Sans Deodorant

Sans deodorant applicant and packaging / Source: Sabotage Design

AluminiumBeautyEuropeHempPackagingPaper

5 MINUTE READ

Nate Tyler

WHAT WE SAY:

If there’s something the personal care industry could do without more of it’s plastic. And that’s what Sans, which means ‘without’, is betting on.

The London-based brand makes plastic-free refillable deodorant, and although it’s an increasingly crowded field, Sans has already gained a flock of loyalists thanks to its simple but aesthetically pleasing packaging and its effective, fragrant deodorants. For system change to work, the solutions need to be desirable enough to appeal to the masses and this is a brand that clearly gets that.

KEY FACTS:

Sans, launched in 2022, makes natural, plastic-free, refillable deodorant packaged in reusable Aluminium capsules. Its refills are supplied in FSC-certified cardboard packaging.
The capsules comprise just three parts: a base, the main body and a lid. The capsule is push-operated and contains no twist mechanism.
Further lightweighting efforts include the use of impact aluminium extrusion for the production of its capsules which allows the walls of the packaging to be as thin as just one human hair.
Consumers have a choice of three colours: cream, light green or dark green.
The three scents available include Twig and Blossom, 18th Orchard and Pinacea, and all are available both as one-off purchases and as a subscription.
The cardboard refill tubes can be recycled at end-of-life and the capsule, while designed to be reused, can be infinitely recycled as all aluminium can.
All manufacturing of the components – deodorant stick, cardboard tube, aluminium, powder coating – is carried out in England.

Aluminium capsule / Source: Sabotage London

FSC-certified refills / Source: Sans

DIVE DEEPER:

In 2022, revenue from the deodorants sector amounted to USD 23.74 billion and, in 2020, 298.7 million Americans used deodorants or antiperspirants. Given that deodorant packaging is often plastic-heavy, from the main body to valves, gaskets, caps, and twist and spray mechanisms, the associated waste is enormous.
Sans has joined the ranks of a host of refillable deodorant brands seeking to reduce waste, but while some use plastic components in their refillable packaging, Sans is completely plastic-free.
In choosing to use an aluminium capsule, Sans ensures that if it is disposed, it can be recycled. The recycling rate for aluminium worldwide is 69%.
As well as being recyclable, the cardboard refill tubes provide essential friction, meaning that the deodorant insert does not slide back down into the case during application.
New Sans customers purchase a starter kit which contains one capsule and one refill. Bought as a one-time purchase, the kit costs GBP 30 (USD 34), while purchasing it as a subscription costs GBP 25 (USD 28) initially and GBP 15 (USD 17) every three months for two refills.
Standalone refill purchases cost GBP 18 (USD 20) for a pack of two and GBP 15 (USD 17) on a subscription basis. Free delivery within the UK is included. Prices are either comparable or identical to other refillable deodorants on the market, such as Fussy and Wild, and customers can adjust the regularity of their subscription to suit their level of usage.
To support the company's status as a natural, cruelty-free brand, the capsules are powder coated to avoid the use of heavy metals such as cadmium and lead.
The brand uses only natural ingredients such as shea butter, linalool and arrowroot extract, and excludes the use of aluminium (as an ingredient), PEGs, parabens and phthalates.
Sans deodorants are certified as both vegan and cruelty-free. The brand is registered under the Vegan Society Licence Agreement and PETA’s Beauty without Bunnies programme. Both ensure that products are vegan and there is no animal testing involved.
The brand has also partnered with 1% for the Planet, which donates 1% of profits to environmental charities, such as those involved in ocean cleanup or rewilding schemes.
According to Sabotage London, the design company behind the packaging, the facilities used for each step of production are all a van-ride away from each other. No elements are shipped or flown between different countries.

"When Sans approached us, they asked us to design with the mindset of 'no compromise', which presented the challenge of looking beyond just the product and into systems and processes."

Sabotage Design

Key Design Considerations:

FSC paper stock is limited

While Sans uses FSC Paper for its refillable cardboard stock, supply of FSC material is limited to about 18% of production forests worldwide. Could you use a non-tree fibre such as Hemp or miscanthus for your paper packaging instead?

Keep it simple

Simplicity is key to the brand's packaging design – aesthetically, financially and logistically. Each extra component requires more R&D, more prototyping and more cost, which may ultimately get passed onto the consumer, driving the price of plastic-free solutions up.

Consider the market

Although the refillable deodorant sector is growing, Sans was able to bring something new to the table in producing a reusable plastic-free product. Consider whether you’re truly solving a problem or just adding noise.

Think local

A huge part of its impact reduction comes from the fact that Sans manufactures within such a small area. Make it a priority to seek out the materials and processes you need close to home.

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Sans Deodorant

WHAT WE SAY:

If there’s something the personal care industry could do without more of it’s plastic. And that’s what Sans, which means ‘without’, is betting on.

KEY FACTS:

DIVE DEEPER:

Sans has joined the ranks of a host of refillable deodorant brands seeking to reduce waste, but while some use plastic components in their refillable packaging, Sans is completely plastic-free.

In choosing to use an aluminium capsule, Sans ensures that if it is disposed, it can be recycled. The recycling rate for aluminium worldwide is 69%.

As well as being recyclable, the cardboard refill tubes provide essential friction, meaning that the deodorant insert does not slide back down into the case during application.

New Sans customers purchase a starter kit which contains one capsule and one refill. Bought as a one-time purchase, the kit costs GBP 30 (USD 34), while purchasing it as a subscription costs GBP 25 (USD 28) initially and GBP 15 (USD 17) every three months for two refills.

To support the company's status as a natural, cruelty-free brand, the capsules are powder coated to avoid the use of heavy metals such as cadmium and lead.

The brand uses only natural ingredients such as shea butter, linalool and arrowroot extract, and excludes the use of aluminium (as an ingredient), PEGs, parabens and phthalates.

Sans deodorants are certified as both vegan and cruelty-free. The brand is registered under the Vegan Society Licence Agreement and PETA’s Beauty without Bunnies programme. Both ensure that products are vegan and there is no animal testing involved.

The brand has also partnered with 1% for the Planet, which donates 1% of profits to environmental charities, such as those involved in ocean cleanup or rewilding schemes.

According to Sabotage London, the design company behind the packaging, the facilities used for each step of production are all a van-ride away from each other. No elements are shipped or flown between different countries.

Sabotage Design

Key Design Considerations:

FSC paper stock is limited

Keep it simple

Consider the market

Think local

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