Eco-friendly beauty products: Exploring the world of sustainable cosmetics
In the world of cosmetics, a shift towards sustainability is on the rise. Consumers are becoming more conscious about the ingredients used in their personal care products, seeking products that guarantee good results while being sustainable and ecological.
This shift is driven by a growing awareness among consumers about the consequences their behaviour has on their physical well-being and the environment. Brands can adopt a more sustainable approach by focusing on eco-conscious ingredient sourcing, natural and biodegradable formulations, sustainable packaging, ethical sourcing, and reducing carbon footprints.
One innovative strategy is the use of plant stem cells. These undifferentiated cells, with high regenerative and bioactive potential, offer potent antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-repair benefits without invasive harvesting. By using plant stem cells, brands can extract highly concentrated, effective compounds sustainably, reducing the need for synthetic chemicals or large-scale agricultural inputs.
Ingredient sourcing and formulation play a crucial role in sustainable cosmetics. Using natural, renewable, plant-based ingredients such as jojoba oil, aloe vera, shea butter, seaweed, and fermentation-derived components lowers environmental harm. Biotech innovations allow the production of carbon-neutral ingredients through fermentation and microbial cell factories, reducing reliance on resource-intensive cultivation.
Upcycled and bio-based raw materials are another key strategy. Using by-products or agricultural side streams to generate cosmetic ingredients reduces waste and supports circular economy principles, thereby lowering land and water use footprint. For instance, producing oils through microbial fermentation uses substantially less water and land compared to conventional palm oil.
Sustainable packaging solutions are also essential. Employing recyclable, plastic-free, refillable, or biodegradable packaging significantly decreases environmental impact across the product lifecycle.
Ethical sourcing and production are equally important. Ensuring ingredients are responsibly harvested without deforestation or exploitation, adhering to certifications like RSPO for palm oil, strengthens ecological stewardship.
The production of plant substances for cosmetics is sustainable for the environment and increases health benefits for consumers. The resulting ingredients from the suspension cell culture process are non-GMO and free of pesticides. The secretome, rich in growth factors from plant stem cells, helps fibroblasts to increase their production of elastin and collagen, as well as their migration and proliferation.
Different in vitro studies have confirmed that cellular communication between skin stem cells and fibroblasts has resulted in an increase in collagen and elastin production. Cosmetic formulas are changing to adapt to market needs and consumer preferences, with the active ingredients mainly obtained using plant stem cells.
One example of this is AltheostemTM, obtained from the petals of the Alcea rosea and proven effective in selectively eliminating senescent skin cells. Cosmetic companies are reproducing in a lab the secretome rich in growth factors from plant stem cells.
The advantages of using plant stem cells in sustainable cosmetics can be communicated through channels like the Provitalks podcast by Provital. Sustainable chemistry, also known as green chemistry, focuses on caring for human health, animal welfare, and the environment by designing products with sustainable ingredients. As the cosmetic industry evolves to focus on quality and environmental sustainability, the use of plant stem cells in sustainable cosmetics is set to become even more prevalent.
References:
- Sustainable Cosmetics
- Provital: Plant Stem Cells
- Upcycled and Bio-Based Raw Materials
- Plant Stem Cells in Cosmetics
- Green Chemistry
