Webinar preview: Cargill Beauty’s scoring system for sustainable beauty and wellness

06 Nov 2023 --- With sustainability top of mind for cosmetics consumers, Cargill Beauty highlights its ingredient scoring system, which indicates how environmentally sustainable a personal care ingredient is based on different criteria, culminating in a final score.

Ahead of next week’s webinar — The Cargill Beauty Sustainable Ingredient Score — Personal Care Insights sits down with Karel de Smit, global marketing communications manager at Cargill Beauty. 

“With the Cargill Beauty Sustainable Ingredient Score, we now have a tool that makes mindful and sustainable decisions when choosing ingredients easier for our customers. This third-party verified scoring system is based on criteria aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals,” underscores De Smit.

“It brings clarity to our customers on the sustainability credentials of our ingredients by assessing their sourcing, transformation and environmental impact.”

Counteracting greenwashing 
With Cargill’s focus on environmental sustainability, De Smit explains that the company views “doing the right thing” as a foundation for long-term success. 

“Regarding sustainability, we also want to be mindful of greenwashing. That’s why we think it is important to have a set of measurable parameters against which we can measure our progress,” says De Smit.

“With the webinar, we want to give personal care manufacturers a better insight into the story behind the score. We will show them how the different criteria are assessed and valued and how we come to a final score for a specific ingredient.” 

Moreover, De Smit invites the industry to spark a discussion and debate on collaborating toward a more sustainable future for personal care and cosmetics. 

Assessing ingredients 
The ingredient scoring system results in a final score to indicate how environmentally sustainable an ingredient is around three pillars: Clean sourcing, clean transformation and environmental impact. Based on an equally weighted score in these three areas, the ingredient receives a global score. 

The scores rate from A (best performing) to E (lowest performing). Each pillar is based on 16 criteria. 

During the webinar, Cargill Beauty will provide a better insight into the story behind the score and how criteria are assessed.De Smit shares two examples of ingredients assessed through the Cargill Beauty Sustainable Ingredient Score: BotaniButter and StarDesign Care. 

“BotaniButter is a new botanical creamy wax emollient that offers an elegant sensory experience, both at application and dry down, making it an excellent natural alternative to silicone wax in various formulations,” he explains.

“The product is International Standard Organization 16128, 100% nature-derived and biodegradable according to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development standard 301 B². It is vegan suitable and Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certified.”

The wax emollient receives an A ranking in the scoring system due to its high scores in clean sourcing in environmental impact. 

Meanwhile, StarDesign Care receives a B ranking as it obtains top grades in environmental impact but a B rating in clean sourcing and transformation. 

De Smit details that StarDesign Care “is a biodegradable (according to OECD 301B) thickening and consistency agent for creating creamy textures with a matte effect. Naturally derived from sustainable European corn sourcing, it is a cold processible thickener that can be used in applications including skin care, hair care, cleansers and deodorants.” 

Sustainable beauty market 
De Smit sees that today’s consumers do more research and are better informed when making beauty product choices. 

“They want to know where their product comes from, how it is produced, what’s in it and to make sure it has been produced with respect for the welfare of people and the planet. At the same time, they won’t compromise on performance. Furthermore, consumers expect brands to take responsibility and do the work for them,” asserts De Smit.

“Brands must deliver on all levels: performance, naturality and sustainability to gain and maintain consumer’s trust.”

Much like sustainability in general, De Smit highlights that the Cargill Beauty Sustainable Ingredient Score is a tool in development. 

“As we gather more insights and data on the sustainability impact of our ingredients, we will be able to set new parameters and make the tool even more detailed.” 

He concludes: “The more information we can make available, the more value the tool will add to our customers and ultimately to the environment and the communities we work and live in.”

By Jolanda van Hal