This post was reviewed and updated by Sarah Otto, Dermatology Nurse Practitioner and Founder of Otto Skin Goods on August 20, 2026.
Our brand is personally committed to becoming a sustainable and environmentally conscious skincare company. Although we still have a long way to go, we’re excited for what’s to come, and what we’ve accomplished so far. We’ve always believed in being transparent about our sustainability practices—but unfortunately, we can’t say the same about other brands on the market today.
Although a skincare company may claim a more sustainable approach to their products, it’s much more complicated than that. Simply using recycled packaging and donating 1% of profits to the planet—or even becoming carbon neutral—isn’t enough.
Instead, let’s break down what you should look for when building your sustainable skincare routine.
Sustainable Skincare Ingredients
High-quality sustainable skincare products contain ingredients that have been minimally processed, denatured, or chemically altered. When researching a brand’s ingredients, make sure you understand where each one has come from, how they were grown and how they were harvested. You’ll also want to check how many ingredients are in the product you’re purchasing. Generally speaking, fewer ingredients mean a more sustainable product.
Lastly, make sure the ingredients are able to be grown quickly and easily. If an ingredient takes years to grow, it’s not going to be the most sustainable option—even if it’s considered “all natural.”
Our Take: Your skin doesn’t need much to look its best. As a brand, we’ve spoken up against layering, championed educating yourself on ingredient labels and ensuring you’re only using one particular active ingredient in your routine. The fewer products, the better.
Sustainable Skincare Packaging
Packaging is just as important as the product it holds. The next time you order a product, see how much plastic is found inside the box. More importantly, take note of what the container itself is actually made of. For the most part, you’ll want to avoid plastic and opt for glass or metal. If you do choose a plastic, make sure it’s recyclable—like PET (polyethylene), PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) and HDPE (high-density polyethylene).
Once your product has been used up, it’s time to be environmentally conscious about how you dispose of its packaging. Before recycling your containers, clean them out completely and take them apart. From there, you can either send your empties back to the company if they have a recycling program, or find a creative way to reuse them.
Our Take: Our packaging is mostly glass, but the droppers contain a plastic component that we’re trying to eliminate altogether. And although our boxes are made from forestry certified recycled paper, our goal is to completely eliminate the outer box in the future.
Sustainable Skincare Philanthropy
A sustainable skincare company doesn’t need to stop at the ingredients and packaging of their products—they can donate to other organizations that work for a better planet. Take a look at a skincare brand’s mission statement, not only for their transparency, but what they choose to do in addition to creating their products. This could be anything from restoring and maintaining the ecosystems, investing in fair labor and ethical work conditions, or supporting causes against animal cruelty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes skincare "sustainable"? Isn't recycled packaging or a carbon-neutral claim enough?
Not on its own. True sustainability touches three areas: the ingredients (how they're sourced and grown), the packaging (materials and disposal), and the brand's broader philanthropic commitments. A brand that checks only one of these boxes, like using recycled packaging or donating a small percentage of profits, may still fall short in other areas.
What should I look for in sustainable skincare ingredients?
Look for ingredients that are minimally processed and haven't been heavily chemically altered. Research where each ingredient comes from and how it's grown and harvested. As a general rule, fewer ingredients in a product means a more sustainable formula, and ingredients that grow quickly and easily are more sustainable than slow-growing ones (even "all natural" ones).
Does "all natural" mean an ingredient is sustainable?
Not necessarily. An ingredient can be all natural and still be unsustainable if it takes years to grow or is difficult to harvest at scale.
What kind of packaging should I look for?
Glass or metal are generally the most sustainable packaging options. If a product uses plastic, look for recyclable types like PET, PETE, or HDPE. Also check how much plastic is used inside the box itself, not just the main container.
How should I dispose of skincare packaging once I'm done with a product?
Clean the container out completely and take it apart before recycling. If the brand offers a take-back or recycling program, send your empties back to them. Otherwise, look for creative ways to reuse the container.
Does philanthropy matter when evaluating a skincare brand's sustainability?
Yes. Beyond ingredients and packaging, a sustainable brand often supports causes like ecosystem restoration, fair labor and ethical working conditions, or animal welfare. Reviewing a brand's mission statement can give you a sense of what they prioritize beyond the product itself.
Is Otto Skin Goods a fully sustainable brand?
Not yet. Our packaging is mostly glass, though droppers still contain a plastic component we're working to eliminate, and our outer boxes, made from forestry-certified recycled paper, are something we eventually hope to remove altogether.
What's the simplest way to build a more sustainable skincare routine?
Use fewer products. A pared-down routine with one active ingredient at a time, paired with a solid understanding of what's on the label, tends to be both better for your skin and more sustainable overall.
