Hourglass
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About Hourglass
Hourglass represents luxury color cosmetics innovation within the prestige beauty sector, recognized for formulation excellence and performance-driven complexion and color products. The brand has distinguished itself through breakthrough ingredient development, including the industry-first open-source vegan carmine alternative that eliminated insect-derived pigments from its entire color portfolio.
As part of Unilever's prestige beauty division, Hourglass operates with significant research and development capabilities while maintaining its luxury positioning and cruelty-free commitments. The brand's sustainability approach focuses primarily on animal welfare initiatives and selective packaging innovations, though broader environmental commitments remain limited compared to comprehensive sustainability leaders in the beauty industry.
Hourglass demonstrates particular strength in ingredient innovation and social impact programming, with sustained financial commitments to animal rights advocacy reflecting genuine corporate values alignment. However, the brand's environmental performance shows significant gaps in climate action, supply chain transparency, and comprehensive sustainability strategy development.
The Good Stuff
Where Hourglass appears to be making meaningful progress. We cross-referenced these findings with multiple independent sources.
Industry-First Vegan Carmine Innovation
Developed and open-sourced a vegan Red 0 carmine replacement after multi-year R&D investment, eliminating insect-derived pigments and advancing industry-wide ingredient safety standards
Third-Party Verified Cruelty-Free Standards
Certified cruelty-free through independent verification programs with confirmed policies against animal testing of ingredients and finished products across all development processes
Sustained Animal Rights Partnership
Long-term financial commitment supporting the Nonhuman Rights Project through 1% of net profits and 5% from Unlocked collection sales, demonstrating genuine corporate values alignment
The Reality Check
Areas where the publicly available data gets murky, incomplete, or concerning. We're transparent about the limitations of our analysis.
Supply Chain Transparency Void
No published supplier lists, third-party labor audits, or fair trade certifications disclosed, limiting visibility into manufacturing and sourcing practices
Climate Action Initiative Absence
No brand-level greenhouse gas emissions reporting, renewable energy commitments, or science-based climate targets disclosed despite luxury market leadership position
Reactive Chemical Safety Approach
Chemical innovation occurs on project basis without formal green chemistry policy or comprehensive ingredient safety framework beyond regulatory compliance
Hourglass'
Impact Aura
A visual representation of Hourglass' positive impact
across People, Planet and Animals
Each colored area represents the brand's performance in that sustainability category. The size and intensity of each blob corresponds to their score—larger, more vibrant areas indicate stronger performance.
Our Research
Key findings from our comprehensive analysis of Hourglass' sustainability performance across People, Planet & Animals impact.
Positive Impact on People
Research Highlights
- Innovative ingredient safety demonstrated through multi-year R&D development of vegan Red 0 carmine replacement, open-sourced for industry benefit
- Social impact initiatives include sustained financial commitments with 1% of net profits and 5% from Unlocked collection supporting animal rights advocacy
- Third-party cruelty-free verification through recognized certification programs confirms no animal testing policies
- Labor practices and supply chain transparency lack independent verification or published audit reports
- Marketing integrity aligns with verifiable certifications and transparent animal welfare positioning
Evidence Strength
Strong documentation for ingredient innovation and social impact commitments, significant gaps in labor standards and supply chain verification
Positive Impact on Planet
Research Highlights
- Packaging innovation through Unlocked collection introduces refillable formats and recycled materials in luxury cosmetics
- Chemical responsibility demonstrated via open-source vegan ingredient development, though formal green chemistry policies absent
- Climate action initiatives show no disclosed emissions targets or science-based commitments at brand level
- Water stewardship and biodiversity protection programs not identified in public sustainability reporting
- Environmental initiatives primarily focused on packaging improvements rather than comprehensive sustainability strategy
Evidence Strength
Limited environmental documentation with innovations concentrated in packaging and ingredient development, substantial gaps in climate and resource management
Positive Impact on Animals
Research Highlights
- Comprehensive cruelty-free certification through third-party verification with confirmed no-testing policies across all development
- Complete vegan formulation transition achieved through portfolio reformulation, though some legacy products may persist
- Wildlife advocacy support via long-term partnership with Nonhuman Rights Project demonstrating commitment to animal legal rights
- Sustainable sourcing for animal-derived inputs lacks verified standards or transparent audit processes
- Conservation funding reflects sustained financial commitment to animal welfare and rights advancement
Evidence Strength
Excellent verification for cruelty-free and vegan claims with strong third-party documentation, gaps in sourcing transparency for animal-derived materials
See the Receipts
We don't just make claims—here are the official certifications that prove Hourglass' sustainability commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hourglass sustainable?
Hourglass demonstrates strong performance in animal welfare and selective ingredient innovation, with verified cruelty-free certification and pioneering vegan formulation development. However, the brand shows significant gaps in climate action, supply chain transparency, and comprehensive environmental initiatives, resulting in mixed sustainability performance across key impact areas.
Is Hourglass cruelty-free?
Yes, Hourglass is certified cruelty-free through third-party verification programs and maintains policies against animal testing of ingredients and finished products. The brand does not sell in markets requiring animal testing and has received recognition for its cruelty-free commitments.
Is Hourglass vegan?
Hourglass transitioned to fully vegan formulations through comprehensive portfolio reformulation, including the development of industry-first vegan carmine alternatives. While the brand declares itself vegan, some legacy non-vegan products may persist in certain markets during the transition period.
Does Hourglass have refillable packaging?
Hourglass offers refillable formats through its Unlocked collection, featuring sustainable materials including recycled plastics and metals. This represents a significant packaging innovation initiative within the luxury cosmetics sector, though refillable options remain limited to specific product lines.
What certifications does Hourglass have?
Hourglass holds third-party cruelty-free certification, with verified policies against animal testing. The brand lacks broader sustainability certifications such as carbon neutral, organic, or fair trade verification, reflecting its focused rather than comprehensive certification approach.
Does Hourglass support wildlife conservation?
Hourglass demonstrates wildlife-friendly commitments through sustained partnership with the Nonhuman Rights Project, contributing 1% of net profits and 5% from specific collections to support animal legal rights advocacy and wildlife welfare initiatives.
What is Hourglass doing for the environment?
Hourglass focuses environmental efforts primarily on packaging innovation through refillable formats and ingredient development including vegan alternatives. However, the brand lacks comprehensive climate commitments, water stewardship programs, or biodiversity protection initiatives typical of environmental leaders in beauty.
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The Bottom Line
Hourglass excels in animal welfare and selective innovation areas, with industry-leading cruelty-free verification and breakthrough vegan ingredient development, but shows substantial gaps in climate action, supply chain transparency, and comprehensive environmental strategy. The brand's sustainability performance reflects focused excellence in specific areas rather than holistic sustainability leadership expected in luxury beauty.
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