Biodegradable
products
One Skin. One Planet. One Care.
Biodegradation is a natural process in which certain materials are broken down by microorganisms over time. The extent and speed of biodegradation depend on the properties of the material and the surrounding conditions.
When developing our skincare formulas, biodegradability is one of the aspects we take into account. We work to increase the use of biodegradable ingredients where appropriate and assess formula biodegradability using OECD guidelines or equivalent recognised methods.
To understand why biodegradability matters, let's take the example of a rinse-off product such as a shower gel. Every time we shower, a small amount of product is washed away with the rinse water. This wastewater is treated before being returned to the environment, often using biological processes that rely on microorganisms to break down certain substances over time.
For this reason, biodegradability is one of the aspects we take into account when developing our formulas. We work to increase the use of biodegradable ingredients where appropriate and continuously improve our formulations over time.
As part of this approach, NIVEA phased out polyethylene exfoliating particles (microbeads) from all exfoliating products by the end of 2015. Since the end of 2021, all NIVEA product formulations worldwide have been free from microplastic according to the UNEP definition of microplastics.
The discussion around microplastics has expanded to include substances with very different properties. Some of these ingredients are polymers that are dissolved in water or present in the form of a gel. They are sometimes referred to as "liquid microplastics", although this term is not scientifically accurate. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), these polymers are not part of its definition of microplastics.
In cosmetic formulations, polymers can serve different functions, for example as thickeners, stabilisers or film formers. They can contribute to product properties such as water resistance in sun care products or conditioning performance in shampoos.
All polymers used in NIVEA products must meet our requirements for product safety and quality. We consider biodegradability as one of the aspects in our continuous efforts to further develop our formulas.
Our shower gels are the main products in our range of products with biodegradable formulas. Many of your favourite products, just like our iconic Waterlily & Oil shower gel, already have formulas that are 99% biodegradable.
