Lush Releases Campaign Warning Against Social Media

Lush is launching a campaign across its UK, EU, US and Canada stores to help draw attention to the dangers of social media platforms. 

Through the campaign, the company is pointing people to groups and resources to “take back power” from tech corporations and create the conditions for safer social media.

Lush itself has taken a stance against social media in recent years, with the company stepping away from  Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and X in 2021. 

“For many of us social media was a seemingly harmless way to connect with people, to document and share moments in our lives,” says Andrew Butler, Campaigns Manager at Lush. “Along the way things took a sinister turn, as social media companies seemed to prioritise profit over the wellbeing of the people using their platforms. 

“Who hasn’t found themselves doom scrolling and wondering why they can’t stop? Turns out the platforms are addictive by design, keeping us scrolling so our data can be harvested and monetised.”

Building safer socials

Lush’s campaign ‘Social Media is Not Free,’ points people towards safersocials.com, its newly launched website, which offers resources and links to organisations that are helping to build and advocate for a safer social world, while also helping people of all ages to build healthier social media habits. 

Alongside this, the company will be selling a new giving product for the duration of the campaign. 

For its new Ctrl shower gummy, 75% of the sales price minus tax will be donated towards supporting groups that are taking power back from big tech corporations and actively working towards creating safer socials. 

“When we see the proliferation of hate speech online, that spills into violence on our streets, where is the accountability for those who allow this to happen on the platforms they own?” says Andrew.

“This campaign hopes to engage people in conversations about what social media has become and how we might be able to work together to stop the harms currently being caused and build a better, safer, digital future instead.” 

Lush's History With Big Tech

Lush has been actively working and campaigning around digital ethics for some time – partnering with influencers for digital detox days, hosting talks on what a social future could look like and launching campaigns with the People vs Big Tech Group. 

One of the moments the company is most known for, however, is its decision to come off the main social media platforms. 

This decision, the company has said, was made due to concerns around how those platforms operated, and the impact they were having both directly on users, and society as a whole. 

“I’ve spent all my life avoiding putting harmful ingredients in my products,” Mark Constantine OBE, CEO and Co-Founder of Lush, said of the decision to take a step back from social media platforms at the time. “There is now overwhelming evidence we are being put at risk when using social media. I’m not willing to expose my customers to this harm, so it’s time to take it out of the mix.”

Who are Lush’s key partners?

• Google Cloud: Lush revolutionises retail with Google Cloud AI to power in-store tills that instantly identify unpackaged products, drastically cutting checkout times and boosting efficiency. This sustainable solution improves customer experience and employee onboarding. Previously, staff had to memorise hundreds of products to manually enter them at the till. This led to slower transactions and long lines, especially during busy seasons.
• Zendesk: Lush has been working with Zendesk to achieve a laser-focused approach to customer feedback, putting the customer – and sustainability – top of mind. The company uses Zendesk tools to monitor and analyse customer enquiries. Originally, the company chose Zendesk to handle its incoming emails and to log calls in one place, and as a result it has helped it improve continuity and service.
• Uber: Lush partners with Uber, allowing customers to order Lush products through the Uber and Uber Eats. The partnership marks another step in Uber’s ongoing expansion into retail delivery categories, including grocery, sporting goods, beauty and lifestyle as the company commits to broadening access, convenience and selection for consumers nationwide.
• Quikkly: Lush previously partnered with Quikkly to develop the Lush Lens, an AI-powered smartphone feature inside the Lush App that scans packaging-free cosmetics to instantly reveal ingredients, prices and video demonstrations.