Healing in a Greener Future: Sustainable Pathways for Dermatology

Abstract

Background: Sustainable dermatology requires balancing patient outcomes with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Objectives: To examine environmental impacts related to skin health and emerging solutions. Methods: Targeted literature review. Results: This review addresses five key domains: formulation chemistry, packaging lifecycle, clinical operations, healthcare equity, and sustainability verification. We highlight emerging solutions, including biodegradable ingredients, circular packaging systems, energy-efficient practices, and teledermatology platforms that expand access to specialized care. The analysis scrutinizes greenwashing risks and the challenges of transforming established practices toward more sustainable alternatives. Conclusions: We advocate for comprehensive lifecycle assessments, dermatology-specific certification standards, clinical waste minimization protocols, inclusive care models, and further research on biodegradation pathways, consumer behavior, and AI-enabled diagnostic tools that can democratize access while reducing the carbon footprint of care delivery.