With the global skin care market expected to generate over $180 billion in annual revenues, luxury brands like Augustinus Bader now balance indulgence with eco-consciousness to mitigate environmental impacts. As conscious consumers become wise to greenwashing, testing credibility around sustainability claims grows imperative, especially for splurge items.
Recyclability Check
With Augustinus Bader’s science-backed skincare also positioning as clean, sustainable luxury, I wanted to investigate whether its ornate cream packaging proves recyclable or just fancy waste.
Checking the thick glass bottle and aluminum cap, I spotted the standard recycling symbols. Both glass and aluminum rank among most easily and commonly recycled materials. This aligns with Augustinus Bader’s sustainability messaging around renewable origins and zero-waste supply chains.
For sustainability-aware luxury consumers like myself, the recyclability check offers peace of mind against tossing streams of needless packaging into landfills.
Packaging Material Evaluation
Since Augustinus Bader comes from a medical background and says it cares about the environment, I wanted to see if its fancy packaging is purposefully simple or just for looks.
Opening the signature cream shows some thoughtful choices, but also some superfluous elements. The outer shipper proves functional protecting the hefty glass bottle. And the aluminum-like cap dwarfs comparably plastic lids.
While the standardized 50ml bottle streamlines recycling, I wonder if the decorative packaging fits the clinical personality of an innovative skincare company, or is simply trying to validate the $300 splurge. After all, the patented TFC8 complex should take center stage, not the container housing it.
Reusable Packaging Test
The $280 50ml cream comes in a beautiful blue glass bottle with an aluminum lid. However, the packaging does not indicate if the bottle can be reused or refilled once empty. While the glass and aluminum are recyclable materials, the striking blue bottle lacks any obvious options for a potential second life.
The weighty feel and luxury design suggest the bottle is intended as a long-term keepsake within the vanity cabinet. However, practically repurposing the container is difficult – the metal cap and adhesive seal require determined effort to open up potential second uses.
Still, committed environmentalists could explore ways to upcycle the bottle into jewelry holders or cotton swab holders once empty. But Augustinus Bader does not explicitly present these possibilities or make refills readily available (it does across other products within the line-up).
While recyclable and gorgeously giftable, the brand misses an opportunity to showcase reusable, refillable packaging that could bolster sustainability claims for such a science-informed brand.
Sustainability Claims Verification
I wanted to check if Augustinus Bader’s skin care products really match their environmental claims.
The brand says their product boxes and bottles use recycled materials, with an estimated 70% of their packaging being plastic-free. They also move toward more sustainable materials such as ECOCERT certified glass, and have demonstrated a commitment to transitioning towards recycled packaging.
While not currently Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free, the website claims 100% cruelty-free status. Many Augustinus Bader skincare products have been reformulated in the past couple years to remove animal-derived ingredients.
Since Augustinus Bader focuses on science and results, I’m glad they have evidence to back up their green claims. This luxury brand seems committed to the environment, not just using the usual buzzwords – eco-aware consumers can evidently indulge both skin and values.
