KIEHL’S MISSION RENEWAL
Kiehl's Mission Renewal is our commitment to drive a more circular economy by respecting resources, designing out waste and empowering community action.
Kiehl's was built to last in 1851. As part of our journey to circularity, we have mapped out our way forward to meet specific goals by 2030.
RESPECT RESOURCES
We aim to formulate 100% of our products using abundant, renewable ingredients using sourcing and manufacturing processes that help conserve resources, minimize waste, and ensure that key natural resources are respected, healthy and thriving.
DESIGN OUT WASTE
Our goal is to make single-use virgin plastic a thing of the past by packaging 100% of our formulas in bottles or jars that are reusable, refillable or made of recycled materials, while making it easier for customers to dispose of over 15 million more packages.
EMPOWER COMMUNITY
We’ve always known big things start small: we inspire our global community to take action by encouraging community service and providing education focused on sustainability.
RESPECT RESOURCES
At Kiehl’s we recognize the need to give back to the environment, not just take from it. We seek new methods, ingredients, and sources to continue to formulate for quality and efficacy without compromise.
OUR GOALS FOR 2030
100% of our formulas will harness the power of nature and science to maximize efficacy with minimum impact through key activities such as:
- Sustainably source abundant and bio-based raw materials
- Using circular processes and green transformation of raw materials
- Re-using water in a manufacturing loop and power production with renewable energy
Scroll through to see our progress made in 2023.
ABUNDANT & BIO-BASED MATERIALS
68% of our ingredients are sourced from abundant & bio-based raw materials*
BIODEGRADABLE FORMULAS
Average biodegradability of our formula is 84%, with rinse-off products averaging 92%*
POWERED BY RENEWABLE ENERGY
More than 97% of Kiehl’s products** were manufactured in plants that use more than 99% renewable energy
INCLUSIVE SOURCING
Provided 1,119 people access to work through our Inclusive Sourcing efforts, an initiative to support diverse suppliers from underrepresented communities*
DESIGN OUT WASTE
We could “trash talk” other industries for creating waste but the beauty industry is part of the problem. Skincare unquestionably contributes to the enormous quantities of plastic waste in landfills and oceans. We’re taking action to reduce our impact by 2030.
OUR GOALS FOR 2030
100% of packaging will eliminate single-use plastic through:
- Transitioning to re-usable and refillable formats
- Transitioning to 100% post-consumer recycled materials
- Optimizing design to reduce packaging
Scroll through to see our progress made in 2023.
DON’T REBUY, JUST REFILL
Our refill pouches use between 61% and 81%*** less plastic compared to rebuying an original, same sized product. Plus, you can bring your empties back to the store for rewards.
LIGHTWEIGHTING OUR JARS
In 2024, we optimized the design of our 125ml jar to remove 40% plastic, reduce 16 tonnes annually based on 2024 volume.****
SINGLE-USE REFLECTIONS
In partnership with artist and environmentalist activist Ben von Wong, we created “Single Use Reflections”. The installation is composed of over 2 tons of empty beauty and household items, symbolizing the complexity of our dependence on single-use plastics. The sculpture features large-scale mirrors with thought provoking prompts and a “hidden” keyhole, offering a portal into a miniature world inspired by an old-world apothecary featuring refill pouches. #DontRebuyJustRefill
THE HAND AT EVEREST
In 1988, Kiehl’s sponsored the first ascent expedition on the mountain’s East Face without supplemental oxygen.
Today, Kiehl's returns to Everest in partnership with Nepal-based NGO, Sagarmatha Next, and Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee’s Carry Me Back initiative to support the removal of 22 tonnes of waste of proper recycling—taking some of the items to create “Hand of Everest” an installation en route to Base Camp to remind hikers to limit the footprint they leave behind.
EMPOWER COMMUNITY
Improving our communities has been central to our mission since 1851. Today, that means more than just giving back—it also means inspiring our global community of customers and Kiehl’s employees to take action as part of our journey to circularity for a healthy planet.
OUR GOALS FOR 2030
Encourage our global community to take action through:
- Collect 15 million more empty products through Kiehl’s in-store Recycle & Be Rewarded program
- 75,000 hours of professional skills development for Kiehl’s Skin Pros, with focused courses on sustainability
Scroll through to see our progress made in 2023.
RECYCLE & BE REWARDED
1,202,461 collected products through Recycle & Be Rewarded in 2023*
OUR MISSION IN PROGRESS
- 52% OF Kiehl’s Skin Pros completed required sustainability training*
- 26,673 hours of professional development completed by Kiehl’s Skin Pros*
SO, WHAT IS “CIRCULARITY”?
Today, the way products are made is linear. We take materials and resources, create products and then eventually throw them away as waste.
In a circular economy, we mimic nature’s way of doing things by focusing on how we use resources and manufacture products and by having a plan for the materials and packaging afterwards to help stop waste from being created in the first place.
RECYCLE & BE REWARDED
Kiehl’s first launched Recycle & Be Rewarded in 2009. Help us collect another 15 million products by 2030 by bringing back your empties to your local Kiehl’s. You’ll even receive complimentary samples and rewards.
At Kiehl’s we take empty beauty packaging from any brand. We’ll gladly take your:
- Plastic bottles (including pump and spray closures)
- Glass bottles (including dropper closures and caps)
- Foil packaging from sachets and masks
- Tubes of any color
- All black packaging
- Colored glass
- Caps
As of today, we unfortunately cannot take:
- Bottles and jars with formula still inside
- Cardboard, plastic wrap, or other external packaging
- Makeup products or brushes
- Fragrance or perfume bottles
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES
To help you shop more responsibly, we've tagged your favorite products with sustainability and formula attributes. See full definitions and learn about other common terms we use to talk about our products.
OUR BEST, NOW REFILLABLE
Ultra Facial Cream with 4.5% Squalane
Discover our #1, best facial cream for all skin types, even sensitive. This lightweight moisturizer made with 4.5% Squalane provides 24-hour hydration for softer, smoother skin.
Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream
A shine-reducing, cooling gel moisturizer for oily skin and normal skin types.
Creme de Corps
The best body moisturizer for dry skin, made with Cocoa Butter and Beta-Carotene.
Amino Acid Conditioner
A gentle, daily conditioner for all hair types.
- *KPI FOR FY23 AUDITED BY EY IN FY24. BASED ON THE PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE OBTAINED, NOTHING HAS COME TO ATTENTION THAT CAUSES TO BELIEVE THAT THIS KPI IS NOT PREPARED, IN ALL MATERIAL RESPECTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE L'OREAL FOR THE FUTURE KPI METHODOLOGY USED, AND KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION.
- **AT THE END OF YEAR 2023. FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THE UNIVERSAL REGISTRATION DOCUMENT.
- ***AMINO ACID SHAMPOO -81% (4X250ML); AMINO ACID CONDITIONER -73% (2X500ML); CRÈME DE CORPS -81% (4X250ML); GRAPEFRUIT LIQUID CLEANSER -81% (4X250ML); ULTRA FACIAL CREAM -61% (3X50ML); AND ULTRA FACIAL OIL FREE CREAM -61% (3X50ML).
- ****CALCULATION COMPARES WEIGHT OF THE ORIGINAL JAR TO THE NEW LIGHTWEIGHT BASED ON FULL YEAR 2024 PRODUCTION.
