Sustainable Innovation in Cosmetics

A special issue of Cosmetics (ISSN 2079-9284).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 April 2026) | Viewed by 4706

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
Interests: emulsions; surfactant; rheology; disperse system; nanoemugels; cryo-SEM; multiple light scattering; laser diffraction; nanoencapulation; suspoemulsion
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a vital transformation towards sustainability, driven by growing environmental concerns and consumer demand for eco-friendly products. This transformation involves the development of biodegradable formulations, ethically sourced renewable ingredients and eco-friendly packaging solutions that minimize waste and environmental impact. Researchers and companies are rethinking every stage of the life cycle of cosmetic products, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing processes to end-of-life disposal, to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint and foster a circular economy.

This Special Issue of Cosmetics is dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements and research trends in sustainable cosmetic science and technology. We welcome contributions on a broad range of topics, including green chemistry approaches for safer product formulation, novel bio-based materials and upcycled ingredients, energy-efficient production methods and innovative packaging designs that align with sustainability goals. Submissions may cover scientific breakthroughs, case studies of sustainable product development, regulatory and life-cycle assessments, or interdisciplinary perspectives that bridge sustainability and cosmetic efficacy. By gathering these insights, we aim to demonstrate how environmental responsibility and innovation can go hand in hand, paving the way for a more sustainable future for the cosmetics industry. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Prof. Dr. Luis Alfonso Trujillo-Cayado
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cosmetics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable cosmetics
  • green chemistry
  • bio-based ingredients
  • biodegradable packaging
  • circular economy
  • eco-friendly formulations
  • upcycled ingredients

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 5637 KB  
Article
Natural Solid Cosmetics: Innovative Water-in-Oil Emulsions
by Simone Conti, Luigi Padovano, Miryam Chiara Malacarne and Enrico Caruso
Cosmetics 2026, 13(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13010048 - 23 Feb 2026
Viewed by 1326
Abstract
The formulation of solid cosmetic products with elevated water content poses considerable challenges, particularly in the context of lip care products, where water contributes to hydration, enhances texture, and facilitates the dissolution of hydrophilic active ingredients. Conventionally, these products are based on water-in-oil [...] Read more.
The formulation of solid cosmetic products with elevated water content poses considerable challenges, particularly in the context of lip care products, where water contributes to hydration, enhances texture, and facilitates the dissolution of hydrophilic active ingredients. Conventionally, these products are based on water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions embedded in a solid matrix, stabilised primarily by synthetic emulsifiers. However, an increase in consumer demand for eco-friendly formulations has resulted in a heightened interest in natural emulsifiers. In this study, the performance of IDRAWAX® REVO, a natural emulsifying and structuring agent, was evaluated in solid W/O formulations with varying water concentrations. The findings indicate that IDRAWAX® REVO efficiently stabilises emulsions across diverse oil and water contents, thereby preserving product uniformity and stability. These findings emphasise the potential of this approach to streamline the formulation of water-based solid cosmetics, thus obviating the necessity for synthetic emulsifiers. This work represents a significant advancement in the field of solid cosmetic formulation, thereby facilitating the development of innovative products that exhibit enhanced properties and optimised textures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation in Cosmetics)
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Review

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26 pages, 1680 KB  
Review
Innovation and Sustainability in the Cosmetics Industry: A Global Perspective with Local Insights
by Ana Paula Barbosa Cavalcanti, Gleice Paula de Araújo, Káren Gercyane Oliveira Bezerra, Fabíola Carolina Gomes de Almeida, Maria da Glória Conceição da Silva, Alessandra Sarubbo, Rita de Cássia Freire Soares da Silva and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Cosmetics 2026, 13(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/cosmetics13020059 - 4 Mar 2026
Viewed by 2339
Abstract
The shift toward sustainable cosmetic systems has become a strategic priority in response to rising environmental pressures, biodiversity loss, and regulatory demands for traceability and responsible sourcing. This review critically examines the Brazilian sustainability model in the cosmetics industry, focusing on three key [...] Read more.
The shift toward sustainable cosmetic systems has become a strategic priority in response to rising environmental pressures, biodiversity loss, and regulatory demands for traceability and responsible sourcing. This review critically examines the Brazilian sustainability model in the cosmetics industry, focusing on three key pillars: (i) traceability and certification of origin aligned with international standards; (ii) community partnerships and equitable value sharing; and (iii) technological innovation tailored to local biodiversity contexts. It synthesizes scientific articles, regulatory documents, and industry reports published mainly between 2005 and 2025, including international certification schemes (COSMOS, ECOCERT, NATRUE, IBD) and Brazilian biodiversity laws. Quantitative export data show that Brazil’s cosmetic industry surpassed US$ 300 million in exports to major markets, emphasizing the global importance of sustainability-driven competitiveness. This study presents a conceptual framework combining biodiversity-based innovation, socio-environmental governance, and certification systems as a unique sustainability pathway distinct from traditional green cosmetic strategies. The review highlights technical challenges such as supply chain traceability, harmonization of international standards, regulatory asymmetries, and the scalability of community-based value chains. The findings indicate that Brazil’s model offers a hybrid sustainability architecture that combines biotechnological innovation, fair-benefit sharing mechanisms, and compliance with international standards. Future research should focus on quantitative impact assessment metrics, life-cycle evaluations of biodiversity-derived ingredients, and mechanisms for regulatory convergence to improve industrial scalability and global market integration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Innovation in Cosmetics)
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