Bare Minerals

Packaging

The brand has reduced virgin plastic use by switching to post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials for new bottles and jars, and its makeup bags are made from recycled plastic bottles. Cartons and even eyeshadow palettes use paper from responsibly-sourced Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forests. The company has also right-sized its shipping boxes and improved materials to cut down packaging waste in transit.In addition, Bare Minerals has embraced circularity initiatives. In the U.S., it launched the “Give Back, Get Back” take-back program: customers can return empty cosmetics containers (originally only Bare Minerals items, later expanded to accept any brand's empties in boutiques) for recycling rewards.

The brand is also exploring refillable and more recyclable designs under new parent company Orveon.

Ingredient Sustainability

The brand touts a list of 2,500+ banned questionable ingredients, which steers it away from environmentally problematic substances like microbeads (plastic scrubs), triclosan, or persistent sunscreen chemicals.

However, formulas still use petrochemical polymers and synthetic additives that are not biodegradable. Also, while minerals are “natural,” their mining has environmental impacts. Bare Minerals mitigates social impact via the Responsible Mica Initiative and likely audits, but environmental sourcing certifications (like Fair Trade mica or conflict-free minerals) are not explicitly mentioned apart from RMI membership.

Energy Use and Footprint

In terms of energy use, emissions, and overall corporate footprint, publicly available information on Bare Minerals' specific operations is limited. The brand (now under Orveon) has expressed goals to reduce its carbon footprint, but concrete data or targets are sparse.

Given the limited disclosure, it appears Bare Minerals is in the early stages of measuring and reducing its overall footprint. They have made packaging and shipping changes that likely reduce resource use and emissions, and under Orveon's guidance, they voice a commitment to improvement.

Waste Management

Beyond packaging waste (covered above), there is little public data on how Bare Minerals addresses waste in its production and operations. The brand's sustainability communications focus mostly on product and packaging initiatives rather than detailing factory waste, water use, or operational waste diversion.

Business Model

Bare Minerals' business model shows some elements of mindful consumption, though it operates as a mainstream cosmetics brand with a traditional product cycle. Bare Minerals is not a fast-paced trend brand. It does release new products, but at a moderate rate. Typically, it might launch a new line or update (e.g., the Skinlongevity skincare range refresh, or seasonal limited-edition sets) a few times a year.

Bare Minerals maintains a “Never List” of over 2,500 ingredients banned or restricted from its formulations. This includes parabens, formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, phthalates, mineral oil/ petrolatum, chemical sunscreens, sulfates, PEGS and ethanolamines, among other irritants and toxins.

The brand's transparency is good: full ingredient lists are published online for each product, and they highlight key “free-from” claims on product pages (e.g., “talc-free, gluten-free, synthetic fragrance-free, etc.”).

They do use fragrance (parfum) in a number of products, which can contain undisclosed synthetics that carry allergen or irritation risks, along with color additives that raise minor concern regarding non-toxicity.

The brand's approach to fair labor is largely about sourcing transparency, enforcing ethical standards among suppliers, and participating in industry initiatives to improve labor conditions. Under Orveon Global (and previously Shiseido), Bare Minerals adheres to a comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct that mandates fair labor. This code explicitly prohibits forced labor, child labor, human trafficking, and discrimination by any supplier producing its products. Orveon requires all suppliers to sign and comply with this code, and it reserves the right to audit factories (often via third-party assessments) to ensure compliance.

Mica mining, especially in India and Madagascar, has been plagued by child labor. Bare Minerals (via Shiseido) took proactive steps by joining the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) in 2017.

Bare Minerals is 100% cruelty-free. The brand has earned certification from PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies program as cruelty-free. Historically, a point of contention was that from 2010 to 2021 Bare Minerals was owned by Shiseido, a company that at times sold products in China and thus wasn't entirely cruelty-free. During that period, Bare Minerals itself remained cruelty-free and avoided China, but it wasn't Leaping Bunny certified due to the parent's animal testing in other lines. Now, Bare Minerals is owned by Orveon, which as of its formation has positioned itself as a “purpose-driven” group likely to continue cruelty-free practices across its brands. There is no indication Orveon conducts any animal testing.

Bare Minerals actively engages in community and social causes, leveraging its platform to give back in meaningful ways. The brand's ethos, often summarized as “the power of good,” extends beyond products into charitable initiatives and partnerships.