How Acure Measures Up: Understanding Carbon Neutral Beauty
Date Published: 10/25/2025
Understanding how brands combat their carbon emissions.
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In a world where every brand claims to be "climate friendly", it's hard to know which ones are actually walking the talk.
In an industry filled with buzzwords, Acure stands out as one of the few clean beauty brands that's officially Climate Neutral Certified, meaning they actively measure and offset their carbon footprint each year.
This post breaks down what carbon neutral really means, how Acure approaches it, and what small choices we can all make as consumers to support a lower-impact beauty routine.
Carbon Emissions 101
When companies say “carbon”, they usually mean CO₂e, a carbon-dioxide equivalent. It encompasses major greenhouse gasses such as CO₂ and methane. These gases trap heat in our atmosphere, which contributes to global warming.
Every single product, from packaging to delivery to your doorstop, has a carbon footprint. Energy use, shipping, packing, and waste all add up
How Do Companies Measure This?
- Activity data : for example, kWh of electricity x regional emissions factor = tons of CO₂e
- GHG (Green House Gases) Protocol: This is the widely used framework for standardizing Scopes 1-3. (See below for details)
- Intensity Metrics: These are quantifiable and can show progress as the company grows. E.G. Emissions per unit sold, Emissions per dollar revenue.
The ways businesses produce carbon emissions
Climate Neutral Certified is a third-party program that verifies companies based on their measurable carbon actions. It's the same certification used by brands such as Allbirds, Klean Kanteen, and Avocado Green Mattress.
To maintain certification, a company must:
- Measure company-wide carbon emissions each year, from operations to shipping.
- Reduce first. Some of the easiest ways are by switching to renewable electricity, improving electric efficiency, redesigning packaging to be lighter or compostable, choosing ground freight over air, and by cutting rush shipments.
- Offset remaining emissions through carbon credits, which pays to support projects such as wind, solar, and reforestation. These offsets can reduce carbon emissions in other places, and can be used to compensate what’s left after reductions.
This label doesn't mean a company is emission free (no company is), but it does demonstrate a verified, ongoing commitment to improvement.
To maintain climate neutral certifications, companies must do this every year.
Brand Spotlight: Acure
Acure is a clean skincare company that takes this commitment seriously. The brand is vegan, cruelty free, and does not use parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, or formaldehyde in their formulas.
Their Climate Neutral Certification reflects real action. Acure measures its company wide emissions, reduces where possible, and offsets what's left using credits (for example, by funding renewable-energy projects). The brand has also taken steps to minimize rush shipping and single use marketing materials to further lower its footprint.
Body Lotion (The Farm Collection)
This luxurious body lotion is made with 100% regenerative avocado oil, cold pressed from Apricot Lane Farms. Unlike lotions that seem to disappear after an hour, this formula keeps skin hydrated and supple.
Brightening 2% Vitamin C & Ferulic Acid Serum
An affordable take on a luxury formula. This serum combines 2% Vitamin C with Ferulic Acid, two powerful antioxidants known to brighten skin tone, fight free radicals, and boost radiance. A high end Vitamin C serum doesn't have to break your bank.
Use THEGOODSTANDARD at checkout for 15% off select items
Both the products and the practices behind them reflect Acure’s mission: effective formulas that don’t compromise the planet.
How Your Choices Help (Practical Wins)
- Batch order items, and choose standard shipping over rush. Fewer and larger shipments mean less packaging per item. Standard shipping typically uses ground instead of air. Air freight has a much higher carbon footprint per package shipped.
- Buy refillable sizes or larger sizes, so you don’t have to reorder constantly. This reduces packaging per use, and over time, the amount of shipments needed.
- Check for “fragrance-free” or minimalist formulas, especially for those with sensitive skin. You’ll produce a lot less trial-and-error waste.
- Support brands, such as Acure, who are transparent about their annual carbon impact. Prioritize companies that publish an annual carbon footprint, set feasible reduction goals, and use accredited third-party labels (e.g., Climate Neutral)
Understanding carbon emissions, and how companies measure, reduce, and offset helps cut through the noise. When shopping, look for companies with transparent reporting and real, verified reduction plans. When a brand takes the extra step to certify as carbon neutral, it’s a helpful hint that they are doing something good.
At The Good Standard, we will continue to keep support and spotlight brands such as Acure, who are truly good for the planet and its people.
Sources
Tags: sustainability, clean beauty, skincare
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