable (except the pump). The bottles are light weight, made of a glass polymer called ECOZEN, which has the look and feel of glass, but with “significant advantages in sustainability.” The paper used for secondary packaging is FSC-certified. Shipping cartons are recyclable.

Uni Advances Closed-Loop Refillable Products

Uni introduced a closed-loop system of refillable and recyclable bottles, creating an ‘endless cycle’ of reuse through its aluminum bottles, which twist into a reusable dispenser and can be refilled or recycled. Designed by Marc Atlan, Uni’s packaging took two years to develop, incorporating a patent-pending refill design, and ‘a luxury body care experience.’ The brand announced a $3 million seed round led by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary.

Dove’s Solution Is Meant to Change Behaviors

Fiona Florence, managing director at design agency JDO, says, “Many people have the desire to do their part in protecting the planet, but they’re not exactly sure how to go about it. Dove’s latest innovation provides them with an opportunity that is easy and effective. The creative challenge here is about changing consumer behavior by showing them that they can reduce plastic while still enjoying the Dove products they love. Our design creates belief that change is not only possible, but simple and beautiful.”

By Jamie Matusow, Editor-in-Chief, Beauty Packaging 04.22.22

There’s no doubt that “truly sustainable packaging” in Beauty (and across the board) has a million different definitions and just as many challenges to attain compliance. Amid what can be confusing parameters, consumers are driving the movement, steadily demanding more eco-friendly components—and increasingly examining labels as they decide where to spend their money. Many industry experts say sustainable packaging is no longer a ‘nice-to-have,’ but a ‘must-have,’ creating huge opportunities for brands (from Indie-to global) at the forefront—and of course beauty industry suppliers who are leading the way.

Scroll through the images on top for 10 brands that have made noticeable achievements in this area.