Launched by Amyris, a biotech firm in California, Biossance has been gaining recognition in the beauty world as a sustainable skincare brand. With a commitment to clean beauty, Biossance touts its products as both high-performing and environmentally friendly. The brand’s most distinctive feature is its use of squalane, a mega-moisturizing molecule that Biossance derives from sugarcane, as a hero ingredient in all its products.
Biossance boasts a range that includes facial oils, creams, serums, and eye treatments, and claims to be a brand that is both cruelty-free and vegan. In an industry where buzzwords like ‘clean’ and ‘vegan’ are often thrown around, it’s essential to investigate these claims. Are they truly a clean brand? Do they live up to their cruelty-free and vegan promises? Let’s find out.
Biossance’s Ethical Stance: Claims of Cruelty-Free Practices
Biossance has consistently claimed to be a cruelty-free brand since its inception. The term ‘cruelty-free’ in the beauty industry refers to the commitment that no animal testing occurs at any stage of product development. Biossance’s official website states that none of their products or ingredients are tested on animals, and their products are not sold in countries where animal testing is mandatory.
To strengthen their claim, Biossance is certified by Leaping Bunny, a globally recognized organization that verifies cruelty-free standards. The Leaping Bunny logo on Biossance’s products is a clear indication that they comply with stringent criteria, including independent audits, to ensure animal welfare.
The Vegan Label: How True is Biossance’s Claim?
Alongside their cruelty-free claim, Biossance also labels its products as vegan. A vegan product is one that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. This is a significant part of clean beauty as it aligns with a commitment to animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
The brand maintains that all its products are 100% vegan. They ensure this by sourcing plant-derived squalane for their products instead of the traditional method of deriving it from shark liver. This not only protects marine life but also adds to the brand’s eco-friendly image.
Biossance Ingredients: A Deep Dive into Their Products
A glance at Biossance’s ingredient list reveals a focus on plant-based and biotechnology-processed ingredients. Squalane, as previously mentioned, is a signature component in all their products. Besides squalane, their products also contain ingredients like Bakuchiol (a plant-based alternative to retinol), and peptides which are lab-engineered amino acids.
Most importantly, Biossance is transparent about its ‘blacklist’ of over 2,000 ingredients that it avoids in its formulations. These include parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, which are often associated with potential health risks. Their commitment to omit these ingredients is a significant aspect of their clean beauty ethos.
Understanding the Term ‘Clean Brand’ in Cosmetics Industry
In the cosmetics industry, a ‘clean brand’ is one that is transparent about its ingredients and avoids using harsh or potentially harmful substances. It should also prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, such as being cruelty-free and vegan.
However, the term ‘clean’ is not legally defined or regulated by any governing body, which allows for a lot of ambiguity and misuse. A true clean brand, like Biossance claims to be, should provide complete transparency about its ingredients, sourcing, manufacturing processes, and the environmental and social impact of its operations.
Consumer Response: Reviews and Feedback on Biossance
The market response to Biossance has been mostly positive, with consumers appreciating the brand’s commitment to clean beauty. Their Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil and Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum are particularly popular, with users praising their effectiveness and luxurious feel.
While the brand is generally well-received, some users have voiced concerns about the pricing, considering it to be on the higher end. Others have also pointed out that while the brand is vegan and cruelty-free, not all its packaging is recyclable, raising questions about its commitment to sustainability.
The Bigger Picture: Clean Brands and Sustainability
The rise of clean brands like Biossance signifies a shift in the beauty industry towards greater transparency and ethical responsibility. However, being cruelty-free and vegan is only part of the picture. True sustainability also means considering the environmental impact of packaging, sourcing, and manufacturing processes.
While Biossance has made commendable strides in this direction with its plant-derived squalane and blacklist of harmful ingredients, there is room for improvement. For instance, making all packaging recyclable would be a significant step towards reducing the brand’s environmental footprint.
Final Verdict: Is Biossance a Truly Clean and Ethical Brand?
Based on the evidence, Biossance does appear to live up to its claims of being a clean, cruelty-free, and vegan brand. They have made efforts to provide transparency regarding their ingredients and manufacturing processes, and they have solid certifications to back up their claims.
However, like many brands in the beauty industry, there is still room for improvement, particularly in terms of packaging sustainability. In conclusion, while Biossance is undoubtedly a leader in the clean beauty movement, it continues to evolve and adapt to meet the ever-changing standards of sustainability and ethical responsibility.
