Sustainability In Clean Skincare Cosmetics: The Key To Innovation
Sustainability and clean beauty skincare go hand-in-hand. And, sustainability in cosmetics is now a must for customers all around the globe. From eco-friendly packaging, minimalist approach, clean ingredients, producing in countries like Switzerland where sustainability is not a choice but a standard, no animal cruelty policies – sustainability is simply about preserving the Earth (and our skin).
Ever since 2015 when world leaders joined forces for the UN 2030 agenda and set a global sustainable development framework, companies all over the globe have started contributing to a better tomorrow.
So, let’s take a look at how the cosmetics and skincare industry is contributing to sustainability and why it is NUME-Lab Switzerland pillar!
Table of Contents
What Is Sustainability in Skincare?
When we talk about sustainable cosmetics or sustainable skincare, this is what we have in mind:
- Ethically-sourced raw materials
- No animal testing
- High-efficacy comsetics backed i.e. Swiss Biotechtechnology
- An ethical manufacturing and post-production process
- Clean ingredients (non-toxic)
- Biodegradable or recyclable packaging
- Skinimalism (a minimalistic skincare routine based on using fewer products but with better quality, resulting in less waste)
- Manufacturing safe products with superior quality in a GMP environment
All in all, we’re talking about decreasing the carbon footprint we’re leaving behind and protecting our own skin (and bodies) from toxin exposure. This is how we can make a change for us and for the planet!
"The Earth is what we all have in common"
Which Skincare Ingredients Are Not Considered Sustainable?
Carefully read all your cosmetics labels (yes, even the fine print). Stay away from it if you see
any of the following:
- Phthalates
- Parabens
- BHA and BHT
- Alcohols
- Formaldehydes
- Aluminum
- Sulfates
- Mineral oils
- DEA, TEA, MEA
- Methylisothiazolinone
Of course, this list is not limited to the above only, but these are some of the most common ingredients to avoid in best skincare.
Which Skincare Ingredients Are Sustainable?
If you wish to opt for sustainable products, you will notice three categories of ingredients:
- Plant-derived
- Synthesized in a lab (Swiss Biotech)
- Animal-derived by-products that don’t hurt or harm the animal
Plant-derived ingredients
The first type of ingredient you’ll notice most commonly in sustainable cosmetics are plant-derived extracts or oils. Some examples of this are White Truffle Extract, Aloe vera, Shea butter, etc.
Curious to learn more about active ingredients? Find them in the skicnare Ingredients Glossary.
Synthesized in a GMP lab like NUME-Lab
Thanks to the advancement of Swiss Biotechnology in skincare manufacturing, we can now safely and harmlessly replicate and synthesize ingredients in a lab setting. All without harming a single living species – plant or animal.
Due to the strict quality control process, efficiency, and low carbon footprint of Swiss Biotech, it’s one of the most sustainable methods to manufacture clean skincare ingredients.
Animal-derived by-products
Animal-derived ingredients and ingredients that are tested on animals are a big fat NO in sustainable skincare.
However, both sustainable skincare principles and Halal certification allows for animal by-products if they’re sourced ethically and without harming or hurting the animal in the process.
A great example of such an ingredient is Snail Mucin Extract. We here at NUME-Lab Switzerland see snail mucus as the holy grail of skincare. It’s a multi-purpose ingredient suitable for all skin types and a pure elixir in terms of benefits.
But, to extract snail mucin, we always use gentle SPA treatments that don’t hurt or harm the snails in any way.
Sustainable Is Not Always Natural
A common misconception we feel obliged to talk about is that everything natural is sustainable.
Natural does not equal sustainable, and here’s why:
- Sourcing from plants or animals (nature) exhausts flora and fauna
- Natural extracts can be uncontrolled and less safe
- Naturally-sourced ingredients can be contaminated
- Animal testing is often required
- The carbon footprint of nature-derived ingredients is higher than lab-made ones
- Low stability and quality consistency
As you can see, “bio” and “natural” aren’t enough if you’re aiming for sustainability. Instead, your goal should be decreasing your carbon footprint, environmental impact, and skin exposure to toxins. We found a way to do this through an innovative process called Swiss Biotechnology.
Swiss Biotech Is the Key To Innovation in Sustainable Skincare with high-efficacy formulas
Clean and Cleanical (clean + clinically tested) skincare with high performance without hurting us and the planet is what all we want! You can see Swiss Biotech as the best biology and technology have to offer. With its help, we can recreate or biosynthesize active ingredients for our swiss skincare.
And no, this doesn’t mean GMO. Our recreated actives are bio-identical, which means they have the same properties as their natural counterparts.
But, that’s not all. Swiss Biotech allowsNUME-Lab Switzerland to improve the properties of an active and make it more efficient. For instance, we can recreate the active ingredient with smaller molecules, allowing it to have a better skin penetration rate.
Last but not least, Swiss Biotech allows us to eliminate the need for animal testing, and this is a crucial point for us. Needless to mention, all NUME-Lab products are cruelty-free.
How To Make Your Skincare Routine More Sustainable?
Here are some excellent skincare tips if you want to join the cause and contribute to a greener Earth:
Beauty and skincare cosmetics
Use sustainable and clean beauty products that have minimal impact on the environment. For instance, check out indie brands with minimalist approach i.e. the Regenerating Trio with Snail Mucin (Cleanser, Exfoliating Treatment and a rich Moisturizer) from NUME-Lab Switzerland. Supporting brands that focus on sustainability makes you a contributor as well.
2
Always have a look at the packaging
Don’t purchase products in plastic that doesn’t recycle. Or question yourself why this choice was done. And, of course, always recycle and reuse if possible.
3
Inci
Always read the ingredient label carefully and watch out for toxic or harmful ingredients. The more names you can spell and pronounce in the list, the better.
4
Be a Conscious Consumer. Less is More
Follow the practices of skinimalism. Buy less but buy better. Focus on one or two products that are clean beauty and of high quality. Ideally, you’ll use multi-purpose products with efficient active ingredients that target many beauty concerns. Like this, you create less waste.
5
Minimalism: Integrate this approach to your daily lifestyle
Become minimalist where possible: Buy less, buy better.
6
Save natural resources like water
And, of course, don’t leave the water running while you apply products.
