Consumer expectations and industry shift
The beauty and skincare industry is increasingly judged by its environmental footprint. Today’s consumers demand transparency, real impact and a commitment to sustainability that goes beyond just product formulations. They are now much more critical of entire value chains, looking for brands that actively contribute to social and environmental well-being.
Setting new standards in sustainable leadership
Tackling climate change, protecting forests and ensuring water security are three pillars of environmental responsibility. These areas are essential for sustainable transformation across industries, particularly within the beauty sector. Companies taking the lead in this are those creating new sustainability standards by decarbonising their operations, improving the environmental performance of their products and incorporating ethical sourcing and waste reduction practices. These efforts not only address urgent environmental challenges but also align with evolving consumer expectations for greater transparency and long-term impact.
With its CDP Triple A rating, Beiersdorf stands as a global thought leader in sustainability, advocating for systemic change within the beauty industry. This recognition reflects the company’s commitment to leading the sector’s sustainability transformation, improving the environmental performance of its product portfolio and decarbonising its business.
By creating new sustainability standards, Beiersdorf is not only meeting consumer expectations but also guiding innovation in sustainable skincare, ethical sourcing and waste reduction. This commitment extends across the company’s entire value chain, ensuring that its approach benefits not only consumers but also the planet and society.
The CARE BEYOND SKIN agenda: A holistic approach to sustainability
A commitment to integrating social, economic and environmental sustainability into every aspect of business operations is necessary for transformation. Companies achieve this through a range of initiatives designed to address both long-term environmental impact and community upliftment. Key efforts include carbon-neutral manufacturing processes, water conservation and responsible sourcing policies. From reducing carbon emissions across the supply chain to adopting circular economy principles, companies like Beiersdorf are reshaping the skincare industry to be more sustainable for everyone.
In South Africa, these efforts have a particularly strong impact through local projects that address societal and environmental challenges simultaneously. By embedding sustainability into everything from product innovation to corporate partnerships, Beiersdorf is driving real, lasting change while strengthening its global reputation.
At the centre of these efforts is CARE BEYOND SKIN, a unifying call to action that goes beyond product lines and embodies the company’s purpose. This agenda makes sure that sustainability is not just an isolated initiative but an underlying business philosophy that influences every decision. It reflects a commitment to creating positive change on a global scale. Beiersdorf is leading the way in this integrated approach, making sure that its sustainability creates value for people, the environment and future generations.
Community-driven impact in South Africa
Community-driven initiatives that address social challenges while promoting sustainable business practices play an important role in the business landscape. In South Africa, Beiersdorf has launched projects that provide clean water, education and job opportunities in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These efforts not only uplift communities but also demonstrate that sustainability and social responsibility go hand in hand.
By investing in these projects, Beiersdorf sets a standard for other brands, proving that profitability and social impact are not mutually exclusive but mutually reinforcing. Companies that follow suit demonstrate that sustainability and social responsibility are interconnected, showing that profitability and positive social impact can reinforce each other rather than be at odds.
Beiersdorf exemplifies this approach through its commitment to these initiatives. By prioritising community well-being along with sustainable business practices, the company is setting a standard for other brands to follow and proving that true sustainability extends beyond products and into the lives of the people it serves.
A call to action for a sustainable future
As Beiersdorf continues to lead the way with its CARE BEYOND SKIN agenda, it is a reminder that sustainability is a shared responsibility. This is an opportunity for consumers, businesses and policymakers to support these efforts. By choosing brands that prioritise real environmental and social impact, we can take the beauty industry forward and build a more sustainable future together.