Can a diffusion beauty line work? Indie Lee hopes to prove it can

Can a diffusion beauty line work? Indie Lee hopes to prove it can

April 23, 2026 · 42 min

About this episode

Indie Lee discusses the launch of her diffusion beauty line and its implications for her brand and the beauty industry.

Indie Lee launched her namesake beauty brand — a pioneer of the "clean" beauty movement — in 2010. Now owned by parent company American Exchange, the brand is embarking on a new chapter: a diffusion line, Indie Lee Botanicals, which launched at Whole Foods in February. The range launched with a tight edit including a cleanser, toning mist, serum and moisturizer, each priced $20-$25. On this week's episode of The Glossy Beauty Podcast, Lee joins co-host Sara Spruch-Feiner to explore why now was the right time to launch a lower-priced line, how she approached maintaining efficacy while cutting costs, and how this diffusion brand will grow and shape her core collection's future. The conversation also dives into how shifting consumer behavior, whether driven by economic pressure or interest in ingredient safety, is reshaping how and where people shop for beauty products. Read Glossy Beauty's coverage: Why ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ is the collaborator fashion and beauty brands have been waiting for The beauty industry welcomes a flood of new peptide products as ‘peptide therapy’ trends online

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