#Value Consumption that Extends to Cost-Efficiency (Reducing Plastic and Embracing Refills)

Amorepacific has set forth an ambitious goal to reduce the use of plastic in product packaging by 2030. The company aims to ensure that plastic packaging will be fully recyclable, reusable, or compostable.
A primary strategy to achieve this goal involves minimizing unnecessary plastic. This strategy includes reducing elements such as product liners and base decorations to utilize the least amount of plastic possible. In 2022, Amorepacific managed to reduce the use of new petroleum-derived plastics by 1,080 tons, which equates to a reduction of approximately 1,620tCO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent).
Furthermore, Amorepacific expanded its refill product offerings by more than 30 items by 2023, reducing plastic use by over 50% compared to original products.This shift benefits the environment and offers consumers a more ‘cost-effective’ option by choosing refills over new purchases.

Several flagship products exemplify the reduction in plastic use.

1. LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask EXCream Skin
Cerapeptide^TMRefiner

The LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask EX anticipates a plastic reduction effect of approximately 7.3 tons annually starting in 2024 by eliminating the inner lid (based on predictions for 2023). The brand’s flagship product, the Cream Skin Cerapeptide^TM Refiner, has launched a jumbo size (320 ml), reducing the amount of plastic used per milliliter.
Additionally, LANEIGE is introducing packaging and services that make refill usage a part of the brand and product experience. Using a refill for the Cream Skin Cerapeptide^TM Refiner results in a 90% reduction in plastic use compared to purchasing a new product. Moreover, LANEIGE introduced a refill package during the renewal of its ‘Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream,’ achieving a 70% reduction in plastic use compared to the original product.

2. innisfree ‘Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum’ and ‘Collagen Green Tea Ceramide Bounce Cream’

innisfree’s Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum comprises 60% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) glass. By implementing a metal-free pump that eliminates the need for a metal spring, the product can also be recycled without the necessity of separation. Refill pouches are available, too, allowing for the reuse of the container.
Particularly notable is the Green Tea Seed Hyaluronic Serum Large “Earth Month Edition,” launched in April. This product incorporates glass collected through innisfree’s 2024 “BOTTLE RE:PLAY” campaign. Twenty percent of the PCR glass used in these bottles originates from recycled innisfree glass, exemplifying a commitment to a circular economy where collected bottles are reborn as new product packaging and are then recyclable once more.
Moreover, the innisfree Collagen Green Tea Ceramide Bounce Cream employs glass containers composed of 60% recycled glass instead of plastic and introduces refills to encourage the reuse of glass containers. Caps and refill containers incorporate 97% PCR PP, further emphasizing sustainability.

3. HERA Silky Stay Foundation, Rouge Holic

HERA’s Silky Stay Foundation has reduced plastic use by 11% (3 tons annually) compared to its predecessor by removing unnecessary decorative elements, making recycling easier. This year’s new product, the HERA Rouge Holic, is available in a refillable format, allowing for the reuse of the plastic involved in the original product.

4. Sulwhasoo The Ultimate S Cream

Sulwhasoo, in renewing its flagship high-end product and longtime bestseller, The Ultimate S Cream, sought to reduce plastic usage right from the design phase by exploring alternative packaging solutions. With the 2023 renewal, the packaging was switched from plastic to glass, cutting plastic use by approximately 70% compared to the original packaging, equivalent to a reduction of about 10 tons of plastic based on 2022 sales volumes. A refill product was also launched; using The Ultimate S Cream refill can reduce plastic use by up to 55% (based on a 30 ml measurement) compared to purchasing a new product.

5. Primera Youth Radiance Power Moisturizing Cream

primera’s Youth Radiance Power Moisturizing Cream has minimized the use of plastic in its packaging by replacing plastic liners with aluminum sealing and using glass for the container body. This change is anticipated to result in a reduction of approximately 38.323 kg of plastic annually.

6. HANYUL Red Rice Moisture Firming Cream, Pure Artemisia Calming Water Cream, Yuja Vitamin Sleeping Mask

HANYUL has prioritized “absolute reduction in plastic use” as its foremost goal, focusing on transitioning flagship products such as red rice cream, artemisia cream, and citron packs to lightweight glass containers. By switching to glass containers for the red rice cream, an annual reduction of 10.5 tons in plastic use is anticipated. Moreover, all three products have introduced refill capsules, allowing the original glass containers to be reused.

7. LABO-H Hair Strengthening Clinic Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo

Selected as the Green Product of the Year in South Korea for 2023, LABO-H Hair Strengthening Clinic Anti-Hair Loss Shampoo’s refill package is made with 50% paper content, enabling complete paper-based disposal and reducing plastic use by 90% compared to the original product.

#Recycled Plastic (PCR) Usage and Recyclability-Enhanced Products

In addition to the efforts mentioned above, Amorepacific Group is dedicated to collecting used plastics from consumers, recycling a portion of them into new products to foster a circular economy, and striving from the design phase to create recyclable products.

1. Products Utilizing PCR

As of 2023, Amorepacific’s daily beauty products (such as shampoos and body washes) have achieved an impressive incorporation of PCR PET materials, exceeding 70%. innisfree’s “Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask” utilizes packaging that contains 50% recycled plastic (PCR PP, applied to the body excluding the lid), born from the brand’s “Empty Bottle Collection Campaign.”
Additionally, the use of single-material PP makes the products easier to recycle.

① innisfree Green Tea Amino Hydrating Cleansing Water (Domestic version): The body uses 20% PCR (excluding pump and label), with shrink film and perforation line applied for enhanced recyclability.
② innisfree No Sebum Mineral Powder: The cap uses 50% PCR ABS.
③ innisfree Green Tea Moisture/Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Oil: The body uses 20% PCR PET (excluding pump and label) and a metal-free pump.
④ innisfree Green Tea Moisture/Volcanic BHA Pore Cleansing Foam: The cap uses 70% PCR PP.
⑤ innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Skin/Lotion/Cream: The cap uses 30% PCR PP.
⑥ RYO Hair Loss Care Shampoo (For Women/Men): The body uses 100% PCR PET.
⑦ LANEIGE Neo Cushion: The outer case uses 50% PCR ABS, excluding the inner refill container.
⑧ LANEIGE Blue Energy Essence in Lotion EX: The container (excluding cap) uses 100% PCR.
⑨ ILLIYOON Ceramide Derma 6.0 Cleansing Water Foam: The body uses 30% PCR PET (excluding pump and label) with a detachable label.
⑩ ILLIYOON Fresh Moisture Body Wash: The body uses 100% PCR PET (excluding pump and label).
⑪ Happy Bath Original Collection Body Wash 910 g: The body uses 100% PCR PET (excluding pump and label).
⑫ SKIN U INNO:SCENT Shower Gel 500 g: The body uses 100% PCR PET (excluding pump and label).
⑬ HERA Skin Radiant Glow Cushion: The outer case uses 50% PCR ABS, excluding the inner refill container.
⑭ Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion: 85% PCR ABS based on the medium size.
⑮ Sulwhasoo Perfecting Lip Color: The cap and outer case use 30% PCR ABS.

2. Excellence in Recyclability

Many brands strive from the design stage to minimize the use of complex materials that are difficult to recycle, aiming to create highly recyclable products.

① innisfree Green Tea Hyaluronic Skin/Lotion: Excellent recyclability due to using a single material (body PP, cap PP).
② innisfree Isle Number Hand Cream: Uses aluminum for excellent recyclability.
③ innisfree No Sebum Mineral/AC Powder: Notably recyclable.
④ ETUDE SOONJUNG pH 5.5 Relief Toner: Excellently recyclable, available in refill format.
⑤ ETUDE Dear Darling Water Tint: Highly recyclable.

#Waterless Products with Exceptional Time Efficiency

We now introduce Amorepacific’s products that offer exceptional efficiency over time, including waterless options.

When used by consumers, shampoos, body washes, and treatments typically require a significant amount of water. Additionally, fossil fuels such as electricity or LNG are utilized to heat the water, and the water and energy used indirectly contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases.
Waterless products, which do not require water, emit less greenhouse gas than their water-requiring counterparts, saving consumers the time it takes to rinse off with water. Amorepacific’s no-wash treatment products not only match the quality of existing water-based products but also significantly reduce water footprint by more than 99%. mise-en-scène’s No Wash Water Treatment can save approximately 300 liters per product, equivalent to 150 two-liter drinking water bottles. ¹⁾

① mise-en-scène Perfect No Wash Treatment: Saves approximately 320 liters of water in the consumer use phase (based on a 215 ml product).
② mise-en-scène Skincare Perfume No Wash Treatment Blanche & Woody: Saves approximately 370 liters of water in the consumer use phase (based on a 250 ml product).
③ mise-en-scène Salon 10 No Wash Ampoule Treatment: Saves approximately 300 liters of water in the consumer use phase (based on a 200 ml product).


1) Water usage for rinsing calculated based on 15 liters – 10 g per use (Laura Golsteijn, Developing Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules(PEFCR) for Shampoos, IEAM, 2018.)

Less Plastic' narrates the stories of various Amorepacific brands actively practicing ESG, from campaigns to products, revealing hidden episodes as told by those in charge.