Weleda

As a pioneer, Weleda wants to do its part for a better world. The cosmetics brand has close partnerships with local communities that grow the raw materials for its care products. Farmers’ wages are above average. For example, sesame seed harvesting in Mexico is a lucrative side income for the farmers. Working with Weleda gives the farmers more security and confidence in the future by earning a living wage close to home. For the lavender fields, we go to Moldova. The cooperation between the lavender farmers and Weleda started in 2005. Today, more than 200 farming families are already involved. For them, lavender cultivation has become an integral part of their income. We at COSH! are particularly pleased to see Weleda giving local communities a boost in this way, and contributing to a fairer world. 

The processing of raw materials into cosmetics and medicines takes place at sites in Basel (Germany), Huningue (France) and Schwäbisch Gmünd (Germany). It is nice that production takes place in Europe, because this allows us to assume good working conditions. As a member of the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), the brand also adheres to the strict social, economic and ecological requirements set by this organization.

Weleda is B corp certified! B Corp certification recognizes companies that operate in a responsible, environmentally friendly and socially just manner. ​”Profit remains an important goal, but we must never achieve it at the expense of people, animals or the environment,” says Dr. Stefan Siemer, Head of Sustainability at Weleda.

Belgian Weleda is an expert when it comes to natural care. The brand makes 100% natural face cream, body lotion and salves with the NATRUE label. More than 80% of all ingredients at Weleda come from organic or biodynamic farming or, where possible, from controlled picking of wild plants and flowers. 

NATRUE was created by the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association to certify natural and organic cosmetic products. According to NATRUE, only the dried plants count to determine a product’s organic content. Therefore, a personal care product containing water or alcohol can never be 100 organic, even if it contains only organically grown ingredients. Did you know that NATRUE certification also guarantees you that there are no microplastics in your personal care products? A plus for the environment, animals and your skin. 

Disclaimer for products carrying the ​“BIO” label: this is a self-designed label of the Weleda brand that is not independently verified. This label only relates to the boldly printed ingredients on the ingredients list, so the product is not 100% organic.

The brand uses palm oil in some products. The palm oil Weleda does use is certified organic and comes from a single RSPO certified plantation in Brazil. 

Biodiversity is important to Weleda. ​“Without biodiversity we would not exist,” the brand says. That is why Weleda actively supports various biodiversity projects worldwide. They thus protect the plants and animals that are much needed for our planet, but also to make care products.

The brand says that so far there is no perfect solution for the packaging of all products. Weleda products are free of synthetic preservatives, but this leaves them with fewer packaging options than producers that do use synthetic preservatives. They currently use different materials depending on product requirements, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. About 60% are made of glass, 15% of aluminum and the rest of the packaging is made of various plastics. For example, body lotion, aftershave and oils are packaged in glass bottles. Glass and aluminum are easily recyclable. However, the packaging of several other personal care products as well as the caps still consist of plastic types of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These plastic containers are made from fossil fuels, a minus point. Fortunately, the plastics used contain no traces of phthalates or softeners, estrogen-like materials. No hormone disruptors, in other words. Together with a team of experts, Weleda is currently looking for ways to optimize their current packaging materials.

When packing and shipping the products from its Belgian warehouse, Weleda is also working as sustainably as possible. The boxes are filled with shredded cardboard or stuffing made of potato starch, which is fully compostable. The plastic air bags the brand uses are also fully compostable. 

Water and energy are a crucial component in the production of the creams and ointments. Weleda always tries to minimize its impact on the planet. For example, water from production is re-condensed to put it back into the cycle. In 2013, the personal care brand reduced their water consumption by 25%. In addition, they use 100% electricity from renewable sources in their own buildings. Weleda has been striving for a more sustainable industry for many years, and can serve as an example for many.

The brand’s chain is quite long. For example, ingredients come from Moldova, Peru, New Caledonia, among others. Production takes place in Europe and the products are sold in 50 countries. So before your new day cream reaches your home, it may have come a long way. Fortunately, the brand does carbon offsetting through sustainable projects in Uganda: the cookstove and biogas project. Both prevent deforestation, improve public health and support the local economy.

Weleda offers a wide range of vegan personal care products, but not all products are vegan! So be sure to check the label before buying a product! What animal ingredients did we find? Weleda uses beeswax in their body lotion, shaving cream, eye ointment, scrub and moisturizing lotion for men. The shaving lotion for men also contains goat’s milk. 

The NATRUE label on all Weleda products guarantees you that the products are not tested on animals. Weleda also has outlets in China. At COSH! we warn you when cosmetics are sold in China. Why exactly? When a cosmetics brand exports to China, the brand automatically gives China permission to test on animals. But Weleda is the exception to the rule! The brand sells in China, but with the guarantee that they do not test on animals. 

Weleda sells in China only products that can be registered without animal testing, such as certain soaps and oral care products. Weleda refuses to launch any part of their personal care products in China as long as animal testing is necessary to market new cosmetics. Weleda is thus demonstrating that their values and principles are fully extended to the smallest details of their business. Fantastic to see! At COSH! we hope that many other cosmetics brands will follow Weleda’s example in China.

Weleda offers care products for the whole family. The products are divided into three categories: face care, body care and pregnancy and baby. The face and body care products are for every stage of life and every skin type.

Weleda is very transparent about their raw materials; they receive a 9/10 from COSH! On their website, the brand details where each raw material comes from and from which company. For example, we see that sesame oil comes from Mexico through the local family-owned company Sesajal. For each ingredient, you can thus find the origin and supplier. Great!