Kelsen
brand rating & evaluation
overall rating:
Conscious
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate
The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. Below are a few factors influencing this brand's score:
certifications:
learn more about these certifications*
overview
sustainability
non-toxic
social responsibility
7 out of 10
10 out of 10
6 out of 10
about
Kelsen is an sustainability driven personal care brand that creates a limited number of high quality, toxin-free products with heavy emphasis on sustainable practices.
highlights
Sustainable ingredient sourcing
Strong sustainable packaging initiatives
Non-toxic formulations
sustainability
score:
7 out of 10
details:
Packaging
No single-use petrochemical plastics are used in any primary containers. Instead, the brand has adopted a mix of glass, plant-based bioplastic, aluminum, and paper. For products like the Shampoo & Body Wash and Hair Conditioner, Kelsen uses tubes made from sugarcane-derived polyethylene, which is ~85% plant-based. Sugarcane resin is a renewable resource that captures CO₂ as it grows, giving these tubes a smaller carbon footprint than conventional plastic. Importantly, they remain 100% recyclable in normal plastic recycling streams. It is important to note that sugarcane-derived plastic is not compostable and behaves similarly to conventional plastic unless properly recycled.
Instead of typical plastic caps, Kelsen’s tube closures are made from a biodegradable wood composite. Kelsen opts for infinitely recyclable materials (here: glass & aluminum) wherever possible.
Kelsen ships its products without plastic blister packs or shrink-wrap. The primary packaging itself is the shipping packaging in some cases (the pomade’s cardboard tube doubles as its outer box). Although the company hasn’t explicitly stated its mailer materials, the emphasis on sustainable packaging implies that shipping boxes and fillers are curbside recyclable (e.g. cardboard and paper) and plastic-free.
Ingredient Sustainability
Kelsen’s formulations are built on biodegradable, natural ingredients and responsibly sourced materials. A signature of Kelsen is its use of a Marine Performance Blend – extracts of giant sea kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), sea holly (Eryngium maritimum), and sea rock fennel (Crithmum maritimum) in every product. These coastal plants are sustainably harvested from the world’s coasts meaning Kelsen’s suppliers likely, though not certified*, practice wild-harvesting or aquaculture in a way that doesn’t deplete ecosystems.
Kelsen avoids non-degradable polymers like carbomer, polyacrylates, or PVC commonly found in personal care. Natural thickeners such as corn starch, xanthan gum, and hydroxyethylcellulose are used to give products like the pomade their texture. Kelsen uses a gentle preservative system like Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, and Ethylhexylglycerin. These compounds, though synthetically produced, are rated as safe (Good Face Project gave Kelsen a top-tier “+” safety grade) and biodegradable in wastewater treatment over time. Kelsen uses non-nano zinc oxide as the active UV filter in their SPF products, which is reef safe. Even the fragrance ingredients are natural essential oils (cedarwood, bergamot, peppermint, etc.), which biodegrade, as opposed to synthetic musks that can persist and build up in aquatic organisms.
One consideration: lanolin (in the pomade and sunscreen) is an animal-derived ingredient extracted from sheep wool. While lanolin is a natural, biodegradable substance and a byproduct of wool farming, its sustainability depends on ethical wool practices. Kelsen does not detail its lanolin sourcing, but given the PETA Cruelty-Free certification, we can infer no animals are harmed in obtaining it (wool grease is collected during routine shearing).
In summary, Kelsen’s ingredient strategy emphasizes renewable, low-impact crops (seaweed, coconut, aloe, brassica, etc.) and avoids ingredients with high environmental cost. The few synthetics used are selected carefully for safety and are in line with the brand’s clean standards.
Energy Use and Footprint
Kelsen’s website and public materials focus more on materials and ingredients than on operational energy usage. The brand has not publicly disclosed details about its manufacturing energy sources or carbon emissions.
Waste Management
The company tackles waste on multiple fronts, primarily through packaging waste (elimination of single use conventional plastics) and product waste (biodegradability of residues).
Business Model
Rather than following a traditional mass-market route, Kelsen operates with a direct-to-consumer and niche retail strategy, coupled with conscious choices in product development and community engagement. Kelsen has kept a tightly curated product lineup, focusing on multi-use essentials rather than an overwhelming array of SKUs.
non-toxic
score:
10 out of 10
details:
Kelsen proudly states that it adheres to the Credo Clean Standard™, one of the strictest safety and transparency standards in the beauty retail world. Credo’s banned list includes over 2,700 chemicals, including parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasers, PEGs, coal tar, synthetic fragrance components, and more. By being Credo-compliant from inception, Kelsen automatically excludes a wide array of potentially harmful substances.
In sun care, Kelsen demonstrates non-toxicity by using non-nano Zinc Oxide as the sole UV filter in both its SPF 50 and SPF 30 product. Kelsen steers clear of synthetic fragrances, which often contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals including potential carcinogens (like styrene) or respiratory irritants. Instead, Kelsen products have a natural chypre-cedar scent created from organic essential oils. Kelsen uses naturally derived minerals (zinc oxide, iron oxides, clay) in products like sunscreen and tinted paste. They meet non-nano criteria and likely cosmetic-grade standards for low heavy metal content.
Kelsen advertises a Good Face Project “+” Safety Grade for its product. The Good Face Project is an independent ingredient safety and transparency database that rates products based on toxicity and regulatory compliance. A “+” grade is their top tier.
social responsibility
score:
6 out of 10
details:
Kelsen is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, pledging one percent of all sales to environmental nonprofit. Kelsen’s PETA Cruelty-Free certification reflects social responsibility toward animals. Our evaluation found little to no information pertaining to fair labor standards across the supply chain.
