Source: PersonalCareInsights
Author: Benjamin Ferrer
The beauty sector is gradually closing the loop on manufacturing key product components to streamline efficiencies and reduce waste. Among recent moves, suppliers are looking to waste streams of the pulp and carton industries for new skincare ingredients, while circular plastics upcycled from used cooking oil are greening up cosmetics packaging.
“Many […] new cosmetic brands in the market have sustainability in mind from the start point. Also, big brands and companies are creating more circular lines within their portfolio and transitioning in key areas like packaging, formula and brand identity,” says Gabriela Armenta, marketing and business development manager at Lignopure.
“I think that one movement where we will see a change in the next few years is in the use of full or mostly bio-based materials instead of fossil-based ones for cosmetic packaging and formulations. Like recycling, one big challenge is to engage in the creation of new circular technologies that enable the utilization of materials to their fullest potential. Another challenge is that many raw materials’ potentials have not been fully explored, therefore more research is needed.”
Upcycled lignin as a skin shield
Lignopure is launching a three-ingredient line called LignoBase. These ingredients share a core natural biopolymer called lignin, the byproduct mainly sourced from the pulp and carton industries and biorefineries.
Armenta continues: “Lignin’s natural polyphenolic structure has inherent protective attributes like free radical scavenger properties that protects the skin and the formulation itself against oxidative processes.” Researchers have reported that lignin can increase the solar protection factor (SPF) of sunscreens and provide sun protection to body creams.
“Sadly, over 90% of this precious resource is normally disposed of, but thanks to Lignopure’s patented particle technology, we are able to upcycle this amazing material and use its natural properties that otherwise would still be unavailable for the cosmetic industry.”
Additionally, the natural brown hue of each LignoBase helps formulators and cosmetic companies to decrease the white-cast effect in sun care formulations and to simplify the color formulation of products where skin tones and brown colors are desired.
“Lignin has oil absorption capacities that give a mattifying smooth effect, which is really useful in multiple cosmetic products,” says Armenta.
Turning used cooking oil into beauty packaging
Material science specialist Dow and LVMH Beauty, a division of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, are collaborating to accelerate the use of sustainable packaging across LVMH’s perfume and cosmetic products.
Bio-based and circular plastics, which are made from bio-based and plastic waste feedstock respectively, will be used to produce sustainable Surlyn Ionomers – polymers used to manufacture premium perfume caps and cosmetic cream jars.
Bio-based feedstocks used include raw materials such as used cooking oil. As only waste residues or by-products from an alternative production process will be utilized, these raw feedstock materials will not consume extra land resources nor compete with the food chain.
Exploring other sustainability highlights in the packaging sector, PersonalCareInsights recently featured Kirin Holdings and FANCL’s partnership in developing cosmetics packaging using the byproducts of beer production. In this upcycling initiative, the companies use plant-based instead of petroleum-derived raw materials to lower carbon emissions and reduce global warming.
What’s next for upcycling?
In other recent circular developments, fragrance giant Firmenich has launched Re:New, a collection of ten upcycled ingredients powered by its innovation program Sylvergreen.
Meanwhile, upcycled food-grade ingredients such as coffee, tea, olives and a variety of fruit have transitioned boldly into the mainstream as cosmetic, beauty and personal care companies embrace the idea of circular production.
“Many companies have successfully adopted the use of ingredients from vegetal origins as the standard for their formulations, but I think it is time to include more ingredients from upcycled origin and from companies with transparent sustainable practices.”
Source and full article:
https://www.personalcareinsights.com/news/circular-beauty-solutions-plant-lignin-and-used-cooking-oil-upcycled-into-skincare-and-packaging-materials.html?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SR
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