Faced with current environmental challenges, industries must adapt and redouble their efforts to develop more ecological and responsible manufacturing processes. You are certainly familiar with recycling, but have you heard of “upcycling”? More commonly known as “upcycling”, this trend is attracting more and more sectors, especially the beauty sector. What is upcycling? How is it used in cosmetics, in particular thanks to activated water? Overview of this committed process which has everything to please.

Upcycling: definition

Upcycling - or “overcycling” - is an approach that consists of reusing materials that are no longer used to transform them into higher quality materials or products. This approach is at the heart of the principle of the circular economy , the aim of which is to “produce goods and services in a sustainable way by limiting consumption, the waste of resources and the production of waste”.

The fashion and textile sector was one of the first to embark on upcycling. In fact, this process responds to a real problem when we know that nearly 4 million tonnes of clothing waste are thrown away each year in Europe *.

Today, some clothing brands have made it their core business. Far from curbing their creativity, upcycling makes it possible to offer desirable new products while limiting the resources used and the waste produced. A win-win strategy which is now extending to other markets, in particular the beauty market.

Upcycling and cosmetics, it works

In cosmetics too, upcycling is attracting more and more companies who see it as a concrete way to reduce their environmental impact without compromising the quality of their products. The perfumery is a pioneer and has been claiming for several years now the use of upcycled ingredients in its creations. A responsible but also innovative approach for perfumers who must add new molecules to their palettes to create unique and above all more ecological juices.

And that's not all. There are many ways to incorporate upcycled ingredients into beauty products. Whether they already come from the cosmetics or food industry, upcycling honors natural ingredients by giving them a second life. For example :

• Pits and seeds can be ground to make vegetable oil;

• Some leaves can be processed to extract botanical extracts;

• The petals of the flowers already distilled can be reused for the perfume;

• Certain fruits make it possible to obtain precious vegetable waters thanks to a precise extraction process.

This last point is of particular interest because water is a key ingredient in the formulation of beauty products. It is also very often the first in terms of percentages (it can represent more than 80% of the formulas). And for good reason, water fulfills several essential functions:

• It dissolves the various water-soluble active ingredients so that they can penetrate the skin;

• It makes it possible to fluidify the formulas to obtain light and comfortable textures;

• Coupled with other hydrophilic molecules that retain it, it contributes to skin hydration.

Difficult to do without.

While some brands use water to enhance the percentage of natural ingredients in their formulas, others select it carefully so that it contributes to the effectiveness of the products. This is the case of treatments made from thermal waters which combine the properties of spring waters with cosmetic active ingredients, or even floral waters from the hydrodistillation of flowers and which are recognized for their soothing and purifying properties, among other things. . But did you know that vegetable waters have equally interesting properties. We speak of “activated water”. What is this ? Let's take a closer look.

The benefits of activated water for the skin

As you will have understood, activated water is water whose natural properties have been boosted thanks to a specific treatment. Vegetable waters from fruit processing are enriched with volatile compounds, mineral salts and trace elements naturally present in the fresh plant and are therefore of real benefit to the skin. Added to the formula, they greatly contribute to its effectiveness while enhancing the naturalness of the product. Why deprive yourself of it?

At Days of Confidence, all our formulas are designed with Eau Activée® enriched with original fruit extracts™ obtained by gentle extraction processes that preserve the active ingredients:

• The purifying cleanser is enriched with moisturizing and purifying cucumber hydrosol;

• The complexion radiance face cream contains Cranberry Original™ extract known for its antioxidant action which helps to fight against skin aging and dull complexion;

• The sweet orange extract origine™ contained in the urban shield face cream smoothes, refines and brings radiance to the skin;

• Thanks to the stimulating action of the original™ cherry extract, the energizing face serum maintains the elasticity and firmness of the skin;

• The original™ sweet orange extract is also used in the anti-aging hand protection cream for its clarifying and smoothing properties.

100% natural synergies that respect the skin and enhance the effectiveness of treatments. All you have to do is test!

No, upcycling is not just another hackneyed marketing argument. It is a resolutely ecological and committed approach that takes on its full meaning in a world where everyone must face the environmental challenges facing our society. The cosmetics industry is not left out, and more and more beauty brands no longer hesitate to integrate upcycled ingredients into their formulas. Much more than recycling, upcycling makes it possible to get the best out of natural ingredients while limiting resources and waste. Activated water is a good example of this resolutely winning bet that combines efficiency, commitment and desirability.