Corporate responsibility is a many-sided thing. Luonkos is committed to responsibility across the board. The company was founded to create change and a better future. Ecological thinking is in the company's core DNA. We create solutions that let consumers, now and in the future, enjoy healthy skin with fewer products. The products are responsibly made and packaged as ecologically as possible.
Corporate responsibility has been in the headlines lately. It is typically divided into environmental, social and economic responsibility, and Luonkos's practices are outlined below under those headings.
Environmental responsibility
Protecting water, air and soil: The water footprint of Luonkos products is minimal, both in production and in the use of the finished products. Most of the raw materials are natural and biodegradable. In making cosmetics, Luonkos actively uses raw materials arising from industrial side streams, such as birch bark powder.
Countering climate change: Luonkos production is designed so that the environmental load is minimised. The products make it possible to simplify skincare and reduce overconsumption. The packaging is chosen on zero-waste principles and is easy to recycle. Its main material is Kotkamills' biodegradable, recyclable board, printed with food-grade inks. The packaging is folded by hand so that no glue is needed. Most of the labels are made from newer materials such as pine oil.
Efficient and sparing use of natural resources: Only renewable, mainly natural raw materials are used in production. The products are waterless and free of preservatives. Luonkos favours raw materials from local producers.
Responsibility for the product life cycle and the value chain: The raw materials are chosen so that they are suitable for ending up in the drain. The whole value chain has been examined in line with responsibility thinking. Waste from production is minimised and recycled. The work surfaces, tables and fittings acquired for production are reused. Luonkos has chosen fossil-free energy, and logistics too have been chosen on ecological grounds.
Social responsibility
Staff wellbeing and skills: Luonkos aims to build and maintain a good, balanced working environment for permanent and seasonal staff alike. Occupational safety, a flat hierarchy, employees' expertise in their own work and open communication are at the heart of management.
Product responsibility and consumer protection: The raw materials have been chosen carefully to suit the skin, while respecting environmental values and local production principles. Luonkos products are both waterless and free of preservatives. Luonkos uses newer raw materials such as birch bark extract produced on circular-economy principles and Finnish forest microbe extract. The products are tested during product development and registered in the EU register. Neither the products nor their raw materials are tested on animals. Finnish consumer protection applies to all products.
Good practice in the business network and in community and societal relations: Luonkos aims for open and responsible cooperation with every party. The summer boutique in Naantali stocks responsible products from local makers. Luonkos representatives speak about values-based business at various forums: the idea is to inspire other companies towards responsibility.
Human rights: Luonkos works to advance equality and human rights. Luonkos has sponsored Pride events for several years. Together with Naisten Pankki, Luonkos supports the education and entrepreneurship of women and girls in poor countries through cooperation and fundraising.
Supporting charitable activity: Luonkos takes part in raising money for charity campaigns, among them Save the Children Finland, Naisten Pankki and World Vision, and has also donated to Naisten Linja and Hope ry.
Economic responsibility
Producing economic wellbeing for society: Luonkos creates jobs in Finland. All production and operations are in Finland, its partners are Finnish and taxes are paid in Finland. Luonkos has been granted the Key Flag and Design from Finland symbols. Luonkos is a member of Pro Luonnonkosmetiikka and of the Federation of Finnish Enterprises. The products are certified with the Fi-Natura certificate.
“In everything we do we want to be at the leading edge of responsibility. The products have been created with future trends in mind. I firmly believe that companies have the chance, through their choices, to create future-proof products and the conditions for curbing climate change. In the end it comes down to everyday choices, small and large, and to core questions: does this add responsibility, is this right. The basis for the choice then has to lie somewhere other than in short-term euros,” says Luonkos CEO Piritta Fors. Piritta Fors is a futures researcher by training (MA, Futures Studies) and a business coach (Business Coach Master).
Luonkos develops, produces and sells a new kind of skincare product. Waterless multi-purpose products make skincare possible with fewer, but high-quality, ecological products.
“An ethical, ecological and Finnish natural cosmetics range. Plastic-free packaging, craftsmanship and cleanly functional products delight throughout the range.” The citation for the Kauneuspilkut award, Association of Beauty Journalists
