Recent Harris Poll research indicates that a substantial 60 percent of consumers are concerned about the global supply chain. In this age, how products are sourced, made and shipped has never been more important. Consumers are shifting their sustainability expectations from just packaging to a holistic approach up and down the supply chain. That means shopping small, investing in farm-to-shelf beauty and prioritizing powerhouse ingredients that perform without taking a toll on the environment.
Greens Go Micro
A skin-care ingredient that uses less water, less space, fewer pesticides and grows like a weed? We’re talking about microgreens, and not the kind in our salads. These young seedlings and immature plants are packed with potent antioxidants and vitamins for use in skin care. Between a sprout and a baby green, microgreens are grown with the environment in mind.
Skin-care brand FarmHouse Fresh utilizes the ingredient in its 200-plus products. “We focus on growing high-nutrition botanicals in our hydroponic greenhouse,” explains Shannon McLinden, founder and CEO. “Grown fresh daily, our tiny microgreens are much more nutrient-dense than full-size vegetables.”
They’re also fast-growing, germinate within two to three days and are ready for harvesting in around 10. Because microgreens require minimal resources compared to other farming methods, it makes them a superstar for ingredient sourcing. “Depending on the week you’ll find lemon balm, kale, parsley, basil, red garnet micro amaranth, and more growing on our property,” says McLinden.“ Their extracts bring rapid results in our skin care.”
Agriculture, but Make It Holistic
“Biodynamic farming is a holistic agricultural practice that has been used in Hungary and other European countries for over a century,” says Boldijarre Koronczay, president of Éminence Organic Skin Care. “As one of the earliest organic farming movements, it focuses on treating the farm as an integrated, living organism, working in harmony with nature to grow botanicals that many believe to be more rich in vitamins, nutrients and active compounds than those grown with modern farming methods.”
Éminence sources ingredients from a trusted network of biodynamic farms who share their commitment to sustainable farming practices. These farming techniques are demonstrated at the brand’s Certified Organic Farm in Hungary, which is powered by solar and wind technologies and uses hand-harvesting techniques to reduce CO2 emissions. “Our Facial Recovery Oil uses antioxidant-rich organic sage to rejuvenate the skin, and it’s made richer by our farming practices,” Koronczay says.
In the Family
When it comes to animal-powered products like Dionis Goat Milk Skincare, the supply chain begins with a passion for goats.“ We know the best goat milk comes from healthy, happy goats,” says brand president Karen Minsky. “Packed with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, goat milk deeply hydrates, soothes and restores the skin, which is why it’s the key ingredient in every one of our products.”
The brand’s home in Newtown, PA is a goat’s dream, and a respite for rescued goats to rediscover joy. Minsky affectionately calls them the happiest and most content animals in the world, inspiring Dionis to innovate and deliver superior goat milk skin-care products for all.
