Can Natural Ingredients be Your Path to Sustainable Innovation? The natural trend and the rise of biotechnology

Covalo Data & Insights Team

The cosmetics industry is witnessing a robust shift towards natural ingredients, driven by consumer demand for sustainability, transparency, and safety in personal care products. Natural ingredients are increasingly popular as they promise eco-friendly, gentle formulations with minimal environmental impact. Data from Covalo, the world’s largest personal care ingredients platform, highlights this trend: “natural” is the most-used search filter, with an eightfold increase over other filters, underscoring its strong appeal. Certifications like COSMOS and NATRUE further validate the movement, signaling a preference for ethical, eco-conscious sourcing.

However, despite its perceived sustainability, “natural” is not always benign. Ingredients such as essential oils exemplify the potential for environmental strain due to overharvesting, high resource consumption, and habitat loss. Thus, brands must evaluate the entire lifecycle of these ingredients to ensure true sustainability. Additionally, biotechnology offers a promising path by delivering sustainable, lab-grown ingredients that reduce dependency on finite resources.

This article discusses the benefits and limitations of natural ingredients, advocating for responsible sourcing practices and highlighting biotech as a complementary approach. By integrating both natural and biotech solutions, the cosmetics industry can more effectively balance consumer expectations with environmental responsibility, paving the way for a sustainable future in beauty.

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