Raw materials from nature: too good for the trash, an asset for the beauty industry

Responsible use of raw materials from nature has never played a more important role than now. The topic of sustainability is now more than just a trend. This is also evident in the cosmetics industry: Customers are looking for natural formulations in cosmetics and want to treat nature with respect. They are buying more consciously, which is having a noticeably positive effect on the market for green cosmetics. For beauty brands, this offers an opportunity to differentiate themselves.
First and foremost, it is young people who are becoming increasingly sensitive when it comes to ingredients and nature conservation. Technical applications make it easier to decipher and evaluate ingredients – products are put through their paces.
In parallel, the food industry produces huge amounts of waste that is rich in valuable ingredients. And this is precisely where the new upcycling comes in: The previously unused leftovers are processed further to save resources.

Every day, enormous quantities of fruit are processed into fruit juices or jams. What is left over are peels, seeds and pulp – and it is precisely these supposed waste products that can be used for the cosmetics industry.

VALUABLE INGREDIENTS IN PEELS, SEEDS AND PULP

Pomegranate:

For example, in the production of pomegranate juice, the seeds are a by-product. The dried seeds can be used to produce pomegranate seed oil, which is rich in punicic acid. The polyunsaturated fatty acid is of particular value for skin care.

Avocado:

Not every avocado makes it into the food trade. Perseose can be extracted from avocados unsuitable for consumption – a sugar combination that strengthens the skin barrier.

Coffee:

Every cup of coffee leaves behind coffee grounds, which we normally dispose of directly. Throughout Germany, more than one million tons of coffee grounds are produced each year. Coffee oil, which is rich in fatty acids, including linoleic, palmitic, oleic and stearic acid, can be extracted from these grounds. On top of that, coffee grounds contain antioxidants that strengthen the skin barrier. Coffee oil can act as a true energy miracle for the skin, stimulating collagen production. The ingredients promote blood circulation and inhibit inflammation.

Fruit peels

A particularly common byproduct of the fruit juice industry is fruit peels. These are very suitable as exfoliants for sensitive skin. Nut shells can also be used to achieve this abrasive effect for body scrubs.
Today, consumers expect a special commitment from the manufacturing cosmetics companies with regard to environmental responsibility and environmental protection. This is a great opportunity for companies to reduce waste and to position themselves as particularly innovative and future-oriented in the industry.

Are you also interested in by-products? We will be happy to advise you in more detail on:

• Bixa orellana -> seeds, husks, leaves.
• Coffea arabica -> seeds, fruit pulp, leaves
• Theobroma cacao -> seeds, fruit skin, leaves
  Psidium guajava (fruit pulp, seeds)
• And many more