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Nature has been our source of inspiration since 1828. We’ve placed its preservation at the heart of our actions since 2007. Commitments motivated by the duty to act and to pass on our heritage to future generations. Commitments made with conviction and humility by all of our staff around the world.
In the Name of all Beauties, Guerlain commits and acts for a sustainably desirable world. Our commitment to sustainable development allows us to put our actions into a strategy in line with the new expectations of our customers and society, all backed by ambitious goals.
Our key sustainability challenges are shaped around four key pillars:
- our initiatives to innovate and produce more responsible and more natural formulas in more environmentally-friendly packaging, in the most transparent way possible;
- to protect biodiversity;
- to help fight global warming by reducing CO2 emissions;
- and keep on acting in solidarity.
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Raw materials have always been a source of inspiration and innovation for our House. This is why we pay particular attention to the ingredients that we select, as well to protecting the ecosystems they are part of.
We have set up exceptional chains, respectful of both humans and nature. Along with our partners, we are helping to protect biodiversity by means of Sustainable Development patronage programmes. The latter relate to ingredients like bergamot, vetiver and jasmine.
Although we allow our perfumers complete freedom for their creativity, we also know that the Earth's resources are limited. This is why we endeavour to create quality alternatives to certain at-risk essences. So, thanks to innovative techniques, we can now use synthetic notes in place of rare ingredients like vanilla. In aspiring to limit our environmental footprint, we support our suppliers in the development of ethical extraction processes.
Once these raw materials have been carefully selected, we enhance them in formulas that are both safe and of premium quality. To better respond to the increasing demand from our consumers for more natural products, we have decided to remove certain ingredients from our formulas and are trying to find satisfactory substitutes for them.
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All the raw materials used in our products have been evaluated for safety and comply with the international legislation applicable to Fragrances & Cosmetics. Our standards in terms of safety and quality go far beyond what this legislation requires, which enables us to guarantee the durability and excellence of our products for customers.
Our raw materials benefit from the expertise of 350 researchers at the LVMH Research Centre, at the forefront of technology and innovation. Each raw material passes through the filter of a pool of toxicologists, dermatologists, chemists, biologists and regulatory experts, responsible for assessing its potential risk of use and defining its maximum concentration for use. For any new product development, up to 200 tests may be required to balance efficiency and safety.
Veritable artisans of the science world, our R&D teams thus ensure the perfect combination of ingredients in our formulas. -
The following ingredients are no longer used in Guerlain product formulas:
- Parabens
- MIT (or methylisothiazolinone)
- Formol (or formaldehyde) and formaldehyde donors
- BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
- Aluminium salts
- D4 silicone (cyclotetrasiloxane)
- Phtalates
- Untraceable palm oil
Some of them are – or are due to be – prohibited by law for some categories in European Union.
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The ingredients mentioned below are used in our products in safe quantities that comply with all the international legislation, but to better respond to growing demand from our customers for greater naturality, we have taken the initiative to research satisfactory substitutes for several of these ingredients.
Finding the best alternative to replace an ingredient can in some instances be time-consuming, as we refuse to comprise on the safety, quality, effectiveness or sensoriality of our formulas.-
UV filters are used in fragrances and in certain skincare and make-up formulas with an SPF. These filters can be chemical or mineral form. Their concentration is always dosed correctly to ensure the optimal level of protection for consumers, whilst complying with the maximum levels permitted by international legislation on Fragrances & Cosmetics.
- In fragrances, sunscreen makes it possible to stabilise the colour of the formula, which can be adversely affected by exposure to light.
- In Skincare and Make-up products, UV filters are used to protect the skin from the sun’s rays.
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Guerlain is committed to gradually removing chemical sunscreens in order to provide customers with more natural formulas and pay particular attention to local on-going discussions.
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Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (or octyl methoxycinnamate) is one of the UV filters most commonly used in our products. It provides protection against UVB rays. Guerlain is committed to no longer using this ingredient in its new formulas and to gradually removing this ingredient from its existing products.
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Benzophenone 3 is a broad-spectrum filter providing protection against UVA and UVB rays. Benzophenone 4 is a hydrosoluble filter used at a lower dose to protect finished products such as fragranced products and lotions sensitive to UV rays. Guerlain is committed to no longer using this ingredient in its new formulas and to gradually removing this ingredient from its existing products.
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The mineral UV filter most used in our products is Titanium Dioxide in nano form, which combines sun protection with improved sensory appeal for the skin. Guerlain is committed to limiting the use of this ingredient in products that require a sun protection factor.
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The use of preservatives is required to counteract any microbiological risk. Their usage concentration is strictly defined to ensure products offer the right level of microbiological protection, while ensuring the safety and quality of products for the consumer. To fulfil our customers’ desire for greater naturality, Guerlain's R&D teams continue to work at finding preservatives of natural origin.
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Phenoxyethanol is a preservative often used in the formulas for skincare and make-up products to protect the product, and the consumer, from the risk of development of microbiological contaminants.
Thanks to advances afforded by the R&D division, Guerlain can gradually reduce the presence of phenoxyethanol in its formulas and is aiming to substitute it in new products.
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BHT is an antioxidant often found in fragrance, skincare and make-up products. Indeed, this ingredient can be used in very limited quantities to better preserve the natural raw materials in perfumery. Our R&D team is working on finding alternatives that offer the same guarantees in terms of quality and safety for our customers. Guerlain is committed to working with its suppliers to substitute BHT in its raw materials and replace it with an ideally natural alternative.
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Sulphates are contained in certain surfactants often used in hygiene products because of their foaming power. Their action makes it possible to offer products that are wonderfully sensorial, while preserving their qualities. Sulphates are used in very limited quantities well below the maximum regulatory dosage.
In response to customers’ desire for more naturality, Guerlain is committed to limiit the use of sulphated surfactants in new products. -
Characterised by their small size, nanoparticles are present in many natural compounds. Guerlain uses some of these compounds, either as a colourant, or as a UV filter. Their use in cosmetics in effect produces a significant improvement in UV protective efficacy. Guerlain is committed to limiting the use of nano substances in products that require a sun protection factor.
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Mineral oils are emollient, skin-protecting ingredients used in skincare and make-up products. Guerlain is committed to limiting their use in its skincare formulas and aiming to produce skincare formulas without mineral oils.
Guerlain’s R&D teams continue to explore natural alternatives for lip balms and lipsticks. -
EDTA is a chelating agent, which means it helps to stabilise formulas and is widely used in cosmetics. Thanks to advances afforded by the R&D division, Guerlain is committed to limiting the use of EDTA in these new formulas.
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To enhance the sensory appeal of Guerlain products and to refine skin texture, our skincare and make-up formulas can contain silicones.
So as to fulfil our customers’ desire for greater naturality, Guerlain's R&D teams continue to work to find substitutes for silicones that will make it possible to achieve the same levels of sensoriality and effectiveness in our products.-
Cyclopentasiloxane is a silicone specifically used to make a product easier to apply, optimise pigment dispersion and improve the hold of make-up. Guerlain is committed to no longer using this ingredient in its new formulas and to gradually phasing out this ingredient in its existing products.
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Guerlain does not buy palm oil. However, because of their emollient and emulsifying qualities, palm oil derivatives may be found in a certain number of ingredients in our cosmetic formulations. Guerlain has been working closely with its suppliers for several years so that the palm oil derivatives used are responsible (traceable, with RSPO certification or guarantees of no deforestation) and is aiming for 100% responsible palm oil derivatives by 2021.
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Mica is a natural mineral used like mother-of-pearl in make-up products. It is extracted from mines, most of which are located in India. Guerlain is very attentive to the traceability of all its supplies of mica and the ethical practices for extracting it. In the context of its approach to responsible purchasing, Guerlain has been committed for several years to improving the transparency of these mica supplies and auditing the mines involved.
Together with other fragrances and cosmetics brands in the LVMH Group and some other manufacturers in the sector, Guerlain has also joined the RMI initiative (Responsible Mica Initiative, www.responsible-mica-initiative.com) aimed at eradicating child labour and unacceptable working conditions in the Indian mica supply chain. -
Guerlain products do not contain aluminium salts.
Very small quantities of aluminium derivatives can find their way into the formulation of some of our cosmetic products. In make-up, we use an aluminium-based surface treatment to achieve optimal dispersion of pigments and protect them from light-induced damage. Aluminium can also be used in the formulation of certain mineral sunscreens to improve their stability. The use of these derivatives complies with the most stringent regulations.
To better meet the expectations of its customers, Guerlain is committed to limiting the presence of aluminium derivatives in its new products. -
Allergens are naturally present in raw materials of natural origin treasured by Guerlain. Like any product in contact with the skin, some of the ingredients used in our formulas can cause some users to have an allergic reaction. This is why listening to our customers and personal advice is essential for us in making decisions about products. We always encourage customers who suffer from skin intolerance to check the list of ingredients for allergens, ask our beauty experts or contact our Customer Relations Department, who will be able to answer any questions and suggest the appropriate follow-up. Guerlain is committed to limiting the presence of major allergens in its skincare and make-up products.
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Alpha-isomethyl ionone (or methyl ionone) is a synthetic perfumery ingredient.
Olfactory note: powdery, woody and floral, reminiscent of violet or iris.
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Amyl cinnamal (or alpha-amyl cinnamaldehyde) is a synthetic perfumery ingredient.
Olfactory note: floral, jasmine.
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Amylcinnamyl alcohol is a synthetic perfumery ingredient.
Olfactory note: floral, jasmine and spicy, like cinnamon.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, anise alcohol is found naturally in anise, anise essential oil, as well as cumin, tomatoes and even honey.
Olfactory note: aniseed, yet floral, sweet and powdery too, reminiscent of lilac.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, benzyl alcohol is a fragrance ingredient naturally found in many plants and essential oils, including Jasmine and Ylang Ylang. It is also found in fruit like apricots, almonds, apples and blackcurrants.
Olfactory note: floral, jasmine.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, benzyl benzoate is a fragrance ingredient found in Peru and Tolu balsams, as well as in Jasmine and Ylang Ylang essential oils.
Olfactory note: floral (like white flowers) and radiant.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, benzyl cinnamate is a fragrance ingredient found in Peru Balsam, Tolu Balsam and Copaiba.
Olfactory note: floral, jasmine, balmy and spicy.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, Benzyl Salicylate is a fragrance ingredient found in certain essential oils, including ylang ylang and carnation.
Olfactory note: floral (like white flowers) and radiant.
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Butylphenyl methylpropional is a synthetic fragrance ingredient.
This allergen has been removed from all Guerlain's products.
Olfactory note: floral, similar to lily of the valley.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient found in cinnamon, hyacinth, nutmeg and patchouli essential oils.
Olfactory note: spicy, sweet, similar to cinnamon.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, citronellol is a fragrance ingredient found in Cinnamon, Hyacinth, Nutmeg and Patchouli essential oils.
Olfactory note: floral spicy.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, citral is a fragrance ingredient found in lemongrass, lavender, orange and citrus essential oils.
Olfactory note: lemony.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, citronellol is a fragrance ingredient found in geranium, lavender, rose and lemongrass essential oils.
Olfactory note: lemony floral, reminiscent of rose.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, coumarin is an aromatic compound naturally found in a variety of plants, such as green tea, cinnamon and lavender. It is also found in high concentration in Tonka beans.
Olfactory note: ground amonds.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, eugenol is an aromatic compound and the main constituent of clove.
Olfactory note: spicy smoky, similar to clove.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, farnesol is a fragrance ingredient found in many essential oils, including Neroli essential oil.
Olfactory note: floral, fresh and sweet, similar to lime.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, geraniol is naturally found in many fruits, vegetables and spices, including bergamot, coriander, ginger, nutmeg, thyme, blackberry, blueberry, as well as essential oils like geranium, rose and citronella.
Olfactory note: floral, like rose.
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Hexyl cinnamal is a synthetic and aromatic perfumery ingredient.
Olfactory note: floral, jasmine.
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Hydroxycitronnellal is a synthetic and aromatic compound.
Olfactory note: floral, similar to lily of the valley.
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Hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde is a synthetic and aromatic compound.
Olfactory note: floral, similar to lily of the valley.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, Isoeugenol is found naturally in certain essential oils, especially ylang ylang essential oil.
Olfactory note: spicy floral with smoky overtones.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, limonene is an ingredient found in many essential oils, particularly citrus. It is also found naturally in lemons, oranges and rosemary.
Olfactory note: fresh citrus.
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Natural or synthetic in origin, linalool is an aromatic compound naturally found in thyme, lavender, Scotch pine, bergamot and peppermint essential oils. It is also found in many plant extracts (lemon, orange, verbena, ylang ylang, etc.).
Olfactory note: fresh and floral.
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Methyl 2-octynoate is a synthetic and aromatic compound.
Olfactory note: fresh, green, similar to cucumber and violet leaf.
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Natural Evernia prunastri oak moss is a species of lichen that usually grows on oak trees, as well as on fences, walls, rocks and the ground.
Olfactory note: woody green, reminiscent of mosses in the forest.
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Natural oak moss comes from the lichen that grows on the trunks and branches of oak trees.
Olfactory note: woody green, reminiscent of the forest.
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Used in cosmetics for its absorbent properties, talc is a natural mineral composed of magnesium silicate. It naturally contains traces of heavy metals and asbestos fibres. However, the talc used in cosmetics is of a higher quality that is certified to be free of asbestos. As with all the ingredients we use, their quality and safety for consumers are strictly controlled.
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For many years, Guerlain made it its guiding principle not to use raw materials of animal origin in its formulas, especially ovine, bovine or caprine.
But in rare cases, certain derivatives and/or extracts that we use are of animal origin and exclusively from non-endangered species:
- In our cosmetic products: shellfish protein, beeswax, honey, royal jelly, lanolin and derivatives, carmine, silk protein (sericin).
- In our fragrances: ambergris, a raw material naturally secreted by sperm whales and found floating on the sea or washed up on beaches.
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To better respond to our customers’ desire for more natural products, Guerlain is using an increasing amount of natural ingredients in its creations. At the end of 2021, we took this commitment a step further, with 100% of our new skincare products now made up of at least 90% natural ingredients.Because natural resources are not infinite, this approach towards greater naturalness goes hand in hand with Guerlain’s commitment to preserve biodiversity. To achieve this, Guerlain has begun to establish sustainable supply chains so that all resources taken from nature are traceable and renewable. Such supply chains have been set up for our iconic ingredients, like Honey and Orchids, and all of our suppliers are audited by the independent Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), which certifies all actions relating to our exclusive sourcing of natural ingredients.If some of our products contain synthetic ingredients, it is because we do not yet have natural alternatives that offer the same level of safety (compliance with regulations, purity, stability), quality (hold, effectiveness, sensoriality) or durability. We are also committed to creating and using safe, high-quality synthetic alternatives for endangered or rare natural species, such as vanilla.Guerlain also uses synthetic ingredients that stem from the imagination and expertise of its Master Perfumers, thus enabling them to broaden their creative scope and discover notes that nature cannot give us. An approach that preserves Guerlain’s heritage and innovation: in 1889, with Jicky, Aimé Guerlain was the first Perfumer to take advantage of scientific developments and to integrate a synthetic raw material into a composition for the very first time in the history of perfumery.
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Pursuant to regulations, at Guerlain none of our products or the ingredients used in our cosmetics are tested on animals. This policy has been employed for many years, well before the introduction of legislation, and goes hand in hand with working actively to develop alternative methods to eradicate animal testing.
Our products are exported around the world, including to China. To authorise the launch of exported products on the market, the Chinese authorities test them in State certified laboratories. We wish to emphasise the fact that these tests are in no way carried out by us, but are the sole responsibility of the Chinese authorities. We remain strongly committed to ensuring that alternatives to animal testing are rapidly developed, validated and accepted by the authorities everywhere.
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Our approach to traceability relies on analysing the life cycle of our products: the origin of the raw materials that make up our formulas, the component parts of the packaging, the production site for our products, their transport across the globe, their delivery to our boutiques and their end of life recycling.
In partnership with Product DNA, we have developed Bee Respect, which makes it possible to monitor traceability throughout the life cycle of our products.
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Guerlain selects every ingredient that goes into its product formulas with the greatest of care. For each ingredient, you can find out:
- The geographical origin, i.e. the place of harvest for botanical ingredients, the extraction site for minerals and the production site for synthetic ingredients;
- The manufacturer of the raw material, where this can be done without jeopardising the preservation of our know-how;
- The naturality of the ingredient (evaluated on the basis of the ISO 16128 standard);
- Its role in the formula.
For technical reasons, the platform can only display one geographical origin per ingredient. When a plant-based ingredient is harvested in several places, the one specified on Bee Respect will correspond either to the manufacturer’s main place of harvest, or to the production site for the raw material.
The ingredients in the Raw Materials chain do not follow the order in the ingredients list exactly; refer to "Other raw materials" to find the complete list of ingredients for the product in question.
The ingredients shown on Bee Respect represent at least 80% of the corresponding product formula for cosmetic and make-up products. For fragrances, we follow the same rule; however, alcohol and water alone already represent a percentage greater than 80%; we have therefore decided to open up the scented concentrate by outlining the key ingredients (natural or synthetic raw materials) that make up the olfactory signature of our creations. This is a big step for our House, which has almost 200 years of heritage behind it, and keeps the recipes for its olfactory creations a closely guarded secret. -
The packaging of Guerlain products is comprised of numerous components, which must always meet with performance and eco-design requirements. For each component, you can find out:
- The main material;
- The name of the supplier from which Guerlain purchased the component;
- The production site where the component was produced.
Where several steps are involved in the production of any component, the site shown on Bee Respect will correspond to the main production site. Decoration of the component, even if it is not mentioned, is the subject of real collaborative efforts with our suppliers in order to reduce the carbon impact of this process.
Because our suppliers are our partners in this traceability initiative and because we choose them in our own image, genuinely committed and for the long term, we are happy to share their policies for sustainable development and their outstanding achievements on this platform.
The components specified on Bee Respect correspond to the main components of the packaging, which contribute to the vast majority of the carbon impact of the packaging. -
Guerlain strives to continuously improve its requirements for sustainable cosmetics. This commitment is exemplified by the manufacturing of each and every one of its products. This section will specify the production site for Guerlain products.
In the majority of cases, the manufacturing sites for our products are as follows: The La Ruche factory in the city of Chartres in France produces Skincare, Make-up and Derivative fragranced products. The Orphin factory near Rambouillet in France produces all of the Guerlain fragrances.
For products that require several production stages, the site specified will correspond to the production site for the formulation.
In certain - limited - cases, Guerlain calls on subcontractors with real expertise in rare techniques for producing formulations. We are committed to naming these partners on this platform.
It should be noted that for several years now, our service providers and suppliers have been aware of our sustainable development policy; responsible criteria are now a real decision-making element in our calls for tender. -
Transporting our products is the biggest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in our carbon report. This is a key issue for Guerlain, reminding us of the importance of each link in the logistics chain. In this section, you can find out:
- The methods used to transport our products
- The names of our primary transporters and their outstanding achievements with regards to combatting climate change
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Our stores reflect our commitment to sustainable development and our salespeople are the leading ambassadors for our brand values and the excellence of our products. At Guerlain, we believe that real wealth lies in people… and they are truly diverse. Explore all our stores and points of sale around the world.
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Facilitating customers’ eco-habits and giving our products a second life has been a priority for several years now. Consequently, innovative waste sorting channels are increasing and being strengthened, and the limitations of recycling are gradually being pushed back at Guerlain, with:
- More accessible information for customers regarding sorting instructions;
- The development of over 30 different sorting channels (paper, cardboard, various types of plastic and glass, batteries, etc.) for recycling our waste, including tester bottles and obsolete products, thanks to the CEDRE sorting and recycling platform created by LVMH.
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To ensure the highest level of quality for its transparency initiative, Guerlain is working with Swiss company Product DNA, an expert in social & environmental traceability for over 10 years.
For each step in the product life cycle – raw materials, packaging, production, transport, distribution and recycling – Product DNA verifies the commitment of our outputs.
For published information, Guerlain relies on "Respect-Code", the traceability tool that ensures the precision, exactitude and validity of the traceability of each product identified by a unique code, known as the Respect Code. -
Guerlain Bee Respect
Welcome to Bee Respect, the transparency and traceability platform for Guerlain’s creations. We invite you to follow the traceability of our products throughout all the phases of their design, "from the flower fields to our stores". In this way, you will learn about the provenance of our raw materials, as well as the component parts of our packaging and discover our suppliers. We will also uncover our production sites, transport across the globe, delivery to our points of sale and end-of-life recycling.