Essence Cosmetics

Essence Cosmetics doesn't make any ingredient commitments at the brand-level. Its parent company, Cosnova Beauty, has committed to avoid certain ingredients to lower its environmental impact, including parabens, other petrochemical-based ingredients, uncertified palm oil or palm oil-derived ingredients, and microplastics. Despite these commitments, Essence Cosmetics still uses some ingredients that pose a significant threat to the climate, including other petrochemical-based ingredients, microplastics, and harmful suncare ingredients. It claims to be animal-testing-free, but doesn't hold any certifications.

Essence Cosmetics doesn't share anything about its packaging at the brand-level. Its parent company, Cosnova Beauty, has made efforts to reduce virgin plastic overall, but it's unclear how much it still uses, and if it uses any other packaging materials that are less harmful to the environment.

Cosnova Beauty, the parent company of Essence Cosmetics, shares information on its overall energy strategy. It uses an unknown proportion of renewable energy to power its corporate offices. It doesn't report using any renewable energy in its production. It has vague targets for expanding its use of renewable energy. It doesn't provide information on any water conservation strategies. Essence Cosmetics has a global production span, which is standard for the industry.

Commons couldn't find evidence that this brand offers any alternative models to lower its waste footprint, such as refills or takeback programs. It provides recycling and/or disposal guidance for all of its products.

Essence Cosmetics offers seasonal products or frequent releases, which can encourage overconsumption and production of excess inventory.

Commons is still evaluating this brand's marketing emails.

Essence Cosmetics doesn't appear to have a sustainability page or centralized source of relevant information. We expect more transparency from large brands. Cosnova Beauty, its parent company, publishes a detailed annual report with a clear, impact-driven strategy and progress reporting. However, its last annual report was published back in 2021. Essence Cosmetics shares a complete list of ingredients used in its products, on a per product basis.

Cosnova Beauty, the parent company of Essence Cosmetics, internally measures and publicly reports its company-level emissions. It includes a breakdown by scope. The last reporting period was 2023. In its most recent update, its estimated emissions footprint was 103,339 tons CO2e.

Essence Cosmetics' parent company, Cosnova Beauty, has SBTi-approved emissions reduction targets for the medium-term (5-10 years), long-term (10+ years). However, it hasn't reported on its progress within the past year. We expect more accountability from large brands. The brand offsets emissions for a small portion of its total.

Essence Cosmetics' parent company, Cosnova Beauty, doesn't publish information about its supply chain partners. It traces its mica supply chain. It publicly shares a supplier code of conduct, which disallows unauthorized subcontracting, includes environmental clauses, prohibits forced labor, prohibits child labor, and ensures the right to collective bargaining. Its code of conduct doesn't ensur a living wage, or establish grievance mechanisms. Cosnova Beauty has a stated policy of regularly auditing its supply chain partners, which can mitigate human and environmental risks.

Cosnova Beauty, the parent company of Essence Cosmetics, doesn't openly disclose its climate-obstructive trade association memberships. It's a member of 1 large climate-obstructive trade associations: Personal Care Products Council. It isn't a member of advocacy organizations advancing climate policy. It doesn't employ any state lobbyists. It didn't donate more than $100k to climate-obstructive candidates or PACs from 2018-2024.