Our bioactives from the up-cycling of bananas, an innovative solution to reduce food waste
As a committed natural cosmetics company, Kadalys is proud to participate in World Banana Day, April 19. This day is an opportunity to recall our commitment to reducing food waste through the use of ingredients from bananas that would otherwise be thrown away in the food industry.
In this article, we explain why by celebrating Banana Day with us, you too will be able to contribute to the promotion of more responsible and sustainable consumption while taking care of your skin in a natural and effective way.
SUMMARY
- The story of the banana
- The up-cycling process at Kadalys
- Our Banana bio-actives: a fruit of a thousand of benefits
The story of the banana
Banana Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the banana, a popular fruit around the world due to its sweet flavor, creamy texture and many health benefits. This day is celebrated every year in many countries around the world and is often associated with awareness campaigns about the benefits of eating bananas, such as their high fiber, vitamin and mineral content. Some non-profit organizations also use this day to promote sustainability projects to help local banana growers.
For the record, bananas were first brought west from India and other Asian countries by Arab traders around 327 BC. Bananas then spread to Africa and then were transported to the New World by explorers. Bananas began to be sold on a large scale in 1834, when they gained popularity and demand.
Today, the banana is one of the most popular fruits in the world, with billions of tons produced each year. It is used in a variety of dishes and drinks but is also valued for its medicinal and cosmetic properties. Indeed, bananas are a real source of nutrients such as vitamins B6 and C, potassium, antioxidants (polyphenols, phytosterols, etc.) and fibre.
The up-cycling process at Kadalys
Up-cycling is a process of recovering raw materials or ingredients from already existing products and reusing them to create new ones to reduce waste and contribute to environmental sustainability. This principle therefore makes it possible to restore value to something that would have ended up in the trash. In the cosmetics industry, up-cycling consists of using raw materials from renewable and sustainable sources, such as fruits, which would otherwise be considered waste or unusable by-products. These ingredients are then recovered and transformed into active ingredients for cosmetic products. Although their visual aspects are unattractive, these ingredients retain their beneficial properties for the skin, as is the case for our Banana Bio-actives which are rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
Indeed, at Kadalys, we are committed to an eco-responsible approach which consists of saving bananas that are unsaleable because they are considered imperfect in the food industry. Every year in Martinique, 40,000 tons of "ugly and single bananas", or 20% of production, are discarded and discarded. This is why we have adopted a zero waste approach by implementing an up-cycling process to recover this agro-waste and give it a second chance.
We follow and respect an ethical and sustainable supply chain, where every step is carefully controlled to minimize our impact on the environment. By working closely with local producers in Martinique and Guadeloupe, we ensure that the bananas we use are grown responsibly, free of pesticides and harmful chemicals, and come from organic and fair trade agriculture. This partnership also allows us to strengthen the traceability, quality and safety of our main cosmetic active ingredient derived from bananas. At the end of the process, we obtain, thanks to a patented eco-extraction process, our certified organic and natural oily active ingredients which will be used in our products. Thus, we contribute to the reduction of food waste and we support local communities and farmers by using ingredients from sustainable and fair sources.
Our eco-responsible approach does not stop there. We also educate our consumers by creating campaigns that celebrate "ugly, single bananas" and how to recycle them. We are committed to making the general public aware of the importance of reducing food waste and contributing to the preservation of the environment. This is why we would like to celebrate Banana Day with you, in order to invite you to join our movement: by using our cosmetic products, you support our eco-responsible approach and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Our Banana bio-actives: a fruit with a thousand of benefits
At Kadalys, the banana is the flagship fruit of our natural skincare products. We have identified the many benefits of bananas on the skin and have made them into cosmetic actives, which offer unique properties for the skin, including anti-aging, depigmenting and soothing properties. Our formulations are designed to provide a tailored skincare experience based on the specific needs of each skin type.
With 10 years of research and development, we have developed active ingredients from 3 types of bananas: pink banana, green banana and yellow banana. Each of these Bio-actives offers unique benefits for the skin:- Bio-active Banana Pink: with real energizing, healing and anti-inflammatory properties, our Bio-active Banana Pink acts as a global anti-aging agent that fights against free radicals and oxidative stress. A real radiance booster, it unifies the complexion and significantly reduces pigment spots.
- Bio-active Green Banana: naturally rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, the green banana is known for its healing, purifying and energizing properties. Particularly effective in preventing the first signs of aging, our Bio-active smooths and refines skin texture while offering a protective action.
- Yellow Banana bio-active: with an antioxidant power 21x greater than that of argan oil, our Yellow Banana bio-active helps the skin fight against the visible signs of skin aging (wrinkles, fine lines). Enriched with vitamins E and antioxidants, the yellow banana has a lifting, regenerating and firming action for the skin.
