As part of Journey to Zero, Sponsored by Polestar, Skydiamond & Yves Delorme
Future Icons Awards are celebrating brands that are leading the way in creating both environmentally and socially responsible products. In an industry often associated with high environmental costs, these awards acknowledge the innovators who are minimising their ecological footprint through transparent sourcing, sustainable packaging, cruelty-free formulas, biodiversity enhancements and circularity programmes, as well as – in some cases – transforming lives with social impact initiatives.
This family-owned business was founded 40 years ago with a mission to do the best for the world by creating a good quality of life for all through beauty, ethics and sustainability. Its vision is divided into three strategic areas – Planet, People and Community – which are, in turn, based on specific pillars; for the environment, in particular, these are decarbonisation, circularity, conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.
What the judges said: ‘A clear winner for me. The size and impact of the business is trailblazing. And they have been at it for years.’
From small beginnings in a quiet corner of Covent Garden in 1981, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a family-owned, British luxury health and beauty brand and a global leader with a growing presence across five continents. Sourced from nature and made in England, they are leaders in creating responsibly sourced, luxury beauty and wellbeing products, trusted by their global customer base for their independently certified and accredited products and for choosing planet over profit since the beginning.
What the judges said: ‘The work being done at a government level with Anabel’s #StandByBees campaign to end the use of hazardous pesticides is deeply impressive. Please don’t stop.’
A holistic, values-driven consultancy and business that offers the teaching of transcendent self-mastery tools, a slow-living home collection, ceramics, soft furnishings, clothes, soulful art and aura-nurturing scents.
What the judges said: ‘A notable achievement in sustainable luxury, with strong certifications and a holistic approach to ethical production and circular economy principles. They are a leader in their space but could scale further for even greater impact.’
In line with their ethically sourced, natural products, Star Seed has created a service offering of holistic facial treatments that help their customers reconnect with nature through their sensory experience, featuring their wild and organic botanical products to rejuvenate and soothe skin and a sound healing journey for relaxation.
What the judges said: ‘The founders live and breathe their brand and are fully invested in developing a new blueprint for a beauty business.’
Using the power of marine biotechnology, Seabody’s team of nutritionists and biochemists are on a mission to sustainably harness the health, beauty and regenerative powers of ocean plants for the benefit of people and planet with their luxury beauty and health products.
What the judges said: ‘Seabody is making notable strides in sustainable innovation with a clear focus on marine-based bioactives and ethical sourcing, though they are still in the early stages of driving large-scale industry change.
My Skin Feels is a purpose-led brand trying to make real changes to consumer habits. They rescue and then use leftover food from an organic Italian food manufacturing plant, including the skins of tomatoes, crushed olives and the stalks of the oat plant which get fermented to release all of their antioxidants, amino acids and natural post-biotic properties. And they use the recycled water from rescued orange juice – one of the industry’s biggest waste factors.
What the judges said: ‘The innovative use of food waste gives My Skin Feels a notable edge in sustainability innovation, justifying a higher score.’
Finnish beauty brand Lumene is known for its natural, sustainably sourced skincare products that use Arctic ingredients like wild berries, pure Arctic spring water, and plant extracts. Today, it uses 30 upcycled ingredients and is expanding its upcycled packaging. This year, they introduced a biobased jar made from Finnish forest industry sidestreams.
What the judges said: ‘Lumene is a pioneer in circularity, with a long-standing commitment to reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices in the beauty industry.’
Multi-award-winning B Corp business Bower Collective helps eliminate plastic waste by delivering its highly effective natural home and personal care products in its fully reusable, market-leading circular packaging system, BowerPack™.
What the judges said: ‘Bower Collective has an outstanding commitment to circularity, with measurable impact and a clear, well-executed strategy for reducing plastic waste and improving sustainability.’
Carbon-neutral plus brand WUKA is a period health company that creates comfortable and sustainable period pants and sportswear. They replace the need for a disposable pad or tampon – and save money. WUKA has a five times smaller carbon footprint than a disposable and each one replaces at least 200 disposables in its lifetime.
What the judges said: ‘A clear leader here – if this takes off, then the world does change.’
Byroe is an upcycled superfood-infused skincare range with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients. They repurpose discarded and imperfect produce, transforming them into innovative skincare ingredients, thereby reducing food waste.
What the judges said: ‘Byroe is making strong progress in integrating zero waste principles through upcycling.’
Star Seed is a small, independent skincare business, which looks along the entire value chain of its products from soil to skin and soul to society. Understanding that regenerating human skin begins with the Earth’s soil and recognising that a human’s microbiome mirrors the planet’s microbiome, their products have already garnered wide recognition.
What the judges said: ‘Theirs is a very compelling story underpinned by clear environmental passion.’
Founded in 2014, Toiletries Amnesty is a social, ethical and environmental non-profit organisation working to end hygiene poverty and divert beauty industry waste. They were the first organisation in the UK to tackle hygiene poverty and have the only public directory that allows individuals and businesses to see exactly where their donations are making an impact in their communities and beyond.
What the judges said: ‘Toiletries Amnesty has a proven track record, supporting millions globally and diverting significant beauty waste from landfills, with clear social and environmental impact.’
As of July this year, Toiletries Amnesty has supported over 845 organisations in 18 countries, verifiable through its transparent, online directory, providing access to free toiletries and hygiene products for four. million people.
What the judges said: ‘I know how hard Karen has worked on this initiative – it’s deeply impressive and this year she was recognised for her work with an MBE for services to people living in hygiene poverty.’
Since 1976, L’OCCITANE en Provence has been imagining, producing and selling beauty, skincare and well-being products. The brand has supported the emancipation of over 42,000 Burkinabe shea producers through the L’OCCITANE Foundation, for which they have been internationally recognised by the UN Development Programme. Since 1997, Caring for Sight has enabled eye care for over 10 million people worldwide, including four million children since 2017 with vitamin A supplementation programs.’
What the judges said: ‘The outreach and work of the foundation, especially Caring for Sight, is a true exemplar of a brand’s power to do good. Well done.’
We are delighted to be partnering with POLESTAR, SKYDIAMOND and YVES DELORME for this year's Journey to Zero Future Icons Awards and Power People from Country & Town House.
