Towards Sustainable Color Cosmetics Packaging

Abstract

In spite of the significant progress towards sustainable cosmetics, mass-produced sustainable packaging has proven to be a challenge. The complexity of environmental, economic, social, technological, and policy considerations in conjunction with varying consumer behaviors and corporate goals can make it difficult to select an optimal strategy across heterogeneous supply chain components spread over the globe, and the cost and effort of developing, testing, and validating alternative strategies discourages empirical exploration of potential alternatives. This review discusses the challenges that can be expected in the context of broader sustainability efforts, as well as the experience gained in related fields, such as sustainable cosmetics and sustainable packaging, to identify potential pitfalls as well as promising trends towards the development of sustainable color cosmetics packaging. The findings suggest there may be little to be gained from attempting to induce customers to change their behavior, waiting for a significant increase in global recycling infrastructure, or expecting regulatory constraints to substitute for the lack of technological and business solutions. A research strategy is delineated towards the development of sustainable packaging that, with appropriate policy support, could minimize externalities and provide mass-produced packaging that is acceptable to both consumers and producers.

Biopolymer- and Natural Fiber-Based Biomimetic Tissues to Realize Smart Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals Using an Innovative Approach

“…Naturally, the physicochemical properties of both carrier and ingredients have to be engineered at the molecular level, and their shape, size, superficial electrical charges and other parameters must be controlled to obtain the most effective and safest design of the final product [68]. However, due to the need to also respect the environmental ecosystem and to safeguard the Earth's natural raw materials, utilization of waste material and reduced use of fossil-based plastics and the consequential increased production of greenhouse gas emissions have become a must for our society [69][70][71][72][73][74]. Thus, our proposal to use cosmeceutical tissues as new and smart carriers seems to be aimed in this direction, entering the category of the so-called hybrid cosmetics and beauty verse trends driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, the virtual economy and current financial principles [75,76].…”

A Comprehensive Review of Essential Oil–Nanotechnology Synergy for Advanced Dermocosmetic Delivery

“…It encompasses ethical considerations, such as fair trade practices and biodiversity preservation, ensuring that skincare formulations resonate with principles of social responsibility and ecological integrity [203][204][205]. Moreover, the promotion of circular economy principles encourages the repurposing and recycling of packaging materials, minimizing waste and fostering a regenerative skincare ecosystem [206,207].…”