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Navigating Sustainable Beauty: A Data-Driven Approach to High-Performance Formulation
The Evolution of Sustainability in Beauty Care
Consumers today demand high-performance beauty solutions that align with their ethical and eco-conscious values. The intersection of sustainability and efficacy is no longer optional, it’s expected. Data reveals that 61% of U.S. adults expect brands to lead on sustainability while 57% of Spanish adults prefer shopping from local and sustainable companies, highlighting growing demand for conscious formulation. This shift is especially critical as the global beauty industry is responsible for approximately 16 million tons of CO2 emissions annually.
This industry must reimagine its ingredient selection, formulation processes, and packaging solutions to meet these consumer expectations. Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, is committed to supporting our partners in the transition toward a sustainable and high-performance beauty landscape. Our Inhale, Intuitive, and Intune formulation strategies emphasize sustainability, neurocosmetics, and microbiome-focused skincare while maintaining industry-leading efficacy.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
Ingredients + Specialties From Univar Solutions is proud to support beauty formulator with forward-thinking insight and high-performance ingredient solutions.
Want to explore technical formulation strategies, product examples, and sustainability data in greater depth?
Download our full Intelligence whitepaper to access a comprehensive look at Inhale, Intuitive, and Intune.
Intelligence: Our Three Pillars of Innovation
Our approach centers on three key beauty trends that are shaping the future of formulation. Inhale leads the way in carbon-conscious formulation and sustainability, empowering brands to reduce environmental impact without compromising performance. Intune focuses on microbiome-friendly solutions that support and protect skin barrier health through gentle, science-backed ingredients. Intuitive explores the powerful link between the skin, mind, and nervous system by incorporating neurocosmetics and psychodermatology into product development. Together, these pillars enable formulators to create innovative, high-performance beauty products that align with both consumer values and cutting-edge scientific research.
Inhale: A Carbon-Conscious Formulation Approach for Sustainable Beauty Brands
Creating more sustainable beauty products starts with the ingredient list. Raw materials alone account for 51% of emissions in the beauty sector, making it crucial for formulators to integrate sustainable alternatives without compromising product performance.
Key Considerations in Carbon-Conscious Beauty:
- Ingredient Transparency:
Formulators need full visibility into ingredient lifecycle and carbon data with 62% of Brazilian consumers stating that on-pack environmental impact data (CO2 emissions) would influence their purchase decisions. - Sustainable Ingredients:
Use of bio-derived ingredients in Dow’s Decarbia™ portfolio and carbon-neutral DOWSIL™ Elastomer Blends offer biodegradable alternatives that reshape clean beauty formulation. - Circular Packaging and Waste Reduction:
With 120 billion units of cosmetic packaging produced annually, skincare product developers are prioritizing solid formats, refills, and eco-packaging to meet zero-waste goals.
Our Inhale formulations are ideal for brands developing concentrated and anhydrous formats, reducing environmental impact without compromising sensory appeal.
Intuitive: The Science of Neurocosmetics & Psychodermatology
As wellness and mental health become integral to beauty, R&D teams are investing in neurocosmetics. The connection between skin, the nervous system, and emotional well-being has transformed how we approach beauty formulations. Research shows that 33% of U.S. consumers prioritize mood-enhancing beauty products, reinforcing the growing field of neurocosmetics and psychodermatology.
Scientific Foundations of Neurocosmetics:
- Neurotransmitters & Skin Receptors:
Studies indicate that skincare can influence stress-related hormone levels, impacting skin hydration, elasticity, and overall appearance. - Emotional Wellness & Texture:
95% of consumers state that sensory aspects of beauty products influence their mood, reinforcing the importance of texture and application experience. - Biological Impact:
Neurocosmetic ingredients such as NeuroCalm™ by Lancôme enable product claims around anti-stress skincare and relaxation enhancement.
Intuitive formulations integrate advanced neurocosmetic actives designed to influence both aesthetic and emotional well-being, reinforcing beauty’s role in holistic self-care.
Intune: The Microbiome Skincare Trend Formulators Can’t Ignore
The skin microbiome is now central to next-gen skin barrier formulation. With a >60% CAGR in microbiome-friendly product launches, it’s one of the fastest-growing subcategories in beauty.
Key Insights in Microbiome Science for Cosmetic R&D:
- Barrier Protection:
The skin microbiome acts as the first defense against external aggressors, preventing disruptions that can lead to inflammation and premature aging. - Consumer Awareness:
67% of Spanish facial skincare users are now more focused on protecting their skin barrier than a year ago, demanding microbiome-friendly products with science-based claims - Formulation Strategy:
Probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic ingredients such as Gallic Acid from Gallinée and fermented extracts in Drunk Elephant Sweet Biome™ support skin health while enabling “microbiome-safe” positioning
Our Intune formulations prioritize biomimetic, mild, and microbiome-friendly certified ingredients, ensuring optimal compatibility with skin health.
The Future of Sustainable Beauty Formulation for Forward-Thinking Brands
From carbon-conscious ingredient selection to microbiome-respecting formulations, Univar Solutions is at the forefront of developing technical, high-performance beauty solutions that meet evolving consumer expectations. As neurocosmetics, microbiome care, and sustainability redefine beauty, our scientific approach ensures that every formulation balances efficacy with responsibility.
Explore our latest formulations in Inhale, Intuitive, and Intune, and discover how Univar Solutions is shaping the next generation of beauty care.
Ready to Dive Deeper?
Ingredients + Specialties From Univar Solutions is proud to support beauty formulator with forward-thinking insight and high-performance ingredient solutions.
Want to explore technical formulation strategies, product examples, and sustainability data in greater depth?
Download our full Intelligence whitepaper to access a comprehensive look at Inhale, Intuitive, and Intune.
References
(1) Mintel, 2024. Beauty & Personal Care Trends.
(2) The French Federation of Beauty Companies, 2024. Sectoral Emissions Analysis.
(3) Mintel, 2023. Sustainability in Beauty and Personal Care.
(4) CSR in the Cosmetics Sector, 2025. Strategic Sustainability Trends.
(5) Mintel, 2024. Microbiome Market Insights.
