Mustela Achieves Prestigious B Corp Certification

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “We must be the change we seek in the world.” Sixty years later, B Corp is promoting that philosophy through a corporate certification for companies committed to the common good. This new business classification holds benefits not just for the companies themselves, but for workers, customers, and communities around the world.

Mustela and our parent company, Expanscience, are proud to announce that we are now certified members of the B Corp community. It’s a tremendous honor, and we’re excited to be a part of this growing group that includes Ben & Jerry’s, Patagonia, Natura, and 2,437 other companies worldwide.

But what exactly is a B Corp? What does it mean for you? And what does it mean for the skincare products you depend on? We’ll answer those questions and more in this article.

Mustela’s B Corp Certification

At Mustela, we are devoted to creating safe products for both moms and babies—and have been for over 70 years. It all starts with our belief that nature knows best and continues with our dedication to using ingredients that are natural—or of natural origin—whenever possible.

That commitment has led us to go beyond current safety standards to offer only the best skincare products that are both effective and safe to use—even for newborns and breastfeeding moms. That way, you don’t have to worry about what you’re applying to your little one’s skin. You can trust that it was made with your baby’s health and happiness in mind.

At Mustela, we don’t see ourselves as one company among many. Instead, we operate with the view that we are a member of an international community of citizen companies. That feeling of inclusion and social responsibility affects everything we do.

Since 2009, Mustela (and its parent company, Expanscience) has fostered a regular dialogue with its stakeholders with the goal of co-building future offers. This dialogue also serves to encourage Mustela’s ecosystem of suppliers, partners, and customers toward actively practicing citizen responsibility.

What Does The B Corp Label Mean For You And The Products You Love?

The Mustela products you have come to know and love will not change at all. The Mustela brand has always been resolved to produce only the best, safest products for you and your family. We leave out unsafe ingredients that other companies may include, and we mix all our products according to the highest standards possible.

But our commitment to you and the B Corp philosophy doesn’t stop there. We test all of our products in coordination with pediatricians and dermatologists. This helps us ensure that what you apply to your skin and your baby’s skin is effective and safe. That standard will never change.

What Does The B Corp Label Mean For Mustela?

Karen Lemasson, CSR and Open Innovation Director at Expanscience, answers this question nicely. She says,

“B Corp is a fabulous opportunity for Mustela to continue its path toward a positive and committed corporate social responsibility, fueled by a strong social mission. We are delighted to be part of a global movement supported by a desire to build a collective path for the common good.”

Jean-Paul Berthomé, president of Expanscience, elaborates on what the B Corp certification means for Mustela:

“Belonging to an international community of citizen companies and integrating the ‘extended benefit’ principle at the center of our business model makes perfect sense for Mustela, which is committed to preserving the health capital of individuals and contributing to the better living of its communities.”

The principle of ‘extended benefit’ and social responsibility at Mustela is—and has always been—infused in everything we do. It’s in our corporate purpose, our mission, and in the responsibilities of each and every manager and employee. The B Corp certification is an extension and manifestation of that philosophy.

As an example of this ‘extended benefit’ ideal in action, Mustela has implemented a fair trade policy that protects the environment, producers, and their country of origin. At Mustela, we’re looking beyond our own benefit to the benefits we can create for everyone involved with our brand. That includes employees, partners, producers, distributors, customers, and communities around the world.

“To be competitive, we must set an example. Being exemplary means being responsible. This means responding to the economic, social, corporate, and environmental issues. By acting in this manner, we are taking on board the expectations of our stakeholders around the world. This is what, for almost 15 years, we have been striving to do at Mustela,” says Mustela President Jean-Paul Berthomé.

Your Health Is Our First Concern

Mustela has provided skincare products and expertise for babies and mothers since 1950. During those 70 years, complete safety for you and your family has been our guiding principle. That is (and always will be) our first concern.

Today, we offer a complete range of specially formulated skincare products. These products address the unique changes in the delicate skin of newborns, babies, children, mothers-to-be, and new mothers. All of our products are dermatologist tested, hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and will never include questionable ingredients, such as:

• Parabens
• Phthalates
• Phenoxyethanol
• Formaldehyde
• 1,4-dioxane

Instead, Mustela uses safe natural and man-made ingredients, such as:

• Water
• Beeswax
• Zinc oxide
• Avocado perseose
• Sunflower oil
• Glycerin

Whether you use Mustela’s Stretch Marks Recovery Serum for new and expecting mommies, Diaper Rash Cream 1 2 3 for baby’s sore bottom, or Mustela’s award-winning Cleansing Wipes for you and your little one, you can rest assured that all Mustela products deliver clinically tested and proven results that you can see and feel for yourself.

Mustela’s Maternity products are even clinically proven to be safe for mom and baby during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and breastfeeding.

And thanks to our new B Corp certification, you can be confident that Mustela is also working to improve communities and environments around the world.

What Is A “B Corp”?

The B Corp certification is modeled after the idea that responsible companies need to “Be the change” that Gandhi spoke about. The ‘B’ in B Corp stands for many different ideals, including:

• Better business
• Best for the world
• Benefit for all stakeholders

The B Corp label is for international corporations that integrate social and environmental objectives in their activities and business models. These objectives include:

• Corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Social and environmental impact
• Positive contributions and activities

Put more simply, B Corp-certified companies are those that commit to an environmental and community-minded mission with short-term priorities other than maximizing profits.

But the B Corp certification is more than just a fancy logo. It’s an ideal that encompasses:

• An exacting label
• A community of companies
• An international movement
• A state of mind

An Exacting Label

Companies that seek the B Corp label must pass a rigorous examination based on an exacting set of five standards:

• Governance
• Employees
• Community
• Environment
• Customers

Only the best companies that have a positive impact on their environment are awarded the B Corp certification.

An International Movement

The B Corp certification is now made up of an international network of citizen companies that share:

• Ethical goals
• Best-practice standards
• A commitment to interdependence

This network of companies operates according to the B Corp motto:

Do not seek to be the best company in the world.
Rather, seek to be the best company for the world.

Mustela is proud to uphold this ideal.

A State Of Mind

Each B Corp-certified company around the world shares a similar state of mind. That state of mind manifests as a commitment to:

• Exemplary practices
• Environmental responsibility
• Customer well-being

All B Corp members belong to a community of pioneers on the cutting edge of social responsibility who wish to strengthen the principle of the “Citizen Company.”

The B Corp business doesn’t view itself as separate from its community and the environment. Instead, it views itself as a partner with its community and the world at large. This state of mind serves to inspire other companies and individuals to work for positive change.

At Mustela, that starts with providing the safest and most effective skincare for your family.