Etude House

Overall Rating:

Avoid

Location:

Korea

about the brand

Etude House, established in 1985, is a South Korean skincare and cosmetics brand.

certifications

learn more about these certifications*

Etude House

Brand Rating & Evaluation

Overall Rating:

Avoid

Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate

The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. These are a few factors influencing this brand's score:

sustainability practices

Etude House’s sustainability practices are limited, particularly regarding packaging and resource management. The brand uses plastic, metal, and glass in its packaging, with few details available about efforts to incorporate recycled or biodegradable materials. The continued reliance on single-use plastics, including popular sheet masks, contributes to waste, and Etude House does not provide transparency on measures to make these products more eco-friendly.

In terms of ingredients, Etude House has not made significant commitments to sustainably sourced ingredients or certifications that would ensure ethical sourcing practices. Additionally, there is no available data on resource management, such as water or energy usage, or efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ingredients & materials

We found no evidence that Etude House avoids toxins in their forumaltions. Certain products may contain ingredients that could be of concern to individuals with specific sensitivities or ethical preferences.

The absence of third-party certifications such as EWG Verified or COSMOS makes it challenging to fully assess the safety and non-toxicity of all ingredients used.

social responsibility

Etude House's stance on animal testing is complex. The brand states that it avoids animal-derived ingredients and animal experiments. However, for products distributed in China, where animal testing is required by law, Etude House complies with local regulations. This means their products are tested on animals in those markets.

Regarding labor practices and supplier standards, there is limited publicly available information, making it difficult to assess the brand's commitment to fair wages and safe working conditions throughout its supply chain.