How beauty brands are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic

From Harper's BAZAAR

In the midst of the dark grey cloud that is the coronavirus pandemic, fashion and beauty brands alike are stepping up to make a difference to their customers, staff and frontline healthcare workers in rays of good deeds we all probably appreciate all the more right now.

Beauty has long been known to boost the spirits and in times of crisis, the industry can sometimes experience a boost in revenue due to a phenomenon called the 'Lipstick Effect', whereby individuals, no longer able to indulge in large scale purchases, look to little luxuries like make-up, to boost their mood.

The sale of hand sanitiser, soap and hand cream, for example, have all risen exponentially for obvious reasons, but while some beauty companies are arguably benefiting from our situation, the best are doing what they can to help.

These are the brands making a difference: from donating their full range of hand gel and hand creams, to repurposing their production lines in order to make much needed equipment including face masks and ventilators.

It's amazing to see so many brands, following the lead of companies such as LVMH, Dyson and L'Occitane, coming forward to offer their support. Discover our favourites below, which we will update as more (hopefully) flood in.

Protective equipment

As our hospitals struggle to cope with the demands made on them, some beauty manufacturers are going the extra mile by stepping away from their product production for a while, in order to throw all their energy into making lifesaving equipment.

Dyson

With the threat of a shortage of ventilators looming in the UK, Dyson, the electrical goods company known for its vacuum cleaners but also cult status hair tools, repurposed a team of engineers to design a new ventilator to help relieve the pressure on the NHS.

From its UK base in Wiltshire (utilising aircraft hangers used in World War Two), the company is fulfilling an initial order of some 10,000 machines 'to move breathable air into and out of the lungs', and in so doing it could directly save countless lives, if the design is approved by the appropriate regulatory bodies.

Treatwell

The beauty bookings company that brings together all the best practitioners in one place, has turned its hand to helping the national health effort by asking its salon partners to donate any life-saving equipment they might now have spare, from face masks, gloves , aprons and eyewear.

It's set up a designated page where its salon partners can list what they have in terms of supplies, including equipment but also other services such as childcare or a spare hotel room (if the spa partner is linked to a hotel), which the NHS will then be able to distribute.

Find out more information at the WEBSITE

Nouveau Beauty

As beauty salons and clinics close due to the governmental decree to self-isolate, you might not have considered that there is equipment now sitting unused that could be utilised to save lives.

Karen Betts, the founder of Nouveau Lashes and HD Brows, for example, has donated an incredible 100,000 items to NHS staff and local care homes. This included face masks, gloves, hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes, all of which have been in dangerously low supply across the country.

Hand sanitiser

Hand sanitiser is sold out in almost every shop you try and order from at the moment and unfortunately a similar situation is happening across the world in our hospitals too. In fact, there are even reports that individuals are stealing the hand gel from hospitals to sell-on, exacerbating the shortages.

LVMH

One of the first companies to commit to the cause was LVMH - the company that owns luxury brands including Louis Vuitton and Givenchy fragrances. It announced back on the 16th March that it would be making its perfume production lines available for the manufacture of hand sanitiser, helping counteract the nationwide shortage of such products in France.

The anti-viral gel has been made available free-of-charge to the French health authorities, with an aim to supply it as long as it is appropriate, in a decision that has garnered widespread praise.

This Works

With customer numbers likely to be lower than normal during this uncertain time, This Works has responded in a rather wonderful way. Instead of, as you might expect, doing everything to guarantee sales, the brand has opened up their customer service line to support those who are feeling lonely during this period. With no obligation to buy anything at all, the brand ambassador will be on hand, just as someone to talk to.

Furthermore, while its not yet available for sale or donation, This Works has also revealed it has turned its attention to formulating a hand sanitiser to help meet the global demand. We hope it will contain some of the brand's signature calming aromatherapy ingredients too (if possible) as we could all appreciate some relaxation at these tense times.

Pai

Since announcing its aim to do something about the global hand sanitiser shortage, the sensitive skincare brand, Pai has had thousands of emails inquiring about donations and has been working around the clock to supply sanitiser to those who are most vulnerable.

The ‘Acton Spirit’ Hand Sanitiser sold out almost immediately when it launched towards the beginning of March, with many samples given to schools, nurseries and charities near the brand's base in South Acton.

It's proved so popular that Pai has had to set up a special pre-order page, dedicated to its 'Buy One Give One' campaign, where you can purchase a sample, while also donating one to someone in need.

For more information go to THE WEBSITE

Medik8

Medik8's on-site lab in Hertfordshire usually makes the British brand's science-led skincare formulas, but it is now utilising the space to create a completely new product for use in the fight against coronavirus.

Called 'Hygienic Hand Rub', the formula is a 80 per cent ethanol-based hand sanitiser, made according to the published WHO guidelines. It is being offered to the elderly and most vulnerable throughout the brand's local Hertfordshire community, including to care homes, police forces and even the homeless.

Medik8 has also been given permission from the government to produce up to 12,000 litres of the sanitiser, in an attempt to protect as many individuals as possible and to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Tan-Luxe

As its name suggests, Tan-Luxe is best known for its tanning formulations (especially its brilliant drops) but the brand has shut down that side of its production in order to create and donate hand gel.

The new Hand-Luxe product is not only designed to sanitise but is also hydrating, due to the inclusion of hyaluronic acid, in an attempt to stop users' hands becoming overly dry.

With 10,000 units currently being produced, the first batch is being donated to the Beauty Banks charity, before being given to NHS workers, care homes and supermarket staff across the UK.

Montamonta

Another brand altering their production line to meet the growing demand for hand sanitiser is Montamonta, which is even more impressive considering the sustainable brand only develops its own products in very small batches.

With one arm of its business - the supply of hand wash to London's culinary industry in very obvious decline - Montamonta has decided to use the last litres of denatured alcohol left in its lab to product a small quantity of 80 per cent alcohol hand sanitiser to be distributed for free to these partners.

For more information go to the WEBSITE

BeYou

If you are still searching for hand sanitiser for personal use, which is not unlikely due to the continuance of shortages, BeYou could be able to help. The brand behind the innovative period pain patch is offering a free sanitising spray with every purchase from the website (while stocks last), meaning you can try the relevantly new brand while shopping for the essential. Plus, £1 from every purchase also goes to support the Red Cross.

Soap

Of course it is not just hand sanitiser that can ensure your hands are as clean as possible. A host of soap brands, no doubt enjoying a growth of interest as individuals attempt to stock up, are using the increased demand to give back to those that are in most need.

Molton Brown

As well as giving away 95,000 bars of Ultra Pure Milk Soaps to customers before shutting their stores as part of the coronavirus lockdown, Molton Brown has donated a further 25,000 of the best-selling soap to Beauty Banks - an organisation that donates personal care products to British charities.

Furthermore, it has distributed 3,000 bottles of its Hand Lotion to NHS hospitals to try and contribute a little something to counteract the soreness caused by frequent hand washing.

"We've weathered turbulent times before, and it’s through looking after each other and putting people first that we will get through this critical situation," explains the president of Molton Brown, Mark Johnson. "We remain fully committed to the safety and wellbeing of all, and we will continue to seek out other ways of helping those in need and those who are very vulnerable during this difficult time.”

For more information go to THE WEBSITE

Nuddy

The sweet soap brand, known for its tongue-in-cheek packaging, has focused on getting bars to the most vulnerable and thus far it has donated over 4,000 samples. The latest 'Pay It Forward' scheme also means that for every bar of soap you buy, the brand will donate one to the Beauty Banks scheme, furthering the number of people who can benefit from the simple yet effective way to limit your chances of contracting the virus.

For more information go to THE WEBSITE

Soapsmith

Another soap brand looking to make a difference is Soapsmith. It is offering to gift a homemade bar to NHS teams across the UK for every one of its products sold online, with the first drop going to Whipps Cross University hospital, closest to the company's HQ.

Describing the gesture as a "small token of sincere thanks to our NHS superstars," the founder Sam Jameson explained: "I hope to give as many NHS workers a little bit of luxury, joy and pleasure as I can - even if just for the 20 seconds they're washing their hands."

For more information go to the WEBSITE

Sister&Co.

The sweet bodycare brand that aims to keep a little selfcare with all its skin-loving natural formulas, is encouraging users of the brand to look after those in their local community during lockdown.

Called the 'Neighbours in Need' campaign, the brand is relaunching its popular charcoal soap, which it is offering free with every order for the next two months. The concept being you can then give it to someone who really it but might be unable to afford it.

For more information go to the WEBSITE

Hand cream

As we all piled on the hand sanitiser, the inevitable consequence was drier, more irritated hands, with cracked knuckles and flaky nails a particular issue. What we are experiencing though is just a microcosm of what doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals have dealt with during their careers and evermore so since coronavirus has required even more stringent hand washing protocols.

L'Occitane

In response, a host of brands - L'Occitane first among them - have offered to donate thousands of creams to NHS workers. The gesture allows those on our healthcare frontline to not only protect themselves from painful irritation caused by over-washing, but also provides a small moment of self-care.

Having already donated over 10,000 individual creams, L'Occitane has also announced that it is reassigning some of its production line to help make hand sanitiser its home country; a further indication of the brand's commitment to do all it can during the pandemic.

Codex

The natural skincare brand Codex has pledged to donate over 40,000 units of its multipurpose cream, Bia Skin Superfood, to medical staff - helping soothe not only dry hands but also faces (from masks) and feet (from long hours).

"Codex Beauty want to support our medical personnel on the front lines, who are risking their lives," explained the brand founder Barbara Paldus. "We are sending free cases of our travel size Skin Superfood to any hospital that messages us on Instagram, for as long as supplies last. We are planning on giving away 40,000 units for a total donation of $400,000. We will bridge the gap with full-size product giveaways if required. This is the least we can do."

For more information go to the WEBSITE

Nuresm

The skincare brand Nursem was actually developed with nurses specifically to counteract the harsh effects that frequent hand washing can have on their hands, so it makes sense that as a company they are passionate about supporting the NHS during this difficult time.

While the brand already donates a month's supply of hand cream to an NHS nurse or midwife for every product sold in the UK (a scheme in place before the pandemic), Nursem has now pledged to donate a further 10,000 hand cream products to frontline workers.

To nominate a 'NHS hero close to your heart', simply post a picture on Instagram or Twitter using #HandsUpForNurses, tagging @nursemskincare, and including the nominee’s name in the caption.

For more information go to the WEBSITE

Dr. Paw Paw

In response to the growing number of NHS staff suffering from sore and cracked hands as well as dry lips from face masks, Dr. Paw Paw has announced it is giving away two of its multipurpose balms for free to frontline workers (excluding postage).

The nourishing formula can be used on all areas of the body - not just the hands - meaning its a useful product to have available, while the product also operates as a way for the brand 'to say thank you' to frontline workers.

For more information go to THE WEBSITE

Charity initiatives

At times like these, beauty brands are increasingly looking to make a difference by strengthening their connections to charity, whether that be donating to organisations that support the most vulnerable or to show recognition to those working to keep us safe.

Miller Harris

Miller Harris' partnership with the charity for older people, Age UK, has seen Miller Harris offer all of its hand washes, lotions and hard soaps - a total of 11,000 units - to the organisation for them to distribute to those most at need, many of whom are self-isolating.

What's more, the luxury French perfumer brand has gone one step further by encouraging other beauty companies to follow suit, with CEO, Sarah Rotheram saying: "alone we are small, together with other brands we can have a huge social impact".

Any companies interested in supporting the initiative can pledge their donations HERE.

Urban Veda

If you know of an NHS worker in need of a little bit of pampering or self-care, Urban Veda are asking for you to nominate them for a special care package, containing some of the brand's utterly relaxing products, which are based on Ayurvedic principles.

Simply tag them on the brand's Instagram page HERE

Baobab Collection

For when you want to treat yourself to a luxury home scent, we recommend Baobab's charity diffuser, wonderfully called Scent of Hope.

Retailing at £85, 100 per cent of the proceeds is being donated to St Pierre Hospital in Brussels, which is the home of the brand. With its blend of spices and amber, it's the perfect product for enjoying some escapism, without having to leave your home.

For more information go to the WEBSITE

Feminine Care

With reports suggesting that healthcare workers are enduring increasingly long shifts with limited breaks, feminine health brands are stepping up to ensure that no one goes without what they need.

Ohne and Dame

Two sustainable brands Ohne and Dame are two of the higher profile 'femcare' companies who want to help, focusing on ensuring that healthcare workers, who aren't guaranteed to get to the shop for what they need, can have access to period products.

Both are offering free tampons to NHS workers should they need them, while Ohne, the eco-friendly period product subscription service is also offering a 50 per cent discount on a three month's subscription for those who are self-isolating.

The offer can be accessed by emailing the Ohne team directly if you are a NHS worker or by using the code STAYINGIN at checkout for the discount. For Dame's organic tampons, fill in the linked form with your NHS email address.

For more information go to the OHNE and DAME websites

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