From Glamour to Ethics: A PEST Framework Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in the Luxury Cosmetics Industry - The Case of SK-II

Huixu Li

2025

Abstract

As the global demand for luxury cosmetics continues to rise, ethical concerns within the industry have gained increasing attention from scholars, consumers, and regulators. This paper critically examines the ethical challenges within the luxury cosmetics industry, focusing on four key areas: animal testing, child labor, economic exploitation, and unethical marketing. Despite their premium positioning, luxury cosmetic brands are often associated with serious ethical controversies. Politically, animal testing remains a global concern, as many brands exploit legal loopholes in markets such as China. Economically, inflated pricing strategies leverage consumers’ desire for beauty while offering limited correlation with production costs. Socially, manipulative marketing reinforces unrealistic beauty standards, shaping harmful consumer perceptions and social norms. Environmentally and ethically, the sourcing of mica-a common ingredient-often involves child labor in countries with inadequate labor protections, raising significant human rights concerns. Through an analysis of the SK-II case, the paper demonstrates how misleading advertising can erode consumer trust and trigger regulatory consequences. In response, the study proposes practical recommendations, including improved transparency in claims, ethical sourcing mechanisms, inclusive marketing reforms, and enhanced regulatory oversight. These strategies aim to promote ethical integrity and sustainable growth in the luxury cosmetics sector.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Li H. (2025). From Glamour to Ethics: A PEST Framework Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in the Luxury Cosmetics Industry - The Case of SK-II. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on E-commerce and Modern Logistics - Volume 1: ICEML; ISBN 978-989-758-775-7, SciTePress, pages 315-321. DOI: 10.5220/0013843400004719

in Bibtex Style

@conference{iceml25,
author={Huixu Li},
title={From Glamour to Ethics: A PEST Framework Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in the Luxury Cosmetics Industry - The Case of SK-II},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on E-commerce and Modern Logistics - Volume 1: ICEML},
year={2025},
pages={315-321},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0013843400004719},
isbn={978-989-758-775-7},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on E-commerce and Modern Logistics - Volume 1: ICEML
TI - From Glamour to Ethics: A PEST Framework Analysis of Ethical Dilemmas in the Luxury Cosmetics Industry - The Case of SK-II
SN - 978-989-758-775-7
AU - Li H.
PY - 2025
SP - 315
EP - 321
DO - 10.5220/0013843400004719
PB - SciTePress