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Acidic Ableism (Pleasing Part 2)

Updated: Jul 7, 2023

In Pleasing’s second drop, Shroom Bloom, there is something called Acid Drops. It’s an overnight serum to help get bright, glowy skin.

a clear glass bottle with a blue lid and red squeezable bulb next to a multi-colored box labeled “Acid Drops”. The colors on this box are red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, and pink. This whole picture has a white background.

My mom ordered one when they came out and when it came, she discovered the red squeeze dropper at the top of the bottle is made out of latex.

Now, the problem with this is I am allergic to latex. I have Spina Bifida and many (if not most or all) people with Spina Bifida have an allergy to latex. It is a result of numerous exposures from a young age to latex products via hospital visits. (If anyone with Spina Bifida has more and/or different information please do share!)

Nowhere in the information of this product on the website does it say there is latex.

This is worth mentioning because when it came to the Pressed Powder Pigments in the Pleasing x Marco Ribeiro release, they made sure to say, in multiple places, that one of the colors should not be used around the eyes.


A collage of 3 photos saying the pressed powder shouldn’t be used around the eyes. The top photo is white text on a black background. The text says, “Wet or Dry | Humide ou Sec This magnetic container palette contains a prism of Pressed Powder Pigments that are calling out for infinite experimentation. Each shade is a wet-to-dry formula that makes for impactful transformation through unending bespoke combinations. The magnetic container lets you be free to arrange each color as you like, or add your favorite pans. Please note, the round pan includes a vibrant pink color that is not for use around the eye area. All other pans included within the palette can be used exactly as you might see fit, including across the face and eye area. Every pigment is clean, vegan and cruelty free.” “Please note, the round pan includes a vibrant pink color that is not for use around the eye area” is underlined in yellow in yellow brackets. The bottom left photo is a circle in 3 triangles - each triangle a different color. Left is dark red/brown, right is white, and bottom is pink. Under the circle it says “NOT FOR USE IN EYE AREA”. The bottom right photo is the front of the closed powder pigment container. In the top right corner it has a photo of the circle with the colors and under it it says “NOT FOR USE IN EYE AREA”

But when it comes to something that impacts many disabled people, there’s nothing. That, to me, shows enormous lack of research which, in my opinion, shows incredible lack of concern for disabled people.


With this information, on April 11, 2022 I emailed Pleasing.


Black text on a white background. The email says “Hello. My name is Azure and I have Spina Bifida. Many, if not all, people with Spina Bifida have an allergy to latex. I personally start having a hard time breathing when I touch (and sometimes when I am just around) latex. The bulb of the acid drops' dropper (the red sqeezable part) being made of latex is a problem and can be detrimental to many people with disabilities. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Azure (they/them pronouns)”

Then, later that day, Pleasing responded to my email.


Black text on a white background. The email says “Hi Azure, Thank you for reaching out. I will definitely share this information with our Product Team. Please let us know if you have any other ideas that would help improve our products as we greatly appreciate all of your valuable feedback. Thank you, Pleasing”

After that, I periodically checked the website for any changes to the product information. I saw none, so on November 27, 2022 I emailed Pleasing again.


Black text on a white background. The email says “Hi. My name is Azure Westbrook. I emailed April 11, 2022 about the Acid Drops. To reiterate, the red bulb on the lid for the glass bottle appears to be made of latex. Latex is an allergy for a lot of disabled people. (As all allergies, it can range from a slight irritation to lethal. For me, it turns me red, makes me itch, and can make it hard for me to breathe.) There is no warning anywhere on the product page on the website that tells you what the bulb is made of. If it is made of latex and there is no warning, that is detrimental to so many disabled people. Disabled people are forgotten and ignored so much and it pains me to know so many people could be inadvertently harmed because people at this company didn't do a little research. Because my community was once again forgotten about and cast aside. If the red bulb on the lid of the Acid Drops is made of latex, there needs to be a clear warning (like there is on the Pressed Powder Pigments) so as to not cause harm to many disabled people. If it is not, please let me know so I know and can let others know we can safely use it. Sincerely, Azure Westbrook”

This time not getting a response.


This lack of response and action is, honestly, really hurtful and incredibly harmful.

I have a moderate allergy to latex, but, like all allergies, it can vary person to person. Just because not a lot happens to me when I am around and/or touch latex doesn’t mean it can’t send someone else into anaphylactic shock. This lack of research could put someone’s life in danger.

It hurts seeing disabled people ignored cast aside, and forgotten in everyday life, but this is a whole other level. To see a beauty brand, founded by someone I really admire, that prides itself on inclusivity ignore so many people on such a detrimental level is heartbreaking.


I love you, Pleasing, but outright ignoring disabled people and the existence of latex allergies is not okay. This needs to change. Do better.


(Now, I could be wrong and the red dropper may not be made of latex. If that’s the case, Pleasing: please say what it is made of so people with latex allergies can be reassured it’s okay for us to buy and use.)

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