Sukin
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 3 sources
Australian natural skincare brand, owned by Japan's Lion Corporation.
Sukin publishes no certification, independent audit or supplier list.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 2 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 2 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Met: Respects worker rights
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: Uses only synthetic mica or none, or traces natural mica to independently checked mines, and traces or certifies other high-risk ingredients (palm oil) where they're a major part of its rangeNot traced or certified: palm oil
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain: no certification, independent audits or supplier list
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Where it's made
From press and retailer reports; Sukin doesn't say where its products are made. The rest is shown as where beauty and personal care products are usually made.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| United StatesUsual for the industry | Systematic violations | Below a living wage | Low |
| FranceUsual for the industry | Regular violations | About a living wage | Low |
| ChinaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| ThailandUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| ItalyUsual for the industry | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| South KoreaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Close to a living wage | Low |
| GermanyUsual for the industry | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
| JapanUsual for the industry | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| United KingdomUsual for the industry | Regular violations | Close to a living wage | Low |
| SpainUsual for the industry | Strong protections | Close to a living wage | Low |
| IndonesiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | Moderate |
| IndiaUsual for the industry | No guarantee of rights | Well below a living wage | High |
Evidence
What we found
- Doesn't show where its palm oil comes from. Palm oil is linked to forced and child labour on some Malaysian and Indonesian plantations, so it can't be graded Good until it traces or certifies it.
Research notes Trade press reports that Sukin is made in Australian manufacturing facilities, including one in Melbourne, but the brand's own pages found don't say where its products are made and it has no modern slavery statement, supplier list, audit results or living wage commitment that could be found. Nothing found says whether it uses mica or where its palm-derived ingredients come from. It passed from BWX Group to PNB Consolidated in 2024, and Lion Corporation of Japan bought PNB in January 2026.
Sources and actions
Sources 3
Show all 3 sources
- Sukin (Shop Ethical) · search the archive · Lead only: rated B; no labour criticisms listed; palm oil sourcing unclear; not used for graded facts
- Former chief executive snaps up troubled Sukin skin care brand for AUD$70M (Personal Care Insights, 2024) · search the archive · PNB Consolidated bought Sukin in January 2024 with its Australian manufacturing facilities including Melbourne; sold in Coles, Woolworths and pharmacies
Published by Sukin or its owner
- Lion acquisition of PNB Consolidated (Lion Corporation, 2026) · search the archive · Lion acquired all shares of PNB Consolidated Pty Ltd, operator of Sukin, in January 2026
Company details
- Owned by
- Lion Corporation
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Sukin ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/sukin, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
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