Woman in a white blouse holding and tapping a smartphone against a bright blue sky with clouds

ECOBEAUTY
SCORE

YOUR GUIDE TO SUSTAINABLE SKINCARE

Feeling overwhelmed by sustainability claims in the beauty and skincare aisle?

As the No.1 global skincare brand*, we want to help you make more informed sustainable choices. That is why we have joined the EcoBeautyScore Association, a global breakthrough initiative bringing over 70 cosmetics companies & associations together to develop an environmental impact assessment and scoring system for cosmetic products – that is science-based and independently verified.

Checking consent...

EcoBeautyScore brings clarity to the beauty and skincare industry, offering you trustworthy information.
It simplifies understanding the environmental impact of the products you love.

Decoding EcoBeautyScore
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

White jar of NIVEA Nourishing Day Cream SPF 15 nestled among dense, sunlit blades of green grass

Products that score “A” rank amongst the best in class in their category for having a lower environmental impact. Products that score “E” have a higher impact and are therefore key products to focus our efforts on to improve their environmental performance. Product scores can only be compared against other products within the same category (e.g. face care), making it easy for you to compare like for like and make informed, sustainable decisions.

Our priority remains to deliver products that work with your skin, providing you with the care, efficacy, and safety you expect, no matter their score.

You will find environmental impact scores online for selected product categories, e.g. Face Care. Scores for other categories and products will be added gradually.

Decoding EcoBeautyScore
HOW IS IT CALCULATED?

Diagram of a product lifecycle showing stages: formula & packaging resources, processing, manufacturing, storage, use, and end-of-life, set against a blue sky background.

LIFECYCLE STAGES IN ECOBEAUTYSCORE EVALUATION

The score is calculated by measuring the full impact of a product over its lifetime, from sourcing the ingredients and the packaging, to manufacturing, transport, consumer use and even after use when it becomes waste.

KEY PLANETARY IMPACTS IN ECOBEAUTYSCORE CALCULATION

The different planetary impacts – such as climate, water, and land biodiversity (e.g. deforestation) – are calculated for each stage of the product’s life and then combined. This is the approach most commonly used by scientists to measure the environmental impact of a product.

The methodology has been co-designed by scientists and reviewed externally by a panel of independent experts**. Score usage is regularly audited by a third party.

To find out more about the methodology:

Diagram showing planetary impacts on air, water, and earth, including climate change and resource quality.

EXPLORE SOME OF OUR TOP-SCORING PRODUCTS

99% of our face care products score A or B***

Serum | dark spots

Cellular LUMINOUS630 ANTI-SPOT Advanced Treatment Serum

FAQs

The EcoBeautyScore data is thoroughly checked to give you clear and reliable information. Quantis, a leading sustainability consultancy, uses the European Union’s Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method to assess impacts across a product’s lifecycle. This includes a shared database for ingredient impacts and an easy-to-use tool for product evaluation. The whole methodology and label are certified by an independent certifier, ensuring you have trustworthy insights for making eco-friendly beauty choices.

The EcoBeautyScore is here to empower you with clear, reliable insights into the environmental impact of your beauty products. By using a trusted, science-based method, it helps you make informed, eco-friendly choices that align with your values. With transparent scoring, you can easily compare products across brands and choose those that are better for the planet, ensuring your sustainable skincare products care for you and the environment.

Some indispensable ingredients lead to a higher environmental footprint over the product’s lifecycle. As a result, products containing these ingredients may not achieve the highest sustainability score ("A").

For example, some of our face care products contain UV filters to protect your skin from UV rays, reducing the risk of premature aging and skin cancer. NIVEA uses only state-of-the-art UV filters, with the lowest possible impact on the environment.

Certain state-of-the-art ingredients for shower gels are specifically chosen for their stability, which ensures optimal performance on the skin. Regardless of the score, the safety and efficacy of our products are always our highest priorities. We never compromise when it comes to the quality and effectiveness of our products.

*Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA by umbrella brand name in the categories Body Care, Face Care and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2024.

**The EcoBeautyScore methodology and platform have been reviewed and verified by E&H, the consulting branch of the Ecocert group, to ensure compliance with the principles of the European Commission’s PEF methodology and ISO norms 14020/14025. EcoBeautyScore methodology and platform reviewed & verified on 26th May 2025 by:

ECOCERT Group and E&H consultancy logos centered side by side on a wide white banner

***96% of male & female products sold in Europe were assessed