More and more of us are asking ourselves: where do the ingredients I put on my skin come from? In a context where the environmental impact of every decision matters, skincare is no longer just an aesthetic issue. It's an ethical decision. At Twelve Beauty, we believe that authentic beauty comes from respect. From botanical and scientifically backed formulas that do not compromise the health of your skin or the planet. Our mission is clear: to offer sustainable, effective, and traceable natural cosmetics. No shortcuts. No controversial ingredients. No excuses.
The problem is that many commonly used cosmetic ingredients have a hidden cost: deforestation, loss of biodiversity, carbon emissions, and human exploitation. This invisible reality is what pushes us to go beyond "natural." Because natural, on its own, is not enough if it is not also sustainable.
In this article, we explain how conscious choices protect both your skin's health and ecological balance. And how at Twelve Beauty, we have been applying standards for years that are now beginning to be regulated at the European level.
The Importance of EUDR and the Fight Against Deforestation
The EUDR (European Union Deforestation Regulation) is a pioneering law that requires certain products and their raw materials, sold or exported from the EU, to be deforestation-free and legally produced. It will come into force on December 30, 2025, for large companies and on June 30, 2026, for micro and small businesses.
Its objective is to reduce the impact of our consumption on global forest loss and ecosystem degradation. And it directly affects sectors such as cosmetics, where ingredients like palm oil are common.
At Twelve Beauty, we haven't waited for this regulation to become mandatory. We have been anticipating it for years, formulating without raw materials that pose an environmental risk. Our sustainable natural cosmetics not only comply with EUDR but go beyond it.
Why is it Crucial for Cosmetics?
Palm oil, its derivatives, and other raw materials under scrutiny are found in thousands of cosmetic products. The EUDR requires brands to perform "due diligence": map their entire supply chain, assess risks, and demonstrate that their products do not contribute to deforestation.
Non-compliance will have legal and commercial consequences. But for us, the biggest risk is another: losing the trust of those who seek palm oil-free, transparent, and truly ethical cosmetics.
Deforestation: The Hidden Impact on the Planet and Skin
The effects of deforestation are devastating:
- Environmental: habitat destruction of endangered species like orangutans and tigers, loss of biodiversity, CO₂ emissions, soil erosion, and water pollution.
- Human: forced displacement of indigenous communities, violation of labor rights, and loss of food sovereignty.
These impacts are also felt in the beauty world. Healthy ecosystems are essential for obtaining pure, potent, and safe botanical ingredients. Degraded soil cannot produce quality active ingredients. Therefore, protecting biodiversity is protecting the efficacy of our cosmetics.
Beyond the Controversial: Our Clean and Effective Alternative
Instead of resorting to ingredients with a high environmental cost, at Twelve Beauty, we opt for botanical active ingredients that offer visible results without compromising sustainability:
- Mallow flower extract: soothing and ultra-hydrating, ideal for sensitive skin.
- Vegetable squalane: Upcycled from olive oil, it improves elasticity and prevents water loss.
- Spent Grain Wax: a recycled wax from the brewing industry, rich in antioxidants and fantastic for strengthening the skin barrier.
- Sunflower seed unsaponifiables: a gentle, regenerating emollient of European origin.
- Shea and cupuaçu butter: powerful humectants that protect and repair the skin, sourced from fair trade and renewable sources.
Traceability and Sustainable Sourcing: The Heart of Our Commitment
What is Traceability?
In cosmetics, traceability means being able to track an ingredient from its origin (the farm or cultivation) to the final product. It is a guarantee of transparency, quality control, and ecological responsibility.
For us, it is a strategic pillar that allows us to:
- Verify the authentic origin of each ingredient.
- Comply with (and exceed) regulations such as the EUDR.
- Ensure real sustainability, without greenwashing.
- Guarantee the purity and efficacy of each formula.
- Minimize ecological and ethical risks.
How We Achieve It at Twelve Beauty
Our approach is based on:
- Rigorous supplier selection: we only work with partners aligned with the principles of ISO 14001:2015, committed to pollution prevention and continuous improvement.
- Constant search for new materials with a smaller environmental footprint, such as Sprouted Grain Wax.
- Responsible packaging: such as the innovative packaging of Stellar Aura Bronzing Cream, made 100% with Sulapac biobased: fully biodegradable, free of persistent microplastics, and with the lowest carbon footprint in the industry.
- Certified Environmental Management System (EMS) that guides all our environmental objectives.
Every decision we make is guided by a single idea: that sustainable natural cosmetics are not a promise, but a daily practice.
Our Organic Glycerin: Purity and Sustainability in Every Drop
Origin of Glycerin
Glycerin is a basic humectant in cosmetics. Although many brands use generic vegetable glycerin, at Twelve, we go a step further.
"We exclusively use organic-grade glycerin in our formulations."
Present in products such as Ideal Rebalancing Level Serum or Rapid Eye Treatment, our glycerin, derived from Karanja oil, not only intensely hydrates but does so with a certified, traceable, and environmentally friendly origin.
This allows us to maintain consistency with our values: effective, clean, safe formulas completely free of ingredients that can harm ecosystems or contribute to environmental degradation.
A Brighter Future for Skin and the Planet
Sustainable natural cosmetics are much more than a trend. They are an urgent necessity. In this article you have discovered:
- The importance of the EUDR and its impact on the cosmetics sector.
- How Twelve Beauty avoids high-risk ingredients.
- Our radical commitment to traceability and ethical sourcing.
- The botanical and sustainable alternatives we use, such as mallow flower, vegetable squalane, or organic glycerin.
All this is supported by an environmental management system certified under ISO 14001:2015 and a corporate culture focused on reducing any negative impact on water, soil, air, and biodiversity.
We invite you to educate yourself, question the origin of your cosmetics, and choose brands that not only care for your skin but also the planet. Because every drop counts. Because your skin deserves the best. And so does the planet.