Have you been looking for an easy way to differentiate your brand and make your products more sustainable? Upcycled ingredients might be for you!

Understanding Sustainable Beauty

Sustainable beauty refers to beauty products that are good for the planet and consumers' health. What used to be a niche term, used only by brands found in specialty stores, has erupted into a global trend that shows no signs of slowing down. Today, sixty-seven percent of global consumers are looking for sustainable beauty products, a significant increase from a few years ago (Mintel, 2023). Material sourcing, manufacturing practices, and packaging options can all determine whether a product is sustainable. Another factor to consider is the ingredients in a product, which is where upcycled ingredients come in…

Upcycled Ingredients

If your brand is interested in becoming more eco-friendly, but you’re not sure where to start, incorporating upcycled ingredients into your formulations is a good first step.

Upcycled ingredients are by-products of other manufacturing processes repurposed by another industry as a useful material. In skincare, upcycled ingredients are commonly by-products from the Food and Beverage Industry. In 2022, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that each year, US food loss and waste produces 170 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions (excluding landfill emissions!). By using upcycled ingredients in your products, you not only reduce global waste but also significantly reduce the amount of energy and water loss associated with food production, leaving both the environment and consumers’ skin happier and healthier.

Examples of Upcycled Ingredients

Upcycled ingredients come in all forms and functions. Here are some examples…

• Exfoliants (like apricot kernel, almond shell, walnut shell, and coffee grounds)
• Butters (like cupuaçu butter and plum butter)
• Active ingredients (see some of our favorites below)

If you need some inspiration, here are some ways that we have used upcycled ingredients in our product concepts:

Our Upricot Scrub is a gentle exfoliating scrub that buffs and nourishes skin for a smooth, clear complexion. It features three upcycled ingredients: Scrubami Apricot, Actimilk Apricot, and Betaine Genencare OSMS BA.

Scrubami Apricot is a gentle exfoliating powder made from crushed apricot kernels. If you’re worried that apricot kernel exfoliants are too abrasive and potentially damaging to the skin barrier, fear not, as this powder is very fine and makes for a surprisingly subtle, yet effective exfoliation experience. Actimilk Apricot is a nourishing plant milk made with upcycled apricot kernel oil. This moisturizing ingredient helps provide softness to both skin and hair and can be used in leave-on and rinse-off products.

In addition to the upcycled apricot ingredients, our scrub also features Betaine Genencare OSMS BA which is upcycled from sugar production. Naturally present in the skin, Betaine helps to manage water balance in cells and provides skin barrier protection and moisturization. Similarly to Actimilk Apricot, this ingredient not only benefits the skin, but can also help with hair protection, hair conditioning, and frizz control.

If you want a hydrating and restorative overnight mask with a light, cushiony texture look no further! Our Night Renewal Mask features Regenight and Liftyl, two wonderful upcycled ingredients used to refresh your skin while you sleep.

Regenight is an upcycled extract from tea tree oil manufacturing. This ingredient has dual action meaning that both the scent and topical application help to improve sleep quality and skin regeneration overnight. Liftyl is an upcycled extract made from rosewood distillation. This ingredient is used in our mask to tighten skin and provide a lifted appearance. Through clinical trials, this extract has been proven to lift skin and redraw face contours, V shape lines, lip corners, and cheekbones.

Move over, dead skin cells! Our Super Scrubby Bar features two upcycled nut shells as exfoliators to leave your skin looking and feeling fresh after each use.

In this bar you will find upcycled Walnut and Almond shells. Similarly to the apricot kernels found in our Upricot Scrub, these natural exfoliants will ensure your skin stays smooth and vibrant after cleansing.

Not a fan of scrubby? No problem, our Super Silky Bar might be a better fit for you! Packed with three hydrating upcycled ingredients, this bar will leave your skin feeling hydrated and happy.

Phytosqualan Olive Squalane is upcycled from olives. It is high in antioxidants and acts as a conditioner for the skin. This bar also contains Nat Gascony Plum Butter and Cupuaçu Butter to provide intense hydration to the skin leaving it silky smooth. Nat gascony plum butter is upcycled from the oil of cold pressed plums and retains a large amount of the fatty acids found in the oil. This allows for a quick absorption to soften and moisturize your skin. Cupuaçu butter strengthens the skin barrier and provides a smoothness to the skin which enables the recovery of natural moisture, especially in dry skin.

Feeling inspired? Curious how to incorporate upcycled ingredients into your products? Contact our sales team to explore the possibilities!  

Sources: Mintel, Clean & Conscious Beauty - US, 2023, USDA, Food waste and its links to greenhouse gases and climate change, 2022.