Lush Wants You to 'Get Naked' for the Planet

This ethical cosmetics company wants you to know about its extensive line of solid, package-free products that eliminate the need for millions of plastic bottles.

Lush Cosmetics is in the midst of its ‘Get Naked’ campaign. From May 26th till July 30th, the company is on a mission to promote its package-free products, which currently comprise an impressive 35 percent of the total product line. These items, which include bath bombs, massage bars, shampoo and conditioner bars, soaps, body butters, and, in the UK, makeup such as eye shadow and lipstick, are “formulated with as little water as possible to allow for a solid form and have the added benefit of requiring no synthetic preservatives to stay fresh – products with truly nothing to hide.”

Staff from stores across North America joined in the fun on May 31st, stripping down to nothing but their black Lush aprons in hopes of kickstarting an important conversation about unnecessary packaging.

As a PR rep explained to me, many shoppers are not aware of Lush’s extensive naked product line because these items don’t come with the colorful packaging and descriptive labels that tend to attract people. They need an extra push, although once people give them a try, they’re usually hooked for life. (I’ve got to admit, even I wasn’t aware of how amazing Lush’s solid massage and facial serum bars were until I got a few and now they reside permanently on my bedside table.)

Excess packaging is a serious problem with most products these days. Much of it is plastic and non-recyclable, which piles up in landfills and washes into oceans and lakes, where it lingers indefinitely, breaking down into small pieces that are ingested by animals. Few companies have jumped on the innovation bandwagon for better, biodegradable designs; nor has there been much consumer demand for it, either.

Lush is unique in this regard, having prioritized the development of solid, package-free products that last much longer and weigh less than their liquid counterparts, making them easier to transport. Containers for Lush's other products are made from 100 percent recycled plastic.

You can join in the Get Naked campaign by sharing your favorite package-free products on social media, using the hashtag #nakedwithlush.