Sustainability is a hot topic in the beauty industry (and rightly so), which leads us to the latest buzzword in skincare ingredients, upcycling. But what exactly is upcycling, and how can it help us achieve a more sustainable future? Let’s find out.
What is upcycling and how is it used in skincare?
The concept of “upcycling” consists of giving waste or unwanted products a new lease of life. In the beauty industry, this creative repurposing is the very embodiment of sustainability and began with the use of discarded coffee grounds or fruit peels as ingredients in next-generation natural exfoliants. Going beyond simply recycling materials, upcycling is all about creating new ingredients from by-products that otherwise would have been waste.
By embracing the idea of turning trash into beauty, brands are not only reducing their production costs, but also their carbon footprint and waste produce. Which makes for a happier and healthier planet for all.
Spent grain wax: How a beer by-product can transform your skin
A fantastic example of upcycling in the natural beauty world is the use of spent grain wax. This ingredient comes from leftover malt residue created by the brewery industry. However, like many other repurposed ingredients, its path from the garbage can to our favourite skincare products was not an easy one. In fact, regardless of their skin-benefits, for many years this type of ingredients were frowned upon by larger companies and only indie skincare brands were willing to use them. That all changed with the much-needed rise in championing sustainable practices. Now, harnessing the power of upcycled ingredients is gaining more and more popularity.
Spent grain wax in particular has a large number of skin benefits, ranging from boosting hydration and elasticity to soothing stressed skin, making it an ideal ally for keeping skin healthier for longer. It is rich in Omega 6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid, which is essential for epidermal barrier regeneration and reducing sensitive skin concerns, such as itching or irritation. In fact, both in vitro and in vivo tests have proven it to be a valid natural alternative to conventional antihistamine creams.
Explore Twelve Beauty's Range of Spent Grain Wax Products
Our range makes use of spent grain wax in various different formulas. One such is Jojoba Quench Body Serum, a much-loved lightweight body lotion that absorbs quickly and immediately nourishes and repairs the skin, leaving it supple and soft.
Another fan favourite that features this powerhouse by-product is Rewarding Body Balm, a rich body emulsion that goes beyond simple hydration. Famed for restoring even the most dehydrated and severely damaged skins, this body balm was our very first product in the collection.
Last but not least, you can also find spent grain wax in Nutritive Repair Emulsion, our ultra-calming face cream. Its key ingredients include some of the most sustainable on the planet, making this emulsion an excellent choice for those looking to soothe sensitive skin and help care for the planet at the same time.
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