Plant-based eating has become a mainstream movement (we’re looking at you, Impossible Burger), but there also has been a growing demand in plant-based beauty as consumers become more mindful of what goes into – and onto – their bodies. These ethically conscious consumers have spurred many brands to think outside the box, but for Botanics, it’s familiar territory.
If the name didn’t give it away, the legacy will. As a WBA global brand, Botanics has been harnessing the power of plants to enhance skin, well-being and the world around us for 25 years. The vision? Create natural, plant-based products that don’t cost the Earth, but help protect it instead.
Botanics products are formulated from natural, ethically sourced ingredients around the world, taking steps to reduce our impact on the environment at every stage. The brand is also cruelty-free certified and does not believe in animal testing, so all products are tested on humans and are suitable for vegetarians. All but five products, which contain organic beeswax, are also suitable for vegans.
Since its September 1995 launch in the UK, Botanics has been an expert in the naturals market. Celebrate the brand’s plant-powered history and commitment to a more sustainable future with a look at some of its greatest achievements.
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September 1995: Boots launched owned brand Botanics with four skincare products – moisturizer, night cream, cleanser and toner – that contained natural plant extracts scientifically formulated to deliver effective natural skincare.
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2000: Botanics formed a charitable partnership with London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – a world leader in plant science and conservation – to help ensure traceability and sustainability of all its plant extracts.
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October 2002: Botanics launched a campaign focused on the concept of well-being and the relationship between the body and mind.
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2005: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew reviewed all plant extracts Botanics used to ensure they were free from toxic chemicals and delivered the skin benefits consumers were looking for.
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July 2007: Botanics worked with Carbon Trust, an organization that partners with businesses around the world to help them build a more sustainable future, and reduced the carbon footprint of its haircare range by 20 percent.
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October and December 2007: Botanics launched an organic range with at least 80 percent certified organic ingredients, and relaunched face wipes made of biodegradable and compostable fibers.
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2008: Botanics began making hairbrushes with FSC-certified wood, meaning the brushes meet the requirements of the Forest Stewardship Council, and launched a gift set free from acetate that used recycled cardboard.
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January 2009: Botanics launched organic cotton pads that are fair trade-certified, GM-free (do not contain any genetically modified material) and farmed using traditional methods that use no synthetic chemicals or pesticides, promoting wildlife and natural resource conservation.
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2013: Botanics conducted a study designed to reduce its products' impact on the environment. Using a web-based tool that analyzed and scored 24 sustainability indicators across the lifecycle of its products, Botanics created a sustainability footprint for each product and set improvement targets across the range. This work has led to many sustainability initiatives Botanics still has today, including using 25 percent recycled plastic in packaging across the range.
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August 2018: Botanics began printing its credentials, such as 100-percent organic, vegan, not tested on animals and “formulated without,” on all products.
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April 2019: Botanics relaunched its aromatherapy range with the first bottle that’s made from 100 percent recycled plastic.
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October 2019: Botanics launched its first men’s range in 55 percent recycled plastic packaging, removing all secondary packaging
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January 2020: Botanics launched Simply Calm, a sativa seed (hemp) oil skincare range and the first hemp range to launch in the mass naturals market. Botanics also received the “Leaping Bunny” certification from Cruelty Free International, reinforcing the brand’s strong ethical standpoint against animal testing.
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September 2020: Botanics celebrated 25 years of plant-powered skincare.
You can find Botanics at select retailers in the U.S., UK, Thailand and more, including: