Kosas

Packaging

All primary containers are PCR glass (a forever recyclable). The brand introduced compostable shipping boxes made of hemp paper and post-consumer waste fiber, printed by a sustainable printer (Hemp Press). For product containers, the brand reports that 100% of its tubes are made from bio-based materials (likely sugarcane-derived plastics) instead of conventional petroleum plastic. In terms of end-of-life, Kosas is working toward better recyclability of its packaging. The company states that it aims for the majority of components to be designed for recyclability. However, this goal is still in progress – not all packaging is fully recyclable yet. For example, items like compacts, pumps, or mixed-material components may not be accepted by curbside recycling. There is currently no brand-operated take-back or refill program, so the onus is on consumers to recycle what they can.

Ingredient Sustainability

• Plant Based: Many formulas feature botanical oils, waxes, butters, and extracts (e.g. jojoba oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, rosehip, arnica, etc.), which are mostly low impact, renewable resources. By formulating with plant-based emollients and emulsifiers (like polyglyceryl esters and olive-derived ingredients) instead of petrochemical alternatives, the products generally have a higher biodegradable content. Palm oil derivatives are RSPO certified.

• Petrochemicals: The brand explicitly bans ingredients like petrolatum/mineral oil and polyethylene glycols, which are petroleum-derived. Instead, Kosas uses plant oils (e.g. safflower, sesame, avocado) and lab-made alternatives from natural feedstocks.  In place of silicone slip agents, Kosas often uses sustainable emollients such as undecane/tridecane (which can be sourced from sugarcane) and squalane (plant-derived) to achieve a light texture

• Fragrance: Kosas does not use synthetic fragrances at all, which is beneficial for aquatic environmental impact, as many synthetic musks and fragrance compounds can be persistent pollutants. Any scent in the products comes from natural sources like essential oils or extracts, and many products are completely fragrance-free.

• Biodegradability: Thanks to the high natural content and avoidance of persistent synthetics, the overall biodegradability of Kosas formulas is relatively high. Plant oils, waxes, and starches break down more readily in the environment. Minerals (like iron oxides, zinc oxide in the SPF foundation, and mica) are inert but not harmful in soil/water in small amounts. By not using microplastic ingredients (no polyethylene microbeads, no PET glitter, etc.), Kosas prevents adding to microplastic pollution.

• Use of Synthetics: The brand isn’t 100% natural; it uses safe synthetics where they serve a purpose. For instance, Kosas includes lab-made peptides, niacinamide, and stable vitamins in products for performance benefits, and uses some synthetic pigments (e.g. iron oxides are lab-prepared to avoid heavy metal contamination). These choices are generally positive for sustainability – lab-made active ingredients can be effective in small concentrations and don’t necessarily carry environmental toxicity. One area to note is that a few products do contain petroleum-derived waxes despite the general clean stance: for example, the LipFuel balm formula contains microcrystalline wax and beeswax alongside plant waxes.

Energy Use and Footprint

Kosas has provided relatively little public information about its energy usage or carbon footprint. The company does not publish a carbon footprint assessment or a sustainability report with emissions data. There is no evidence of carbon offsetting initiatives or a carbon-neutral operations claim.

That said, Kosas does mention that its manufacturing partners have green energy initiatives. While this is a positive detail, it’s a broad claim without specifics. We don’t know what percentage of production energy is renewable or if Kosas has set any targets for reducing the footprint of production.

On the distribution side, the fact that most Kosas products are made in the USA (and some in Italy) could imply a moderate footprint for transportation.

Waste Management

Kosas is making efforts to address waste through prevention (using recyclable/recycled materials and formulating thoughtfully), but there is no comprehensive waste management program beyond that. In terms of business waste and operations, there’s no public data on Kosas’ own practices (office waste, manufacturing scrap, etc.).

Business Model

Kosas’ business model is that of a typical mid-sized beauty brand selling through both its website and retail partners (like Sephora, Credo, etc.). It’s a for-profit venture capital-backed company, so like any brand, it aims to grow sales – which can sometimes be at odds with encouraging “mindful” consumption. That said, Kosas is not an overt fast-fashion style brand in beauty; it doesn’t pump out weekly new releases or highly seasonal collections. Its product launches are relatively curated and spaced out.