Latest Innovations Ingredients in Sustainable Beauty
Here is an in-depth report of the ingredients innovations that have been released over the course of 2024. We only focus on the innovations that have sustainable attributes.
re/sources has identified five trends in the latest Ingredients Innovations:
(This report classifies the innovations according to the current trends.)
Longevity
The longevity trend in beauty revolves around the concept of maintaining healthy, vibrant, and youthful skin for as long as possible. This movement emphasizes proactive care, sustainable solutions, and a shift toward well-ageing rather than anti-ageing.
Key ideas include:
- Well-ageing over anti-ageing,
- Prevention over repair (e.g., through sun protection, hydration, and antioxidants),
- A holistic approach to skincare
- Preservation of skin integrity,
- Skin minimalism and sustainability
- Personalised beauty solution
This trend acknowledges that beauty is not about turning back time but about nurturing skin health and fostering confidence throughout life.
Blue Beauty
The Blue Beauty movement is a sustainability-driven trend in the beauty industry that emphasizes protecting the world’s oceans and aquatic ecosystems. It expands upon the principles of green beauty by focusing specifically on water conservation and reducing environmental harm from beauty products.
Key concepts include:
- Ocean friendly ingredients
- Waterless and Water-Conscious Formulation
- Sustainable sourcing practices
- Marine conservations initiatives
- Circular Beauty Practices
- Sourcing from the Ocean (Algae, Micro-Organisms, etc.)
Blue Beauty positions itself as a proactive, purpose-driven movement that connects personal care with the health of the planet, championing both eco-conscious innovation and marine conservation.
Greener Switch
The Greener Switch in beauty formulation focuses on replacing conventional, non-sustainable ingredients like petrochemicals, silicones, and other synthetic materials with eco-friendly, bio-based, and renewable alternatives. This aligns with the broader sustainability movement and caters to consumers seeking environmentally responsible products.
Key ideas include
- Bio-Based Alternatives to Petrochemicals, with Plant-Derived Ingredients, using biotechnology or upcycled ingredients.
- Silicone-free technologies with plant oils and butters, sugar-Based Polymers.
- Green solvents and excipients with the transition to natural solvents
- Renewable emulsifiers and surfactants using biosurfactants
- Natural film formers and texturizers from starches and polysaccharides, chitosan and algae extracts.
- and more.
This greener switch emphasizes performance parity with traditional ingredients, maintaining high efficacy and luxury while promoting environmental responsibility.
Upcycling
The upcycling trend in cosmetics represents a transformative movement in the beauty industry, where brands prioritize sustainability by repurposing waste materials from other industries—such as food, beverage, and agriculture—into valuable, high-performance ingredients for skincare, haircare, and makeup. This approach aligns with growing consumer demand for eco-conscious and purpose-driven products.
Key ideas:
- Sustainable sourcing and waste reduction
- Circular beauty practices
- Natural and multifunctional actives
- Partnerships with Other Industries
These trends highlight the growing emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and conscious consumerism within the beauty industry.
Biotech Beauty
The biotech revolution in beauty represents a significant and growing trend where cutting-edge science and sustainable practices converge to create innovative, high-performance products. Biotechnology in beauty focuses on harnessing living systems, such as microorganisms and bioengineering processes, to develop ingredients that are sustainable, ethical, and effective.
Key ideas:
- Sustainable ingredient development
- Nature-identical ingredients without overharvesting
- Carbon-capture beauty ingredients
- Biodegradable and circular solutions
- Low impact sourcing with resource efficiency and scalability
Biotechnology is reshaping the beauty industry by offering sustainable, ethical, and scientifically advanced solutions. It positions itself as the future of beauty, merging environmental responsibility with cutting-edge innovation.
INGREDIENTS INNOVATIONS
PRIMALHYAL™ 50 LIFE
About
Givaudan Active Beauty took the challenge to rethink and redesign the whole process of one of its blockbusters, low molecular weight HA. Givaudan Active Beauty combined the power of biotechnology, advanced precision fermentation, synthetic biology, strain engineering, and process optimization.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
PrimalHyal™ 50 Life comprises significant improvements across various environmental parameters, as demonstrated by a life cycle analysis, to reach –91% reduction in environmental impact.
Supplier: GIVAUDAN
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: January 2024
HERMETIA ILLUCENS HPI
About
You already know proteins made from insects? Please welcome skincare ingredient made from fly larvae! Hermetia illucens HPI is a cosmetic ingredient derived from the Black Soldier Fly protein. It offers multiple benefits for skin care, including wrinkle improvement, brightening, and anti-inflammatory effects. It helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, enhances skin radiance, evens out skin tone, and soothes irritated skin.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
The fly larvae consume organic waste, and insect farming is considered sustainable, cost-effective and energy-efficient.
Supplier: FOODYWORM
Location: Republic of Korea, Asia
Release Date: April 2024
COSMEGREEN PC50
About
This high-performance conditioning agent allows to replace behentrimonium chloride (BTAC)* in haircare emulsions without compromising on efficacy, ensuring more eco-friendly and safer products. Patented, developed and produced in France.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Readily biodegradable with a low eco-toxicity profile, CosmeGreen PC50 is also COSMOS & Natrue certified and palm-free. Its production is based on a low carbon process.
Supplier: SURFACTGREEN
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: January 2025
JELLIFADOL: NATURAL JELLY
About
Designed as an alternative to petrolatum jelly, JELLIFADOL is obtained thanks to the GreenFrix Plasma Technology, that allows the cross-liking of plant-based fatty acids. This process applied to a custom blend of vegetal fatty acids leads to an ingredient with sensory properties close to petrochemical jelly, for more naturality and more sustainability in the final formula.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
GreenFrix plasma technology has a positive impact on energy consumption and allows to reduce CO2 emissions, compared to conventional polymerization processes. The process is catalyst, thermal stress, Mosh and Moah and microplastics free.
Supplier: GREENFRIX
Location: Belgium, Europe
Release Date: October 2024
PANTODIUM CICA
About
Instead of bringing panthenol (vitamin B5) to the skin, Pantodium Cica triggers the production of natural panthenol by its microbiota. Vitamin B5 is then produced at a physiological level, adapted to the needs of the skin. It activates the epidermal regeneration process for multiple benefits: hydration, repairing, reduction of marks and imperfections, decrease of redness and sensitivity.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Pantodium Cica is derived from a giant unicellular algae, cultivated in controlled conditions and fermented with symbiotic marine bacteria. Certified organic.
Supplier: CODIF Technologie Naturelle
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: October 2024
SENSORY APPLE POMACE
About
This ultra fine caramel-colored touch powder upcycled from apple pomace is an alternative to PMMA (PolyMethylMetAcrylate), a microplastic sensory ingredient. It gives to a formula a mattifying, smoothing and covering effect.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
This touch powder is obtained from Marie Ménard's apple pomace, a co-product of the cider industry. The dried pomace is then micronised using a non denaturing process compliant with COSMOS Organic standard. With a local sourcing, it is 100% organic, upcycled and biodegradable.
Supplier: CODIF Technologie Naturelle
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
BIOWASTE BASED PHA POWDER
About
Thanks to a unique patented fermentation technology, Dionymer offers an ultrafine white powder of fermentation-based natural PHA (biosourced polyesters) with mattifying, skin feels & soft-focus potential. The pellets grade can also be used in packaging applications.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Contrary to others commercial PHA and biopolymers, Dionymer’s PHA powder comes from non-food crops feedstock (second generation feedstock). The naturally occuring biodegradable polymer does not leave any microplastic residues. The only cosmetic grade PHA 100% made in Europe.
Supplier: DIONYMER
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
TIMELYS
About
TIMELYS® extends skin longevity by acting both at the cellular level on the genes and multiple mechanisms involved (autophagy, mitochondrial activity, inflammation, etc.) and on the surface by improving the clinical signs of healthy skin (microcirculation, radiance, etc.). It optimizes interconnected cellular functions & stimulates longevity mechanisms of the skin.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Timelys is extracted from adaptogen rubies of Schisandra Chinensis Superberry cultivated according to agricultural good practices. The patented extraction process is designed to concentrate the extract in schisandrin and to spare resources.
Supplier: GREENTECH
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
Frag-Brillin Remastered™
About
Frag-Brillin Remastered™ is a biomimetic fragment of human fibrillin-1, produced by plant used as biofactories. It rebuilds elastic resilience stimulating fibrillin microfibrils and elastic fibers formation. It also promotes « cellasticity » and skin remodeling. It instantly improves firmness and elasticity in both face and body and immediately smoothes wrinkles.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Sustainably produced by plants through mRNA technology. Plants are grown by vertical farming in a controlled environment, without pesticides use and resources optimization & recycled locally, with solar panels installation. 99.99% natural.
Supplier: LIPOTRUE
Location: Spain, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
GAÏALINE®
About
Gaïaline® is a regenerative liposoluble ingredient clinically tested on skin & hair. By boosting essential markers for the integrity of the epidermis (Collagen 17, Keratin 10&14, ceramides), it regenerates the skin; the epidermis is stronger, thicker & ready to slow down skin ageing. It also repairs, protects and strengthens hair by creating a protective sheath around the hair fiber.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Obtained by molecular distillation, Gaïaline is derived from flax sourced from an “Au Cœur des Sols” (Conservation Agriculture)-certified farm & oilmill at only 32km from the production site.
Supplier: LABORATOIRES EXPANSCIENCE
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
ETERWELL™ YOUTH
About
This anti-aging active targets zombie cells (senescent cells that release abnormal signals to nearby cells that can induce senescence in neighboring cells) to help rejuvenate the healthy skin appearance and revert the skin damage induced by senescent cells. It helps increase the skin elasticity and smoothness with a better skin structure.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
ETERWELL™ YOUTH has a low carbon footprint thanks to a gentle extraction process using organic ethanol and 100% renewable electricity. DSM-Firmenich claims a holistic sustainability: organic, traceable, low environmental impact and fairtrade certified extract.
Supplier: DSM-FIRMENICH
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: October 2023
DUNAPURE
About
Inspired by adaptive mechanisms of the green microalgae Dunellia tertiolecta, Microphyt created a bioactive dedicated to fight imperfections with a 3-in-1 approach: purifying, soothing and marks reducing. This gentle ingredient respects the skin's balance: non-irritating, non-sensitizing, non-photosensitive while concentrating the astringent potential of D. tertiolecta.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Thanks to a patented hydro-biomimetic bioreactor, Microphyt cultivates D. tertiolecta in optimum conditions, for a green and environmentally sustainable production, pesticide free and non GMO. Microalgae are a carbon trap, with a high CO2 capture.
Supplier: MICROPHYT
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: May 2024
PHYTESSENCE™ OSMANTHUS
About
Introducing geo-skincare, ingredients that protect the skin from the effect of extreme weather. Quantified in verbacoside, Phytessence™ Osmanthus helps to protect the skin from the harmful effects of heat by regulating the production of HSP70 and reducing the production of free radicals. It also naturally soothes the skin from sunburn by reducing redness and the production of PGE2.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Manufactured with Croda Beauty's Eco-sound™ technology. This environmental-friendly technology uses ultra-sound to extract the most valuable components, with low energy consumption and without denaturing molecules from heat or chemical.
Supplier: CRODA
Location: United Kingdom, Europe
Release Date: January 2024
CARBOPOL® FUSION S-20 POLYMER
About
Carbopol® Fusion S-20 polymer is a novel liquid hybrid technology designed to suspend, stabilize, thicken, and enhance the appearance of personal cleansing products. It is a starch-based copolymer that solves challenges in rheology modification of rinse-off products, combining performance and sustainability. Suitable for skin cleansing and hair care formulations.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Inherently biodegradable, free-from PEG and non-GMO. The synthesis of the product addresses all 12 Green Chemistry Principles. The natural components of this product are sourced from renewable resources with good traceability.
Supplier: LUBRIZOL CORPORATION
Location: United States of America
Release Date: April 2024
SHILOXOME™
About
Derived from a yeast symbiotic to the bark of cork oak, this active is able to visibly combat aging signs by enhancing the skin’s natural barriers hence safeguarding the skin against pollution and making it the perfect solution to aging consumer needs, including post-menopausal skin issues. Multi-omics studies sustain anti-aging, protective and microbiome claims.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
SHILOXOME™ is produced thanks to Triplobiome™ Technology, Provital’s biotech platform that uses plant endophytes (symbiotic microorganisms of plants) to synthetize active phytochemicals. It helps maintaining the biodiversity and avoiding overexploitation of plant biomass.
Supplier: PROVITAL SA
Location: Spain, Europe
Release Date: October 2023
AC PINA COLLOIDA
About
AC Pina Colloida combines yeast polysaccharides with pineapple leaf fibers (PALF), creating a cross-linked biopolymer with enhanced film-forming abilities, texture, moisture, dispersion, and holding benefits. It was developed to shield hair and skin against environmental factors, and claims anti-aging, anti-pollution, moisturization & protection skin and hair benefits.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Inspired by the transformation of pineapple leaves into sustainable vegan textiles, AC Pina Colloida valorizes pineapple leaves/ crowns in an upcycling process that reduces agricultural waste.
Supplier: ACTIVE CONCEPTS
Location: United States of America
Release Date: April 2024
BEAUTÉ BY ROQUETTE® ST 730
About
This new biodegradable pea-based film former is the answer from Roquette Beauté to the need of water-resistant film-formers with a more sustainable profile. It shows must-have water resistance and long-lasting properties for makeup formulations. It also demonstrates immediate tensing effect, erasing fine lines and wrinkles for skincare benefits.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
From pea starch origin, a sustainable and attractive crop that has minimal impact on water resources, climate change and land use (regenerative culture). In line with Roquette’s circular production model, almost 100% of the components of the yellow pea grain are utilized.
Supplier: ROQUETTE BEAUTE
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
OCEAN ACTIVES® C+
About
OCEAN ACTIVES® C+ is a high-purity (>80%), sustainable, marine bioactive extracted from seaweed which restores, calms, and protects the skin. Clinically proven to reduce redness by up to 96%, it targets redness, acne, and rosacea. It restores & enhances the skin barrier, shows a high antioxidant activity and inhibits elastase.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
OCEAN ACTIVES® C+ is extracted from sustainably farmed seaweed. Oceanium’s biorefinery follows green chemistry principles and is based on water extraction methods, plus zero waste processing.
Supplier: OCEANIUM
Location: United Kingdom, Europe
Release Date: January 2024
COMMUSYS®
About
Aging skin exhibits a deregulation of dermis-epidermis communication, impairing epidermal biological functions. COMMUSYS® is a patented natural active ingredient regulating this communication shortfall to improve the quality of mature skin and provide hydrating, smoothing and radiance-boosting effects.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
COMMUSYS® is obtained from biotechnology by cultivating Pichia stipitis in SILAB's biotechnology plant ecosystem platform. This yeast comes from a collection, which ensures its traceability and sustainability. COMMUSYS® is biodegradable and has a natural origin content of 98.8% (ISO 16128).
Supplier: SILAB
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: June 2024
CERAFY™ PURE NPO
About
Cerafy™ Pure NPo is the first launch from the upcoming Cerafy™ range of biomimetic natural ceramides. This pure ceramide 3 solution helps protect skin against dryness and prevents premature aging by revitalizing the skin’s barrier function.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Cerafy™ is produced through a unique fermentation process that aligns with the focus of Syensqo’s Renewable Materials and Biotechnology Growth Platform. The platform leverages biotechnologies as an enabler to develop renewable carbon-based and safe chemistry to accelerate the transformation toward sustainable and circular solutions.
Supplier: SYENSQO
Location: Belgium, Europe
Release Date: October 2023
GROWTH FACTOR ACTIVES
About
Core Biogenesis launched its first cosmetic actives, two advanced growth factors, peauvitaᵀᴹ and peauforiaᵀᴹ. The first one is an EGF fused with oleosomes. It targets signs of aging to reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to improve skin’s firmness. The second one is an FGF-2 also fused with oleosomes. It diminishes melanin in hyperpigmented areas and restores the skin barrier.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Core Genesis’ plant biofactory technology produces growth factors within Camelina sativa seeds and fuses them to oleosomes for an increased stability and enhanced skin delivery.
Supplier: CORE BIOGENESIS
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: September 2024
RADIASTAR 1436
About
Radiastar 1436 is liquid at room temperature which is an exceptional characteristic for a molecule of C36 carbon chainlength. Together with its unique skin feel, good oxidation stability and excellent pigment dispersion properties, this product is a superior film-forming emollient for use in a broad range of color cosmetic and personal care formulations.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
This vegetal based multibranched alcohol (Guerbet alcohol) is made of renewable materials. With an occlusivity similar to mineral oil and superior to octyldodecanol, it is a great greener alternative to synthetic film formers.
Supplier: OLEON HEALTH AND BEAUTY
Location: Belgium, Europe
Release Date: August 2024
SOLAGUM™ GM
About
Last addition to Seppic’s natural gum based rheology modifiers portfolio, Solagum™ GM responds to need of high natural viscosity. 10 times higher than Xanthan Gum at 1% while providing a moisturizing effect up to 24 hours! Non sticky and non stringy, it creates smooth textures with a cushiony sensation.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Purified from the tubers of Amorphophallus muelleri, a tropical plant, Solagum™ GM is a unique glucomannan. Eco-designed, compliant with Chinese regulations, this Cosmos approved natural gum from a 100% physical process is cold processable, readily biodegradable and non-microplastic.
Supplier: SEPPIC
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
SILYBIDIOL™
About
Designed to combat the harmful effects of urban photo-pollution and promote skin health, Sylibidiol™ is the first globally compliant alternative to Cannabidiol. It offers a new, holistic approach to ageing, leveraging the emerging concept of OxInflammation, the vicious cycle connecting oxidative stress and inflammation.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Silybidiol™ is extracted from the fruit of the milk thistle with Green Fractionation. Givaudan’s Green Fractionation process extracts materials sustainably using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NaDES), green solvents with specific properties.
Supplier: GIVAUDAN
Location: Switzerland
Release Date: June 2024
FullCapt™ XIMENIA americana seed
About
Ximenia seed oil boasts a unique composition rich in vitamin C and fatty acids. This composition offers potential benefits for various skincare concerns. This supercritical CO2 extract is a Very Long Chain Fatty Acids (VLCFAs) resource distinguished by a high Lumequeic acid (C30) content.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
FullCapt™ is extracted from upcycled Ximenia seeds (Waste Reduction). These fruits by-products are cultivated according to Sustainable Farming Practices and treated by supercritical CO2 technology (DeepCapt® CO2).
Supplier: ACTIFS PRECIEUX / FORMULANCE GROUPE
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: December 2023
OPAL ALGA GW™
About
Opal Alga GW™ aims to resynchronize the skin’s circadian rhythm to reveal its natural radiance. It works at the molecular and cellular levels to rebalance the genes responsible for the regulation of the skin’s biological rythm, visibly improving its condition. It reduces signs of fatigue, such as dark circles, while restoring the skin’s firmness and hydration.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Wild hand-picked harvests of algae in selected abundant areas. A portion of the seaweed is left attached to ensure easy regeneration. The eco-extraction process is designed with safe solvents, low energy, recycling of waste as fertilizer. Local sourcing, developed and manufactured in Brittany.
Supplier: ODYCEA
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
FUCOSKIN®
About
Rich in fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, Fucoskin® is an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle ingredient. It helps significantly reduce the depth of wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and dermal collagen structure, thus reversing the signs of aging. It is also a strong inhibitor of the collagen-degrading enzymes (MMP) and can specifically downregulate UVB-induced MMP expression to prevent premature skin aging.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Seaweed farming needs no fertilizer and contribute to carbon sequestration. Once traditionally harvested by local farmers, the seaweed is sun-dried. An aqueous extraction process leads to the final raw materials.
Supplier: HI-Q MARINE BIOTECH / ACTERA INGREDIENTS
Location: Taiwan, Asia
Release Date: July 2024
CALYBEAUTY
About
Replace plastic-based additives while adding novel sensory sensations for sun care, deodorants, skin care, hair care, and make-up formulations. Calyxia’s patented technology gave birth to biodegradable microcapsules and microparticles with a wide range of sizes and formulation applications.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Calyxia microcapsules and particles biodegrade above 60% in OECD 301 B test (readily biodegradable). They completely biodegrade within a year, which provides evidence of complete breakdown of the microcapsules (validated by external laboratory). They can be biobased and are compliant with EChA microplastics regulation.
Supplier: CALYXIA
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
ILLUMISCIN®-GLOW
About
ILLUMISCIN®-GLOW's innovation is based on the novel use of hordatines as tyrosinase inhibitors, based on AI-developed human tyrosinase structural model and screening of plant-based molecules. It targets skin discoloration and uneven skin tones, for a radiant and harmonious complexion, with efficiency proven on multi-ethnic skin.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Manufactured according to the principle of circular kindness, ILLUMISCIN®-GLOW is obtained from local organic sourcing and local production, from upcycled brewers' barley sprouts from Germany, specified in hordatines. Its CO2 emissions are calculated and offset.
Supplier: RAHN FRANCE
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: March 2024
VARI® CC-O
About
IVari® CC-O is a non-nano & coated mineral texturizer for a silica-like effect in anhydrous formulations and emulsions. Natural mineral treated to maintain neutral optical characteristics, it provides filler and texturizer properties. Thanks to its characteristics, crystal structure, high purity, particle size and coating, Vari® CC-O can be used in any cosmetic products. It is non-drying and adaptable to formulation with a matte or sparkly finish.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
The mineral is upcycled from marble extraction (dolomia powder) and the coating is made of olive oil derivatives.
Supplier: ROSSOW
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: October 2024
SERENIBIOME®
About
Serenibiome is an active addressing sensitive skin prone to atopy thanks to a novel active molecule. It is clinically proven to significantly reduce skin dryness, redness and itching in children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. It specifically targets S. aureus, the prevalent opportunistic bacteria involved in microbiome dysbiosis in atopic-prone skin and involved in neurogenic inflammation.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
The white-biotech fabrication process meets high CSR standards through water and energy management, low-temperature process, and low carbon emissions, and yields a high-purity flocculosin.
Supplier: SOLABIA
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: April 2024
LIGNAROL®
About
Lignarol is an antioxidant with an original double mode of action. The first one is a classical chemical effect on ROS. The second is an original biological mechanism as it triggers one of the main pathways of the skin own redox response (biochemical antioxidant effect). This specific profile produces a prolonged antioxidative protection, especially interesting in solar, antiaging and antipollution products.
Why it’s interesting / sustainable?
Upcycled extract from Picea abies (European spruce, it allows the valorization of cultivated wood or forestry co-products.
Supplier: GREENPHARMA / CellMark Health & Personal Care
Location: France, Europe
Release Date: October 2024
