Celebrating Sustainable Beauty: The Inaugural UPDATER Award at the 2025 Sustainable Cosmetics Awards Ceremony
The Sustainable Cosmetics Awards 2025 celebrated the increasingly important awareness of sustainability within the beauty industry, held on March 20, 2026, at the +Base in Tokyo's NEWoMan Takanawa. The event marked the official kickoff of the first-ever UPDATER Award, sponsored by UPDATER, a Tokyo-based company focused on social problem-solving through transparency and traceability in products. This unique award aims to cultivate a new consumer behavior that considers the entire production background – from sourcing to manufacturing – emphasizing that beauty products can be chosen with both the planet and humanity in mind.
Designed to recognize cosmetics that excel in transparency and sustainability, the UPDATER Award seeks to connect consumers with visible producers. This award evaluates not only the reduced environmental impact but also how the sourcing and manufacturing processes are disclosed. It encourages consumers to empathize with and continuously choose products that hold true value beyond mere "eco-friendliness." By promoting the ethos of a "visible" product as espoused by UPDATER, the award aims to revolutionize consumer choices and contribute to the global movement toward sustainability.
The very first recipient of the UPDATER Award was the Nowle Tamanu UV Care Cream, crafted by the brand Yarabunoki. At the awards ceremony, Tomoko Miwa, the brand representative, articulated the dedication to sustainable sourcing and production processes that garnered this honor.
The ceremony commenced with an enlightening opening talk led by Kei Yoshi, the President of Lumine Co., Takumi Iura, founder of the circular personal care brand Kruhi and an actor, as well as Kiko Kishi, chair of the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards judging panel. Following this, various cosmetic products from different categories were awarded, and representatives from the winning brands took the stage, showcasing their products alongside previous winners.
Post-award celebrations included a panel discussion featuring leaders from various sectors within sustainable cosmetics. Esteemed speakers such as Sayuri Katsuta, President of AMRITARA, and Yuko Hojo, President of SouGo, participated, delving into what the future holds for sustainable cosmetics. They engaged in discussions around the critical importance of transforming transparency into a valued aspect of consumer choices. A consensus emerged that the challenge lies not just in excellent ingredients but also in how these narratives and product backgrounds are effectively communicated to consumers.
Kiko Kishi provided insight into her vision for the future of sustainable cosmetics, forecasting the end of the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards in 2030, as she believes that creating products friendly to both people and the Earth will become a standard by then. "The next five years will not merely be about raising awareness but about a market transformation," she emphasized. She called for a shift in selection criteria, urging stakeholders to change prevailing norms around consumerism collaboratively.
All interested consumers can experience the award-winning products through a POP UP event hosted at UPDATER's physical store, Minna Shoten, in Shimokitazawa. This event, running from March 1 to March 31, 2026, allows guests to explore, experience, and purchase products recognized for their sustainable practices. Brands will share insights into their commitment to environmental and social considerations behind their products.
The Sustainable Cosmetics Awards is the first and only recognition in Japan dedicated to sustainable cosmetics and fine toiletries. Initiated in 2019 by voluntary ambassadors from the Ministry of the Environment, it employs diverse experts, including students, to evaluate products based on their full lifecycle, from production to disposal. This comprehensive approach supports sustainability advocacy within the cosmetics industry.
Founded in 2011 and based in Setagaya, Tokyo, UPDATER is a trailblazer in providing traceability and transparency services aimed at solving pressing social issues. The company has developed innovative solutions such as carbon-neutral power tracing and sustainable workforce initiatives. With numerous accolades highlighting their commitment to ESG and community-engaged practices, UPDATER is poised to lead collaborations advancing sustainability.
For those intrigued by this pivotal movement in cosmetics, the official website of the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards offers further information: Sustainable Cosmetics Awards.
The future of sustainable cosmetics relies on collective, thoughtful action, and the UPDATER Award stands as a beacon for this transformative journey.
Introducing the UPDATER Award
Designed to recognize cosmetics that excel in transparency and sustainability, the UPDATER Award seeks to connect consumers with visible producers. This award evaluates not only the reduced environmental impact but also how the sourcing and manufacturing processes are disclosed. It encourages consumers to empathize with and continuously choose products that hold true value beyond mere "eco-friendliness." By promoting the ethos of a "visible" product as espoused by UPDATER, the award aims to revolutionize consumer choices and contribute to the global movement toward sustainability.
The very first recipient of the UPDATER Award was the Nowle Tamanu UV Care Cream, crafted by the brand Yarabunoki. At the awards ceremony, Tomoko Miwa, the brand representative, articulated the dedication to sustainable sourcing and production processes that garnered this honor.
A Gathering of Key Industry Figures
The ceremony commenced with an enlightening opening talk led by Kei Yoshi, the President of Lumine Co., Takumi Iura, founder of the circular personal care brand Kruhi and an actor, as well as Kiko Kishi, chair of the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards judging panel. Following this, various cosmetic products from different categories were awarded, and representatives from the winning brands took the stage, showcasing their products alongside previous winners.
Post-award celebrations included a panel discussion featuring leaders from various sectors within sustainable cosmetics. Esteemed speakers such as Sayuri Katsuta, President of AMRITARA, and Yuko Hojo, President of SouGo, participated, delving into what the future holds for sustainable cosmetics. They engaged in discussions around the critical importance of transforming transparency into a valued aspect of consumer choices. A consensus emerged that the challenge lies not just in excellent ingredients but also in how these narratives and product backgrounds are effectively communicated to consumers.
Comments from Judges
Kiko Kishi provided insight into her vision for the future of sustainable cosmetics, forecasting the end of the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards in 2030, as she believes that creating products friendly to both people and the Earth will become a standard by then. "The next five years will not merely be about raising awareness but about a market transformation," she emphasized. She called for a shift in selection criteria, urging stakeholders to change prevailing norms around consumerism collaboratively.
Experiencing Award-Winning Cosmetics
All interested consumers can experience the award-winning products through a POP UP event hosted at UPDATER's physical store, Minna Shoten, in Shimokitazawa. This event, running from March 1 to March 31, 2026, allows guests to explore, experience, and purchase products recognized for their sustainable practices. Brands will share insights into their commitment to environmental and social considerations behind their products.
More About the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards
The Sustainable Cosmetics Awards is the first and only recognition in Japan dedicated to sustainable cosmetics and fine toiletries. Initiated in 2019 by voluntary ambassadors from the Ministry of the Environment, it employs diverse experts, including students, to evaluate products based on their full lifecycle, from production to disposal. This comprehensive approach supports sustainability advocacy within the cosmetics industry.
About UPDATER
Founded in 2011 and based in Setagaya, Tokyo, UPDATER is a trailblazer in providing traceability and transparency services aimed at solving pressing social issues. The company has developed innovative solutions such as carbon-neutral power tracing and sustainable workforce initiatives. With numerous accolades highlighting their commitment to ESG and community-engaged practices, UPDATER is poised to lead collaborations advancing sustainability.
For those intrigued by this pivotal movement in cosmetics, the official website of the Sustainable Cosmetics Awards offers further information: Sustainable Cosmetics Awards.
The future of sustainable cosmetics relies on collective, thoughtful action, and the UPDATER Award stands as a beacon for this transformative journey.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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