The beauty industry is changing at an alarming rate, and so is the need for sustainable practices. It is no secret that modern society seeks products that are effective, but less harmful to nature. Glossier is a well-known brand for its “less is more” approach to beauty, which won the hearts of many consumers for products like the Stretch Concealer. But how does it perform with regard to sustainability?
This review addresses the sustainability concerns of the Glossier Stretch Concealer and examines its ingredients, the animal testing policy, its packaging, manufacturing processes, and the available substitutes. By the end, you can determine whether the product aligns with your beliefs about sustainability.
What is Glossier All About?
Glossier has always advertised itself focusing on youthful beauty blended with effortless glamour. Popularized for their “skin first, makeup second” approach, the brand claims to enhance users’ beauty with light cosmetics. Since day one, Glossier has effectively engaged with customers by designing beauty routines that emphasize skin and use minimal, yet potent formulations.
When it comes to sustainability, Glossier has been quite careful. While some effort has been made to adopt more eco-friendly practices, the approach taken is rather unsatisfactory. Are they simply trying to cater to customer needs without putting any genuine sustainable systems into place? Or does Glossier want to position itself as an environmental beauty industry pioneer? Let’s take a closer look at the Stretch Concealer to investigate.
What Makes Glossier Stretch Concealer Unique?
Glossier’s Stretch Concealer is a light-textured and buildable concealing product that provides brightening without any caking. It has been designed to “stretch” and move alongside the skin, providing an “elastic” skin-like finish, which makes it popular among people who prefer a “my skin but better” look.
It is no longer sufficient for a product to work well; it also needs to be environmentally friendly. This is what we found regarding the product’s sustainability:
Ingredients: Ethical and Eco-Friendly or Problematic?
Stretch Concealer contains an oil and wax blend formulation which includes beeswax alongside mineral pigments and avocado and jojoba seed oils. From an eco-sustainability viewpoint, these ingredients may be evaluated as follows:
Beeswax – A naturally-occurring and fully biodegradable substance, bears concerns with regard to ethical sourcing because it is an animal by-product.
Avocado Oil – Quite often, avocado oil is sustainably farmed, but it is an ingredient noted for its moisturizing properties. This said, avocado farming has been known to cause deforestation in some areas, raising concerns about its sourcing.
Jojoba Seed Oil – A sustainable champion. It thrives in dry, water-scare settings, making it easy to cultivate in arid environments.
Petrolatum & Mineral Oils – Both these extracts of petroleum are commonplace within cosmetic products. From a sustainability standpoint, their origins as fossil fuels poses a challenge.
Although Stretch Concealer is free from some controversial ingredients like parabens and sulfates, the inclusion of petrolatum does lower its eco-friendliness. While many ingredients are indeed natural, there is still high dependence on non-renewable resources. These materials could use reconsideration.
Room for Improvement:
A verification stamp certifying ethical sourcing of beeswax or a complete move towards plant-derived ingredients could be more favorable for eco-conscious consumers in the glazing of green marketing overselling. This proves that greater transparency on sourcing can make a big difference.
Packaging Review: Sleek, but Sustainable?
Stylistically, Glossier has carved a space for itself with the clean and minimalist lines they feature, and the Stretch Concealer comes in a small glass pot with a plastic lid, which feels posh to hold, but how sustainable is it?
The Good:
Glass Pot: Since glass can be recycled an infinite number of times, it also means that a sustainable side is provided.
Compact Design: The minimalistic approach to the design leads to further reduction of excessive materials.
The Not-So-Good:
Plastic Lid: The lid made from plastic is recyclable, but its utility is very limited due to constant degradation.
No Refill Program: Consumers have to throw away the packaging because Glossier does not provide a refill or return program for its containers, which increases waste.
Room for Improvement:
If Glossier were to offer sustainable caps made from recycled materials or refillable options, they could significantly change their environmental impact for the better. They could also implement a significant change by offering a take-back program for used containers.
Manufacturing Practices and Corporate Sustainability Efforts
Sustainability is often ignored when it comes to evaluating beauty products, and their Glossier has been no exception. We deeply analyze:
Energy Use: Glossier does not communicate the use of renewables or the amount of energy used in manufacturing.
Waste Management: Not much is known about how Glossier controls industrial waste.
Water Conservation: The same goes for other areas; Glossier has not made public any water conservation efforts.
Partnerships or tangible targets within these fields could motivate Glossier to become more ecological. Unlike other brands that offer annual sustainability reports, Glossier does not provide any insights.
Third Party Certifications Matter:
In these contexts, sustainable manufacturing certifications like B Corp and Climate Neutral are absent. Brands like Youth To The People have set benchmarks that, for instance, Glossier could strive to meet.
Is It Cruelty-Free?
Glossier does shine more brightly when it comes to animal testing. The brand is cruelty-free certified and does not test on animals at any stage of production. They also appear on the cruelty-free list by Leaping Bunny and PETA which lends credibility to their assertion.
What is still unclear is whether all of the products are vegan. The inclusion of beeswax in the Stretch Concealer means that product is non-vegan.
Competitive Analysis: Glossier Stretch Concealer Sustainable Alternatives
For those who prioritize eco-friendly practices, these alternatives to the concealers from brands that are sustainably focused include:
Youth To The People Superfood Hydrate + Firm Peptide Eye Cream
Sustainability Focus: 100% vegan, carbon-neutral shipping, and glass packaging.
Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
Sustainability Focus: Uses sugarcane-based squalane and renewable ingredients.
Derma E Vitamin C No Dark Circles Perfecting Eye Cream
Sustainability Focus: Uses recyclable materials and wind-powered production.
These alternatives outperform others in the sustainability spectrum, from sourcing to packaging to energy efficiency.
Last Word On: Glossier Stretch Concealer Sustainability
Stretchable concealer by Glossier is an effortless multifunctional skin product that optimallys work. It’s notable glass containers seems to give some promise of sustainability alongside a generally cruelty-free policy towards animal exploitation. However, the concealed petrolatum and plastic parts coupled with the opaque supply chain makes the case very weak overall.
Ways to Make Things Better:
Stop using nonrenewable resources like petrolatum.
Petrolatum as a non-renewable resource should be phased out.
Change to refillable containers.
Disclose policies on energy, water, and waste management.
Obtain B Corp or Climate Neutral certifications.
Attention Eco-Conscious Cosmetic Consumers:
Optimum consumers who are passionate about makeup and sustainability zure their decisions, and with Glossier, their gentle approach to the environment makes them a great starting point, but comparing them to brands actively fighting for the globe will make you second-guess your purchases, as they almost certainly will end up being more rewarding.
Looking for more environmentally conscious beauty brands? Check out Youth To The People or Derma E for a range of clean, highly effective alternatives.
