Packaging
Sorbé’s packaging shows heavy reliance on single-use plastic with no refill or take-back program.
The Ceramide Lip Butter is packaged in a small container (as seen in product images) likely made of plastic, and the AHA Lip Exfoliator comes in a tube with an integrated applicator (also plastic).
No information is provided about recycled content (PCR) or recyclability, suggesting the use of virgin materials.
Ingredient Sustainability
Sorbé’s formulations are a mix of renewable botanical ingredients and lab-made synthetics - many ingredients are plant-derived and biodegradable. The Ceramide Lip Butter is rich in castor seed oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and sunflower oil unsaponifiable. All renewable, plant-based sourced materials.
Sorbé appears to avoid unsustainable palm oil derivatives. There is no palm oil or palmitate listed.
However, the products do contain some synthetic or petroleum-derived components that carry environmental drawbacks. For instance, the AHA Lip Exfoliator’s formula includes ingredients like butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, 1,2-hexanediol, caprylyl glycol, and an acrylate copolymer thickener. These synthetic humectants and polymers are effective for product performance but are typically derived from petrochemical feedstocks and not readily biodegradable.
Sorbé uses FD&C synthetic colorants (e.g., Red 33, Red 6, Red 7, Blue 1) in the tinted lip butters. These dyes are petroleum-derived and, while approved for cosmetic use, they have a higher environmental footprint than mineral or natural colorants.
Energy Use & Carbon Footprint
Sorbe does not publish any information on its energy usage or carbon emissions. The brand’s manufacturing is in Italy, but we do not know if the factories use sustainable energy or efficient processes. Likewise, Sorbé has made no statements about minimizing shipping emissions despite serving a global customer base (the company ships to regions from the Middle East to North America.
In absence of transparency, we must assume Sorbé has not yet prioritized their carbon footprint.
Waste Management
Sorbé provides no information on how it handles waste during manufacturing or post-consumer. The formulas (e.g., those containing synthetic polymers and preservatives) will inevitably generate some level of industrial waste or effluents during production, but there is no data on any measures to treat or reduce this. The lack of refill options also means each unit sold is new packaging waste.
Business Model
Sorbé’s business model shows several characteristics of a slow, mindful consumption approach, earning it a relatively high sustainability tier in this category. The brand launched with a tightly curated product line – just two products (plus variants) that cover basic lip care needs. Sorbé’s “debut collection focuses on… two formulas” and a few tints, indicating an intent to provide staples rather than short-lived novelty items.
