SUSTAINABILITY
derived from ayurvedic herbs such as, Holy Basil, which is rich in polyphenols to protect the skin against daily stresses (environmental as well as psychological) and restore the skin’s balance for a serene skin. Another traditional favourite is mushrooms.
The cell walls of oyster mushrooms are rich in natural polysaccharides. This biologically active beta-glucan helps balance the skins’ defence system (especially for sensitive skin) while stimulating the skin repair process. In the heartwood of the New Zealand
TÅtara tree, dating back over 100 million years, totarol is a naturally occurring plant extract that protects skin from microbes and free radicals. This natural phenomenon protects the tree from bacterial attacks and environmental influences, allowing the tree to grow for thousands of years, making it impervious to rot, even after it has fallen.
The Amazon It is no surprise, when we learn that Amazonian tribes have used andiroba oil as a natural insect repellent for the past millennia, that when we use modern testing techniques to test it, it is found to be very efficient and actually works! Yet in a world where modern technology
has given us the means to quickly research and question everything it is necessary, certainly in the cosmetics industry, to back up every claim with sound scientific testing. There are a number of companies within our industry who have successfully harnessed the goodness of the Amazon in a sustainable way. As part of their sustainability programs,
they are able to offer full traceability and control throughout their entire supply chain. Pricing is fair and through their local community partners they contribute to income generation for families, while respecting the harvesting period and seed maturity. They sustainably transform raw materials from nature into active functional ingredients, generating value for communities, people and the environment. Reforestation projects
transform once devasted areas into forests abundant with life. This is true of Theobroma grandiflorum, commonly known as cupuaçu, which is native to the tropical rainforests of the Amazon. Once the plants bear fruit, the fruits are collected and used
to make cupuaçu butter. New, modern products have been developed on the back of traditional
oils such as andiroba oil, hair loss solutions and murumuru to naturally renew chemically treated hair. The Amazon
holds secrets to natural alternatives to many synthetically produced ingredients such as latex
and, from the cosmetics industry,
retinol. Although the Amazon is probably the most talked about tropical rainforest, it is not the only one that needs protecting due to its unique and species-rich
biome. There are also the tropical forests
of Borneo in southeast Asia, famous
for being the home of the endangered orangutan. Organic illipe butter is extracted from the seeds of Shorea stenoptera nuts, a tree native to the tropical forests
of Borneo and the home of the much-loved orangutan. Companies invested in the protection of the
tropical rainforest and who are certified Fair for Life pledge that for every 1kg of materials sold, 135m2
of tropical rainforest is saved, making this
butter an ideal choice for rejuvenating skin with a feel-good factor.
Keeping it local When we think about sustainability and fair trade, we often think of actives that are sourced from countries far afield, such as the Amazon or Borneo. Yet there is so much we can do locally,
like working with local farmers in the UK and Europe. France, for example, has a strong farming
background and so it makes sense to harvest oils such as, linseed oil locally. However, it is not just sourcing locally that makes sense from an environmental point of view, but the way it is farmed. Rather than using pesticides, soil
conservation and regenerative farming methods can be employed instead. This type of conservation agriculture places soil health at the very heart of the production system. It is based on three complementary pillars
- no tillage or soil disturbance; constant soil coverage; and crop diversity and rotation – that ensure respect of the soil’s biodiversity and lowers the environmental impact of agriculture. By giving priority to French local sourcing, it
not only helps to stimulate the local economy, but also reduces carbon footprint. While sourcing from the Amazon has many positives, the material has to travel a long way by plane, boat and/ or road to reach our European shores. Linseed oil is rich in essential fatty acids,
omega 3, vitamins, and antioxidants, and is widely known for its benefits in hair care. The oil is recognised for its ability to penetrate porous surfaces, sealing them and reducing porosity to create a protective barrier from within. The unique concentration of unsaponifiables
from linseed oil presents powerful properties on hair shafts, emulating the oil’s natural abilities to protect and fortify hair against daily damages by creating a sheathing effect.
Sustainability and what it means Put simply, sustainability is what is good for both the consumer and the planet. Green and sustainable claims are often used
Februray 2025 PERSONAL CARE
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