Advancing cosmetic sustainability: upcycling for a circular product life cycle

Abstract

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a transformative shift toward sustainability due to growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products and the urgent need to reduce environmental impact. Challenges exist at every phase of a product’s life cycle, requiring effective strategies to drive sustainability. Upcycling—the repurposing of byproduct waste materials or useless products—emerges as a powerful strategy to advance circularity, minimize waste, and conserve resources. Central to this process is sustainable ingredient sourcing, particularly the use of agro-food industry waste and byproducts, which often contain high-value bioactive compounds suitable for cosmetic applications. Beyond sourcing, other upcycling strategies can be applied across the cosmetic life cycle, such as optimizing production, valorizing post-consumer plastic waste, and reducing carbon footprint through innovative practices such as carbon dioxide capture and repurposing. This review explores the role of upcycling and other sustainable practices in reshaping the cosmetics industry, from product design to post-consumer use. It also underscores the importance of consumer education on sustainable consumption to promote responsible beauty practices. The findings highlight how upcycling and other sustainability approaches can significantly reduce the industry’s environmental footprint. For long-term sustainability, the study recommends continued innovation in waste valorization, resource optimization, and consumer education, ensuring a holistic approach to reducing cosmetics’ environmental footprint throughout their life cycle.