Founded in the United Kingdom in 1995, Lush has become a global cosmetics giant, with more than 800 shops in 50 countries. From its conception, Lush reinvented the beauty scene, leading a “cosmetic revolution” which put ethics at the forefront of its business. From a soap that helps to fund vital services in Gaza to its unwavering advocacy, Lush is a powerful player when it comes to fighting against global poverty.

A Small but Mighty Hand Cream

One of the cornerstone products in Lush’s fight against global poverty has been its Charity Pots, a vanilla and floral-scented hand and body lotion. This product was created to raise money for grassroots groups, campaigns and nonprofits doing humanitarian groundwork protecting human rights and ensuring environmental justice. In 2024, Lush made more than $130 million in charitable donations since the launch of its giving initiatives back in 2007. The Charity Pot made up 75% of these donations.

Despite recently removing the product from its shelves, Lush remains committed to campaigning. The organization has produced a new line of Giving Products, which allows it greater flexibility in targeting and responding to global emergencies, directing money to where it is needed. Lush’s Charity Pots proved to be a small but mighty force in the fight against global poverty.

Lush’s Giving Products

Replacing the Charity Pots, Lush’s Giving Products hit the shelves with the Watermelon Slice soap as the first launch. Originally a regular product, it was turned into a Giving Product after a staff member highlighted the symbol’s significance in the movement to support a free Palestine. With each sale, 75% of the proceeds are donated to childhood mental health and medical services in Gaza, including charities providing prosthetic limb support to adults and children.

Since launching the Watermelon Slice soap, Lush has used its Giving Products to support various causes. These include aiding Indigenous volunteer fire brigades in the Amazon, backing lawyers and human rights activists in Mexico and supporting “She Should Run,” an organization working to increase diverse political participation.

The Use of Fairtrade Ingredients

One of the main selling points for Lush products is its use of Fairtrade ingredients. The Fairtrade Foundation seeks to address the root causes of poverty directly by ensuring farmers and workers in developing countries receive better prices, working conditions and more power over their products. Cheap products often come at the exploitation of those who grow them.

So by ensuring a minimum price, the Fairtrade Foundation ensures that farmers and workers can cover the costs of sustainable production and have a safety net for when the market falls below a sustainable level. Farmers whose products are Fairtrade certified also receive a Fairtrade Premium, a lump sum which members of Producer Organizations democratically decide how to spend. This money is typically invested in community development.

By choosing Fairtrade products, Lush is helping to break the cycle of poverty in developing countries, enhance the well-being and resilience of these communities and enable individuals a greater level of dignity.

Uplifting Communities Through Knot Wraps

Lush’s venture into reusable packaging has also proved significant in fighting global poverty. While sifting through bundles of vintage scarves, the Lush buying team discovered an abundant supply. In 2009, the company began stocking more than 40,000 wraps as part of its shift to knot wrapping, a sustainable, reusable packaging alternative.

From there, Lush began partnering with re-wrap, a nonprofit organization in India that produces 100% organic cotton knot wraps. Crafted by highly skilled female artisans, re-wrap makes a range of products, including tote bags, gift wraps, pouches and aprons and is dedicated to uplifting rural women and farming communities.

During production, local women are trained in the skills needed to make these wraps, enabling them to earn an income and empowering them to leave unsafe relationships. By working directly with re-wrap, Lush ensures that producers receive fair wages, further helping to alleviate poverty in rural communities.

A Lush Future

From its Watermelon Soap funding aid in Gaza to partnering with organizations that empower women in India through artisanal skills, Lush is building an impressive track record of fighting global poverty. Its unwavering advocacy and campaigning should serve as a blueprint for other companies. We can only hope this vital work continues and that others follow.

– Libby Foxwell

Libby is based in Sherborne, Dorset, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr