Packaging
Primary containers are glass bottles and jars with aluminum closures, chosen for durability and recyclability over plastics. Where plastic is used, it’s minimal. For example, droppers consist of glass pipettes and only small polypropylene/rubber components (the bulb), which the brand acknowledges should be discarded while the rest is recyclable. Outer packaging is also eco-friendly: unit cartons are made from 100% recycled paper and are themselves recyclable. All shipping materials (boxes, fillers, postcards) likewise use recycled, curbside-recyclable paper. Notably, every product is sold in a refillable format. Customers keep their original glass/aluminum containers and either purchase “2X Refill” units (double-volume refills in aluminum) to refill at home or visit in-person refill stations. The aluminum refill bottles are curbside recyclable and part of a closed-loop program for refill shops (empties are returned, sanitized, and reused). This system eliminates the need to buy new bottles each time and reportedly cuts packaging production and shipping emissions by roughly 50–90% when utilized. The brand also provides clear end-of-life instructions on each product page (e.g. how to disassemble and recycle the dropper components) to ensure materials are disposed of properly.
Ingredient Sustainability
Formulations are composed almost entirely of renewable, biodegradable materials. The brand reports that 34 out of 35 ingredients (97%) are bio-based (derived from plant sugars, oils, or fermentation) rather than petrochemical-derived. For instance, hemisqualane is produced via sugarcane fermentation (an eco-friendly alternative to silicone), and multiple botanical oils (argan, jojoba, camellia, rosehip, shea) are USDA Organic, indicating they are grown without synthetic pesticides and with certain environmental standards. Rebrand avoids ingredients with known high ecological footprints; notably, there are no non-RSPO palm oil derivatives or problematic raw materials linked to habitat destruction in these formulas (their main emollient bases – jojoba, coconut, sunflower, etc. – are generally sustainable crops). The brand favors lab-grown actives (like the fermented pomegranate enzyme and lab-stabilized vitamin C) and safe synthetics only when they serve a purpose (e.g. food-grade preservatives like potassium sorbate in tiny amounts).
Transparency is another strength: Rebrand discloses full ingredient lists online for every product and provides sourcing information (country of origin, organic certifications) upon request. For example, their argan oil is organic and sourced from Morocco, camellia oil from China (organic), and shea butter from West Africa (organic). While not all ingredients carry formal sustainability certifications (e.g. Fair Trade) at the brand level, many are inherently low-impact or have some verification (organic farming, biotech production).
Energy Use and Footprint
Rebrand Skincare has implemented some measures to reduce its carbon footprint and energy impact, though certain aspects remain in early stages. On the positive side, the brand prioritizes local production. Its products are formulated and filled by a contract manufacturer in Hayward, California, which is only ~25 miles from Rebrand’s Santa Clara warehouse. Keeping manufacturing and distribution geographically close minimizes transportation emissions in the supply chain. For fulfillment, Rebrand ships primarily within the U.S. and uses ground carriers (UPS/USPS); it explicitly avoids air freight for consumer orders. Importantly, the company offsets 100% of the carbon emissions from shipping its products. Customers are informed that Rebrand purchases carbon offsets to neutralize delivery emissions, which is a notable commitment for a small brand. The refill system further contributes to emissions savings: by selling larger refills and enabling in-person refills, the brand cuts down on the frequency of shipments and new packaging production. According to Rebrand’s sustainability report, using a 2X refill instead of a new single unit reduces associated packaging production emissions by ~81–95% and shipping emissions by ~44–80% (varies by product).
Areas where Rebrand is still developing include comprehensive emissions reporting and renewable energy use. The brand has not publicly disclosed its total corporate carbon footprint or set targets for direct emissions reduction beyond packaging and shipping. There is also no mention yet of renewable energy powering their offices or their manufacturer’s facility.
Waste Management
The brand excels in minimizing waste through reuse, recycling, and product design. First and foremost, Rebrand’s refillable packaging system dramatically cuts waste: customers are meant to “refill indefinitely” rather than dispose of bottles. The availability of 2X refills in aluminum (for home refilling) and a network of physical refill stations fosters a reuse culture and has diverted thousands of single-use bottles from landfills. In 2024 alone, 9,258 containers were refilled instead of discarded, thanks to Rebrand’s program. The company even operates a closed-loop program with its wholesalers, paying to retrieve empty bulk refill jugs, which are then washed and reused for new batches. This indicates a high level of commitment to circularity beyond just the end consumer packaging.
Rebrand also makes conscious choices to upcycle and reduce waste in ingredients and product design. For example, the pomegranate enzyme used in their serum is derived from pomegranate fruit peels, a cosmetic active sourced from a food industry byproduct. Their Dewy Balm is a multi-purpose product (“apply to lips, cheekbones, cuticles, and more”), intentionally created to reduce the need for separate items like lip balms, cuticle creams, and highlighters. This multi-use approach and a tightly edited product range (just five versatile products) mean less product redundancy and potentially less unused product waste.
Business Model
Rebrand’s business model is intentionally structured around slow, mindful consumption rather than the typical beauty industry cycle of constant new launches and impulse-driven sales. The brand’s founder has publicly highlighted “the sheer number of products” in the beauty industry as a major sustainability problem, and Rebrand was created as a response to that. Accordingly, the company keeps a tightly curated line of just 5 core products that cover the basics of a skincare routine. These products are all multi-functional and suitable for a wide range of skin types, reducing the need for consumers to buy many specialized items.
Crucially, Rebrand avoids the fast-trend, high-churn model. They are not releasing seasonal collections or chasing fads; since launch, product introductions have been very limited (the lineup remains essentially the same staples). This means less waste from unsold stock and a more sustainable use of resources. The brand also eschews aggressive marketing tactics that drive overconsumption. Their messaging does not play on insecurities or push endless product layering; in fact, their blog and mission statements encourage consumers to buy only what they truly need and to be skeptical of “more is better” beauty standards.
