Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive: The Future of Eco-Conscious Skincare
Explore how Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive seal is transforming beauty shopping—making skincare safer, greener, and truly planet-friendly.
Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive: Redefining Beauty for People and Planet
Skincare shoppers today want more than great results—they want formulas that are clean for their bodies and mindful of the environment. Sephora’s Clean + Planet Positive seal marks a significant step forward, guiding consumers toward products that respect both personal health and planetary sustainability. This guide explores the core principles of the Clean + Planet Positive initiative, profiles leading brands, and equips you with actionable tips for building a more eco-conscious skincare routine.
The Evolution of Clean Beauty at Sephora
Launched as an extension of the original Clean at Sephora program, Clean + Planet Positive responds to increasing consumer demand for transparency and environmental stewardship. Initially, Clean at Sephora focused on eliminating questionable ingredients. Clean + Planet Positive elevates the expectation, requiring brands to meet strict sustainability standards across all facets of their business—from ingredient sourcing to packaging and philanthropy.
Understanding the Clean + Planet Positive Seal
The Clean + Planet Positive seal is not just a marketing badge. It denotes products and brands that have satisfied a rigorous framework focused on:
- Clean Formulas: Free from a detailed list of concerning ingredients, including phthalates, formaldehyde, oxybenzone, hydroquinone, and microplastics.
- Responsible Packaging: Commitment to recycle-friendly, post-consumer recycled (PCR), or bio-based materials, often with refillable components.
- Sustainable Sourcing: Prioritizing cruelty-free practices, ethical harvesting of ingredients like palm oil and mica, and excluding microplastics that pollute oceans.
- Climate Commitment: Brands must achieve at least one credible climate-related goal, such as carbon-neutral operations, renewable energy, or reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
- Environmental Giving: A mandatory financial commitment (at least 1% of profits) to ongoing, impactful environmental causes, or B-corporation certification.
| Pillar | Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Formulas | No harsh chemicals or toxins; excludes a strict list of ingredients | Protects customer health and aligns with rising standards |
| Responsible Packaging | Recyclable, recycled content, refillable, or biodegradable | Reduces plastic waste and carbon footprint |
| Sustainable Sourcing | Cruelty-free, no microplastics, ethical ingredient harvesting | Supports biodiversity, community livelihoods, and ocean health |
| Climate Commitment | Carbon-neutral, renewable energy, or GHG emissions reduction | Lowers industry’s environmental impact |
| Environmental Giving | 1% for the Planet, B-corp status, or comparable programs | Directly funds eco-initiatives and philanthropy |
What Makes a Product or Brand Eligible?
Brands cannot achieve the Clean + Planet Positive status by meeting just one or two criteria—they must satisfy all five pillars and submit proof for each. The approval process is regularly reviewed and updated to keep pace with scientific, regulatory, and ethical developments, meaning the standard is always moving forward.
It’s important to note: Brands aren’t claiming perfection. Clean + Planet Positive is about ambitious, ongoing improvement—not a final destination.
Leading Brands Championing the Clean + Planet Positive Movement
Several pioneering brands have reshaped what it means to be truly “clean” and “planet positive” in the beauty sector. Below, we profile some of the most notable, along with their standout products:
Biossance
- Mission: Known for scientific innovation and ocean conservation, Biossance’s key achievements include creating a sugarcane-derived, vegan squalane that saves millions of sharks every year—sharks historically hunted for squalene in moisturizers.
- Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum: A gentle yet potent exfoliating serum that leaves skin glowing and hydrated by morning, formulated with vegan lactic acid and sustainable squalane.
- Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream: Super-hydrating, rich night cream, featuring a marine algae peptide complex for reducing fine lines, crafted with pure squalane and free of synthetic fragrance.
What others are reading
Caudalie
- Mission: A France-based leader integrating environmental giving into its brand, Caudalie is a member of 1% for the Planet and has funded the planting of over ten million trees worldwide.
- Resveratrol Lift Serum: Combines Harvard-patented resveratrol (a retinol alternative) with hyaluronic acid for lifted, firmer skin. Clinical trials show significant results in skin firmness after regular use.
Tata Harper
- Mission: Pioneer in 100% natural formulations, sustainable glass packaging, and transparency. Tata Harper is committed to both clean ingredients and eco-minded production.
- Restorative Plumping + Brightening Eye Cream: Targets fine lines and energizes the eye area with botanicals, reflecting both effectiveness and sustainability.
Youth To The People
- Mission: Focused on superfood-powered, vegan skincare in glass bottles, with a policy of not using synthetic colorants, animal byproducts, or single-use plastics.
- Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer with Hyaluronic Acid: Lightweight, hydrating formula suitable for all skin types, with recyclable packaging that underscores their planet-positive values.
How to Shop Clean + Planet Positive at Sephora
Sephora has made it easy for conscious consumers to find Clean + Planet Positive products:
- Browse the Clean + Planet Positive seal—a green emblem—on qualifying products in stores and online.
- Products from four key beauty categories—skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance—are included, so you can build a holistic routine.
- The list of eligible brands and products is regularly updated as more brands meet the standard.
Simple Steps for Building an Eco-Conscious Routine
- Identify products in your existing routine eligible for a sustainable swap, such as moisturizers, serums, or eye creams.
- Look for refillable packaging and recyclability—many Clean + Planet Positive brands encourage returning empties.
- Prioritize multi-use or concentrated formulas to make products last longer, reducing packaging waste.
- Support brands that are transparent about their supply chains and giving programs.
The Impact: Why Planet Positive Matters
The Clean + Planet Positive movement isn’t just trend-driven. By choosing these brands, consumers can:
- Protect marine life and biodiversity by avoiding products with microplastics or unsustainably sourced ingredients.
- Reduce personal exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and endocrine disruptors commonly found in mainstream products.
- Champion cruelty-free practices and animal welfare while supporting innovation in plant-based actives.
- Be part of climate solutions by funding companies committed to emissions reductions, renewable energy, and philanthropy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between Clean at Sephora and Clean + Planet Positive?
While both standards eliminate certain unsafe ingredients, Clean + Planet Positive introduces strict sustainability, packaging, climate, and giving criteria—making it a more comprehensive and eco-minded seal.
Are Clean + Planet Positive products more expensive?
Prices for Clean + Planet Positive products vary widely, but investing in brands committed to sustainable innovation can sometimes carry a premium. However, the benefits—safer formulas and reduced planetary impact—are often worth it.
How do I know a product is genuinely Clean + Planet Positive?
Products awarded the seal display the green Clean + Planet Positive logo, and Sephora maintains updated criteria and a list of approved brands for full transparency.
Is the program limited to skincare?
No, it includes skincare, makeup, haircare, and fragrance categories—meaning you can build a comprehensive sustainable beauty routine.
Can a brand lose its Clean + Planet Positive status?
Yes. Brands are reviewed and must maintain ongoing compliance as standards evolve. Failing to uphold any of the five core pillars could result in losing the seal.
Final Thoughts: Moving Beauty Forward, One Product at a Time
With Clean + Planet Positive, Sephora is raising the industry bar, providing consumers with a credible, transparent way to prioritize both personal well-being and global health. The future of beauty is not just about looking good—it’s about doing good for the planet, too. By making mindful choices at checkout, you’re joining a movement dedicated to positive, lasting change.
Recommended Clean + Planet Positive Skincare Picks
- Biossance Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream: A deeply nourishing, vegan formula for tired eyes.
- Biossance Squalane + 10% Lactic Acid Resurfacing Night Serum: Transforms dull skin overnight, sustainably.
- Caudalie Resveratrol Lift Serum: For multitasking anti-aging and environmental impact.
- Tata Harper Restorative Eye Cream: An all-natural formula for smooth, refreshed under-eyes.
- Youth To The People Superfood Air-Whip Moisturizer: Lightweight hydration in eco-friendly glass packaging.
Glossary: Key Clean + Planet Positive Terms
- Squalane: A hydrating, plant-derived skincare ingredient, sustainably produced to replace traditional shark-based sources.
- Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR): Materials made from recycled consumer waste, used to make packaging more circular and less wasteful.
- 1% for the Planet: A network where businesses pledge 1% of profits to environmental causes.
- Microplastics: Tiny plastic particles that pollute oceans, commonly found in mainstream exfoliants and cleansers (now excluded in Clean + Planet Positive products).
- B-Corporation: Certification for businesses meeting the highest social and environmental standards.
How You Can Support the Movement
- Choose Clean + Planet Positive certified products for your next skincare or beauty purchase.
- Share your sustainable favorites with friends and on social media to raise awareness.
- Provide feedback to brands, advocating for greater transparency and innovation.
- Stay informed about new criteria as sustainability definitions evolve within the industry.
References
- https://theneguide.com/new-eco-conscious-beauty-category-at-sephora-and-two-favorite-products/
- https://www.lindsaysilberman.com/best-clean-beauty-products-brands-at-sephora/
- https://the-ethos.co/sephora-clean-beauty-guidelines-and-qualifying-brands/
- https://beautymatter.com/articles/sephora-embracing-clean-beauty-and-planet-awareness
- https://www.sephora.com/beauty/planet-aware
- https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-planet-aware
- https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-skincare-products
- https://www.sephora.com/beauty/clean-makeup-products
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8nmBbccef4
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