Is Biossance ethical?

Overview

Biossance emerged from a background of biotechnology and heavy investment in sustainable science. Originally part of Amyris, a company dedicated to creating life-saving medicine through fermentation, the brand transitioned into skincare by applying the same technology to beauty ingredients. Their most notable achievement is the commercialization of 100% plant-based squalane. While squalane was historically sourced from shark livers or olives (which can be inconsistent in quality), Biossance produces it by fermenting sustainable Brazilian sugarcane. This breakthrough has saved millions of sharks annually while providing a high-purity, sustainable moisturizing agent that mimics the skin's natural oils. The brand adheres to a 'Clean Academy' philosophy, banning over 2,000 potentially harmful or questionable ingredients from their formulations.

Certifications

Biossance holds several of the most rigorous third-party certifications in the beauty industry, verifying their claims regarding safety and ethics. Many of their flagship products, such as the 100% Squalane Oil and Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, are EWG Verified, meaning they meet the Environmental Working Group's strictest standards for transparency and health. The brand is also Leaping Bunny and PETA certified, ensuring no animal testing occurs at any stage of production. Additionally, their outer packaging is FSC Certified, confirming that the paper materials are sourced from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Animal testing & vegan range

Biossance is a 100% cruelty-free brand. They do not test finished products or ingredients on animals, nor do they delegate such testing to third parties. Crucially, the brand does not sell its products in mainland China or other countries where animal testing is mandated by law for imported cosmetics. Furthermore, the entire Biossance product range is 100% vegan. By utilizing fermentation technology to create their squalane, they have eliminated the need for animal-derived emollients, ensuring that no animal byproducts are used in their serums, moisturizers, or oils.

Sustainability pledges

Environmental stewardship is a core pillar of the Biossance business model. Aside from the shark-saving impact of their biotech squalane, the brand has pledged to make all its packaging recyclable, refillable, or compostable by 2025. They currently utilize carbon-neutral shipping methods and incorporate sugarcane-based plastic tubes, which are more sustainable than traditional petroleum-based plastics. The brand also focuses on waste reduction; the sugarcane used for their squalane is grown in Brazil away from the Amazon rainforest, and the bagasse (sugarcane byproduct) is used to fuel the processing mill and create the brand's outer cartons.

Sourcing & labor

Biossance emphasizes ethical sourcing through a transparent supply chain. Their primary ingredient, sugarcane, is sourced from the rural areas of Brazil under strict environmental and labor regulations. The production facilities used for fermentation adhere to high safety standards and fair labor practices. By vertically integrating much of their ingredient production, Biossance maintains greater oversight than brands that purchase ingredients from third-party wholesalers. They also partner with organizations like Oceana to support ocean conservation, further aligning their corporate social responsibility with their sourcing origins.

Controversies context

There are no major ethical controversies, lawsuits, or labor disputes on record for Biossance. Unlike many legacy beauty brands, Biossance has maintained a clean record regarding environmental impact and marketing transparency. While their parent company, Amyris, underwent financial restructuring (Chapter 11) in 2023 leading to the sale of the brand, this was a corporate financial matter and did not reflect a decline in the brand's ethical manufacturing standards or ingredient safety protocols. The brand continues to operate with the same commitment to 'clean' beauty principles under its new ownership.

Bottom line

Biossance sets a high benchmark for the skincare industry by proving that biotechnology can replace animal-derived and environmentally damaging ingredients. With an ethics score ranging from 88 to 93 for its top products, the brand is a top-tier choice for consumers seeking vegan, cruelty-free, and EWG-verified solutions. Their transparency regarding ingredient sourcing and their proactive stance against animal testing make them a reliable leader in the sustainable beauty space.