Rihanna, Jennifer Lopez, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande… These days, you simply aren’t an A-lister if you haven’t launched your own beauty brand – and the latest star to join the party is Scarlett Johansson.

The Black Widow actor has teamed up with fellow entrepreneur Kate Foster to create The Outset, a minimalist, clean, vegan and cruelty-free brand that the pair have dubbed “the classic white tee of skincare”. Here are five things you need to know:

Everyday Essentials

While Johansson has represented many beauty brands over the years, she decided to start her own line because she “wanted to create and represent a brand that felt true to me, something real and intimate that others could see themselves in too”. For her, that meant something universal, approachable and reliable, with a focus on simple and gentle everyday essentials.

So far, there are five products in the range – the Gentle Antioxidant Micellar Cleanser, Firming Collagen Prep Serum, Nourishing Squalane Daily Moisturiser, Restorative Niacinamide Night Cream and Smoothing Vitamin C Eye Cream – ensuring there’s everything you need for an easy, balanced and effective daily skincare routine.

Consciously Clean

Mindfulness lies at the heart of The Outset, with every product created around the brand’s “consciously clean” principles. That’s resulted in over 2,700 potentially problematic ingredients being eliminated from their formulations – with the likes of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, microplastics, gluten and nut allergens, cyclic silicones and petroleum-based compounds all hitting the banned list – making the range especially suitable for those with sensitive skin.

All formulas are completely vegan, with zero animal-derived ingredients; The Outset are also cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.

Plant-Based Innovation

Each The Outset product stars the brand’s revolutionary Hyaluroset Complex, a plant-based alternative to hyaluronic acid that’s derived from the cassia flower. This potent complex delivers immediate long-lasting hydration to skin, while also enhancing radiance and smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Eco Design

The Outset’s packaging has been designed to minimise excess waste, with recyclable glass bottles and post-consumer recycled plastic used as much as possible. The products’ cartons and shippers are also made from 100 per cent recyclable, FSC-certified paper, and are manufactured in a wind-powered, carbon-neutral factory. 

The brand has also said they’ll be launching refill pouches in summer, meaning you can further extend the lifespan of The Outset bottles, keeping them out of landfill. 

Giving Back

The Outset has joined forces with several partners to “foster new beginnings for people and the planet”. So far, the organisations they’ve pledged to support include One Tree Planted, a global reforestation non-profit, and Dress For Success, which aims to end gender inequality by helping women find jobs and become economically independent.

As members of the organisation 1% For The Planet, The Outset have committed to donating one per cent of their annual sales to environmental organisations in the long-term too. 

So far, The Outset’s website only ships to the US – so fingers crossed they’ll be adding Hong Kong to their list of destinations soon!

Find out more at The Outset’s website

See also: Ariana Grande Has Launched Her Vegan Makeup Line, R.E.M Beauty

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