The Rise of Sustainable Beauty in 2026 and What We Are Seeing Through Our Awards

As we move toward 2026, sustainability is no longer a separate strand within the beauty industry. It has become part of how the sector defines quality, innovation and long term relevance. Across the Global Green Beauty Awards and our wider portfolio, the entries we have tested in recent cycles show how quickly this space is evolving. Because our judging involves hands on testing over several weeks, patterns become clear long before they appear in mainstream launches. These patterns also shape what we expect to see as brands prepare for beauty awards 2026.

One of the most consistent developments is the shift toward more streamlined formulations. Many of the strongest scoring products rely on shorter ingredient lists that are purposeful and clearly constructed. This approach often results in formulas that perform well across different testers, which is a good indication of real world reliability. Instead of adding more actives for impact, brands are focusing on fewer, higher quality ingredients supported by better formulation science.

Packaging innovation is advancing just as quickly. Recycled materials have become common, but more brands are now investing in systems designed to reduce waste across entire product lines. Molton Brown’s Infinity Bottle, which performed strongly in the Global Green Beauty Awards, is a good example of how established brands can modernise packaging without losing their sense of identity. The bottle is designed to be refilled repeatedly, which reduces long term waste while maintaining a premium look and feel. Molton Brown’s Rose Dunes Shower Gel earns recognition for its use of 100 percent recycled PET bottles and refillable packaging options, significantly reducing waste and supporting the move toward circular beauty.

Sustainable fragrance is another area where progress is clear. Floral Street, a repeated winner across our awards, continues to show how the category can combine sustainability with strong creative direction. Their fragrances are vegan and cruelty free, and their pulp cartons are made from upcycled coffee cups and fully recyclable materials. This attention to lifecycle design, from raw materials to packaging, is exactly the kind of detail that scores well during judging. Floral Street demonstrates that sustainability can sit comfortably alongside bold, modern perfumery without compromise.

Ingredient sourcing also continues to improve. Rather than selecting natural ingredients purely for marketing value, we are seeing more brands invest in traceability and responsible harvesting. This influences not only the environmental impact but also the texture, scent and performance of the final product. When these considerations show up in repeated judging sessions, it usually indicates that a long term shift is taking place.

Large international brands are also making notable progress. KIKO Milano, best known for colour cosmetics, impressed within our Green Beauty Awards with their clean shampoo bars. Reducing plastic while delivering strong performance is not a small achievement, and when a global brand adopts these changes at scale, it often sets a precedent that others follow. It is encouraging to see brands with broad market reach take sustainability seriously enough to earn recognition through independent testing.

Texture and sensorial improvements are also worth noting. Sustainable formulas once carried a reputation for being less luxurious, but recent entries tell a different story. Advances in plant based emulsifiers and botanical systems have produced creams, serums and cleansers that feel refined and comfortable. When sustainable and conventional products are tested side by side, the performance gap that existed several years ago is now much smaller, and in some cases sustainable formulas outperform traditional ones.

Taken together, these developments show that sustainable beauty is becoming integrated into mainstream product development rather than treated as a separate trend. As we look ahead to beauty awards 2026, we expect to see even more entries where considered formulation, responsible sourcing and reduced impact packaging are treated as standard practice. The brands that have been consistently strong in this space over recent years have helped lift expectations across the industry, and new entrants are now building on that foundation.

Sustainable beauty in 2026 is poised to be defined by thoughtful ingredient selection, stronger environmental responsibility and product experiences that are both high performing and enjoyable to use. It is a direction that continues to strengthen with every awards cycle, and one we expect to grow even further in the year ahead.