Rising Japanese skincare brands leading B Corp™ movement

Every March, we celebrate B Corp month. This annual global campaign aims to raise awareness of B Corporation™ and its initiatives. Harch Inc., the managing company behind Zenbird, also received B Corp™ Certification in April 2023.

B Corp™ Certification is granted to companies that demonstrate high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability and must be recertified every three years.

As of March 2024, thirty-nine companies in Japan hold this certification. Let’s take a look at some skincare brands among those companies.

Fermenstation

Fermenstation has transformed unused resources, such as food waste, into alcohol and fermented extracts with its original fermentation technology, and then skincare and homecare products. They aim for a circular economy with the philosophy of “Fermenting a Renewable Society” and became B Corp™ in March 2022.

Fermenstation is based in Iwate Prefecture, where they source materials and manufacture organic rice alcohol and other functional ingredients using green energy. During the production process, they utilize refuse for livestock feed and compost to achieve zero waste. Furthermore, they are also partnering with various stakeholders to contribute to creating sustainable materials with unused resources for other cosmetic companies.

Their skincare products include facial soap suitable for all skin types, body spray and rice ethanol for crafting personalized aromatic body sprays. Fermentation’s products encapsulate Japanese essence and innovative ideas involving local communities, which are leading to a better society.

MammaBaby

MammaBaby was founded by a pharmaceutical company that has been offering organic products to medical institutions since 1994. They achieved carbon neutrality in 2021, then received B Corp™ Certification in May 2023.

Mammababy supports regenerative agriculture, which prioritizes ecosystem preservation and building healthy soil capable of absorbing CO2 from the air, by using ingredients from its farmers. Additionally, they are dedicated to achieving zero waste in packaging. Many containers previously discarded due to their poor appearance quality, despite being safe for use, are now utilized, leading to a significant waste reduction. This initiative is poised to set an industry standard, as all their efforts are transparently shared with the public.

Their skincare products cater to all ages, including babies, making them an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin or for use on children.

mayunowa

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Aware of the negative environmental impact of chemical use, mayunowa is dedicated to creating products that are beneficial for both the skin and the planet. With biocompatible ingredients such as silk and apatite that are sourced locally in Japan or ethically imported, they create products free from alcohol, preservatives and other environmentally harmful solvents.

Hence, their products have a short shelf life. That being said, their products come in compact sizes and are produced according to demand, while also standardizing container design across different products to minimize waste.

Furthermore, mayunowa empowers women balancing career aspirations with child-raising responsibilities by offering training sessions to become estheticians. This business model, which supports both the environment and social welfare, surely meets the criteria for B Corp™ Certification.

B Corp™ Certification sets a high standard across various areas, including environmental impact, social responsibility and transparency. If you are feeling overwhelmed by many “sustainable” products available, choosing those B Corp™ Certified ones would be a great way to start. Not only does this ensure a commitment to sustainability, but the success of these businesses could also lead the industry to adopt more sustainable practices.