Lancome

Packaging

Primary containers use durable materials like glass and PET plastic that are widely recyclable, and Lancôme reports that 10% of its total glass usage is recycled content today, aiming for 30% by 2025. Still, the brand relies heavily on virgin plastics and not all packaging is recyclable.

Ingredient Sustainability

The brand relies on both synthetic and plant-based ingredients in its skincare and makeup, but importantly has programs to source key plant-based materials responsibly. Organic farming and regenerative agriculture are central to Lancôme’s flagship ingredient, the rose. All roses used in Lancôme skincare and makeup are organically cultivated, many on the brand’s own pesticide-free estates in France. L’Oréal (parent company) achieved 100% certified sustainable palm oil sourcing, with all palm oil derivatives RSPO-certified since 2012.

Despite these efforts, there are areas to improve. Many Lancôme formulas still include petrochemical-derived ingredients (e.g. mineral paraffin in mascaras, synthetic polymers and silicones in foundations), which are non-renewable and can carry a high carbon footprint. Some products use microplastic-like polymers (such as acrylate copolymers and nylon in makeup) that persist in the environment.

Energy Use and Footprint

L’Oréal has publicly committed to carbon neutrality for all operations by 2025, meaning all Lancôme production sites, offices, and distribution centers will run on 100% renewable energy and achieve net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions within the next year.

Waste Management

One area for improvement is establishing take-back programs more globally and increasing the use of recycled content beyond current levels. Still, the brand’s efforts to remove single-use plastics, promote refills, and educate consumers on disposal show a concerted waste mitigation strategy

Business Model

As a high-end brand, Lancôme’s model has historically been built on frequent product launches, premium packaging, and encouraging customers to indulge in a full regimen of products, practices that can drive resource use. However, Lancôme is shifting its model toward more sustainable consumption patterns in several ways.

On the positive side, Lancôme has begun reformulating some products to be “cleaner.” For instance, the new Hydra Zen cream is advertised as formulated without mineral oil, parabens, silicones, or phthalates. However, a closer analysis of ingredients in representative Lancôme products reveals the presence of several ingredients with toxicity or irritancy questions. Lancôme continues to use certain parabens as preservatives in some formulas. Another concern is Lancôme’s liberal use of fragrance and aromatic plant extracts in skincare. Some Lancôme products also include denatured alcohol (Alcohol Denat.) at relatively high levels. Additionally, Lancôme’s mascaras and eyeliners often contain BHT (an antioxidant preservative) and EDTA; BHT is under scrutiny for possible endocrine activity, though used in very low concentrations.

On the one hand, L’Oréal (and by extension Lancôme) has robust supplier codes of conduct and participates in initiatives to improve labor conditions. The company runs a “Solidarity Sourcing” program that prioritizes buying from suppliers who support vulnerable communities. Despite these efforts, Lancôme’s supply chain has faced scrutiny. In 2023, a BBC investigation uncovered child labor in Egyptian jasmine farms supplying the fragrance industry.

Lancôme is not a cruelty-free company. While the brand claims it avoids animal testing whenever possible, Lancôme products are sold in markets (most notably China) that historically required animal tests for cosmetics.

Lancôme actively engages in community initiatives, with a focus on women’s empowerment, education, and inclusion. A flagship program is Write Her Future, Lancôme’s global commitment to combat female illiteracy and support education for young women.