Blue

The ocean is the inspiration for more of a movement than a trend: blue beauty. Oceans are considered as a resource to protect, as a source for ingredients and as a creative influence. According to the United Nations, “oceans feed us, regulate our climate and generate of the oxygen we breathe.” It is also one of the Earth’s largest unexplored territory, inspiring legends of mermaids and other fantastical sea creatures.

Protecting the oceans is critical and being addressed in various ways. Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) is preventing plastic waste from reaching the waters, although waste retrieval remains a big challenge. Beauty brands are coming up with waterless products and microplastic-free and reef-friendly formulas, but the potential for ‘blue-washing’ is a risk. Ocean-derived ingredients like micro-nutrients from algae are becoming popular, harvested in sustainable ways.

What does this mean for packaging? Packaging, if it contains plastic, must also be microplastic-free and preferably recycled from OBP. Blue beauty can be inspired by the ocean with marine-themed decoration, a blue and green reflective color palette, water-like finishes or ‘way-out-there’ textures like seapunk neoprene or ‘mermaid’ scales.