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Article: How Kadalys Unlocks The Power of Upcycling

Banana Farmer in red shirt carrying green bananas with a blurred vehicle in the background

How Kadalys Unlocks The Power of Upcycling

Have you ever wondered how a simple banana could revolutionize the world of beauty?

That's exactly what Kadalys is doing––and rewriting the rules of sustainability in the process.

 

Unraveling the Magic of the Banana Tree

Several bunches of yellow bananas with brown sport sitting on a table

Behind every great innovation is a story of discovery. For Shirley Billot, it all started with a deep fascination with the banana tree.

Embarking on a scientific quest, Shirley sought to unlock the wonders hidden within this common fruit.

Her research yielded results that were nothing short of revolutionary—innovative bio-actives drawn from the humble banana.

Their existence owes to a process that is as innovative as it is eco-friendly: upcycling.

 

Upcycling: Turning Waste into Beauty

Kadalys Founder Shirley Billot standing in front of a row of bananas at a banana production facility

Welcome to the world of upcycling – where waste is not the end of the road but the beginning of a more glamorous journey.

How Upcycling Differs from Recylcing

Think of upcycling as recycling's cooler, more sophisticated sibling.

Where recycling often reduces the quality of materials through a process called 'downcycling', upcycling flips the script entirely. 

It takes what we’d usually toss aside and breathes new life into it, often enhancing its value in the process.

It’s not just about reducing waste; it’s about reimagining waste.

The goal? A zero-waste world.

Upcycling in Beauty

In the beauty universe, upcycling is making a splash. Imagine the 'unwanted' seeds from fruits transformed into exfoliating skincare ingredients.

And those 'ugly' fruits not quite cute enough for the grocery aisle?

They're hiding beauty-boosting secrets, like bananas (more on that soon).

Choosing upcycled products means you're embracing an eco-friendly approach that doesn't just reduce waste, but celebrates potential.

 

The Power of the BananaWooden box of pink, yellow & green bananas with visible brown marks on them.

Why We Use Upcycled Ingredients

Our choice to use upcycled bananas in our organic and vegan cosmetics was driven by multiple factors:

  1. Curtailing food waste.
  2. Supporting local banana farmers.
  3. Harnessing the remarkable benefits of bananas.
  4. Promoting a more responsible, ethical approach to beauty.

Why Bananas?

Bananas have many interesting, skin-loving properties.

They’re rich in vitamins E, C, B2, B6, and B12, minerals (magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc), essential fatty acids (omega 3, 6, and 9), polyphenols and phytosterols (useful to help prevent skin aging).

These properties make bananas the perfect ingredient for all skin types.

That's because bananas can address the problems of hyperpigmentation, oily/acne-prone skin, and dry/mature skin.

 

Our Green Secret to Creating Eco-friendly Beauty

Kadalys Founder standing with Banana Planter on Banana Farm

Since our inception in 2012, Kadalys has harnessed the power of upcycled bananas to create our unique range of skincare products.

After two years of intensive research, our founder, Shirley Billot, launched a company that reflects her ethos: ethical, inclusive, eco-friendly, and globally-minded.

The Research Behind Kadalys

Shirley's research was centered around the remarkable properties of the banana tree, a prevalent plant in the Caribbean, particularly in Martinique and Guadeloupe.

She discovered the rich potential in yellow, green, and pink bananas, each variety offering unique benefits to the skin.

Solving A Real Problem

In a bid to support local banana farmers and foster a sustainable business, Shirley decided to upcycle agro-waste from the banana industry.

Every year, 270,000 tons of bananas are transported to grocery stores for sale to consumers.

The problem? Nearly 40,000 tons are deemed “ugly,” and are therefore discarded.

By upcycling these bananas to extract bio-active ingredients, we prevent food waste and create value where it was lost.

Using Green Chemistry to Upcycle 

Furthermore, Shirley worked to limit energy requirements.

She created an eco-extraction process requiring little energy consumption and no use of chemical solvents when producing our clinically proven bio-actives.

Through this innovative organic beauty project, Shirley has created an eco-responsible, ethical, cosmopolitan and inclusive business!

 

Kadalys: Your Trusted Name in Organic Beauty

Image of Kadalys Pure Melt Cleanser, Musalift Cream, and Radiance Oil against a white background

Kadalys has remained true to its core values and commitments since the inception of our first product. We steer clear of compounds that could potentially harm the skin, health, or environment.

Ingredients

Our products consist of natural ingredients and components approved by the COSMOS standard. Our organic and vegan-certified Kadalys treatments are a perfect addition to any beauty ritual.

Packaging

On the packaging front, we opted for recyclable packaging made from paper and cardboard sourced from FSC-certified, sustainably managed forests (and made with renewable energy!).

Our tote bags and beauty cases are made from ŒKO-TEX certified cotton, making them 100% biodegradable, recyclable, and reusable!

 

Join the Upcycling Revolution!

Kadalys stands as a pioneer in the organic beauty industry, offering cosmetics made from upcycled bananas.

Our commitment to eco-design has positioned our brand as a leader in natural beauty and respect for people, animals, and the environment.

We hope you'll join us on our mission to reveal the hidden potential for beauty everywhere.

 

SHOP SUSTAINABLE SKINCARE