Redesigning Personal Care: What's Really in Our Products?
Personal care isn’t just about looking good—it’s about making choices that are good for people and the planet. Yet, $4.8 billion worth of beauty products alone are wasted annually. Over 10% of products never reach consumers, either due to overproduction (4.2%) or expiration (4%). Essential absorbent products also generate vast amounts of waste — 300,000 diapers end up in landfills or are incinerated every minute.
Beyond waste, many products contain microplastics, parabens, and PFAS, harming both health and ecosystems. Each year, several thousands of tonnes of chemicals enter coral reef zones, while plastic-heavy packaging adds to pollution.
The good news? Companies are stepping up with biodegradable formulas, plant-based alternatives, and smart packaging. Let’s dive into the latest innovations making personal care safer, cleaner, and greener. 🌍
🤝 Collaborations
🧴 Cellugy and Bioli's Fossil-Free Skincare Innovation
Conventional cosmetics ingredients are petroleum and water-intensive, and—you guessed it—hazardous to our bodies and the planet.
That's why the Danish startups Cellugy and Bioli co-developed a fossil-free moisturizer using EcoFlexy, a biofabricated rheology modifier—the component that makes cosmetics thick enough for the best pour and flow experience. While most rheology modifiers are made from petrochemicals, this one is made from cellulose derived from the bacterial fermentation of sugar.
Unlike other alternative modifiers, EcoFlexy performs just as well as its petrochemical counterparts and is now commercially available in Bioli's skincare cream.
♻️ Conserving Beauty’s Compostable Packaging Initiative
Currently, 95% of cosmetic packaging is thrown away, accounting for 70% of the beauty industry's waste.
Known for its compostable and dissolving solutions, the Australian-based Conserving Beauty has decided to tackle packaging head-on by opting for Futamura's compostable NatureFlex™ films as a key ingredient for the sachet packaging for its cleansing wipes.
Made from renewable wood pulp harvested from responsibly managed plantations, this could be a game changer for personal care.
🧬 Syensqo and Bota Bio’s Biomimetic Hair Care Breakthrough
🔬 Syensqo and Bota Bio have entered a five-year partnership to develop biomimetic ingredients for hair and scalp care. Leveraging its Renewable Materials Biotechnology Platform and its Beauty Business unit, Syensqo plans to potentialize Bota Bio's protein technology for high-performance hair and scalp care ingredients inspired by nature.
As part of its commitment to collective innovation, Syensqo will be featured at the Hello Tomorrow Global Summit in Paris from March 13–14 as a sponsor of the Industrial Biotech and New Materials competition.
💼 Business
🧪 ZymoChem and BAYSE: Pioneering Sustainable Superabsorbents
The fermentation-based manufacturer ZymoChem has achieved commercial-scale production of a key biopolymer ingredient for BAYSE, the world's first scalable, bio-based, microplastic-free, and biodegradable Super Absorbent Polymer (SAP). It serves as a drop-in replacement for traditional fossil-based SAPs (common in disposable, absorbent hygiene products).
Its latest biopolymer production surpassed lab-scale performance, demonstrating its robust commercial potential for several industries, including hygiene and cosmetics.
🦟 AtlanTick's Botanical Defense Against Insect Bites
The Canadian Indigenous women-owned company uses ancestral wisdom and scientific research to create the biodegradable Tick Attack Botanical Insect Repellent. It uses natural, eco-friendly ingredients, including its active non-GMO component, lemon eucalyptus oil, to provide protection against mosquitoes and ticks.
This natural alternative keeps bugs at bay without damaging fabrics or harming insects like bees.
🔬 Research
🌲 Fully-biobased Hair Conditioner from Wood-Based Lignin
Researchers at Stockholm University developed a wood-based hair conditioner using lignin and coconut oil. Although very dark in color, the solution rinses off easily, making it a practical and high-quality alternative to traditional conditioners and their endless list of ingredients (mostly derived from petroleum and oleochemicals).
📚 Market & Education
🚯 Zero Waste Personal Care: A Blueprint for Sustainability
Dive into the Zero Waste Beauty Report 2025 to explore the beauty industry's impact on the environment, waste-free ingredients & formulations, packaging innovations, and the latest standards and guidance for beauty advancements.
📅 Event
🌱 edie 25: Celebrating Sustainable Transformations
The event marks over 26 years of industry-wide sustainability progress. It offers unparalleled content and insights, serving as a cornerstone for year-round initiatives focused on sustainability.
Date: March 26-27th, Business Design Centre, London.
The personal care industry is at a turning point. Sustainable innovation is no longer a niche concept but a competitive advantage.
With rising consumer awareness, tightening regulations, and technological advancements, businesses that prioritize biodegradable materials, alternative ingredients, and circular solutions will lead the next wave of industry transformation. 💡
Until next time, and, take care!
Nina Purton 🌿
