36 SUSTAINABILITY
solution: Green Chem Finder.1
This independent
and curated platform helps formulators find, discover, and select ingredients suitable for green and broad-spectrum preservation systems. Instead of having to ask numerous questions about each ingredient and gather data from multiple sources, the platform functions like an Airbnb for formulators, allowing them to select parameters such as pH range, physical status, natural content, and antimicrobial activity (broad spectrum, antibacterial, antifungal, and booster properties). The tool then provides a shortlist of potential candidates for evaluation and selection. While the list of ingredient candidates may
not look as exciting as holiday destinations, it saves valuable time and allows formulators to stay current with the latest launches in just a few clicks, all while maintaining transparency and access to comprehensive data. The platform is free for professional formulators and is now live with nearly 300 green chemistry ingredients from 48 suppliers, representing a significant resource for the formulation community.
The future: the packaging era The future holds tremendous opportunities for sustainable innovation, beginning with greener packaging solutions and plastic reduction initiatives. Eco-design is finally becoming mainstream, with mono-component plastic containers designed for easier recycling becoming the standard rather than the exception.
The ‘paperization’ trend is also gaining
momentum, with innovative tubes and paper sachets entering the market, though these solutions face challenges in providing adequate product protection over extended periods. Reusable packaging with refill systems
represents another exciting development, offering premium consumer experiences while generating repeat sales opportunities. These solutions address both environmental concerns and business sustainability simultaneously. Seaweed biomass is emerging as a
promising packaging material, with companies like Notpla developing disappearing packaging solutions that could revolutionize how we think about product containment. In my opinion, the area with the most
untapped potential lies in solid cosmetics. These products offer significant benefits including lighter weight and higher concentration, which translate to reduced transport emissions and decreased packaging material requirements. Solid shampoos have already gained considerable momentum, with new surfactant technologies providing easier rinsing properties that save both water and energy during use. The packaging revolution extends beyond
materials to include design innovations that facilitate recycling, reduce material
PERSONAL CARE August 2025
usage, and enhance user experience. Smart packaging incorporating QR codes and digital elements can provide consumers with detailed sustainability information and usage instructions, creating more informed and engaged users.
Conclusions Reflecting on this 25-year journey through the beauty industry’s green evolution, several key themes emerge that will continue to shape our future. The progression from simple paraben-free claims to today’s comprehensive sustainability frameworks represents more than just marketing evolution—it reflects a fundamental shift in how we understand our responsibility to consumers, communities, and the planet. The early focus on natural ingredients,
while sometimes naive in its simplicity, was essential in establishing consumer awareness and industry momentum. The subsequent development of certification standards, despite creating some fragmentation, provided necessary structure and credibility to natural claims. Today’s multi-parametric approach to
sustainability may seem complex, but it more accurately reflects the interconnected nature of environmental and social impacts. Looking ahead, I believe the industry’s
success will depend on our ability to balance complexity with clarity, ensuring that sophisticated sustainability measures do not become so complicated that they lose
consumer understanding and engagement. Technology will play a crucial role in making this information accessible, much like the tools we are already seeing from suppliers and independent platforms. The packaging revolution represents perhaps our greatest immediate opportunity to make tangible environmental improvements while enhancing consumer experience. Solid cosmetics, in particular, offer a convergence of multiple benefits that could accelerate adoption if we can overcome formulation and consumer acceptance challenges. Ultimately, the beauty industry’s green
evolution is far from complete. The next 25 years will likely bring innovations we cannot yet imagine, driven by advancing technology, evolving consumer expectations, and our growing understanding of environmental and social impacts. What remains constant is the need for
authentic commitment to sustainability, backed by science, transparency, and genuine care for the world we are creating for future generations. The journey from paraben-free to
regenerative beauty has been remarkable, but it is only the beginning. As we continue to evolve, the industry that emerges will be one that truly embodies beauty in all its forms—not just in the products we create, but in the positive impact we have on the world around us.
Reference 1. Green Chem Finder. https://
greenchemfinder.com
www.personalcaremagazine.com
PC
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114
