How Beautycounter founder Gregg Renfrew is ridding cosmetics of toxins.
Gregg Renfrew, founder and CEO of the Santa Monica, California– based skin care company Beautycounter, set out for Washington, D.C., last fall on a mission to push for greater federal regulation of the ingredients used in cosmetics. As she spoke with senators and experts about the hidden dangers of beauty products and urged passage of a bill that would strengthen FDA oversight of the industry, Renfrew brought along some muscle: a dozen of Beautycounter’s consultants— home-based sellers who act as something akin to the Avon ladies of yore, introducing friends and neighbors to the company’s toxin-free products. According to Renfrew, their passion was invaluable. She recalls one meeting where a consultant jokingly warned Senator Lindsey Graham that South Carolina would feel like a very lonely place if his constituents were to find out he wasn’t voting for health-protective laws. Renfrew’s base was ignited.
For Beautycounter employees and consultants, selling products is as important as delivering the message of safe cosmetics . Renfrew was inspired to found the company after discovering that she could rid her house of the toxic chemicals hiding in everything from cleaning products to mattresses—but doing it for her shampoos, moisturizers, and makeup was nearly impossible. The certified B Corporation launched in 2013 with a commitment to bringing transparency to the murky world of personal care. It began with a handful of toxin-free moisturizers and exfoliants and now sells makeup, hair care, and baby products; in August, Beautycounter will introduce a teen skin care line. The company, which sold 500,000 products in 2014, moved 2 million products last year and expects to sell between 5 million and 6 million by the end of 2016.
This story is from the April 2016 edition of Fast Company.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 2016 edition of Fast Company.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Reimagining the ways we work and meet
As business leaders rethink their real estate footprint, they're embracing smaller, high-quality, amenity-rich spaces that are more focused on human connection.” In other words, Convene.
10 Trend
From the Most Innovative Companies | Plus 606 Honorees From Advertising to Video
The World's 50 Most Innovative Companies
"The 1920s, water went into a generator, and DC Power came out. Now electrons go into a generator, and intelligence comes out."
Orange Crush
Y Combinator was designed to be a supercondensed version of Silicon Valley. Now that it's at full potency, can it maintain its outsider pose while being the ultimate insiders' network?
Hollywood
AI is going to transform Hollywood But it won't be the horror story everyone's afraid of.
Chick-Fil-A's New Testament
Boycotted for years by liberals - and now by conservatives, too - a christian-driven brand is trying to walk the narrow path toward growth. What happens next could be enlightening for businesses everywhere.
The Office You Want
Business leaders want workers back. Workers are loath to resume their commutes. We asked five leading design firms to create plans that might make leaving home seem worthwhile.
Fan With a Plan
Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin parlayed a ski shop in suburban Philly into a $31 billion sports apparel juggernaut. Now, he's adding trading cards, gambling, live events, and more.
The Helpful Hardware Man
Marques Brownlee has rewired the way people shop for gadgets-and how companies sell them. Inside the humble factory with the power to shape the $1 trillion consumer electronics industry.
PIZZA, ROBOTS, and MONEY
THE ZESTY TALE OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST FLOPS IN SILICON VALLEY HISTORY