Sustainability Scientific Report: Vitamin C Face Cream

1. Introduction

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is widely used in dermatology for its antioxidant, anti-aging, and skin-brightening properties. However, sustainability concerns have emerged regarding the sourcing of raw materials, production methods, packaging, and post-consumer waste. This report evaluates the sustainability of Vitamin C face cream from a life cycle assessment (LCA) perspective, provides scientific calculations of carbon emissions, and suggests improvements.

2. Ingredients and Their Sustainability Impact

Key Ingredients in Vitamin C Face Cream:

3. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Scope:

• Raw material extraction

• Manufacturing

• Packaging

• Transportation

• Consumer use

• Disposal

Functional Unit:

• 1 unit (50 mL) of Vitamin C face cream

4. Scientific Calculations: Carbon Footprint

Assumptions:

• 50 mL cream

• PET plastic packaging

• Synthetic ascorbic acid (0.5 g per unit)

• Data based on ecoinvent LCA database and literature

Emissions by Component (per 50 mL)

Note: Using recycled plastic or biodegradable packaging can reduce the packaging impact by up to 60%.

5. Environmental and Health Considerations

Biodegradability:

• Many preservatives and synthetic emulsifiers are not fully biodegradable.

• Microplastic contamination is also a concern if exfoliating particles are added.

Skin Absorption and Ecotoxicity:

• Low systemic absorption of ascorbic acid.

• Ingredients washed off during use may enter wastewater systems.

6. Recommendations for Sustainable Practices

7. Conclusion

Vitamin C face cream has a moderate environmental footprint, primarily due to packaging and synthetic ingredient processing. However, through responsible sourcing, packaging redesign, and cleaner production methods, its sustainability profile can be greatly improved.

8. References

1. Schönborn, H. M., et al. (2020). Life Cycle Assessment of Cosmetic Products: Case Study on Moisturizers. Int J Life Cycle Assess.

2. Albrecht, S., et al. (2019). Environmental Sustainability of Synthetic vs. Natural Ingredients in Cosmetics. Environmental Impact Assessment Review.

3. Ecoinvent Database v3.8. (2024). Swiss Centre for Life Cycle Inventories.

4. Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Panel. (2021). Safety Assessment of Ascorbic Acid and Its Salts. CIR Final Report.

5. ISO 14040:2006 – Environmental Management: Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and Framework.

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