Potent Plants to Waste-Free Beauty
Have you ever thought about how botanical ingredients in commercial skincare products can remain potent after sitting on a shelf for years? Unfortunately, many are not. In fact, a lot of the oils used in these products are highly refined, meaning much of their nutritional value is stripped away. This refinement process removes not only the natural scent and colour but also key phytonutrients, all to extend the product’s shelf life.
Why Do Brands Use Refined Oils?
The main reason is to create consistency in colour and scent and to extend shelf life. Products are often expected to stay "fresh" on a shelf for 2 to 3 years. Refined plant oils are clear, odourless and less likely to spoil, making them easier to store for long periods. But this comes at a cost. The refining process involves high heat and chemical treatments that strip away many of the nutrients, antioxidants and essential fatty acids that make plant oils so nourishing and healing for the skin.
Additionally, many brands use preservatives or synthetic fragrances to further prolong shelf life. Cheaper synthetic ingredients, such as mineral oils, are often used to mimic the properties of natural plant oils, diluting the potential benefits of genuine plant-based ingredients.
The Beauty Industry’s Hidden Waste Problem
It’s not just about the quality and freshness of the ingredients; the beauty industry also faces a significant waste problem when it comes to unsold, unused and expired beauty products.
What complicates this even more is the difficulty in quantifying the true scale of the problem. Expired products are sent to landfills, unsold inventory is returned to brands, unused products are sitting in customers’ homes and discontinued lines are often discarded. This makes it nearly impossible to gauge the total amount of beauty waste generated annually.
While packaging waste gets a lot of attention, there's another urgent issue that needs addressing—product waste from unsold inventory and expired items.
A Different Approach: Small Batch Production
How might we approach skincare differently to reduce waste while ensuring we benefit from the full potency of plant-based ingredients? We believe the answer lies in small-batch production.
By producing skincare products in smaller quantities, we can focus on using fresh, unrefined botanical ingredients that retain their full nutrient profile—rich in antioxidants, vitamins and essential fatty acids. This approach eliminates the need for harsh preservatives and allows the oils to work more effectively on the skin.
Additionally, small-batch production minimises waste. With smaller, controlled amounts, there’s less risk of overproduction and unsold inventory, which means fewer products sitting on shelves and less going to waste. This approach is not only a more sustainable way of consuming skincare, it also benefits both consumers and the environment.
The Future of Sustainable Beauty
Addressing beauty waste goes beyond just packaging—it's about rethinking how products are made and consumed. By adopting small-batch production and using fresh, potent plant-based ingredients, we can create skincare that’s not only more effective but also more sustainable.
Reducing overproduction and focusing on the quality of ingredients will help prevent countless beauty products from expiring unused or ending up in landfills.
It’s time for a smarter, more responsible approach to beauty—one that cares for both your skin and the planet.
At Midnight Sun we’re committed to this vision. All of our products are crafted in small batches using only the highest quality, unrefined plant oils and botanical ingredients. We believe that skincare should not only nourish your skin but also be kind to the Earth.
By choosing Midnight Sun, you’re not just investing in healthy, radiant skin—you’re also supporting sustainable practices that reduce waste and protect the environment.
By making thoughtful choices, we can move toward a future of potent, fresh skincare that benefits both you and the Earth.
