BOTMA & van BENNEKOM

Production locations

• Arnhem, Netherlands – All products are handmade in Botma & Van Bennekom’s studio, allowing the small team of four to closely oversee ethical production while complying with EU workplace standards.

• Buitenplaats van Siza, Netherlands – The brand collaborates with this social enterprise for certain manufacturing, packaging and transportation needs, where people with a distance to the labour market work, supporting inclusivity and social welfare.
• Denmark – Packaging is printed at PurePack, supporting conscious packaging initiatives.

Sourcing Locations

• Cordoba, Spain – Organically grown olives are sourced from local farmers’ cooperatives.

• Ghana – Shea butter is obtained directly from the Savannah Fruits Company, which promotes women’s empowerment and supports rural communities.
• Nieuwe Tonge & Harlingen, Netherlands – Sunflower seeds are pressed organically, sourced from these local facilities.
• Vietnam – Coconut oil
• Burkina Faso – Organic Shea Butter 
• Morocco – Argan Oil
• Ukraine – Sunflower Seed
• France, Portugal, Albania – Other ingredients

Working Conditions & Living Wages

With production centred in the Netherlands, Botma & Van Bennekom adheres to EU workplace standards. By partnering with Buitenplaats van Siza, the brand not only supports ethical production but also promotes inclusivity by employing individuals distanced from the traditional labour market. The brand’s direct sourcing from all their suppliers exemplifies its commitment to ethical and socially responsible practices, contributing to community empowerment and sustainable livelihoods.

Although the brand’s supply chain involves multiple sources, its targeted partnerships reflect a focus on socially and environmentally responsible practices, with direct sourcing from communities that uphold ethical standards.

Ingredients

Botma & Van Bennekom uses a well-defined set of natural ingredients free from palm oil and plastics. The brand prioritises ingredients that are organic and sustainably sourced wherever possible. The ingredients listed here are from a sample set, and do not reflect the true sustainability of the brand. Key ingredients include:

• Jojoba oil (Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil) – Drought-resistant with minimal environmental impact; mimics skin sebum, ideal for hydration.
• Inulin – Derived from chicory root with a low environmental footprint; acts as a prebiotic, supporting the skin’s microbiome.
• Raspberry seed oil – A low-impact byproduct of raspberry farming; rich in fatty acids, provides anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Vaccinium myrtillus seed oil (Bilberry Seed Oil) – A byproduct with minimal environmental strain; antioxidants and omega‑3 soothe and hydrate.
• Oryza sativa bran wax and oil (Rice Bran Wax/​Oil) – Byproducts of rice farming with minimal impact; nourishing and protective for sensitive skin.
• Borago officinalis seed oil (Borage Seed Oil) – Farming practices vary but generally low impact; contains gamma-linolenic acid, helps restore the skin barrier.
• Sea buckthorn oil – Farming practices vary by region, with some impacts; rich in vitamins, supports skin regeneration and elasticity.
• Carthamus tinctorius seed oil (Safflower Oil) – Monoculture farming can affect soil health; contains linoleic acid, helps repair and protect the skin barrier.
• Helianthus annuus seed wax (Sunflower Wax) – Produced from sunflower farming, generally low environmental impact; creates a barrier to lock in moisture.
• Glyceryl Stearate – Impact varies depending on oil source; smooths and hydrates skin, providing a soft texture.
• Lecithin – Derived from soy or sunflower, farming impacts vary; emollient, helps soften and moisturise skin.
• Macadamia integrifolia seed oil (Macadamia Oil) – Farming has mixed impacts, possibly affecting biodiversity; rich in fatty acids, helps retain moisture in skin.
• Butyrospermum parkii butter (Shea Butter) – Often ethically sourced, impact varies; deeply nourishes and helps repair dry skin.
• Sodium Hyaluronate – Synthetically produced via biofermentation, controlled environmental impact; powerful humectant, enhances skin hydration and elasticity.
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E) – Sometimes derived from palm oil, depending on source; antioxidant, protects skin from free radicals.
• Glycerin – Sourced either synthetically or from palm oil, environmental impact depends on source; acts as a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin.
• Theobroma cacao seed butter (Cocoa Butter) – Sourcing can lead to deforestation in some regions; deeply hydrating, improves skin elasticity.
• Isopropyl palmitate – Linked to palm oil production, often associated with deforestation; smooths skin and enhances product spreadability.
• Pentylene glycol – Synthetic, petroleum-derived and non-biodegradable; binds moisture, enhancing hydration.
• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil – Often includes palm oil, linked to deforestation concerns; provides a smooth texture, softens skin.
• Tetracaprate – Frequently derived from palm oil, linked to deforestation; gives products a lightweight, silky feel.
• Vitamin A – Synthetic ingredient, environmental impact depends on production; promotes cell turnover, improves skin texture.

While the brand does not have their own certifications, they only work with verified suppliers, using organic, certified ingredients. The main certification they look for is SKAL, which is an independent certification organization committed to verify reliability of organic products in the Netherlands. 

Packaging

The packaging is climate neutral and cradle to cradle certified. They use cardboard paper, and the ink is also supposed to be biodegradable. The cardboard is made from more than 85% agricultural waste and is supposed to be 29% more sustainable than recycled paper. Some of the products are sourced from Paperwise, which is B‑Corp certified, ensuring their dedication to sustainable activities. 

Water usage

Botma & Van Bennekom uses minimal water during production, limited to the soaps. The brand also advises customers to avoid disposing of soap directly into natural waterways, as the soaps degrade best in soil. This practice helps prevent pollution of natural water sources, aligning with the brand’s sustainability goals and promoting environmentally conscious water usage. Their packaging supplier also has to follow strict regulations regarding water usage, as verified by the C2C certification. Sourcing of organic ingredients also keeps water pollution to a minimum. 

NOTE: Water usage/​pollution down to the raw materials is generally impossible to track for cosmetic products.

Circular packaging design

The brand’s packaging incorporates cardboard made from over 85% agricultural waste, enhancing its circularity by repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste. There is currently no refill or takeback service for used containers. Their packaging materials are all said to be designed for easy recycling. The packaging is all Cradle to Cradle certified, assuring us of their circularity.

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

HQ and Production Locations:

Arnhem, Netherlands – Products are developed and made in the brand’s own studio, and some production also takes place at another facility in Arnhem.

Supply Chain Complexity: 

The brand operates a simple supply chain with localised production, keeping the process streamlined and easy to monitor. Sourcing is limited to Europe as much as possible, with the exception of some ingredients sourced from Vietnam, Burkina Faso, and Morocco. 

Sales & Export: The brand exports their products worldwide.

Transportation

E‑commerce Transportation: Botma & Van Bennekom collaborates with Cycloon, a ​“green” and social delivery service within the Netherlands. Packages are picked up daily from the studio in Arnhem, then transported to a local hub by green gas vehicles. From there, the packages are delivered to customers primarily by bicycle couriers in urban areas. Where bicycle delivery isn’t available, the packages are sent with DHL couriers already en route, minimising additional CO₂ emissions.

Supply Chain transportation: The brand’s supply chain uses cargo trucks for deliveries to the atelier, and ship for deliveries internationally. 

The brand does not use any animal ingredients, making it vegan friendly. 

Product design

Botma & Van Bennekom’s product range is rooted in five core values: Quality, Sustainability, Transparency, Natural Beauty, and Minimalism. They design products for everyone, from babies to adults, with clear ingredient lists on each product page. This ensures customers can easily identify potential allergens, particularly due to the minimal ingredient formulations.

The brand avoids sales periods, reflecting its commitment to slow consumption. Customers are encouraged to treasure and use products mindfully, with well-designed containers that promote long-lasting use. For added personalisation, they even offer soap-making workshops, allowing customers to create unique, custom soaps.

Botma & Van Bennekom’s product care instructions reflect their natural ingredient approach. Since these products lack synthetic preservatives, customers are advised to store them in a cool, dark place to preserve quality.

Their ethos is to avoid impulse buys, and develop a community of customers based on trust and transparency, making the purchases about the product rather than their story. 

Transparency on product

Botma & Van Bennekom demonstrates a high level of transparency on its product pages by listing all ingredients for each product, along with clear, easy-to-understand explanations. They also have a dedicated ingredients page where main ingredients are highlighted and further information is provided, allowing customers to understand the brand’s sustainable efforts without reading through entire ingredient lists.

Their open atelier and soap-making workshops further enhance transparency, allowing customers to see firsthand the ingredients and process used.

Transparency on processes

The brand shares production locations and provides an overview of the soap-making process in their studio, offering insights into their manufacturing. They have provided COSH! with exact sourcing locations for each ingredient, as well as certification details. They make an effort to maintain transparency throughout the supply chain, actively reducing the number of middle men to 1 for each supplier. This way they have direct access to the production details of the ingredients, and can ensure ethical production activities. They also claim to not bother with certifications for their own brand, as they believe in transparency of their ingredients and production processes instead.