Frequently Asked Questions

  • A carbon footprint measures the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product, activity, or organization, expressed as CO₂-equivalents (CO₂e). For beauty products, this includes everything from raw material extraction to manufacturing, packaging, transport, use, and end-of-life.

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a standardized method (ISO 14040/44) used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product across its entire life cycle—from “cradle to grave.”

  • A carbon footprint focuses only on climate impact (greenhouse gas emissions), while an LCA looks at multiple environmental impacts, such as water use, resource depletion, eutrophication, and more.

  • LCAs and carbon footprint analyses are conducted according to internationally recognized standards such as ISO 14040/44 and ISO 14067, GHG Protocol Product Standard and relevant Product Category Rules (PCRs) when available. These standards provide a methodology for making sure that the analysis is done accurately for the end goal in mind.

  • Because the biggest impacts are often not obvious. Ingredients, packaging choices, formulation complexity, and consumer use (e.g. hot water, rinse-off vs leave-on) can dominate a product’s environmental footprint.

  • Whenever possible, primary emissions / impact data (from suppliers, manufacturers, or brands) is used. When unavailable, high-quality secondary databases are applied, following best practice.

  • Typically:

    • Product formulation and ingredient sourcing

    • Packaging specifications

    • Manufacturing location and processes

    • Distribution and use assumptions

    We guide clients step by step—no prior LCA knowledge is required!

  • Results depend on data quality, assumptions, and system boundaries. They also depend on how exhaustive you want to get.

  • It depends, but common hotspots include:

    • Ingredients (especially petrochemical-based or highly processed ones)

    • Packaging (glass, multilayer plastics, pumps)

    • Consumer use phase (hot water for rinse-off products)

  • Sometimes. Packaging can account for a large share of emissions, but in some products, the ingredients themselves dominate. The only way to know is through a systematic analysis.

  • Not necessarily. Natural ingredients can still have high impacts due to land use, water consumption, or low yields. LCA helps move beyond assumptions and assess real environmental performance.

  • They can be—but only if refill rates are high and logistics are optimized. LCA helps evaluate whether refill systems actually reduce impacts compared to single-use packaging.

  • Our services are designed for:

    • Beauty and personal care brands

    • Retailers

    • Manufacturers and suppliers

    • Sustainability teams

  • Absolutely. We offer right-sized assessments adapted to early-stage brands, limited data availability, and realistic budgets.

  • You can use them to:

    • Identify carbon and environmental hotspots

    • Improve product design and packaging

    • Support sustainability strategies

    • Prepare for reporting and regulatory requirements

    • Strengthen environmental claims with evidence

  • If you are a retailer, we will help you compare products. If you are a brand, we will work with you to come up with alternative designs.

  • Yes! In fact, this is our favorite kind of work because it carries real impact. Comparative analyses can help assess different formulations, packaging options, or design scenarios to guide you towards meaningful action.

  • Yes—as long as you are willing to be transparent about your chosen methodology. We work with a range of requirements whether they pertain to eco-design decisions, sustainability reporting or certifications.

  • Yes. Our analysis work provides a science-based foundation for sustainability claims and helps avoid misleading or oversimplified messaging.

  • Such claims require careful assessment and clear boundaries. We help evaluate whether claims are appropriate and how to communicate them transparently.

  • Yes. We support alignment with current and upcoming sustainability regulations and voluntary frameworks relevant to beauty and personal care.

  • That depends on your end goal. Regulatory compliance generally requires much more stringent adherence to a standard procedure and can take a while. If you want to improve your product then there is more flexibility and a wider range of options. We work on a variety of projects with a diverse set of clients. Don’t hesitate to let us know what you are looking for!