Upcycled Ingredients For Sustainable Skincare
There is an innovative change in the beauty industry that is predicted to be the next major green wave. It is a new response to our climate crisis that has the potential to make a substantial positive environmental impact – the utilisation of UPCYCLED INGREDIENTS for sustainable skincare.
What is upcycling?
Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or by-products into new products or materials of higher value, quality, or functionality. Unlike recycling, which typically involves breaking down materials to create new ones, upcycling aims to repurpose and enhance the existing materials in creative ways.
What are upcycled ingredients in skincare?
Upcycled ingredients in skincare include plant by-products, waste materials, and discarded raw materials, mainly from food-production streams, that would otherwise be thrown away, but instead are crafted into new ingredients and used with great results in skincare formulations. Here are some examples:
Coffee Grounds – a by-product of coffee brewing, they are often used as exfoliants in scrubs and soaps.
Fruit Pulp: waste pulp from juicing or processing fruits can be upcycled into various products and used for their skin nourishing properties.
Brewery By-products: spent grains and yeast can be upcycled as skincare ingredients for their rich nutrient content and exfoliating properties.
Wine Grape Extract – a byproduct formed from the leftover grape skins, seeds, and stems during wine making, rich in antioxidants and polyphenols.
Seaweed – a sustainable, hydrating, and mineral-rich marine ingredient that can be upcycled in skincare products.
Key ways in which upcycled ingredients can help support sustainability.
The use of upcycled ingredients plays a significant role in promoting sustainability and addressing the global challenges of waste management and resource depletion. Some key ways in which upcycled ingredients can help support sustainability include:
1. Reducing Waste: Upcycled ingredients help reduce waste by repurposing materials that would otherwise end up in landfills or incinerators. By transforming waste into valuable resources, upcycling reduces the environmental burden associated with waste disposal and contributes to a circular economy.
2. Conserving Natural Resources: Upcycling reduces the demand for virgin raw materials, which conserves natural resources such as water, energy, and land. By utilising existing materials and by-products, upcycled ingredients help alleviate the pressure on ecosystems and promote more sustainable resource management.
3. Reducing Environmental Impact: The production of new materials often involves resource-intensive processes that generate greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, and habitat destruction. Upcycling requires fewer resources and energy compared to traditional manufacturing methods, leading to lower carbon footprints and reduced environmental impact.
4. Providing Economic Opportunities: Upcycling can create new economic opportunities and contribute to local communities. By turning waste into valuable ingredients or products, upcycling supports job creation, entrepreneurship, and local manufacturing.
How are upcycled ingredients used in Scenturie Natural Skincare Products?
Here at Scenturie, upcycled Apple Seed Oil is a hero ingredient in our new Regenerate Natural Eye Cream. The oil is extracted from the waste pulp left over from apple juice manufacturing that would otherwise be discarded. It is rich in fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function and keeping it nourished. It also contains high levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and of special note high amounts of sulphur, an essential nutrient for the health of the skin necessary for the formation of collagen which helps to support skin and keep it supple and smooth.
Also featured in our Regenerate Natural Eye Cream is Resveratrol extract, a potent antioxidant that helps protect the skin from premature aging. Resveratrol has been shown to stimulate collagen production which can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, and promote a more youthful complexion.
Our Resveratrol extract is extracted from the Japanese knotweed plant which contains one of the highest concentrations of resveratrol available in the world. The Japanese Knotweed plant is considered a serious invasive pest plant in many parts of Europe, however by extracting resveratrol from the eradicated plant which would otherwise be destroyed, upcycling gives us an ingredient that is hugely beneficial to human health and skincare.
As a clean green beauty brand, we are keen to explore more ways of including upcycled ingredients in our natural skincare products in the future. Read more about clean beauty, what it means, and why it matters HERE.
Overall, by incorporating upcycling practices into skincare, beauty brands can contribute to a more sustainable and circular approach to the industry. It allows for the reduction of waste, promotes creative solutions, and aligns with the growing consumer demand for environmentally friendly skincare options.
