4 min read
2026-04-10
Waste Not, Formulate More – Upcycled Ingredients for Your Formulations
Written By: Robin Lander
Here at Eden Botanicals, we’re always on the lookout for the latest upcycled and sustainably produced ingredients for your formulations. After all, who doesn’t appreciate minimizing waste by making the most of the resources on hand? There’s also a particular thrill in finding an intriguing new perfumery material in an unexpected place or discovering that a cosmetic ingredient for gorgeously glowing skin has been hiding in plain sight.
Seed and nut oils, when carefully and gently extracted, can be true game changers for skin and hair care. The food and agricultural industries are increasingly recognizing the potent skin-conditioning components found in many seed oils that were routinely discarded in the past and are now turning them into exceptional ingredients for cosmetics.
At the same time, we continue to explore new possibilities for upcycled aromatics, as well as ways to maximize the extraction potential of various botanicals. Ethical harvesting and environmental preservation remain central to our sourcing practices, especially for wood oils. Utilizing by-products of the lumber industry is an energy-efficient and eco-conscious way to obtain high quality wood for distillation.
Earth-friendly formulators, take note, you won’t want to miss these forward-thinking, upcycled ingredients for your perfume, cosmetic, and aromatic creations.
Carrier Oils
Phenomenal Strawberry Seed Oil is one of our most ultra-hydrating skincare ingredients for revitalizing dull, dry skin. With a lightweight texture and gentle nature, it is a treat to apply, releasing a delicate, subtle strawberry scent as it smooths and softens.
The oil is a by-product of strawberry juice production, making it an excellent choice for sustainable skincare. The freshly dried seeds are low-temperature cold pressed, then the oil is filtered for purity but otherwise unrefined. Its high antioxidant content helps make it relatively stable and less prone to rancidity than many other seed oils.
Chia Seed CO2 is a nourishing, lightweight oil with a fresh, mildly sweet aroma that will lend a silky feel your facial serums, creams, and body care products. It is one of the richest plant-based sources of alpha linolenic acid, a valuable Omega 3 essential fatty acid renowned for improving the appearance of dry and mature skin.
The agricultural industry widely cultivates Chia throughout the Americas for its nutrient-dense seeds. Our producers use low temperature carbon dioxide extraction to yield a true-to-nature, golden oil for cosmetics with outstanding moisturizing properties and a longer shelf life than many cold pressed carrier oils.
Moisturizing and emollient, Pumpkin Seed Oil is a supremely nourishing carrier oil for skin, hair, and cosmetic applications. Pumpkin seeds are a by-product of the food industry, leftover after processing the pumpkin flesh.
While some pumpkin seeds are roasted for consumption, demand for the cold pressed oil in cosmetics continues to grow, particularly among formulators developing scalp oils to support the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. Our organic Pumpkin Seed Oil is produced in the USA, cold pressed, and unrefined to preserve the integrity of its impressive nutrient profile.
A favorite in our collection, Plum Kernal Oil remains a standout with its luscious scent of almond marzipan and sweet fruit. The delicious aroma is gentle enough to collaborate well with other oils while delivering a delicate layer of lubrication and moisture-retaining properties.
Depending on the concentration used, you may choose to subtly enhance your formulation with Plum Kernel’s irresistible aroma. The kernels are obtained from by-products of plum processing, making this oil both luxurious and sustainable.
Perfumery Materials
Our Wool Absolute has a rich, animalic-musky profile with notes of sweet dried fruit, resins, creamy-salicylated warmth, and soft gourmand nuances. It also features interesting boozy and fatty undertones and impressive tenacity.
Produced at our facility in southern France, the material is extracted with ethanol from the water remaining after the washing of sheep’s wool collected from healthy, living, farmed sheep. Through this upcycling process, we’re able to create an easily accessible, sustainable alternative to animal-derived materials such as deer musk, civet, or castoreum.
You’ll be surprised by our Asparagus Twig Absolute with its deep, complex, dry, woody-mossy character. Distinct notes of tobacco, cocoa, and hay are layered with animalic, salty, earthy and mushroom undertones.
Solvent extracted at our facility in France, it is produced from the woody twigs and foliage that remain after the asparagus shoots have been harvested in the spring. By collecting and utilizing this material, we make the most of our agricultural resources, transforming a by-product into a unique perfumery ingredient.
Our Hiba Wood essential oil offers a distinctive dry, woody, resinous, and earthy aroma, layered with deep smoky notes and softly fresh balsamic undertones. It is distilled in Japan from Hiba trees grown on managed plantations.
Our producer utilizes by-products of the Hiba Wood lumber industry – offcuts, wood chips, and sawdust – making the most of each harvested tree. With its rich aroma profile and responsible sourcing, Hiba Wood essential oil is an ideal choice for sustainable body care, ceremonial blends, elevating aromatherapy, clarifying cosmetics, and as a long-lasting middle or base note in perfumery.
Looking for more sustainably produced absolutes for perfumery? See our article on By-Absolutes: Sustainable Up-Cycling of Botanicals to learn about Rose By-Absolute, Cypress By-Absolute, and Sandalwood By-Absolute.
Minimize Waste, Maximize Possibilities
Sometimes the most exciting innovations come from what was once overlooked. Upcycled ingredients transform underutilized resources into opportunities to formulate with intention, imagination, and care for the earth. We hope these beautiful materials inspire your creativity. Don’t forget to drop us a line or leave a product review and let us know about your latest creations.
