Breaking Down Barriers to Accessible Beauty Products
In the evolving world of beauty, accessibility is emerging as the next frontier of inclusivity. While brands have made strides in embracing diversity, particularly regarding skin tones and gender, people with disabilities have often been left out of the conversation. Brands like Tilt Beauty, founded by Aerin Glazer, are aiming to change that narrative. Inspired by her own struggles with arthritis, Glazer created makeup products with magnetic closures and rubberized packaging to make beauty more attainable for those with limited mobility. By working with organizations like the National Arthritis Foundation and the National Braille Institute, Tilt ensures its designs are both functional and thoughtfully created for a wider audience.
Though accessibility is gaining traction, it remains an underserved space in beauty. According to the 2025 SeeMe Inclusivity Index, only 22% of beauty brands currently design with disability in mind — an increase from just 11% in 2023 but still far from universal. Advocates like April Lockhart point out that disability is often treated as a "last frontier" in beauty, largely because it challenges traditional beauty standards. Yet, with over 70 million U.S. adults identifying as disabled, making products more accessible is not just ethical but also a smart business move. Some brands, like Olive & June and Rare Beauty, have led by example, introducing adaptive tools and packaging to meet these needs.
However, building accessible beauty products comes with its challenges. The cost of innovations like magnetic closures or assistive technology can conflict with sustainability efforts and budget constraints, making it harder for brands to balance function, style, and affordability. Nonetheless, experts argue that good design benefits everyone, not just those with disabilities—think of how a well-designed grip on a mascara wand can help anyone apply makeup more easily. More importantly, people with disabilities don't want to use products that look clinical or "different"; they want the same stylish and effective products their peers use, just made easier to handle.
For professionals in the beauty industry, this rising focus on accessibility opens a new dimension in client care and product offerings. Salons, makeup artists, and brands alike can rethink how they serve clients by prioritizing tools, products, and spaces that welcome everyone, regardless of ability. Whether it’s curating product selections that are easy to use or adjusting salon environments to accommodate diverse physical needs, embracing accessibility is not only about inclusion—it’s about leading the industry toward a more thoughtful, holistic definition of beauty.
iBeAuthentic does not own the content in the article linked above, nor are we partnered with that company who owns the content. Clicking on the link above will take you to another website which may require a subscription to access. (Fun fact, we actually used AI to help us write this summary!)