Klorane
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About Klorane
Klorane stands as a pioneering French botanical beauty brand that has transformed haircare through scientifically-backed plant extracts with decades of botanical expertise. The brand's signature approach combines rigorous botanical research with sustainable cultivation practices, creating products rooted in traceable plant ingredients and green chemistry extraction methods. As part of the Pierre Fabre Group's expanding portfolio, Klorane represents the intersection of pharmaceutical-grade research and consumer beauty innovation.
The brand demonstrates exceptional environmental stewardship through parent company Pierre Fabre's comprehensive sustainability framework, including net-zero climate commitments, botanical conservatories protecting extensive species collections, and innovative packaging solutions utilizing predominantly recycled materials. However, Klorane's sustainability profile reveals a significant paradox between environmental excellence and animal welfare limitations, particularly regarding cruelty-free certification and vegan formulation breadth.
Pierre Fabre's institutional commitment to social responsibility manifests through the Fondation Pierre Fabre's substantial healthcare access programs spanning multiple countries globally, alongside Klorane's dedicated Botanical Foundation supporting biodiversity education and conservation. This dual-foundation approach positions the brand within a broader corporate framework that extends sustainability impact beyond product formulation into healthcare accessibility and environmental conservation.
The Good Stuff
Where Klorane appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Botanical Conservation Leadership
Maintains botanical conservatories protecting 1,494 species with agro-ecology practices across 180 hectares, demonstrating institutional commitment to plant biodiversity preservation and sustainable cultivation methods.
Science-Based Climate Action
Implements comprehensive net-zero strategy by 2050 with measurable emissions reductions, internal carbon pricing mechanisms, and systematic renewable energy adoption across operations.
Global Healthcare Access Impact
Fondation Pierre Fabre finances 35 ongoing healthcare access programs across 21 countries with €20 million in committed spending, extending sustainability impact beyond beauty into essential healthcare services.
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Animal Testing Compliance
Not certified cruelty-free due to mainland China sales where regulatory animal testing requirements override brand values, preventing third-party cruelty-free certification.
Limited Vegan Formulation Scope
Partial vegan product range excludes multiple key lines including Flax, Chamomile/Honey suncare, Acacia Honey Junior, and KERATINcaps formulations, limiting plant-based options.
Animal Sourcing Transparency Gap
No evidence of verified sourcing standards for animal-derived ingredients, with sustainability commitments focused primarily on botanical rather than animal welfare considerations.
Klorane's
Impact Aura
A visual representation of Klorane's positive impact
across People, Planet and Animals
Each colored area represents the brand's performance in that sustainability category. The size and intensity of each blob corresponds to their score—larger, more vibrant areas indicate stronger performance.
Our Research
Key findings from our comprehensive analysis of Klorane's sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- New non-rinse formulations contain ≥95% natural-origin ingredients with systematic silicone removal from shampoos and creams
- Pierre Fabre Group maintains AFNOR Exemplary Engagé RSE certification covering social responsibility standards
- Supplier assessment through EcoVadis platform with Fair For Life certified sustainable sourcing for plant actives
- Fondation Pierre Fabre finances 35 ongoing healthcare access programs across 21 countries with €20 million in committed spending
- Green Impact Index provides transparent third-party AFNOR-based assessment ratings (A-D) for consumer marketing claims
Evidence Strength
Strong documentation for ingredient safety and social impact programs, moderate verification for labor and supply chain practices
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Net-zero commitment by 2050 with measurable emissions reductions, internal carbon pricing, and increased renewable energy adoption
- Botanical conservatories protecting 1,494 species with agro-ecology practices across 180 hectares and Global Biodiversity Score measurement
- Water consumption reduced by 30% in France with company-wide conservation initiatives
- Prickly pear shampoo achieved A rating with packaging containing ≥84% recycled materials and 2025 goal of 100% recycled packaging
- 90% of plant-based active ingredients extracted using green chemistry methods with no-solvent or green solvent processes
Evidence Strength
Comprehensive third-party verification with excellent documentation across climate, biodiversity, and packaging initiatives
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Not certified cruelty-free due to mainland China sales where animal testing is required by regulatory law
- Partial vegan product range excluding Flax, Chamomile/Honey suncare, Acacia Honey Junior, and KERATINcaps formulations
- Klorane Botanical Foundation supports plant biodiversity conservation through educational outreach and tree-planting initiatives
- No evidence of verified sourcing standards for animal-derived ingredients across product formulations
- Conservation support limited to plant biodiversity rather than broader wildlife restoration programs
Evidence Strength
Clear documentation confirms animal testing policies and vegan limitations, with verified conservation efforts focused on botanical preservation
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Klorane's sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Klorane sustainable and environmentally friendly?
Klorane demonstrates strong environmental performance through parent company Pierre Fabre's comprehensive sustainability framework, including net-zero climate commitments, botanical conservatories protecting extensive species collections, and innovative packaging utilizing predominantly recycled materials. The brand excels in green chemistry extraction methods and biodiversity conservation, though sustainability performance varies across different impact areas.
Is Klorane cruelty-free and vegan?
Klorane is not certified cruelty-free due to sales in mainland China where regulatory animal testing is required by law. The brand offers partial vegan formulations excluding Flax, Chamomile/Honey suncare, Acacia Honey Junior, and KERATINcaps ranges, limiting comprehensive vegan certification across the product portfolio.
What makes Klorane's botanical ingredients sustainable?
Klorane sources plant actives through Fair For Life certified sustainable sourcing protocols, utilizing green chemistry extraction methods for the vast majority of plant-based ingredients with no-solvent or green solvent processes. The brand maintains botanical conservatories with agro-ecology practices and implements full traceability for plant extract origins.
How does Klorane support biodiversity conservation?
The Klorane Botanical Foundation supports multiple biodiversity projects globally through educational outreach and tree-planting initiatives. Parent company Pierre Fabre maintains botanical conservatories protecting extensive species collections with Global Biodiversity Score measurement systems and agro-ecology practices across significant acreage.
What are Klorane's climate commitments and carbon footprint?
Pierre Fabre commits to net-zero emissions with measurable reductions, internal carbon pricing, and increased renewable energy adoption. The company has achieved significant water consumption reductions in France and implements systematic environmental impact measurement across operations.
Are Klorane products made with clean ingredients?
New non-rinse formulations contain predominantly natural-origin ingredients, with systematic silicone removal from shampoos, shower gels, and creams in recent reformulations. The brand is actively replacing parabens during reformulation cycles and utilizes green chemistry methods for plant extract processing.
How does Klorane's packaging support sustainability goals?
Klorane's prickly pear shampoo achieved an A sustainability rating with packaging containing predominantly recycled materials. The brand targets complete recycled-material packaging with a growing portion of catalog offered in refill or eco-friendly formats, demonstrating systematic packaging innovation.
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The Bottom Line
Klorane excels in environmental stewardship through botanical conservation, climate action, and green chemistry innovation, while significant gaps in animal welfare policies limit comprehensive sustainability achievement. The brand's institutional commitment to biodiversity preservation and healthcare access creates meaningful impact beyond beauty, though cruelty-free and vegan limitations reflect strategic market choices that compromise ethical completeness.
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