A GESTURE OF BEAUTY

Sustainability? A gesture of beauty.
All women care for their own beauty with a routine of simple everyday gestures. In the same way, the Earth needs small everyday gestures if we are to preserve it. An individual and shared commitment in which every gesture counts and becomes a gesture of beauty, for a fairer, more sustainable world.

OUR GESTURES OF BEAUTY

Collistar, a Bolton Group company that has made sustainability a cornerstone for its future, undertakes to:

•carefully select eco-friendly, responsible materials, ingredients and formulas to help preserve natural resources
•parter with Italian suppliers to create iconic products and implement sustainable production processes
•value its people, remaining committed to creating and advising on beauty every day
•work with its local community and remain at every woman’s side

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USING PLASTIC
MORE CONSCIOUSLY AND ETHICALLY

Every year, around 8 million tons of refuse is dumped on beaches and ends up in the oceans; 70% of it is plastic. By 2030, global plastic production is expected to increase by 40%, unless we take concrete steps to reduce it. That’s why many artists are trying to encourage us to use these materials more ethically; one example is Enrica Borghi, who uses them as the main source for her artwork. Collistar cares about this vital issue and is committed to redesigning its packaging to make it more eco-friendly, using recycled plastics and recyclable, reusable materials.

From the artist: Enrica Borghi

Plastic is a key component and feature of much of your artwork. How did you become interested in the material, and why do you use it?

I began working in the late 1990s, when there was much less concern about plastics, but it was clear it was destined to become an urgent priority. So I started using plastic in my work out of a personal interest in environmental issues, as well as for artistic reasons. What fascinates me about plastics is their attraction: the colours, shapes and transparencies, and the intrinsic qualities of a sculptural material that can be transformed and experimented with in so many ways.

 

Many of the different themes running through your work focus on the world of women. What is the message behind your art?

In the 1990s there weren’t many female artists on the Italian art scene. Through my work, I wanted to draw attention to women and encourage people to reflect on beauty and the way society sees them today. This explains my “Venuses”: I combine the classical idea of celebrating femininity and beauty with recycled materials from contexts traditionally associated with women and domesticity, shifting the focus onto common female stereotypes.

 

Yours is a “diverse universe brought to life by the materials our society throws away and discards.” How do you see the future in this sense?

I imagine that in future, we will have no choice but to reconsider the materials we currently throw away and discard. Getting rid of all plastics is completely unrealistic and not to be aspired to, since these materials have revolutionized and improved many areas of our lives. However, I believe we will be able to reuse more and more discarded plastics thanks to science, innovation, new business models and, why not, art. We will need to take a more conscious, ethical approach to consumption and disposal: giving the materials we throw away a second life will be vital if our society is to live in harmony with nature.

TOWARDS LOWER IMPACT PACKAGING

Collistar has undertaken to reduce the environmental impact of its packaging, adopting an eco-design process to reduce the amount of plastic it uses. The lids for Collistar face creams have been redesigned to make them fully recyclable, using around 37% less plastic and removing non-essential plastic parts. Collistar favors recycled and recyclable plastic, sourced from reclaimed, recycled materials. Concrete action to preserve the beauty all around us.

ZERO-DEFORESTATION PAPER

Biodiversity is our treasure, the multitude of animal and plant species that makes our planet so magnificent. Part of the treasure is made up of forests: as well as absorbing 30% of global CO2, emissions, they are home to 80% of the Earth’s biodiversity, now under threat from human activities. To counter the threat, back in 1977 Wangari Maathai, the environmental activist and first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, founded the Green Belt movement to help combat deforestation in Kenya. Protecting forests and their biodiversity has since become a daily battle for thousands of women. With this aim in mind, Collistar only uses zero-deforestation, recycled or FSC® certified paper, the mark that shows it is sourced from forests managed to rigorous environmental, social and economic standards.

CORAL-FRIENDLY SUN CARE

Taking care of the oceans is fundamental for our planet’s future. That’s why Cinzia Corinaldesi, one of the world’s top experts on Oceans and Seas, is studying the impact of sun care filters on marine life, inspiring many countries to ban the most damaging UV filters.
And that’s why Collistar’s entire sun care line was reformulated in 2021 to ensure it complies with the Hawaiian Reef Bill, helping protect the world’s coral reefs.

An expert speaks: Cinzia Corinaldesi

What have your studies of marine ecosystems revealed about the effect of sun care filters?

In 2008 my research group and I published a study that showed for the first time how oxybenzone, octinoxate and other ingredients, including preservatives, cause coral bleaching even in low doses. It’s important for us to understand the damaging effects of sun creams, because they threaten our aquatic ecosystems.

 

How does the Hawaiian Reef Bill combat the damage caused by sun care filters?

The Bill bans the use of sun care products containing two of the most damaging filters, oxybenzone and octinoxate. It’s a good start, paving the way for further improvements and completely eco-friendly products in the future.

 

Our vocabulary is changing too: we’re talking about eco-compatible, sustainable, natural, eco-friendly products... How can we make sense of it all?

Generally, it’s better to choose eco-compatible products, but beware of false claims: biodegradable, for example, is not the same as eco-compatible. I don’t think switching to completely eco-friendly products will be an easy, pain-free process, but it’s vital for industry to do so if we are to leave a healthy, viable planet for future generations.

TOGETHER WITH WEWORLD,
BY WOMEN'S SIDES

Since 2018 Collistar has been even closer to women through its support for We World, sponsoring a project that brings balance, wellbeing and beauty to women, even at the most testing times. Fruit of the partnership is a new “Women's Space” in Milan, offering counseling and support with psychologists and social workers available to women experiencing violence and deprivation, providing expert advice every day. Women and their children have free access to essential services and activities, helping them find new hope for the future. A nationwide helpline was recently launched in Italy, providing psychological support and assistance in critical family situations.

THE BEAUTY OF BEING ITALIAN

Collistar is an Italian brand, founded in Milan in 1983. In Italy creativity and experience combine to forge exceptional products in every detail. To this Collistar adds its firm commitment to sustainability, a goal shared with its partners: reducing the social and environmental impact of production while ensuring the quality and effectiveness of its products. The brand prioritizes partnerships with Italian firms who provide expertise on cosmetics, safe, efficient production processes and effective, sustainable local ingredients.