Lush Cosmetics: Almost 3-Decades of Cruelty-Free Skin Hydration

There are very few things that can turn a day upside but, for me, forgetting my moisturizer is for sure one of them! Being stuck with sand-papery hands in the middle of the day is a feeling I would rather avoid altogether. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you really should be thinking about LUSH!

I confess that I have cheated on my fave moisturizer with coconut oil a couple of times, but nothing beats a creamy, non-greasy, lightly scented hand cream. Recently, I was looking for a new lighter-weight option to add to my bag essentials, and I stumbled upon one from LUSH. I have a feeling this soothing and cooling Dream Cream duo will become your new hydration dream team.

From Poole to Vancouver

The Lush stores are easily spotted with their brightly lit logo and rustic wooden baskets full of colourful self-care products. Having lived in mostly only major cities in Canada, these stores were familiar and found in every mall I regularly visited. Their products’ widespread popularity and availability make it possible for the company to reach a wide audience of those seeking cleaner options. However, the story behind Lush is one of humble beginnings and ethical practices.

Trichologist Mark Constantine and beauty therapist Liz Weir met at a beauty salon in Poole, England in the early 1970s. They were interested in natural beauty and formulating their products, which ultimately drove them to launch their own business. They developed products for local salons and businesses, including some of the best-selling formulas for the Body Shop. Though their first start-up, Cosmetics To Go came to an end after a few years, Lush has remained a success since its first store opened in Poole in 1995. There are now 269 stores in North America with distribution facilities in Vancouver and Toronto, thanks to Mark Wolverton and Karen Delaney-Wolverton – the duo who discovered Lush on a trip to London.

From One Human to Another

The company’s values reign strong on every level, from development to the final product. There is an actual person behind every product, making fresh batches, potting and labelling by hand. You can even find out who made yours on a fun yellow and green sticker right there on the tub.

The simple design of their packaging, known as naked packaging, focused on using repurposed and recycled materials: Less is more. And none is even better. Transparent and ethical sourcing remains at the core of the brand today, with ingredient journeys that you can trace from harvest to home. The zero-waste packaging and sustainable products were what they believed to bring the most value to both customers and the planet.

The brand also actively fights against animal testing, which leads back to the founders Constantine and Weir wanting to put an end to animal cruelty. Animal protection, human rights and environmental justice are three facets of advocacy for the company. Their Charity Pot is a means through which these charitable projects are funded. In addition, 100% of the profits from this body cream contribute to creating positive change and are donated to grassroots groups within these three areas. So far, more than 3.5 million pots have been sold since its launch, amounting to over $50 million donated for projects worldwide.

Dream Cream Hand and Body Lotion

Vegan & 100% recycled packaging // If you have sensitive and easily irritated skin, this powerhouse hand and body lotion has some of the most soothing ingredients for the skin: rose, lavender, and oat milk. The calming blend is gentle enough to use even if you are prone to sensitive skin conditions. The olive oil and cocoa butter soften dry and chapped skin, while the rose oil tones redness and irritation. It has soft hints of oat milk and lavender, and the 45-gram size is perfect for tossing in your bag!

Dream Cream Self-Preserving Body Lotion

Vegan, self-preserving & 100% recycled packaging // The self-preserving version of the original dream cream. This soothing rosewater, chamomile blue and oat milk lotion are the go-to for irritated skin. This product and the original dream cream are that it contains no synthetic preservatives. You will still get every benefit from the ingredients and oils, but with a more rich and thick consistency.

Lime Bounty Body Butter

Vegan, self-preserving & 100% recycled packaging // Enjoy this citrusy-scented lime and coconut super potent moisturizer. Your toughest and dryest skin areas will love this body butter. Made with fresh pureed, filtered coconut and drizzled with extra virgin coconut oil, this product is loaded with everything it needs to give you mega moisture. The Persian lime and lemon myrtle scent is dreamy and suited to use before bed. Give your skin the TLC it needs, and wake up with noticeably softer skin.

 

Find these products available for purchase at your nearby Lush store or their website.