What makes a sustainable lipstick

Eva Lagarde 09 Jan 2025

In the latest edition of our Innovations report, we wrote about the most sustainable lipsticks that were released in 2024 on the supply side. What makes a lipstick more sustainable? Is it its shape? Its choice of material? Its design or something else?

We found that design matters a lot without changing the gesture. Regarding beauty, bringing a new gesture might come at a loss, so it's best to bring incremental change.

From mono-material lipstick to intuitive design, here is a selection of the latest innovations for lips.

TESEM creates BRI&Va, a technology that makes Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) aluminium shine.

After two years of research and development, BRI&Va is a patent pending technology which allows the use of up to 20% PCR aluminium instead of virgin. Now a high-percentage of PCR aluminium can be given an elegant shine equivalent to that of virgin aluminium anodized. With each product crafted using BRI&Va technology, brands can maintain the luxurious look of shiny metal packaging.

Why it’s interesting / sustainable:

up to 20% PCR aluminium instead of virgin
78.9% reduction in CO2 emissions
full aluminium for full recyclability

Supplier: TESEM
Location: Spain
Release Date: June 2024
Link: https://www.innotesem.tech/#briva

Cheeky, a new lipstick mechanism

With this new mechanism for aluminum or other materials, the sleeve goes up and down, but the bulk remains safely in place inside the packaging. There is no risk of breaking or squashing the bulk when closing the lipstick with the cap, since the sleeve will be in place to protect the bulk. The gesture for the consumer does not change. This new packaging also allows a range of formula hardness. It can be made for any stick format, including skincare or accessories applications.

Why it’s interesting / sustainable:

Fully customizable, including the sleeve
No need to use plastic parts in the packaging,
possibility of monomaterial and/or biosourced material full composting or recyclability

Paper Lipstick - 45 gr

Just as luxurious as the 45g version, the 5ml version of Paper Stick completes the COSMOGEN offer dedicated to anhydrous formulas: lipstick or lip balm, blush, highlighter, sun care... Made up of 77% paper, Paper Stick stands out with its innovative and patented rotation system which consists of rotating the lower part of the tube to reveal the stick formula, without contact with the fingers. The tube goes down, instead of the formula going up.

Why it’s interesting / sustainable: