Why naturally derived ingredients matter in skincare

August 12, 2026 | Sustainability

Natural and naturally derived ingredients are no longer a niche preference, they are the default expectation of a growing group of consumers. Here is why that matters for ingredient selection, and how “natural” and “high-performance” go hand in hand.

What consumers expect

Clean beauty has changed the questions consumers ask: Where does this ingredient come from? How is it made? Is it vegan? Is it sustainable? Brands that can answer these questions transparently build trust, and ingredient choice is where those answers begin.

Natural does not mean less effective

The idea that natural ingredients trade performance for gentleness is outdated. Azelaic acid is a good example: it occurs naturally in grains such as wheat, rye and barley, and at the same time it is one of the best-documented multifunctional actives in cosmetic science, supporting skin clarity, a more even-looking tone and scalp balance, with a mild profile suitable for sensitive skin.

What “naturally derived” means in practice

Azepur99® is produced from European high oleic sunflower oil through a modern process aligned with green chemistry principles. The result is an ingredient that is 100% biobased, GMO-free, palm-free, vegan and halal suitable, COSMOS approved, and compliant with ISO 16128 as a naturally derived ingredient with 100% bio-based carbon content, while offering the highest purity available on the market (≥99%).

Beyond azelaic acid: biotechnology as the next step

Naturally derived does not stop at plant extraction. Biotechnological innovation, such as upcycled microalgae actives like Lady Purple® and fermented microalgae ingredients like TetraGold®, shows how nature and science together create sustainable actives with real cosmetic performance.

The takeaway for formulators

  • Consumers increasingly choose products with credible natural stories
  • Naturally derived actives can match synthetic performance, with better positioning
  • Certifications (COSMOS, vegan, halal) and documentation turn “natural” from a marketing word into a verifiable claim

Explore our naturally derived active ingredients or read more about our approach to sustainability.

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