Weleda

The formulation for Skin Food has remained unchanged since its launch in 1926 / Source: Weleda

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4 MINUTE READ

Sophie Benson

WHAT WE SAY:

Microplastics are literally everywhere. They’re in our tap water, our blood and our lungs. They come from many sources including tyres and activewear, but their presence in rinse-off cosmetics is particularly troublesome because it speeds up their journey into our waterways.

The term ‘rinse-off’ is confusing – every skincare and hair care product eventually washes off. Where else do we think it goes? The micro and nanoplastics in our bathroom products are invisible. They give our products thick consistency and good slip, a pretty small benefit for a hugely impactful payback in environmental damage. So we champion brands that refuse to take such short cuts, and Weleda lead the pack boldly and brilliantly. Now for the infamous green plastic Skin Food tubes – step by step.

KEY FACTS:

Since 2009, Weleda has been making NATRUE-certified products which, by definition, do not contain nanoplastics, microplastics or microbeads.
Today, all its personal care products are NATRUE-certified, making its entire range microplastic-free. All Weleda products are also 100% liquid plastic-free – a notable feat.
Weleda manufactures 300 different products and is represented in 50 countries across all five continents. By offering only plastic-free formulations, it shows that a multinational beauty giant can successfully operate without relying on plastics.
Alongside taking plastic out of its products, Weleda is educating consumers on the issue.

Weleda’s Skin Food range / Source: Weleda

Weleda’s climate-neutral headquarters in Arlesheim, Switzerland / Source: Weleda

DIVE DEEPER:

An analysis of 7,704 cosmetic and care products from the most popular brands revealed that 9 out of 10 cosmetic products contain forever polluting microplastics. Weleda is bucking the trend.
Founded in 1921, Weleda is the world’s leading manufacturer of holistic, natural, organic cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Working according to the motto ‘in harmony with nature and the human being’, Weleda has always prioritised natural ingredients. However, in 2018 – ahead of subsequent legislation – it went a step further by joining the Plastic Soup Foundation’s Look for the Zero initiative, which guarantees to consumers a product is free from microplastics.
Look for the Zero was devised as part of the international Beat the Microbead campaign, which led to microbead bans, or proposed bans, in 19 countries including the US, India, New Zealand and China. Over 500 microplastic ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, and when they enter the water, they can leach toxic ingredients while taking hundreds of years to biodegrade.
Weleda is bolstering its internal efforts with an education campaign on the presence of plastics in beauty products, the harm they cause and how to avoid them.
While its formulations are plastic-free, it’s not a plastic-free company, but it is making progress. 40% of its packaging is made from recycled materials and, by 2022, it aims to ensure 65% of the weight of all packaging comes from recycled sources or bioplastics. Of course, no plastic is the only real option, which is why 60% of Weleda’s packaging is made from Glass and 15% is Aluminium.
Weleda’s low-impact approach spreads beyond plastics. 80% of its plant-based ingredients are grown organically, and it has verified over 1000 supply chains as ‘Sourced with Respect’ for people, biodiversity and the environment as part of its Union for Ethical Bio Trade certification. 99% of the company’s electricity used at production facilities comes from renewable energy, and 98% of waste produced during the manufacturing process is reused.
The company has won a plethora of awards. Recent plaudits include the 2021 Marie Claire Prix d’Excellence Beauty Award for Sustainability, the 2021 Beauty Shortlist Awards Eco Brand of the Year and Editor’s Choice for Wellbeing at the same awards.

"In harmony with nature and the human being."

Weleda

Key Design Considerations:

The bigger picture

Is it your job to question the actual formula? We say yes. There is no point packaging something plastic in something plastic-free and pretending it is good enough.

Know your INCIs and how to replace the nasties

Plastics are so ubiquitous within beauty products that the qualities they produce, such as silkiness, will be expected. Reformulations shouldn’t represent a major trade-off in quality or consumer experience. What inspiration can you draw from Weleda’s roster of natural ingredients?

Impact of natural ingredients

Natural ingredients can still have an environmental and human impact. Using endangered or at-risk species, relying on over-harvested raw materials or encompassing ingredients linked with slavery or dangerous working conditions doesn’t represent an ethical switch.