The boom in upcycled ingredients

In the era of green brands, a company's image as socially responsible and committed to the environment matters. The year 2020 was marked by a trend toward high-quality, traceable, upcycled ingredients. The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the supply of natural cosmetic ingredients and pushed companies to reinvent themselves. Ecological but also economical, upcycled ingredients are gaining ground in the cosmetics industry.

What is upcycling?

Upcycling is the act of giving an object a second life with a value greater than its first.
In cosmetics, it means turning materials destined to be thrown away into higher-value products.
 

For example:

• An active ingredient from downgraded avocados.
• An ingredient recycled and made from spent coffee grounds.
• An ingredient extracted from the pectin of leftover lemon zest.
• Setting up a sustainable supply chain.
• Maracuja (passion fruit) seeds discarded by the fruit-juice industry.

The cosmetics sector faces fierce competition. Consumers no longer buy a product but a brand image — values that match their own. Upcycling is a new springboard for the cosmetics industry, for customers who are increasingly mindful of the environment. It is a great innovation for brands eager to run a sustainable business.