Packaging
The brand offers value-sized, reusable containers and refill options instead of single-use bottles.
All primary packaging (like PET bottles and PP caps) is 100% recyclable, and the company encourages customers to reuse bottles via in-store refill stations. Salma’s packaging approach shows a strong commitment to sustainability by minimizing single-use plastics and promoting a circular use model.
Ingredient Sustainability
Salma Loves Beauty emphasizes plant-based ingredients and ethical sourcing. Ingredients, starting with the Jasmine Soap Bar, are predominantly plant-based and biodegradable. Sodium olivate and olive fruit oil come from olive oil. Sodium laurate in this context likely comes from laurel berry oil or coconut oil (both plant-derived); laurel and coconut oils are bio-based materials.
Lotions combine plant-based emollients with a few synthetic stabilizers. Shea butter and olive oil are key ingredients. Both are natural fats from renewable crops. Shea butter in particular is often wild-harvested in West Africa, supporting local communities. Environmentally, it’s a low-impact, biodegradable ingredient. The lotion contains several fatty acids/alcohols (glyceryl stearate, stearic acid, cetearyl alcohol) which are typically derived from vegetable oils (often palm or coconut). These are biodegradable and safe, but again, if palm-derived, their production can have a controversial environmental footprint unless RSPO-certified. The brand does not mention using RSPO or similar standards for these ingredients. The synthetic components in this lotion are limited to those needed for emulsification and preservation: PEG-100 stearate (a petroleum-derived emulsifier) and phenoxyethanol (a preservative), plus trace fragrance components.
Energy Use and Carbon Footprint
While Salma’s small-scale, local operations likely keep its carbon footprint relatively low, the brand currently provides no explicit data or policies on energy use and carbon, making this an area for future improvement in its sustainability journey.
Waste Management
Salma Loves Beauty demonstrates strong waste management practices, emphasizing waste reduction, reuse, and responsible disposal across its product life cycle.
Salma’s packaging strategy greatly aids waste management: the refill programs mean customers generate far less packaging waste over time. The brand also designs its packaging for easy recyclability (using single-material components like PET plastic bottles and simple labels). Additionally, Salma avoids ingredients that cause downstream waste issues, such as plastic microbeads in scrubs that pollute waterways. They explicitly promise “never” to use plastic microbeads (or any non-biodegradable microplastics) in formulations.
Waste management is clearly a standout strength for Salma. The brand’s mantra to “(Re)think. (Re)use. (Re)fill.” is fully evident in how it designs products and runs operations.
Business Model
Salma’s business model turns sustainability into a selling point and a source of innovation. Rather than following conventional beauty product norms, Salma innovates with products like Solid Shampoo Bars and traditional olive oil Laurel soaps, reducing packaging, and multi-purpose products (e.g., a baby hair & body wash in one) to reduce the number of items a consumer needs.
