elf Cosmetics
Cosmetics retailer
Cosmetic brand founded 2004 (e.l.f. stands for eyes, lips, face). In February 2015 private equity firm TPG Growth LLC acquired a majority stake with co-founder Joey Shamah and his family continuing to own a stake. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2016. Products are not tested on animals and makeup brushes use synthetic alternatives to animal hair. Acquired skin care brand Naturium in 2023.

Overall

Owned USA
Rating C
About the Ratings
elf Beauty Inc
USA

Company Assessment

(Last updated Jan 2023)
elf Beauty Inc
Praise
Cruelty free company
This company has either signed PETA's statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests.
Source: PETA (2023)
Criticism
Fined for North Korea sanction flout
In 2019 this company dodged a US$40 million fine by agreeing to pay just under US$1 million to settle a civil liability case for 156 'apparent' violations of the North Korea Sanctions Regulations, according to reports from The Guardian and CNBC. The mass market beauty brand was found to have imported 156 shipments of false eyelash kits worth US$4.43 million from two Chinese suppliers over a period of almost five years. The suppliers in question had sourced materials for the kits from North Korea. The brand could have been slapped with penalties amounting to US$40 million for the infraction but the fact that it self-reported and the kits accounted for less than 1 percent of revenue caused the Treasury to be lenient on this occasion.
Information
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Skin Deep hazard scores
Skin Deep is an online safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products and their potential hazards and health concerns, with over 75,000 products rated from 1 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard).
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Company Details

Type:
Public company
Founded:
2004
Revenue:
191 million USD (2015)
Employees:
159 (2017)

Contact Details

Address:
Oakland, California, USA
Website:
www.elfcosmetics.com

Products / Brands

elf Cosmetics
e.l.f. Cosmetics
Naturium Skin Care