Packaging
Lume shows no evidence of sustainable packaging initiatives. Product packaging is predominantly conventional plastic: the Red Light Wand kit and serums come in plastic components, the capsule creams are sold in traditional jars, and items like the Multi-Balm stick use standard plastic tubes.
There are no refill systems or circular packaging features. Customers must purchase new containers each time (e.g. buying a new serum bottle rather than refilling an old one). The brand has not mentioned using recycled materials, FSC-certified paper, or compostable alternatives in any of its packaging.
Ingredient & Material Sustainability
Several components raise sustainability concerns: for example, the Multi-Balm Moisturizer Stick contains polyethylene and other petrochemical derivatives, which are petroleum-based plastics not readily biodegradable.
The capsule creams use ingredients like Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (typically derived from palm or coconut) and Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter (no fair-trade noted). The Salmon DNA Boba Cream features “Salmon Egg Extract” and “Sodium DNA” from salmon, an animal-derived ingredient whose sourcing (wild-caught vs. farmed waste) is not explained, raising questions about ecological impact on marine life.
Even beneficial plant extracts (aloe, cucumber, meadowfoam, etc.) used by Lumel come with no transparency about their origin or farming practices.
Energy & Carbon Footprint
The brand’s operations are opaque; there are no published carbon footprint measurements, renewable energy usage statements, or carbon offset programs.
Manufacturing of Lume's LED wand and skincare likely involves third-party factories (possibly overseas), yet Lumel does not disclose their location or any efficiency measures. The shipping regions (Middle East, US, etc.) indicate international transport of goods, implying freight emissions that the brand has not addressed publicly.
Waste Management
Lume has no visible waste mitigation policies for either manufacturing or post-consumer waste. The brand does not mention how it handles manufacturing waste or if it recycles materials during production. Likewise, there are no take-back or recycling programs for its products’ end-of-life.
For example, there is no guidance on disposing of the Radiant Renewal Wand once its battery or LEDs fail, implying it could end up in electronic waste streams.
Packaging waste is similarly unaddressed: customers receive items like masks, plastic jars, and tubes without any recycling instructions or incentives to return packaging.
Business Model
Lume’s business model shows elements of conventional, sales-driven commerce with some product longevity benefits. On one hand, the brand’s product lineup is relatively small and “mostly evergreen” – a few core items (wand, serum, capsule creams, etc.) rather than fast-changing collections. This suggests they are not churning out new trends constantly, which aligns with a slower consumption pattern.
The site heavily promotes sales, bundle deals, and subscriptions (e.g. “May Sale”, Christmas bundles, and subscribe-and-save for serums). These urgency-driven promotions and discounts encourage impulse buys and continuous consumption, which contradicts a truly slow, mindful consumption ethos.
