Milkadamia launches macadamia-based palm-oil free eco-friendly skincare line
07 Mar 2022 --- Macadamia-based milk producer Milkadamia is unveiling a new skincare line, Skinn Milk, including face creams, body butter and lotions. The products are pegged as being an eco-friendly alternative because they do not contain palm oil and therefore do not contribute to tropical deforestation.
Jim Richards, CEO at Milkadamia, speaks with PersonalCareInsights detailing the benefits of macadamia for skincare.
“Macadamia oil, the main ingredient in Milkadamia Skinn Milk, is highly anti-inflammatory and efficacious on even damaged and compromised skin.”
“Macadamia oil is high in Palmitoleic Acid C16.1. Humans manufacture this in the skin from birth to late-twenties – it is why babies have such beautiful clear skin. Humans continue to produce Palmitoleic Acid where our skin is thinnest – our genitals and the eyelids,” he continues.
“By age 40 years, our eyelids have been stretched and wrinkled 200 million times – no other part of our skin is treated this way. Eyelids also have to deal with constant moisture. Macadamia oil is penetrative, and our skin cells recognize it and use it to repair the damage.”
Eco solutions in skincare markets
Richards flags that the skincare and beauty industries use a great deal of palm oil. 
Richards shares that Milkadamia started as a skincare company in Australia using macadamia-based products.
“The ingredient [palm oil is] responsible for the ongoing destruction of millions of acres of tropical forests. Milkadamia Skinn Milk does not contain palm oil or any palm oil-derived ingredients demonstrating deliciously beautiful skin need not leave scars on our planet.”
The product line launch comes when Innova Market Insights finds that a “Shared Planet” is the top trend for this year. The health of the planet holds priority over personal health due to ethical and environmental concerns.
Richards elaborates on the production method and source of the ingredients: “Our first concerns are to use regeneratively farmed macadamia oil and avoid subsidizing forest destruction through the elimination of palm oil.”
He believes that new products should be “part of the eco solution” in this day and age and not add to the problem.
“Our bottle contains 70% less plastic, and the shell is recycled, recyclable and compostable. We have engraved the bottle (a world first in the category) rather than slap on a sticky label and render it difficult or impossible to recycle,” describes Richards.
The packaging of “recycled paper and cardboard” is a bonus to eco-friendly skincare. “Because it is pressed and not reliant on a high percentage of long-fibers for structure, it can be recycled indefinitely.”
Innova Market Insights finds that consumers are increasingly looking for transparency and traceability of ingredients.
Firmenich released a 2022 perfumery collection featuring green chemistry ingredients with a traceability platform in related product launches.
Recent moves in eco solutions led Shiseido to invest in R Plus Japan Limited to recycle used plastics as part of the company bolstering its sustainability pledge.
By Venya Patel
