Sustainable Skincare: Formulating for Heat, and Humidity
As demand for conscious beauty continues to rise, brands formulating for warm climates or summer seasons face a unique challenge: how to create high-performance products that not only protect the skin but are formulated to withstand the heat, and protect the planet.
Whether you’re a skincare startup, wellness brand, or perfume house, climate-responsive formulation and sustainable packaging choices are no longer optional - they’re an important part of brand credibility and long-term success.
Here’s our advice on how to formulate responsibly for summer and hot-weather markets, while staying aligned with your values and your consumers’ expectations.
Why Summer Formulation Needs a Sustainability Strategy
Heat, humidity, UV exposure and travel… they all place extra demands on your product - from texture stability to packaging integrity. At the same time, climate-conscious consumers are actively seeking brands that minimise waste, reduce water usage, and source ingredients responsibly.
Your product must:
Withstand higher storage temperatures
Travel well without leakage or breakdown
Deliver results without relying on heavy synthetic stabilisers
Use packaging and ingredients that align with eco-conscious values
Let’s break down what that means for your formulation and packaging decisions: Use heat-stable, shelf-life-tested ingredients
In warm-weather conditions, product stability is non-negotiable. Avoiding ingredient separation, oxidation, microbial growth, and texture breakdown is key.
Smart formulation choices:
Use oils with a high oxidative stability index (e.g. jojoba, squalane, meadowfoam).
Avoid heat-sensitive actives like vitamin C in its purest form (use derivatives like sodium ascorbyl phosphate instead).
Choose natural emulsifiers that remain stable across a wide temperature range.
Incorporate natural antioxidants (e.g. rosemary CO2 extract, vitamin E) to prolong shelf life and reduce rancidity.
Test for separation and viscosity changes during formulation under accelerated conditions (40°C+).
A climate-responsive formulation anticipates environmental challenges and performs reliably wherever it ends up.
Eco-conscious formulation starts at the source, when we make choices about sustainably sourced raw materials. And here are four things to consider when sourcing ingredients:
Opt for ingredients with a low water footprint, such as shea butter, plant-based squalane, and Kalahari melon oil.
Choose suppliers who practice regenerative agriculture or offer full traceability from soil to skin.
Prioritise wildcrafted, upcycled, or co-product ingredients (fruit seed oils from the juice industry, or extracts from otherwise discarded plant parts).
Avoid endangered or over-harvested botanicals, this includes certain rosewood, sandalwood, and frankincense species unless certified sustainable.
Ingredient lists become part of a brand story when we consider the conscious choices of our customers. So when we use ingredients that help us to naturally write the story behind the ingredients and the conscious reasons behind our choices, it’s a story that people feel proud to support.
Climate-Proof Packaging?
Packaging isn’t just a design choice. It directly impacts product integrity and sustainability credentials. Consider these packaging choices:
UV-protective amber or cobalt glass: Shields light-sensitive ingredients while offering a high-end, recyclable finish.
Aluminium tubes or bottles: Lightweight, heat-reflective, fully recyclable, and ideal for travel.
PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastics: If using plastic, choose recycled and easily recyclable options (HDPE or PET).
Refillable or modular packaging: Offering refill options reduces single-use waste and can also be a compelling reason for customers to purchase - again and again.
Tip: For oil-based or natural formulations, avoid clear plastic packaging, which may accelerate degradation in heat or light.
Consumers in warm climates - or who are travelling during summer - need products that are portable, durable, and airport-friendly. And today, there is a variety of packaging that has been designed with travel in mind:
Solid or balm-based products: No risk of leaking and minimal preservatives needed.
Compact sprays and roll-ons: Ideal for mists, after-sun cooling, or aromatherapy blends.
Concentrated serums or powders: Lightweight and waterless, reducing carbon footprint in shipping.
Stackable kits and minis: Encourage trial and reduce waste, especially for seasonal or climate-specific collections.
Bonus: Travel-friendly products often double as giftable or subscription-friendly items - making them great for retention and revenue.
Sustainability is a Strategy
Sustainability isn’t a seasonal trend - but when it comes to summer and warm-climate formulations, it should be part of product performance strategy as much as brand ethics. And it is not hard to formulate for the climate, package with purpose, and choose ingredients that care for both skin and soil, without compromising performance.
🌿 At Simple Essentials… We help brands create climate-responsive, botanically driven products that perform beautifully and reflect your values. Whether you’re building a summer edit or a full summertime product range, we’re here to advise on blend formulation, sensory design, and a sustainable marketing strategy for your launch, and beyond. Email Kim here to enquire about mentoring if you have started the process, but need expert support to hit your targets.
