Putting beauty products under the microscope

Hot Buttons

This week, we take our first look at the beauty industry – skin care, cosmetics, hair care, and wellness supplements – and find it wanting.

Kim Kardashian’s line of skincare, SKKN, got off to a bumpy start with lots of social media backlash around its packaging. And many others make claims around sustainable ingredients that don’t hold up to scrutiny.

Then, Gucci has an environmental impact report out, and has partnered with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to embrace circularity in its business. A classic luxury brand sending a powerful message to the industry around sustainable practices. Will it stick?

Finally, we turn to biotech, where innovators are building nylon out of plants. This gets us excited, as it goes beyond the challenges of recycling plastic to avoiding fossil fuels altogether. Science!

Resources:

• Cosmetics Business: Kim Kardashian in hot water over SKKN ‘greenwashing’ claims
• Gucci’s Impact Report
• Vogue: Gucci Wants To Go Circular – Here’s How
• Vogue: Plant-based nylon is not fantasy

Hot Buttons is a production of Post Script Media. The show is hosted by Christina Binkley, Rachel Kibbe, and Shilla Kim-Parker. Follow the show on Twitter.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices