What is a sustainable personal care ingredient?

Abstract

The conversation between the chemical industry and its cosmetic customers was back in lively form at In-cosmetics Global 2023, held in Barcelona, Spain, March 28–30. The roster of companies offering ingredients included chemical giants like BASF; small specialists such as Ukrainian Snail Holding, which makes freeze-dried mollusk mucus; and everything in between. A wide range of testing labs, formulators, and other service providers joined a handful of equipment makers to round out a trade show with more than 900 exhibitors and 11,000 attendees. Sustainability was a major theme throughout the event, as it has been for several years. But differences in emphasis overshadowed the conversation this year. Among personal care companies, biobased content, biodegradability, and low aquatic toxicity are the focus of environmental claims and concerns. The chemical industry, however, is concentrating more and more on net greenhouse gas emissions. Laura Schlebes, who leads sustainability programs at the plant oil