Skip to content

Ethical brand ratings and accreditation since 2001

Back to table

Clinique

Is Clinique an ethical brand?

The GOOD Shopping Guide gives Estée Lauder Companies Inc., which owns numerous subsidiary brands, including Clinique, a poor ethical rating. Sadly, as evidenced by its bad GOOD Shopping Guide ethical rating in our Ethical Skincare Ratings Table, this brand currently disregards our fundamental ethical principles.

Find out more about the ethical issues faced by the skincare industry in our comprehensive editorial on Ethical Skincare.

Where does Clinique score well for its ethics?

Estée Lauder’s latest Environmental Report discusses the company’s sustainability commitments, including goals for improving in certain areas, such as carbon emissions and packaging. This reflects that the company is working towards environmental progress, leading to a top rating in the Environmental Report criterion.

Where does Clinique score poorly for its ethics? 

Clinique is not vegan. Its parent firm, Estée Lauder, obtains a low GOOD Shopping Guide rating in this research category since it does not manufacture or market any vegan or vegetarian items. Cosmetics made by Clinique contain substances like lanolin, a waxy material made by sheep.

How can Clinique improve its ethical rating?

Based on 15 ethical standards, The GOOD Shopping Guide calculates Clinique’s score. Clinique needs to clarify and address a number of ethical issues, such as its lack of vegan products.

Ethical performance in category

0

GSG score

22
67

GSG category benchmark

100

Ethical Rating

Environment

  • Environmental Report

    Good

  • Genetic Modification

    Poor

  • Organic

    Poor

  • Fossil Fuels

    Acceptable

  • Packaging

    Poor

Animal

  • Animal Welfare

    Poor

  • Vegetarian/Vegan Verified

    Poor

People

  • Armaments

    Good

  • Irresponsible Marketing

    Good

  • Political Donations

    Poor

Other

  • Ethical Accreditation

    Poor

  • Public Record Criticisms

    Poor

  • Public Record Criticisms+

    Poor

= GSG Top Rating = GSG Middle Rating = GSG Bottom Rating