It can often feel like we're surrounded by advertisements for beauty and cosmetics products.
The thing is, not all the companies responsible for these products are truly committed to prioritising sustainability in their supply chains.
However, a number of notable cosmetics brands stand out thanks to their impressive ESG efforts, carbon reduction targets and commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Here, Supply Chain Digital takes a look at the top 10 brands which are setting the benchmark for emission-conscious beauty.
10. Tropic
Founded: 2011
Employees: >500
CEO: Susie Ma
Tropic cut its virgin plastic use by two-thirds across its skincare range in 2022. The introduction of recyclable and refillable packaging, including INNERBOTTLE technology, now saves five tonnes of virgin plastic every month.
The brand has also raised around US$125,000 for the Reef Restoration Foundation and planted 7,000 climate-resilient trees in Hampshire, UK, while maintaining Carbon Neutral status for the fifth consecutive year.
9. Origins
Founded: 1990
Employees: 10,000+
Global Brand President: Amber Garrison
Since 2009, Origins has planted more than 2.3 million trees worldwide and extended its greening projects to the UK.
The company pioneered the first cosmetics recycling programme, accepting packaging from any brand. Its products use 80% Forest Stewardship Council certified paperboard and 50% post-consumer recycled fibre, all manufactured with renewable energy sources.
âWeâve always believed that it is important to live in harmony with nature and make choices with the planet in mind,â says Amber Garrison, Global Brand President at Origins.
8. L'Occitane
Founded: 1976
Employees: 6,500+
Chief Sustainability Officer: Raphaëlle Archambeaud-Sicot
With ambitious goals set for 2025, LâOccitane is working towards sourcing 80% plant-based ingredients while tracing 90% of raw materials back to their country of origin. The brand also aims for 100% renewable energy use and water recycling at its French factories.
By 2030, L'Occitane targets a 46% reduction in Scope 1 emissions and a 55% reduction in Scope 3 emissions per unit of value added.
7. Estée Lauder
Founded: 1946
Employees: 62,000
Chief Supply Chain Officer: Roberto Canevari
Estée Lauder achieved net-zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable electricity for direct operations in 2020.
The company has installed solar arrays at production facilities and secured 22 megawatts of wind power, covering more than half of its global electricity footprint.
In the UK, Estée Lauder offsets shipping emissions for home delivery orders.
6. L'Oréal
Founded: 1909
Employees: 86,000
Global Supply Chain Officer: Damien Decouvelaere
Under its 'L'Oréal for the Future' programme, the beauty giant cut CO2 emissions from its operated sites by 74% between 2019 and 2023, even as production increased by 12%.
Additionally, it achieved 91% renewable energy use and secured top environmental scores from CDP for eight consecutive years.
5. Burt's Bees
Founded: 1984
Employees: >500
Chief Supply Chain Officer: Pascal Montilus (Clorox)
Partnering with RePurpose Global, Burt's Bees helps develop recycling systems near coastlines in India and Ghana to prevent plastic waste from entering the ocean. The brand aims to eliminate over 1.5 million pounds of plastic waste by the end of 2024.
Burt's Bees has held Carbon Neutral Certification since 2015, investing in projects to balance its emissions.
4. The Body Shop
Founded: 1976
Employees: 10,000
CEO: Charles Denton
Founded on principles of environmental and social justice, The Body Shop relaunched its refill programme in recent years. By 2023, refill stations had been installed in 720 stores worldwide.
The brand aims for all packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025.
3. Lush
Founded: 1995
Employees: 12,000
CEO: Mark Constantine
Lush is investing in a 6,000-hectare forest restoration project in Peru and plans to phase out fossil fuels in its operations by 2030.
The company already sources 100% of its electricity and gas from Ecotricity wherever possible.
More than 70% of its product line is self-preserving, and shampoo bar sales save 450,000 litres of water annually.
2. REN Clean Skincare
Founded: 2000
Employees: >200
REN pledged to become zero waste by the end of 2021 and partnered with TerraCycle to create bottles from 80% recycled plastic and 20% ocean-sourced debris.
This initiative has removed 1.5 tonnes of ocean waste, producing over 150,000 bottles for RENâs Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium product line.
1. Aveda
Founded: 1978
Employees: 3,100
President: Shane Wolf
A pioneer in sustainable packaging, Aveda was the first beauty brand to use 100% post-consumer recycled PET in its products.
Currently, the overwhelming majority (95%) of its PET packaging and 80% of its HDPE bottles are made from recycled materials.
Aveda powers its operations with solar energy and wind credits and purchases carbon offsets to neutralise any remaining emissions.
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