16 Sustainable Brands Proving That Shopping Ethically Isn’t Always Expensive
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As the holidays approach, the likelihood that you’ll be shopping more frequently becomes greater. You may be shopping for yourself, buying gifts for friends or coworkers, or shopping for family. And, with huge, notable sales events like Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and countless anniversary or semi-annual sales, it can be overwhelming to decide where to shop and what to purchase.
The emphasis on obvious consumerism in marketing can be intimidating, leading to impulse buys and overspending. The whole ordeal muddles the concept of shopping ethically.
You’re not alone if you’re unsure how to shop ethically, especially during the latter part of the year. While we can discuss some aspects of shopping ethically and sustainability, the reality is that it will look differently for everyone; what is or is not ethical to you may depend on your values. For some people, it may include shopping for vegan and cruelty-free products. Some individuals may look for eco-friendly ingredients and transparent sourcing, while others still may place importance on factory conditions and fair wages.
The fashion and beauty industries are rife with textile waste and worker mistreatment, so it can be difficult to decipher which brands are truly worthy of your money and which are simply greenwashing. In fact, it is estimated that 92 million tons of textile waste is created annually by the fashion industry, according to a February 2022 Good on You article.
So, how can you shop ethically during the holidays? It depends on what’s important to you! There are a baseline of helpful tools—such as familiarizing yourself with ethical or sustainable certifications brands may have—but there are also practical ways to shop ethically, too. Anything from shopping a local business, supporting business owners who align with your values, or simply doing research before buying can have an impact.
What Are The Benefits of Shopping Ethically?
Shopping ethically is altruistic: it can benefit everyone from the producer of ingredients, to factory workers and transporters, and any ecosystems that may be affected by the products. For example, using natural dyes prevents polluting chemical dyes from harming marine life. If you shop locally, you’re investing in your local economy and keeping your money in your community—while also helping someone small stay in business. By shopping from sustainable brands, you may be reducing deforestation, animal cruelty, unethical labor, and more.
You can consider companies beyond just the products they make, as well. Does the company ship in recycled or recyclable packaging? Does the company offset carbon emissions? Many fashion and beauty brands are working towards more sustainable futures, and though they might not be 100% sustainable yet, the efforts being made are generally in good faith—but still beware of greenwashing.
What Are Some Markers of Ethical or Sustainable Companies?
A good marker for environmentally friendly companies is to check and see if they have any third party certifications. The brand is more trustworthy when it has a certification that can validate its claims, otherwise you may just be being swayed by the marketing.
Here are some certifications you can look for and trust:
Global Organic Textile Standard
B Corporations
Fair Trade Certified
1% For The Planet
Global Recycled Standard
Forest Stewardship Council
Bluesign Certified
Leaping Bunny Certified
Oeko Tex
Carbon Neutral
How to Shop Ethically
Firstly, consider your values. Is it the owner, ingredients and materials, packaging, carbon emissions, water usage, factory worker treatment, animal lives impacted, or a mixture of these reasons that matter most to you? Once you know what you care about in a brand or a product, then you can begin to shop for it more precisely. You can also shop with politics in mind and support businesses that share your outlook, including supporting small businesses, brands that give back, or owners who are Black, LGBTQIA+, women, and other minorities.
In order to shop ethically, you may also find yourself shopping more intentionally. Before you fill your cart for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, ask yourself if you’d be buying the same products if there wasn’t a sale. Do you need the items now, or can they wait? Is there a sustainable or local shop that you can purchase from instead? Can you place one order instead of several in order to combine shipping? Are you okay with longer shipping times if it means everyone who was involved with the product was treated ethically? We recommend planning your holiday shopping spree ahead of time so you aren’t swayed by doorbuster deals or time-sensitive sales.
Our Favorite Ethical, Sustainable Brands To Shop
Beauty
Youth to the People
This skincare brand makes vegan, cruelty-free products that won’t harm water ecosystems. Their products are packaged in glass bottles and ships in FSC-Certified boxes. It also has a “To The Planet Fund,” where it donates to nonprofits.
Image: Amazon
Superfood Antioxidant Cleanser
Youth To The People
Image: Sephora
Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE
Image: Amazon
Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask
YOUTH TO THE PEOPLE
UpCircle Beauty
This brand makes skincare using upcycled ingredients, such as coffee grounds, to give a second life to what would otherwise be wasted. All products are vegan, cruelty-free, and come in plastic-free packaging. The products do not use palm oil and ingredients are COSMOS-Approved.
Image: Amazon
Cinnamon + Ginger Chai Soap Bar
UpCircle Beauty
Image: Amazon
Cucumber + Coffee Eye Cream
UPCIRCLE BEAUTY
Image: Amazon
Pamper Kit
UPCIRCLE BEAUTY
Ethique
This popular shampoo bar brand makes more than just that, and it’s a Certified B-Corp. The brand is also Leaping Bunny Certified, palm oil free, uses compostable packaging, and makes products for all types of people with all types of hair and skin.
Image: Amazon
Hydrating Face Serum Bar
Ethique
Image: Amazon
Natural Bodywash Bar
ETHIQUE
Image: Amazon
Ilia
Ilia is a “clean” makeup brand. It is part of 1% For The Planet and is Leaping Bunny Certified. The brand also has a recycling program where you can send in empty plastic bottles or containers (from any brand) and Ilia will properly recycle them for you.
Image: Sephora
Image: Sephora
Image: Sephora
Murad
Murad is a high-quality skin care company that dermatologists trust. The brand is PETA-approved and has a recycling partnership with Terracycle to assist with recycling its products.
Image: Murad US
Image: Murad US
Image: Murad US
HOME GOODS
Parachute
This brand is Climate Neutral and has a selection of Fair Trade Certified and GOTS-Certified products. All of the company’s wooden furniture is sustainably sourced and FSC-certified.
Image: Parachute
Ko Soap Dish
Parachute
Image: Parachute
Linen Venice Set
PARACHUTE
Image: Parachute
Tencel Sleep Robe
PARACHUTE
The Little Market
The Little Market is a nonprofit founded by women to help alleviate poverty by partnering with artisans across the globe. The company is part of The Fair Trade Federation and Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.
Image: The Little Market
Waffle Weave Towels
The LIttle Market
Image: The Little Market
Pine Tree Candle
THE LITTLE MARKET
Image: The Little Market
Naturally Dyed Journal Set
THE LITTLE MARKET
Avocado Mattress
Avocado is one of the most ethical and sustainable brands in our roundup. It makes products certified by GOTS, Made Safe, Greenguard Gold, and the FSC. Avocado is also a Certified B-Corp and makes products beyond just the bedroom.
Image: Avocado Mattress
Modal V-Neck Dress
Avocado
Image: Avocado Mattress
Eco Organic Mattress
AVOCADO
Image: Avocado Mattress
Yoga Meditation Collection
AVOCADO
The Citizenry
This home decor brand’s products are certified by the World Fair Trade Organization. The company pays double the fair trade wage, and its bedding and textiles are GOTS and Oeko-Tex Certified.
Image: The Citizenry
Stonewashed Linen Quilt
The Citizenry
Image: The Citizenry
Woven Hamper
THE CITIZENRY
Image: The Citizenry
Handwoven Jute Area Rug
THE CITIZENRY
Fashion/Clothing
Pact
Pact is an American brand with Fair Trade Certified factories and GOTS-Certified clothing. Over 50% of the textiles are made with recycled or organic materials.
Image: Pact
Image: Pact
Image: Pact
Allbirds
This brand makes sustainable shoes and clothing from natural and ethically-sourced materials, like sugarcane bamboo and regenerative wool. Allbirds is a Certified B-Corp and offsets its carbon emissions.
Image: Allbirds
Wool Performance Jogger
Allbirds
Image: Allbirds
Trino Sprinters
ALLBIRDS
Image: Allbirds
Wool Runner Mizzles
ALLBIRDS
Patagonia
Patagonia’s founder gave the company to a trust, so now the brand’s main shareholder is the planet. The brand is a longtime Certified B-Corp, has an Ironclad Guarantee, and a resale shop to give clothing a second (or third or fourth) life.
Image: Backcountry
Nano Puff Parka
Patagonia
Image: Backcountry
Porch Song Dress
PATAGONIA
Image: Backcountry
Retro Pile Fleece Jacket
PATAGONIA
Arq
Arq is a female-founded brand from the PNW. The clothing is made from “certified organic, recycled, and/or deadstock materials”--and while we recommend this brand, we’re hoping to see a third party certification soon.
Image: Arq
Image: Arq
Lou Undies
ARQ
Image: Arq
Jewelry
Missoma
This jewelry brand offsets carbon emissions from shipping, uses only factories that are Code of Practice certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council, uses 100% recycled silver in collections since 2021, and works with TreeSisters to plant trees.
Image: Missoma
Engraved Coin Necklace
Missoma
Image: Missoma
Mini Baya Hoop Earrings
MISSOMA
Image: Missoma
Molten Ovate Hoop Earrings
MISSOMA
Mejuri
Mejuri’s jewelry is made with 80% recycled gold, confirmed by the Responsible Jewellery Council. The remaining 20% of gold is newly mined from “responsible sources that support communities dependent on the industry.”
Image: Mejuri
Onyx Pinky Signet Ring
MEJURI
Image: Mejuri
Duet Ear Cuff
MEJURI
Image: Mejuri
Layered Opal Necklace
Mejuri
Ana Luisa
This jewelry brand uses FSC-Certified and recycled cardboard to ship and FSC-Certified recycled paper to mount jewelry to. The brand is also Carbon Neutral Certified and water neutral.
Image: Ana Luisa
Herringbone Chain Necklace
Ana Luisa
Image: Ana Luisa
Twisted Hoop Earrings
ANA LUISA
Image: Ana Luisa
Bangle Bracelet
ANA LUISA
Regardless of what’s on your wishlist and shopping list, if you research ahead of time you can find a way to shop with your values in mind. There are hundreds of brands to shop from, and if you’re still not sure where to start, browse our Sustainable Holiday Gift Guide.