4 minute read
TALKING POINT: ADVANCED COSMECUTICALS
THE STAINABLE STANCE
Leading skincare companies reveal to Anita Quade how they are going green in a bid to save the planet and why educating customers is key to major change.
ADVANCED COSMECUTICALS
Tell us why it’s so important to be recognised as a sustainable brand?
“Sustainability is often assumed to be the remit of “natural” skincare brands. However, it is important that the beauty industry recognise the role cosmeceutical brands have to play in contributing to a more sustainable industry.
DANIEL ISAACS Director of Research at Medik8
www.advancedcosmecuticals.com.au
A key differentiator for the Medik8 brand has been addressing this needless dichotomy - we are all about 'results and experience'. And experience is not just texture and fragrance but also the values of the brand such as its policy on sustainability, animal welfare and fighting injustice. For the most part, clinical brands can and should be as sustainable as 'natural' brands. The only exception is where a clinical brand is 'forced' to use barrier and airless packaging to ensure the active ingredients are kept stable. But so much of the waste generated by cosmetic brands falls outside of packaging, that we use this opportunity to make up for where we simply cannot use recyclable airless packaging until it exists.”
What are the benefits to being ecofriendly?
“We have so many wins from carbon offset to 100% renewable energy. Even obscure improvements such as using 'slow boats' in our supply chain which massively reduces CO2 output but naturally puts strain on inventory management. For visible improvements, we are delighted that our Professional Backbar products are 100% recycled or recyclable along with our first reusable consumer packaging in the global hit Press & Glow exfoliating toner.”
Change doesn’t happen overnight – how have you managed to integrate new ideas?
“We have wanted to make changes to certain packs for some time but speaking frankly, had to wait for the consumer to be ready. So recent changes to our professional backbar lineup have been extensive. However we will never compromise product efficacy and will work in partnership with packaging engineers and recycling service providers to ensure we can attain our goals without compromising the brand's core promise of "results and experience.”
What is one of your standout initiatives in the sustainability arena?
“As a brand we are dedicated to reducing waste throughout the entirety of the product life cycle. From removing leaflets and maximising our PCR content, to offsetting our website sales’ carbon footprint by creating cold press formulations in-house. Not to mention the air miles saved blending all formulas here in the UK.
As part of our sustainability pledge, we have removed all plastic spatulas provided with our products to reduce the amount of virgin plastic waste we are creating. We now have a more sustainable metallic spatula available to purchase as an alternative, suitable for use with all Medik8 (and other brand) face and eye creams.”
What are some of the major challenges of ensuring your brand is sustainable?
“A major obstacle we have faced is sifting through the vast amount of contradicting information to understand what is recyclable and not.
Our mission is to give “Beautiful Skin For Life” and this means we will never compromise on the formula. Some of our products require protective barriers in packs via airless technology to ensure that the product stays potent throughout the duration of its shelf life. The packaging industry is slowly catching up with offerings, however because we need to do intensive testing before we switch a pack out, transitioning to fully sustainable packages can be a long process.”
