Why upcycling & biotechnology
At MARMI, we believe the future of skincare isn't about taking more from nature, but about using nature more intelligently. That's why we combine two innovative approaches: upcycling and biotechnology. While both help reduce our environmental impact, they each solve different challenges and together allow us to create skincare that is both high-performing and more sustainable.
UPCYCLING
1. What are upcycled ingredients? Upcycled ingredients are high-quality natural ingredients created from parts of plants that would otherwise go to waste. Instead of being discarded, these valuable materials are transformed into effective skincare ingredients, giving them a second life. Every year, the food industry generates millions of tonnes of by-products such as fruit peels, seeds and leaves. While these parts are often overlooked, they naturally contain vitamins, antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that can also benefit the skin. By recovering and transforming these plant materials into cosmetic ingredients, upcycling helps reduce waste while making better use of resources that already exist. At MARMI, we believe waste is not the end of a resource—it is the beginning of something valuable.
2. Why does MARMI use upcycled ingredients? We believe the future of skincare isn't about taking more from nature, but about making better use of what nature has already given us. That's why we carefully select upcycled ingredients that combine skincare performance with a more responsible use of natural resources. Many valuable plants are already cultivated for food. Instead of growing additional crops solely for cosmetics, upcycling allows us to recover beneficial ingredients from existing harvests. This approach reduces waste while helping preserve agricultural land, water and other natural resources. For us, sustainability isn't just about the packaging—it's also about the ingredients inside every bottle.
3. Are upcycled ingredients effective? Yes. Upcycled ingredients are chosen not only because they reduce waste, but because they are naturally rich in beneficial compounds that help care for the skin. Many parts of fruits and plants that are not consumed, such as peels, seeds or leaves, contain high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids and other naturally active molecules. These valuable compounds can be carefully extracted and incorporated into skincare products without compromising quality or performance. At MARMI, every upcycled ingredient is selected because it offers both proven skin benefits and a more sustainable approach to ingredient sourcing.
4. Why not simply grow more plants? If a valuable ingredient already exists, why grow more plants just to produce the same ingredient? Many cosmetic ingredients require dedicated crops, which use agricultural land, water and energy. Upcycling takes a different approach. Instead of producing new raw materials, it gives a second life to existing plant resources that have already been cultivated for food. By making better use of what already exists, we can reduce waste while helping preserve natural resources for future generations.
5. Is upcycling the same as recycling? No. Although both aim to reduce waste, upcycling and recycling are different processes. Recycling breaks materials down so they can be made into something new, often requiring additional energy and processing. Upcycling, on the other hand, transforms existing materials into products of equal or even greater value without first reducing them to raw materials. In skincare, this means transforming valuable plant by-products into high-performance cosmetic ingredients instead of discarding them.
6. How does upcycling help the environment? Upcycling helps reduce waste by making use of valuable plant materials that already exist instead of creating demand for new raw materials. By recovering ingredients from existing agricultural by-products, upcycling can contribute to: reducing food waste; making better use of harvested crops; limiting the need for additional agricultural land; reducing the consumption of water and natural resources; supporting a more circular economy. While upcycling alone cannot solve every environmental challenge, it is one practical way to use natural resources more efficiently.
7. Why does MARMI choose European upcycled ingredients? Working with trusted European partners allows us to better understand where our ingredients come from and how they are produced. It also helps reduce transport distances compared with ingredients sourced from the other side of the world and supports local innovation in sustainable ingredient development. For us, sustainability is about making thoughtful choices at every stage of the product's journey—from ingredient sourcing to the finished skincare product.
At MARMI, we don't see waste the way most people do. We see potential. Every apple peel, seed or leaf carries valuable compounds that deserve to be used rather than discarded. By giving these natural resources a second life, we create skincare that respects both your skin and the world it comes from.
BIOTECHNOLOGY
8. What are biotech ingredients? Biotech ingredients are active skincare ingredients produced using biotechnology, a process that harnesses living cells, microorganisms or natural biological processes to create highly effective ingredients. Rather than relying solely on harvesting plants or marine organisms from nature, biotechnology makes it possible to produce the same valuable molecules in a controlled and more sustainable way. In skincare, biotechnology allows scientists to cultivate plant or algae cells in carefully controlled environments, such as bioreactors. This approach helps preserve natural ecosystems while ensuring every batch has the same purity, quality and concentration of beneficial compounds. At MARMI, we believe biotechnology allows us to combine nature and science to create ingredients that are both highly effective and more respectful of our planet.
9. Are biotech ingredients natural? Yes, many biotech ingredients are naturally derived. Biotechnology does not mean creating artificial ingredients. Instead, it uses natural cells or microorganisms to produce valuable active ingredients in a controlled environment. For example, instead of harvesting large amounts of algae from the ocean, scientists can cultivate selected algae cells in a bioreactor. These cells naturally produce the same beneficial compounds while reducing pressure on marine ecosystems. All biotech ingredients MARMI uses are natural.
10. Why does MARMI use biotechnology? We believe innovation should help protect nature, not exploit it. Biotechnology allows us to create high-performance skincare while reducing pressure on natural ecosystems. Some natural ingredients are difficult to source sustainably because they grow slowly or exist in fragile environments. Biotechnology offers an alternative by cultivating specific cells under controlled conditions, producing consistent and effective ingredients without intensive harvesting. For us, biotechnology combines scientific innovation with environmental responsibility.
11. Why are some algae cultivated in bioreactors instead of harvested from the ocean? Cultivating algae in bioreactors helps protect marine ecosystems while producing ingredients with a consistent quality and concentration of active compounds. Natural algae are affected by seasons, water quality and environmental conditions. By cultivating selected algae cells in a controlled environment, scientists can produce highly concentrated active ingredients without repeatedly harvesting marine resources. At MARMI, our biotech ingredient derived from Jania rubens is an example of how biotechnology can help preserve biodiversity while delivering excellent skincare performance.
12. How does biotechnology help protect biodiversity? Biotechnology reduces the need to harvest large quantities of plants or marine organisms directly from nature. By cultivating selected cells instead of entire organisms, it helps preserve ecosystems and reduce pressure on natural resources. Many plants and algae require years to grow or exist in delicate environments. Biotechnology makes it possible to obtain valuable active ingredients without repeatedly removing these resources from nature. It is one way innovation can contribute to protecting biodiversity for future generations.
13. Why are biotech ingredients more consistent? One of the greatest advantages of biotechnology is consistency. Because ingredients are produced under carefully controlled conditions, each batch contains the same high concentration of beneficial compounds. Plants grown outdoors are naturally influenced by weather, soil quality, sunlight and seasonal variations. As a result, their composition can vary from one harvest to another. Biotechnology provides greater consistency, helping formulators create skincare products with reliable quality and performance.
14. Are biotech ingredients more effective? Biotechnology does not automatically make an ingredient more effective. Its main advantage is that it allows scientists to produce highly pure, consistent and concentrated active ingredients while respecting natural resources. Some biotech ingredients are chosen because they can deliver high levels of specific bioactive molecules that would be difficult or less sustainable to obtain through traditional harvesting. Ultimately, the effectiveness of a skincare product depends on the quality of the ingredient, the formulation and how it is used—not simply on how the ingredient is produced.
15. Is biotechnology safe in skincare? Yes. Biotech ingredients used in cosmetics are subject to the same strict safety requirements as all other cosmetic ingredients. Before being used in skincare products, ingredients must undergo rigorous safety assessments in accordance with cosmetic regulations. Many biotechnology-derived ingredients have been used safely in skincare for years and are valued for their consistent quality and excellent skin compatibility.
16. Does biotechnology replace nature? No. Biotechnology is inspired by nature and works alongside it. Rather than replacing natural ingredients, it offers a way to produce valuable active ingredients while reducing pressure on ecosystems. At MARMI, we see biotechnology as a tool that helps us protect the natural world while creating effective skincare. It allows us to preserve biodiversity, improve ingredient consistency and continue learning from nature instead of taking more from it.
17. Why is biotechnology considered the future of skincare? As the demand for high-performance skincare continues to grow, biotechnology offers a way to create innovative ingredients while using fewer natural resources. It combines scientific research with environmental responsibility, allowing brands to develop effective skincare without relying solely on traditional harvesting. At MARMI, we believe the future of skincare lies in combining the best of nature with the latest scientific innovations. Biotechnology is one of the ways we can create products that are both highly effective and more respectful of our planet.
