Cosmetic brands sustainability reports and LCA calculations: the very best practices.

Want to know how top cosmetic brands are tackling sustainability? Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the key tool driving change. Here's what you need to know:

• LCA measures a product's environmental impact from raw materials to disposal, helping brands identify and reduce emissions.

• Consumer use is the biggest contributor to emissions - up to 90% for products like shampoo due to hot water usage.

• Leading brands like LUMENE are using LCA insights to cut plastic packaging by 20% and design water-efficient products.

• Tools like Devera simplify LCA by automating data collection and ensuring compliance with global standards.

• Brands are integrating LCA into product design to optimize packaging, improve formulas, and lower carbon footprints.

LCA isn't just about compliance - it's shaping how brands innovate and meet consumer demands for greener products.

Sustainable and Carbon Neutral Beauty

Key Elements of LCA Reporting

Data Collection and Analysis

For the cosmetics industry, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) reporting starts with thorough data collection and analysis. Companies need to follow international standards like ISO 14040 and the GHG Protocol to ensure their evaluations are both trustworthy and comparable. Greenhouse gas emissions in this sector come from various sources: raw materials contribute 30-50%, while consumer use accounts for 40-80% of total emissions [5].

Tools like SimaPro and GaBi are widely used to measure environmental impacts, such as CO2 emissions, across all lifecycle stages. These platforms allow brands to assess impacts from raw material extraction to disposal. For instance, packaging materials alone make up 35% of a product's overall environmental footprint, while cosmetic ingredients account for 12% [2]. However, gathering data is just the beginning - communicating these findings effectively is key to driving real change.

Transparency and Communication

A 2023 benchmarking study by the Carbon Trust highlights the need for brands to look beyond plastic packaging metrics and address broader environmental concerns [5].

| Impact Area | Typical Contribution | Focus Points |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Raw Materials | 30-50% | Sourcing practices, alternative materials |
| Consumer Use | 40-80% | Water consumption, energy usage |
| Packaging | 35% | Material reduction, recyclability

"The use phase of a shampoo accounts for about 90% of the total CO2 emissions along its life cycle, emphasizing the need for consumer education and product innovation" [5].

These findings not only shape reporting but also serve as a foundation for sustainable product development at every stage.

Integrating LCA into Product Design

LCA data plays a critical role in shaping product development strategies. For example, LUMENE's Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) study revealed that transportation and packaging were major contributors to carbon emissions. This insight led the company to set a goal of reducing plastic packaging by 20% by 2025 [2].

Product designers rely on LCA data to:

• Optimize packaging and materials to lower environmental impact

• Enhance transportation efficiency

• Create products that use less water and energy during their lifespan

Best Practices from Leading Cosmetic Brands

Implementing LCA

Top cosmetic brands are taking thoughtful steps to implement Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). For example, LUMENE conducts detailed Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) studies to evaluate the environmental impact of their products throughout their entire lifecycle. These studies have helped LUMENE pinpoint critical areas, like packaging and transportation, leading to specific actions such as cutting plastic packaging by 20% from their 2018 levels by 2025 [2]. This shows how LCA data can directly influence impactful changes.

Brands achieve these outcomes by using advanced tools that simplify the LCA process and ensure precise data collection.

Using Advanced Tools

Modern LCA efforts rely on cutting-edge digital tools. The Devera system is a great example, providing an efficient way to analyze carbon footprints while adhering to GHG Protocol standards.

| Tool Feature | Benefit |
| --- | --- |
| Automated Scoring | Saves time by reducing manual work |
| GHG Protocol Compliance | Guarantees standardized reporting |
| TLS Encryption | Safeguards sensitive data |
| Real-time Analysis | Supports faster decision-making

These tools help brands go beyond just measuring environmental impacts - they enable companies to integrate sustainability into their business strategies.

Incorporating Sustainability into Strategy

Leading brands are using LCA insights not just for reporting but as a foundation for strategic decisions. Tools like Devera allow companies to set measurable goals, monitor progress, and drive innovation. Examples include developing waterless products or simplifying formulas to lower energy and water consumption [3].

By following a data-driven approach, these brands focus on:

• Setting measurable goals: Clear targets for reducing emissions

• Tracking progress: Ongoing monitoring of environmental impacts

• Driving innovation: Creating products with smaller environmental footprints

This approach is yielding real results, improving both environmental outcomes and market appeal. It’s clear that LCA isn’t just about meeting standards - it’s a key strategy for staying competitive in a market that increasingly values sustainability.

Case Studies and Applications

LUMENE's PCF Studies

LUMENE's Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) study highlighted that packaging (35%) and cosmetic ingredients (12%) were the largest contributors to their products' carbon impact. This insight led them to take specific steps like reducing material weight and exploring alternative materials. They also reinforced their goal of cutting plastic use by 20%.

| Impact Area | Contribution | Action Taken |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Packaging Materials | 35% | Optimized material weight and explored alternatives |
| Cosmetic Ingredients | 12% | Adjusted formula composition |
| Other Factors | 53% | Improved transportation efficiency

This case shows how detailed carbon footprint analysis can guide brands to make focused improvements in product design and production.

Devera for LCA Analysis

The Devera tool simplifies carbon footprint assessments, ensuring compliance with the GHG Protocol while offering actionable insights for cosmetic brands. By automating complex data processing, it helps brands align their product development with sustainability objectives.

Using Devera, brands can not only meet regulatory requirements but also stand out in a market increasingly focused on sustainability. For example, the tool has enabled brands to create formulations that work in cold water, addressing emissions tied to the use phase.

"The use phase of a shampoo accounts for about 90% of the total CO2 emissions along its life cycle, emphasizing the need for consumer education and product innovation" [5].

LUMENE's focused PCF efforts and Devera’s data-driven approach show how brands are leveraging tools and analysis to reduce their carbon footprint. These methods are reshaping sustainability practices in the cosmetics industry, turning environmental data into real-world product improvements and measurable carbon savings.

Conclusion and Future Directions

Summary of Key Points

The cosmetics industry has made noticeable progress in adopting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) practices. Leading brands are showing how detailed sustainability reporting can bring measurable benefits. LCA has been key in pinpointing environmental problem areas and improving processes throughout product lifecycles.

Incorporating LCA into product development has uncovered valuable insights, especially in optimizing packaging and choosing better ingredients. The Good Sustainability Practice (GSP) for the Cosmetics Industry highlights that life cycle thinking is essential for evaluating and improving business sustainability [6].

The product use phase continues to be a major source of emissions. This emphasizes the need for advancements in consumer education and creating more efficient products. Priorities include cutting emissions during product use, improving packaging, and using advanced data tools for accurate reporting.

As brands refine their approaches, new technologies and updated regulations are expected to transform how LCA is applied in the industry.

Future of LCA

Emerging technologies and changing regulations are reshaping the future of LCA in cosmetics. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) is pushing companies toward better data collection and reporting [4]. Meanwhile, tools like artificial intelligence and blockchain are improving the precision and transparency of LCA processes.

Looking ahead, real-time systems for tracking environmental impacts will allow companies to adjust their strategies as conditions change. These systems will align with circular economy principles and use automated data processing to boost accuracy and efficiency.

With tools like Devera leading the way, the industry is moving toward simpler yet reliable LCA methodologies. Collaboration across the supply chain - such as working with suppliers to source sustainable materials - will be essential for achieving broader sustainability goals.

Companies are increasingly realizing that adopting thorough LCA practices not only helps meet environmental objectives but also improves operational efficiency and builds trust with stakeholders.

FAQs

What is the LCA of beauty products?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) looks at a product's impact on the environment throughout its entire lifecycle - from extracting raw materials to its disposal. In the cosmetics industry, packaging plays a big role, often making up to 35% of the environmental impact. For products like shampoo, the use phase can account for as much as 90% of CO2 emissions, largely due to hot water usage [5].

LCA covers several stages: sourcing raw materials, manufacturing, distribution, consumer use, and disposal. Recent studies have highlighted key areas for improvement. For example, LUMENE's Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) study found packaging and transportation to be major contributors to carbon emissions. As a result, the company has set a goal to cut plastic use by 20% by 2025 [2].

"The use phase of a shampoo accounts for about 90% of the total CO2 emissions along its life cycle, emphasizing the need for consumer education and product innovation" [5].

To tackle these challenges, cosmetic brands are turning to tools like Devera for consistent LCA evaluations. These tools help brands simplify assessments and create solutions like water-efficient products. By adopting LCA and tools like Devera, brands can meet sustainability goals, comply with regulations, lower emissions, and connect with environmentally conscious consumers [1].

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