Not surprisingly, one of my favorite parts of figuring out which brand manufacturers earn a place on Beauty Packaging’s annual Top 20 list is, at the same time, uncovering trends in cosmetics, personal care and fragrance packaging.

What kept cropping up this year was a leaning toward social and environmental responsibility. While certain companies on our list, such as Natura and Yves Rocher, have adopted these practices as essential to their DNA, almost all now release an annual sustainability report, with details on corporate practices, products and packaging that are environmentally responsible. Some of the largest manufacturers have made huge internal commitments to reduce packaging, double recycled resin in plastics and meet other sustainable criteria by 2020.

So throughout this report, I’ve included a number of examples in which packaging has been reduced, revised or replaced. I’ve also called out products that are used in ways that save precious natural resources, such as those that lend themselves to water conservation.

Packaging legislation and consumer sentiment are both picking up speed, and it’s fascinating to learn how manufacturers are innovating to keep pace.

Another common denominator noticeable amongst our Top 20 is a drive toward developing the most effective skincare products possible, and the rising designation of R&D funds to accelerate the process.

How to house these highly sensitive formulas has become a challenge that cosmetic suppliers have taken up with gusto, providing brands with new and attractive solutions. On page 20, you’ll find some of the latest tubes, jars, droppers, airless containers and more.

Body and hair care are following suit, taking packaging cues from their skincare cousins—and on page 36, we show you how the transition has evolved on shelf.

A number of these packs also follow sustainability guidelines. Please keep me posted on additional examples of packaging that falls into this category as I look ahead to our special April/May 2015 feature story on Environmentally Responsible Packaging & Practices.

We hope you enjoy this issue.